India's coal and mineral output grows
India reported a 5.5% growth in iron-ore output at 135 million tonnes (MT) for the first half of the current financial year 2024-25. The country produced 128 MT iron-ore in the same months of the previous fiscal. Manganese ore production also rose by 6.2% to 1.7 MMT in fiscal 2024-25 from 1.6 MMT during the corresponding period of previous year. India also reported higher coal output during October 2024.
Among non-ferrous metals, primary aluminium production in the months under review rose 1.2% over the corresponding period last year, increasing to 20.90 lakh ton (LT) during fiscal 2024-25. Refined copper production grew by 4.6% from 2.39 LT to 2.50 LT.
According to the Mines Ministry, India is the second largest aluminium producer, among top 10 refined copper producers and fourth largest iron ore producer in the world. “These growth trends point towards continued strong economic activity in user sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive and machinery,” a Mines Ministry statement said.
Total coal production reached 84.45 MT, surpassing the 78.57 MT recorded during October 2023, registering an increase of 7.48%. Cumulative coal production for the fiscal up to October 2024 reached 537.45 MT, an increase from 506.56 MT during the same period in financial year 2023-24, representing growth of 6.10%, a Coal Ministry statement said.
