Steady Rise in Production of Key Minerals and Aluminium Metal in the First Month of the Current Fiscal Year
Iron ore and limestone, which together account for about 80% of the total MCDR mineral production by value, achieved record production levels in FY 2023-24. Iron ore production reached 277 million metric tonnes (MMT), and limestone production hit 450 MMT during this period.
In April 2024, the first month of FY 2024-25, the production of these minerals continued to rise compared to the same month last year. Iron ore production increased by 4%, from 25 MMT in April 2023 to 26 MMT in April 2024. Limestone production grew by 2.1%, from 38.5 MMT in April 2023 to 39.3 MMT in April 2024.
In the non-ferrous metal sector, primary aluminium production reached a record 41.6 lakh tonnes (LT) in FY 2023-24. This growth trend continued into the current fiscal year, with aluminium production rising by 1%, from 3.39 LT in April 2023 to 3.42 LT in April 2024.
India ranks as the second-largest aluminium producer, third-largest limestone producer, and fourth-largest iron ore producer in the world. The sustained growth in the production of iron ore and limestone reflects robust demand in the steel and cement industries. Alongside the increase in aluminium production, these trends indicate strong ongoing economic activity in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery.
