New Delhi: The latest data released by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) indicates a notable uptick in India’s mineral production for January 2024, reflecting positive momentum in the mining and quarrying sector. The index of mineral production, based on 2011-12=100, reached 144.1, marking a substantial 5.9% increase compared to the same period in January 2023. This growth trajectory underscores the resilience and vitality of India’s mineral industry amid evolving economic dynamics.
The cumulative growth for the period spanning April 2023 to January 2024 over the corresponding period of the previous year stands at a commendable 8.3%. This sustained growth trajectory reflects the robustness of India’s mineral production landscape, bolstering confidence in the sector’s role in driving economic progress.
Key Production Figures:
In January 2024, several key minerals witnessed significant production figures:
Coal: 998 lakh tonnes
Lignite: 41 lakh tonnes
Natural Gas (Utilized): 3073 million cubic meters
Petroleum (Crude): 25 lakh tonnes
Bauxite: 2426 thousand tonnes
Chromite: 251 thousand tonnes
Copper Conc.: 12.6 thousand tonnes
Gold: 134 kilograms
Iron Ore: 252 lakh tonnes
Lead Conc.: 34 thousand tonnes
Manganese Ore: 304 thousand tonnes
Zinc Conc.: 152 thousand tonnes
Limestone: 394 lakh tonnes
Phosphorite: 109 thousand tonnes
Magnesite: 13 thousand tonnes
Positive Growth Trends
Notably, several important minerals exhibited positive growth in January 2024 compared to January 2023:
Magnesite: 90.1%
Copper Conc.: 34.2%
Coal: 10.3%
Limestone: 10%
Bauxite: 9.8%
Manganese Ore: 7.8%
Natural Gas (U): 5.5%
Lead Conc.: 5.2%
Iron Ore: 4.3%
Lignite: 3.6%
Zinc Conc.: 1.3%
Petroleum (Crude): 0.7%
While the positive growth trends are encouraging, it’s imperative to address challenges facing certain minerals witnessing negative growth. Gold, chromite, and phosphorite, for instance, experienced declines in January 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, highlighting areas for targeted interventions and strategic planning.
The overall growth in mineral production for January 2024 underscores the resilience and dynamism of India’s mining and quarrying sector. As the country continues its journey towards sustainable development, the mineral industry remains a key driver of economic progress, fostering growth, employment, and industrial development.
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