Metal and mining industry in India: market overview, growth and investment opportunities
India is the world's second-largest aluminium producer and fifth-largest iron producer.
Schedule a meeting nowIndia is endowed with vast reserves of numerous metallic and non-metallic minerals. The country is therefore largely self-sufficient in metallic minerals such as bauxite, chromite, iron ore and lignite, as well as mineral fuels such as coal and lignite.
The industry has the potential to significantly impact GDP growth and foreign exchange earnings, and give end-user sectors such as construction, infrastructure, automobile and energy industries a competitive edge by supplying essential raw materials at reasonable prices.
By 2023, the number of active mines in India was estimated at 1319, of which 545 extract metallic minerals and 774 non-metallic minerals.
The sector’s growth is driven by the Indian government’s investments in the country’s infrastructure and the fast growing automotive industry. The power and cement industries are also contributing to the growth of the sector. Demand for iron and steel will continue given strong growth prospects for residential and non-residential construction.
Snapshot of the metal and mining industry in India
- India is rich in the following minerals: gold, copper, bauxite, chromite, phosphorite, limestone, coal, natural gas, petroleum (crude), iron ore, manganese ore, magnesite, lignite, lead and zinc.
- India is the second largest aluminium producer, third largest lime producer and fifth largest iron ore producer in the world.
- The mining sector’s mineral production index for 2024, at 139.6, was 8% higher than in 2023.
- India’s total coal production jumped from 7289 tonnes in 2019 to 997 tonnes in 2024.
- India will be the ‘biggest growth market’ for aluminium consumption in the coming years as the country invests heavily in infrastructure. Consumption will triple to 9.5 million tonnes of aluminium by 2030.
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Growth indicators of India's metals and mining industry
- Rising energy demand: India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world, which continues to drive demand for electricity and coal.
- Expanded mining potential: There is significant potential for new mining capacities in iron ore, bauxite and coal.
- Booming metal and mining industry: Investments in infrastructure and the rapidly growing automotive industry are fuelling sector growth.
- Growing demand for steel and aluminium: Demand for steel and aluminium is expected to increase by around 10% by 2024.
- Doubling zinc demand: Due to major investments in infrastructure, India’s zinc consumption is expected to double within the next five years.
- Strong domestic and export demand: Both rising domestic demand and increasing exports of metals and minerals are expected to drive the expansion of the industry and strengthen its contribution to GDP growth.
Interesting investment opportunities in the metal and mining industry in India
European companies in the metal and mining industry can benefit from the following investment opportunities in India:
- Free coal market: Mines are permitted to sell coal on the open market, yet only about 20% of India’s total reserves have been mined so far.
- Growing demand for metals: The infrastructure and transport sectors are driving increasing demand for steel, zinc, aluminium and other metals.
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