India's Iron Ore Production Rises by 5.5% Compared to previous Year

India iron-ore output in the first half of the current fiscal was 5.5% higher than a year ago. The country produced 135 million tonnes (MT) of the ore compared with 128 MT in the same period of the previous fiscal, the mines ministry said on Friday.

Production of manganese ore was also higher compared with the first half of FY24-up by 6.2% to 1.7 MMT. India also reported higher coal output in October.

Among non-ferrous metals, primary aluminium production in the months under review was higher by 1.2% from the corresponding period of last year to 20.90 lakh tonnes (LT). Output of refined copper was 4.6% higher at 2.50 LT.

According to the ministry, India is the world's second-largest aluminium producer, among the top 10 producers of refined copper, and the fourth-largest iron ore producer.

"These growth trends point towards continued strong economic activity in user sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive and machinery," a ministry statement said.

Coal production last month reached 84.45 MT-- an increase of 7.48% from a year ago.

Cumulative coal production for the fiscal up to October 2024 reached 537.45 MT, representing growth of 6.10%, the coal ministry said in a statement.