The Mining industry in India is a major economic activity which contributes significantly to the economy of India. The GDP contribution of the mining industry varies from 2.2% to 2.5% only but going by the GDP of the total industrial sector it contributes around 10% to 11%. Even mining done on small scale contributes 6% to the entire cost of mineral production. Indian mining industry provides job opportunities to around 700,000 individuals.

India is the largest producer of sheet mica, the third largest producer of iron ore and the fifth largest producer of bauxite in the world. India’s metal and mining industry was estimated to be $106.4bn (£68.5bn) in 2010.

However, the mining in India is also infamous for human right violations and environmental pollution. The industry has been hit by several high profile mining scandals in recent times.

Mineral/Metal Rank No 1 Rank Country
Chromite Second South Africa
Barytes Second China
Talc/Steatite/Pyrophllite Second Brazil
Coal Third China
Bauxite Third Australia
Iron Ore Fourth China
Steel Fourth China
Zinc Fifth China
Copper Eighth Chile
Mica Eleventh Russia
Uranium   Australia
Silver   Mexico
Crude Oil 22nd Saudi Arabia
Natural Gas   Turkmenistan