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Production(Thousand Tonnes)
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95
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Aluminium 512.95 483.39 470.33 429.09
Refined Copper 45.49 45.27 39.00 46.13
Lead 31.68 38.65 25.49 34.47
Zinc 102.04 126.74 146.12 149.21
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Bauxite, the basic raw material for the manufacture of aluminium, is found in abundance in India. The total recoverable reserves is of the order of 2525 million tonnes. At the current rate of production, reserves would last for another 280 years. There are about 190 working mines producing nearly five million tonnes of bauxite per annum. The public sector giant, National Aluminium Co., is the largest manufacturer of aluminium in India.
Recoverable copper ore reserves at 325 million tonnes are equivalent to only 3.21 million tonnes of metal content. Domestic production meets only about 30% of demand.
The zinc and lead industries are dominated by the public sector, Hindustan Zinc which has a capacity to produce 149,000 tonnes of zinc and 65,000 tonnes of lead per annum.
Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, Bombay
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Last updated: August 1995.