Overview

India is endowed with a diverse range of minerals, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, limestone, and many others. These minerals are spread across different regions of the country. India has a well-established mining industry that contributes significantly to the country's economy. Mining activities are carried out by both the public sector and private companies. India is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of coal. It has extensive coal reserves, and coal mining is a crucial industry for power generation, steel production, and other industries. India is among the top producers of iron ore, Bauxite, Copper and Lead-Zinc, Limestone in the world. States like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka are major contributors to iron ore production. The mining sector in India is governed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). This act lays down the legal framework for the regulation of mines and minerals in the country.