Iron ore production volume in India 2010-2021

The production volume of iron ore in India was around 250 million metric tons in 2021. The mined ore mainly consisted of lumps, fines, and concentrates of iron. The production value of iron ore during that year was estimated to be nearly 394 billion Indian rupees.

Iron ore mining in India

India is bestowed with ample iron ore resources, with prominent mineral reserves of both hematite and magnetite ores. Due to its quality and consistency, suitable for steel and sponge iron industries, hematite ore is heavily mined. The significant hematite iron deposits are located in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. However, nearly half of the country’s iron ore is produced in the eastern state of Odisha. It is interesting to note that while the number of iron ore mines has decreased in recent years, production has risen steadily.

Iron ore trade

Taking advantage of the strong demand and high iron ore prices, Indian exporters have fared well, establishing their business as a critical supplier. Though there has been an increase in trade, the volume of exports has always been higher than imports. The majority of iron ore trade was carried out through maritime transport, with China the largest importer of Indian iron ore.