India’s Mining Industry at Crossroads

India’s mining sector plays a central role in economic and industrial growth, contributing about 2.5% to GDP directly and nearly 10% when downstream industries like steel and power are included. The country is among the world’s leading producers of coal, iron ore, bauxite, and limestone, but still depends heavily on imports of minerals such as copper and coking coal, creating economic and strategic vulnerabilities.
With demand projected to surge, coal production alone is targeted to reach 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, and the pressure on mines to deliver faster, safer, and more sustainable operations has never been greater.
This makes the adoption of advanced mining equipment and technologies a national imperative. Automation, digital monitoring, electrification, and alternative-fuel machinery not only improve safety and efficiency but also significantly reduce emissions and operating costs. Embracing these technologies will be crucial to meeting resource demand.
However, the transformation of India’s mining and construction equipment sector will not only depend on technology adoption but equally on skilled manpower and sustainable practices. Industry leaders agree that these two pillars are essential to achieving growth targets while aligning with national goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070.
This article explores how technology-driven mining can accelerate India’s infrastructure development.