India has increased its ore production by almost 20% in eight months

Iron ore production in India rose by 19% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching 230 million tonnes. This was reported by BigMint.

The main drivers of growth were the states of Odisha (+13%), Chhattisgarh (+25%) and Maharashtra (+179%).

The main contribution to the increase in output came from merchant miners, whose production rose by 28% year-on-year – to 143 million tonnes. By comparison, production by captive producers rose by just 7% – to 88 million tonnes. Consequently, merchant mining companies accounted for around two-thirds of the total increase in national production, which amounted to 36 million tonnes.

The state-owned corporation NMDC remains the largest producer, having increased its output by 24% – to 39.5 million tonnes. In FY’27, the company plans to reach 60 million tonnes, compared with 53 million tonnes in FY’26. OMC recorded growth of 17% (to 26.9 million tonnes), driven in particular by a 46% increase in output at the Gandhamardan field. Lloyds Metals and Energy has shown the strongest performance among the major producers, with its output rising by 147% – to 19 million tonnes, thanks to capacity expansion at the Surjagarkh mines in Maharashtra and the commissioning of a slurry pipeline.

Among the steel holding companies’ own mining operations, trends are mixed. Tata Steel increased its output by 11% (to 30 million tonnes) and is considering selling surplus production on the open market. SAIL’s production rose by 10% (to 25.8 million tonnes). By contrast, JSW Steel reduced its output by 12% (to 12.1 million tonnes) due to high royalties on the Narayanposhi and Nuagong auctioned deposits. Rungta Mines (-6%, to 12.3 million tonnes) and Jindal Steel (-11%, to 3.2 million tonnes) also recorded a decline in output.

High operating costs remain the main problem for many companies that have acquired licences at auction. On 13 July, the Supreme Court of India upheld the methodology for calculating the average selling price (ASP), retaining royalties and contributions to sectoral funds within the calculation basis, which maintains financial pressure on high-cost fields.

Based on the figures for 2026 as a whole, BigMint expects total iron ore production in India to exceed 350 million tonnes (+15% compared with 2025). Despite high domestic production volumes, the country continues to increase imports due to the need for high-quality ore, the logistical advantages of coastal plants and periodic seasonal disruptions caused by the monsoon.

It should be noted that, according to government figures, India increased its ore production by 7% year-on-year in the 2025/2026 financial year (which ended on 31 March), reaching 310 million tonnes.