FDI in mining trickles to $36 mn in FY18, from a peak of $659 mn in FY15

Limited focus by govt on exploration of minerals, with tax rates as high as 64%, which is among world's highest, have led to a fall in FDI inflow in the sector

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the mining sector have hit the slow lane. After touching a peak of $659 million in 2014-15, FDI inflows into mining have tanked to $36 million at the end of 2017-18.

As a share of the overall FDI drawn by the country, the mining sector’s contribution has shrunk from 2.06 per cent to 0.08 per cent during the period. According to data by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the mining sector’s slump in drawing FDI is comparable to 2013-14 when only $13 million investment came in, with a measly share of 0.05