Mineral-rich India still imports thrice the value of its local production

Trend has shown no sign of abatement since 2013-14; Gold and diamond make up 80% of value of imported minerals

Despite being a repository of an array of minerals, India importing over three times the value of its indigenous production. And, the disturbing trend has shown no sign of abatement since 2013-14.

At the end of 2016-17, the country produced major metallic and non-metallic minerals valued at Rs 474.31 billion. Imports, however, were of the order of Rs 3,458.11 billion. Gold and diamond topped the import chart, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the value of imported minerals. The country also imports ores and concentrates of copper, lead, nickel and zinc and the Platinum Group of Metals.

Provisional