Mining Sector

India is set to witness a historic general strike on Wednesday, with more than 25 crore workers from diverse sectors including banking, insurance, coal mining, and construction expected to participate. Orchestrated by a coalition of 10 central trade unions, the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ aims to challenge government policies perceived as detrimental to workers, farmers, and the broader public interest. The unions criticize labor code reforms, rising unemployment, and cuts in social spending, alleging a tilt toward corporate interests at the expense of the welfare state.

UltraTech Cement has received prestigious 5-star and 7-star ratings for its 13 limestone mines from the Indian Bureau of Mines, recognizing its commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible mining. These accolades underscore UltraTech’s alignment with the Bureau’s emphasis on green mining, operational efficiency, and technology-enabled mineral processing. The recognition affirms the company’s strategic focus on integrating sustainability into its core operations, reflecting growing industry standards for environmental stewardship within the mining sector.

Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) is embarking on an ambitious expansion strategy to increase its mining capacity from 3.47 million tonnes to 12 million tonnes per annum by fiscal year 2030-31. Central to this growth plan is a strategic collaboration with Chile’s copper giant Codelco, aimed at enhancing technical expertise and deep exploration capabilities. Despite facing critical scrutiny from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) over past project delays and financial mismanagement, HCL recorded record underground ore production at its Malanjkhand Copper Project.

The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), operating under the Ministry of Mines, will convene a prestigious national ceremony in Jaipur to recognize the country’s leading mines for exemplary adherence to sustainable and responsible mining practices. The event will honor three mines awarded the coveted 7-star rating and 95 mines rated 5-star for their outstanding performance in the fiscal year 2023-24. The Star Rating of Mines initiative, launched in 2014-15, serves as a robust framework encouraging environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic progress in mining regions.

Garuda Aerospace, a leading drone technology firm, has recently secured multiple contracts from government agencies across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand to deploy its AI-powered drone solutions for mining operations. These agreements include annual aerial surveys, digital mine closure planning, and comprehensive data analytics for mine monitoring. The firm’s innovative Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model is gaining traction, enabling scalable, cost-effective, and precise services.

MOIL Ltd., India's largest manganese ore producer, reported a significant rise in output for the first quarter of FY26, reaching 5.02 lakh tonnes—a 7% increase year-on-year. The state-owned miner also achieved its highest-ever monthly production in June, with 1.68 lakh tonnes, underscoring operational efficiency and sustained momentum. Backed by a robust mining infrastructure across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the company continues to scale output despite sectoral challenges.

In a progressive step toward redefining workplace culture, Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has launched a Guidebook to Inclusive Language to promote equity and foster a more inclusive environment across its operations. Designed as part of the company’s broader diversity initiative, the guidebook provides a strategic framework to support inclusive communication and equitable practices, especially for historically marginalized groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community, differently-abled individuals, and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

India’s largest state-owned iron ore producer, NMDC Ltd, is pivoting toward a diversified global strategy with a sharp focus on securing critical minerals—resources essential to clean energy and advanced technologies. The company is actively pursuing acquisition opportunities across mineral-rich regions in Africa, Australia, and South America. This initiative aligns with India's broader National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which aims to safeguard long-term access to strategic minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper.

India’s industrial production growth slowed sharply to 1.2% in May 2025, marking a nine-month low, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The slowdown reflects underperformance across key sectors including manufacturing, mining, and power generation. Manufacturing growth nearly halved to 2.6%, while mining output contracted marginally and power production declined significantly. The subdued performance contrasts starkly with May 2024, when industrial growth stood at 6.3%.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a subsidiary of Germany’s Daimler Truck AG, has announced a strategic partnership with Gainwell Trucking Pvt Ltd to expand the footprint of BharatBenz mining trucks across India. The collaboration focuses on enhancing sales and service delivery in key mining regions—including iron ore, coal, and limestone operations—spanning North, East, and North-Eastern India. With this alliance, both companies aim to provide a premium, reliable, and efficient sales and after-sales experience.