India iron ore supply summary

Mining practices in India shifted significantly after the 2015 Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, which replaced the first‑come‑first‑served approach with a transparent auction‑based system. This reform reshaped industry structure, and by FY 2023, captive miners had overtaken merchant producers, accounting for over half of national iron ore output. Their position strengthened further in FY 2024 as captive operators continued to consolidate market share under the revised framework. This India iron ore supply summary report examines output from eleven major mining companies and assesses how the auction regime has altered ownership patterns, competitiveness and supply concentration. It also evaluates the sector’s ability to sustain production over the long term while navigating environmental clearances, forest‑land approvals, evacuation constraints and land acquisition challenges—factors that remain central to meeting rising steel demand.