India's reserves of non-ferrous metals like copper, lead, zinc, and gold are not sufficient to meet domestic demand, so the country depends on imports. Bauxite is the one non-ferrous mineral that India has in adequate reserves of, with estimated reserves of 3.29 billion tonnes as of 2005. Major companies involved in production of these metals described include National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited, Hindustan Zinc Limited, and Hutti Gold Mines Limited. Production levels and consumption patterns by industry are provided for minerals like bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, and gold.

1. Mineral
Resources of
Non-Ferrous
metals in
India
NAME: YOGANSHI
En ROLL: 2019BMME011

2. What are
Non-
Ferrous
Metals?
Non-ferrous metals or alloys are materials that
are not iron-based like their ferrous counterparts.
Ferrous metals contain iron making most of their
metals a magnetic property. Non-ferrous metals
are found in the Earth as chemical compounds.
The most important non-ferrous metals happen
to be oxides or sulfides. One of the more common
groups of non-ferrous materials is copper-based
alloys such as bronze and brass. While it is
common to use brass and bronze
interchangeably, there is a difference.

3. Non-Ferrous metals in India
Unlike in the case of ferrous minerals, India’s position, both in
reserves and production of non-ferrous metallic minerals, except
in bauxite, is not satisfactory, and the country depends for these
mainly on foreign supplies procured at huge costs.
These minerals, which include copper, bauxite, lead and zinc,
gold and silver, play a vital role in a number of metallurgical,
engineering, electrical and other industries and have, therefore, an
important role in the industrial development of the country.

4. List of non-
ferrous
metals

5. Bauxite
• India’s total reserves of bauxite (the ore from
which the aluminium metal is produced) were
estimated at about 3,290 million tonnes, as of
April 1, 2005. These resources include 899
million tonnes of reserves and 2,391 million
tonnes of remaining resources. These are
considered to be adequate to keep the country
self-sufficient for many years to come, if the
present pace of development in aluminium
and other bauxite- consuming industries is to
continue. In fact, the country exports a sizeable
quantity of bauxite after meeting the
indigenous requirements.
• Aluminium is mainly used in aluminium
refractories, aircraft, automobile industry and
the chemical industry. Although extraction of
aluminium is a power-intensive process,
aluminium is fast replacing steel in industries.

6. NALCO
Mine,
Koraput,
Odisha
• India has abundant resources of bauxite and serves as a
raw material in the production of aluminium. As per the
Ministry of Mines report, India stood at the 7th position in
terms of the largest bauxite reserves globally, with about
830,000 thousand tonnes of reserves.
• Odisha alone constitutes almost 50% of India’s bauxite
production and has about 325,269 thousand tonnes of
bauxite reserves. As per the reports of the Indian Bureau
of Mines, Bauxite’s production in Odisha was 11,447,740
thousand tonnes in 2017-18
• The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is a
Navratna CPSE and a part of the Ministry of Mines. This
company came into existence on 7th January 1981 and had
a registered office in Bhubaneswar. It is the first public
sector company in India to enter into an international
metal market with the London Metal Exchange (LME)
since May 1989.
• The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is a
Navratna CPSE and a part of the Ministry of Mines. This
company came into existence on 7th January 1981 and had
a registered office in Bhubaneswar. It is the first public
sector company in India to enter into an international
metal market with the London Metal Exchange (LME)
since May 1989.

7. Production and
Consumption of
Aluminium
The production of bauxite at 24,665 thousand tonnes in 2016-17 decreased
by 12% as compared to the previous year. There were 157 reporting mines
in 2016-17 as against 190 in the previous year. Besides, 7 mines have
reported production of bauxite as associated mineral during the year. In
all, 70 producers reported production of bauxite in 2016-17. Ten principal
producers having 50 mines contributed 86% of the total production. Fifty
Six (56) major mines, including one associated mine each producing more
than 50 thousand tonnesper annum, together accounted for 96% of the
total production.
In 2016-17, the consumption of bauxite was estimated as 20.84 million
tonnes as compared to 19.62 million tonnes in the previous year.
Alumina/ Aluminium Industry was the principal consumer of bauxite
and accounted for 91% consumption in 2016-17 followed by Cement (7%)
and Calcination (1%) (Table-7). Gujarat was the main supplier of abrasive
and refractory grade bauxite. Besides, Madhya Pradesh also produces
refractory grade bauxite. Alumina plants draw supplies mostly from their
captive mines. Hindalco sources bauxite from other suppliers too

8. Copper
• Copper is one of those non-ferrous metals in which India is critically deficient
and has, therefore, to depend largely on foreign supplies. The total estimated
(UNFC) resources of copper ore in the country are 1.39 billion tonnes (as of April
1, 2005) with a metal content of 11,418 thousand tonnes.
• In India, copper ores occur as sulphides. They occur both in ancient crystalline
and younger rock formations including the Cuddapahs, Bijawars and Aravallis. It
is mostly believed that copper deposits are formed through hydrothermal
solutions either as cavity filling or replacement deposits. But replacement has
been a more dominant process than cavity filling. The ores found in India are
sparsely disseminated or locally concentrated in the form of bunches in the
enclosing rocks.

9. Hindustan
Copper Ltd

10. Production and
Consumption of Copper
The production of copper ore at 3.85 million tonnes in 2016-17
decreased by 2% as compared to that in the previous year. The
metal content in the ore produced in 2016-17works out to
33,673tonnes as against34,535 tonnes in 2015-16. Duringthe
year under review, 3.83 million tonnes of ore was treated for
obtaining copper concentrates as against3.9 million tonnes in
2015-16(Tables- 2, 3 & 4). Production of copper concentrates at
1,34,788tonnes in 2016-17 decreased by about11% as compared
to that in the previous year. MadhyaPradesh was the leading
producer of copper concentrates, accounting for about 51% of
the production during 2016-17, followed by Rajasthan with 42%
and Jharkhandwith 7% production. The number of reporting
mines in 2015-16were five as same as in the previous year.
As per the estimate of ICSG, the share of Electrical and
Telecommunication Industry in total consumption is 56%,
followed by Transport(8%), Consumer Durables (7%), Building
& Construction (7%), General Engineeringgoods (6%)and other
industries including Process Industries (16%). The apparent
availability ofcopper for internal consumption in various
industries have been computed on the basis of production of
refined copper (cathodes) and from the imports and exports
data of copper (refined). Copper is also traded in the form of
alloys but have not been considered for arrivingatapparent
availability ofcopper. During 2015-16,the exports of refined
copper was more than the imports, and the availability of
refined copper increased from 4,35,153tonnes in 2014-15to
5,03,263tonnes in 2015-16

11. Lead and
Zinc
• Almost the entire production of zinc and lead
ores in India comes from the sulphide ores
called sphalerite (for zinc) and galena (for
lead). They occur in association, enclosed
either among the crystalline schists or as veins
and pockets in the Pre-Cambrian rocks. The
ores also contain small quantities of copper,
gold, silver and vanadium.
• The total resources of lead and zinc ores, as
estimated by UNFC, were 522.58 million
tonnes with a metal content of 7,207 thousand
tonnes of lead metal and 24,260 thousand
tonnes of zinc metal, as of April 1, 2005. The
reserves and production of lead and zinc ores
in India, thus, are not adequate to meet the
domestic demand.

12. Hindustan
Zinc Ltd
• HZL is the only integrated lead and zinc producer in the
country. Its operation can be classified into mining and
smelting. It has seven mining operations and three smelting
operations. All operations are located in Rajasthan. One new
mining operation at Kayadin Ajmer district, Rajasthanis in
development stage. The Company's mining operations are
located in Rampura-Agucha (Bhilwara district), RajpuraDariba,
Sindesar-Khurd (both in Rajsamanddistrict) and Zawar
(Udaipur district), Rajasthan. Rampura-Agucha is the largest
opencast mine of lead and zinc, with a capacity of 6.15 million
tpy of lead zinc ore. The other three mines viz, Sindesar-Khurd,
Rajpura-Dariba and Zawar are underground mines with an
annual capacity of 2.0 million tonnes, 0.9 million tonnes and
1.2 million tonnes of lead & zinc ore, respectively. The average
grade of ores produced during the year 2012-13 in Rampura-
Agucha mine is 12.30%Zn & 1.8% Pb; while that of
SindesarKhurd is Zn 3.8% & Pb 2.4%, Rajpura-Dariba mine is Zn
5.41%Pb 1.3% and Zawar mines is Zn 3.8% and Pb 1.1%

13. Consumption and Production of
Lead and Zinc
• The production of primarylead during 2012-13increased to1,18,317
tonnes from 92,100 tonnes in the previous year. The output of primary
lead was mainly from Chanderiya smelter and Dariba smelter of
Hindustan ZincLtd. No production of secondary lead was reported in
lastthree years.
• The production of zinc ingotmetal at 7,04,228tonnes in 2012-13
decreased by 10% as compared to that in the previous year. Hindustan
Zinc Ltd, contributed 96 % of the total output and the remaining
production was contributed by Binani ZincLtd.
• Lead
The Battery Industry consumes about 74% of lead followed by pigments &
compounds (9%), rolled and extruded products (8%), alloys (3%), cable
sheathing (2%)and the balance 4% is consumed by other industries. The
apparentconsumption of lead during the year 2011-12and 2012-13was
calculated on the basis of production of lead (primary)and imports &
exports of refined lead (unwrought). The apparentconsumption thus
arrivedatwas 1,25,606 tonnes in 2011-12and 1,84,080tonnes in 2012-13
(Table-18).In addition to this, it is understood that large quantities of
recycled lead alsoconsumed in certain other industries.
• Zinc
Owing to its corrosion resistance in varied types of environment, zincis
used for protecting steel by way of galvanising. The GalvanisingIndustry
alone consumes about 57% of zinc, followed by coatings (16%), die-casting
alloys (14%), oxides & chemicals (7%)and extruded products (6%). The
apparentconsumption of zinc during the year 2011-12and 2012-13was
calculated on the basis of production of zincand import & exports of zinc
(not alloyed). The apparentconsumption, thus arrivedatwas 5,58,879
tonnes in 2011-12 and 5,97,583 tonnes in 2012-13(Table-19). The data on
trade of zinc(not-alloyed)was taken from DGCI&S. In addition to this, some
quantities of recycled zincare alsoconsumed in certain other industries.

14. Gold
• Gold serves as the most vital element in international banking and over 90
per cent of the world’s total gold production is used in the monetary
system. A large quantity of gold is used in India, for the manufacture of
jewellery, dentistry and decorative articles.
• In India, the vein gold deposits are found in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Assam, and Tamil Nadu while alluvial gold is mainly found in Jharkhand,
Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Punjab, Balaghat and Seoni in
Madhya Pradesh, and Purulia in West Bengal.

15. Hutti Gold
Mines Ltd
Presently, HGML is the only Public Sector Company
producing gold in the country. While in the Private
Sector Manmohan Mineral Industries Pvt. Ltd is
engaged in mine production of gold at Kunderkocha, in
Singhbhum East district, Jharkhand by undeground
method of mining. HGML operates mines at Hutti, Uti
and HiraBuddini in Raichur district, Karnataka. The
total installed capacity of Hutti mine is 7 lakh tpy gold
ore. Implementation of mechanisation of mining
operations at Hutti mine was in progress. The
production of ore at the mine was 5,24,617 tonnes
during 2015-16. Sub-level and LDBH stoping methods
are used to exploit the gold ore. In the Uti mine, mining
was carried out by opencast method till the year 2006
and thereafter by underground method. The ore from
this mine is transported to Hutti mine by road for
processing at the mills. The present mine production as
reported in 2015-16 was 23,562 tonnes of ore.
Underground exploratory mining too is in progress.
Several operations at Hira-Buddini old unit, such as,
exploratory mine development and deepening and re-
equipping of main shaft are in progress. The production
of the mine was 68 tonnes during 2015-16. Exploratory
mine development using compressed air jackhammer
drilling and electrical hoist in the shaft is presently
underway. Based on the developmental work and
feasibility, the locomotive loaders, wagon drills and
other required machinery will be used to increase the
ROM.

16. Production, Consumption
and Demand of Gold
• The production of gold ore at 582 thousand tonnes during
2016-17 increasedby 3% as compared to that in the
previous year. The quantity of ore treatedalso increased
from 552 thousand tonnesto 575 thousand tonnes as
compared to previous year.There were five reporting
mines of gold ore in 2016-17.
• The production of gold ore at 582 thousand tonnes during
2016-17 increasedby 3% as compared to that in the
previous year. The quantity of ore treatedalso increased
from 552 thousand tonnesto 575 thousand tonnes as
compared to previous year.There were five reporting
mines of gold ore in 2016-17.
• Jewelleryaccountedfor major consumption of gold, i.e.,
85%, followedby electronics6%, medal and coins 2% and
other sectors 7%. The Industrial demand especially in the
Electrical Sector for gold is mainly on account of its
excellent thermal and electrical properties.Besides, a
significant amount is consumed in dentistry and medicine.
Continuingresearch has discovered new applications for
gold as catalyst and in nano-technology.No proper
estimation of gold demand in the country could be
attempteddue to lack of proper consumption data of the
end-use industry. However,from overall evaluation it is
seen that India has a traditional and stable market for gold
consumption. There is increase in demand from
Ornamental and Electronic Sectors. Gold is considered a
valuable asset, for investmentsand bank reserves. A huge
gap exists between demand and indigenous production
which is likely to continue.

17. Silver
• The ore minerals are stephanite, agentite,
proustite and pyrargyrite. Silver is found in
the galena ores that may have up to one per
cent of this metallic mineral.
• The ore minerals are stephanite, agentite,
proustite and pyrargyrite. Silver is found in
the galena ores that may have up to one per
cent of this metallic mineral.

18. Silver
Mines
• In India, there are no native silver deposits except the
small and unique Bharak deposit of silver in Rajasthan. It
occurs generally with lead, zinc, copper and gold ores and
is extracted as a by-product from electrolysis or chemical
methods.
• Silver is recovered as a co-product as well as a by-product
in the country. Silver was recovered in the past as a co-
product in gold refining at KGF Complex and Hutti Gold
Mines in Karnataka, as a by-product in smelting and
refining of lead, zinc and copper concentrates at
Chanderiya and Debari smelters in Rajasthan, Tundoo and
Moubandar (Ghatsila) smelters in Jharkhand and at
Visakhapatnam smelter in Andhra Pradesh. The present
production of silver comes from Chanderiya lead-zinc
smelter of HZL and from gold refinery of HGML. In
addition, Hindalco extracts silver as a by-product during
smelting of imported copper concentrates at Dahej in
Gujarat.
• The installed capacity for recovery of silver at various
plants are: HCL 9.9 tpy, HZL 168 tpy and Hindalco 150
tpy. HZL aims to produce 500 tpy silver through revamp
of operations at their Sindesar Khurd Mine. The Company
has commissioned a 1.5 million tpy concentrator at the 15
Silver mine. The hundred thousand tpy lead smelter and
16 million oz per annum (about 497.6 tpy) of silver
processing plant were scheduled for completion during
the first quarter of 2011-12. The work on development of
the greenfield Kayar lead-zinc mine also progressed as per
schedule.

19. Production,
Consumption
and demand of
silver
Silver is recovered as a by-productfrom lead
and zinc concentrates, copper slime and as a
coproduct of gold refining. During the year
2011-12, the production of silver at 207,142kg
increased by 40% as compared to the previous
year due to higher recovery of silver at
Chanderiya. The production of silver from gold
refining was 200 kg in 2011-12 as against221 kg
in 2010-11. Oneprivate sector & one public
sector undertaking alsoreported production of
silver during 2011-12.In addition, Hindalco
Industries Ltd reported recovery of 45,073 kg
and 56,766kg silver from imported copper
concentrates in 2010-11and 2011-12
respectively.
Demand
Industrial silver demand,fell by 5% in 2020 to a
five-year low of 486.8 million ounces, while
strong overall demand for silver bars and coins
lifted net physical investmentdemand by 8% to
a four-year high of 200.5 million ounces.