DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7a4488/india_mining_repor) has announced the addition of the "India Mining Report Q4 2011" report to their offering.
India hosts a wide range of globally significant mineral resources, including four fuel minerals (such as coal), 11 metallic minerals (such as iron), 22 minor minerals (such as copper) and 52 non-metallic minerals (such as clay). The country ranks among the world's top five nations for its core competency commodity reserves of coal and iron ore. Iron ore reserves are estimated in the region of 23bn tonnes and account for 6% of global reserves, while coal reserves are reported to be around 255bn tonnes. India is the world's third-largest producer of coal, fourth-largest producer of iron ore and the fifth-largest producer of bauxite. However, only 10% of the country's landmass has been explored due primarily to complicated paperwork, excessive regulations and bureaucratic wrangles.
India's regulatory environment is prohibitive for the global investor. The present practice in the Indian mining industry involves issuing a mining permit/licence contingent on success in the reconnaissance phase. This practice exposes firms to high levels of risk.
India's mining sector is highly fragmented, with a large number of small and inefficient mines, many of them illegal. According to Austrade, 95% of operating mines in India produce only about 50% of the country's mineral output. Given the sector's strategic and economic importance, there is significant government involvement, with the sector dominated by state-owned companies or Public-Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as National Aluminium Corp (NALCO), SAIL, National Mineral Development Corp (NMDC) and Coal India. Indeed, according to the USGS, PSUs contribute about 85% of India's total value of mineral production and are the main producers of key commodities such as coal, iron ore, aluminium, copper and gold.
Companies Mentioned:
- Coal India
- Hindustan Copper
- National Mineral Development Corp
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7a4488/india_mining_repor