Project expansions set to lift India’s iron ore output in 2026

Core Insights - India is the third-largest iron ore producer globally, surpassing China for the second consecutive year, with a production share of 11.8% of the global total in 2025 [1] - Iron ore production in India is projected to grow to 318.8 million tonnes (mt) in 2026, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.6% [2] - The increase in production is supported by major mining companies like NMDC and SAIL, which are investing in capacity expansion and operational optimization [3][5] Production Trends - In the first 11 months of 2025, India produced 266.6mt of iron ore, marking a 3.9% year-on-year increase [3] - The production growth is attributed to the efforts of domestic giants such as NMDC and SAIL [3] - Most Indian mines have annual production below 10mt, with only a few exceeding 30mt per annum [2] Regulatory Environment - Recent amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act have created a favorable regulatory environment, encouraging investment and accelerating production [5] - The 2025 MMDR Amendment Act enhances the mining framework by broadening the scope of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust, facilitating greater exploration and development financing [6] Future Projections - Over the forecast period from 2026 to 2035, India's iron ore production is expected to decline at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.1%, reaching 316.1mt by 2035 [7] - The decline is primarily due to the planned closure of 32 mines, which produced 67.4mt in 2024 but are projected to contribute only 0.3mt by 2035 [7]