The mining industry has historically powered India’s industrial growth and remains vital to communities, ecosystems, and local economies. Apart from its direct contributions, mining fuels other key sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure, creating a ripple effect that supports crores of livelihoods and drives national development.
The majority of minerals in India are found in tribal areas, forest heartlands, and regions marked by a slower pace of development compared to the rapidly advancing urban and rural centres in the rest of the country. This presents an opportunity for the mining sector to promote and drive inclusive progress while responsibly and sustainably extracting resources, fostering thriving local communities, and promoting environmental stewardship. The core challenge lies in creating a balance between the economic demands of mining and the responsibility to protect the environment and uplift local communities. This can only be achieved when mining moves beyond the conventional notion of resource extraction and evolves into a regenerative force that empowers both communities and landscapes.
Current State of Mining in India – Addressing the Regulatory and Exploration Gaps
Despite India’s vast mineral wealth, the country accounts for less than 1% of global exploration spending. Limited investment, slow project execution, and regulatory hurdles have continued to constrain the sector from reaching its full potential. In recent years, reforms such as greater transparency in e-auctions, reverse auctions for minor minerals, and enforcement against illegal mining have streamlined operations, boosted state revenues, and signalled a positive shift towards responsible mining practices. States such as Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have introduced pre-embedded clearances, securing key environmental and forest approvals in advance to cut delays and uncertainty. Together, these steps are setting the stage for a more responsible and sustainable mining industry – one where companies can operate with greater accountability, build sustainability into their business models, and strengthen trust with communities, while the revenues generated support infrastructure and social development in mineral-rich regions.
Environmental Degradation and Ecological Restoration
While mining has traditionally posed environmental challenges, the sector today is charting a different course that embraces sustainability and environmental responsibility. Mining companies are actively working on transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and environmental stewardship through focused initiatives, such as electrifying fleets, recycling up to 70% of water usage, securing renewable energy certifications, and embedding biodiversity into mining plans. These measures are not only reducing operational carbon footprints but also align with India’s commitment, announced at the COP26 summit, to cut carbon intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Furthermore, the repurposing of abandoned mines for agriculture and fisheries is turning once-vulnerable ecological zones into sustainable livelihood hubs, underscoring the industry’s evolving role in supporting both environmental resilience and community development.
Social Exclusion and Community Empowerment
Mining companies are taking proactive steps to support community development, going beyond statutory requirements. In recent years, significant resources have been mobilised to improve rural infrastructure, healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods. Innovative projects, such as small-scale agribusiness units, have empowered local farmers with new income streams, while vocational training programmes aligned with national skill development initiatives are enhancing employability among tribal youth. These efforts ensure that mining communities are not just recipients of development but active participants in India’s growth story.
Gender Exclusion and Women’s Empowerment
The integration of women into the mining workforce is reshaping the sector by bringing new perspectives, skills, and leadership into roles traditionally dominated by men. By virtue of the 2019 amendment to the Mines Act, women are now permitted to work above ground during certain night hours and in below-ground mines in technical, supervisory, or managerial roles, subject to their consent, safety safeguards, Standard Operating Procedures, and other conditions. Women are now operating heavy machinery, managing logistics, and leading safety operations, representing a significant shift towards greater inclusion and empowerment in the sector. In certain districts, women now comprise 22% of the mining workforce, with targets to reach 30% by FY2030. Beyond employment, women-led enterprises providing uniforms, catering, and artisanal products strengthen local economies, fostering resilience and entrepreneurship. This goes beyond gender equality; it places women at the centre of industrial progress, unlocking the potential of half the workforce to drive sustainable growth.
Sustainable Operations and Resource Efficiency
In recent years, the mining industry has embraced innovation to make operations greener, cleaner, safer, and more efficient. The adoption of slurry pipelines for ore transport has emerged as a sustainable alternative to road movement, reducing transportation emissions, easing congestion, and minimising environmental impact. Beyond operational improvements, the industry is actively restoring ecosystems, with tree-planting initiatives in Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh rehabilitating degraded land, while focused programmes in Gadchiroli are working to restore ecological balance. Mining companies are also optimising resource utilisation, turning materials once considered waste into valuable inputs. The beneficiation of Banded Hematite Quartzite (BHQ) is a prime example. In Hedri, Maharashtra, the beneficiation of BHQ, once treated as waste, now produces high-grade iron ore, reducing waste and supporting more sustainable resource management.
Towards a Regenerative Mining Future
While challenges such as inefficient DMF utilisation, slow adoption of electric fleets, and uneven gender inclusion remain, they present opportunities for innovation, collaboration, community involvement, and leadership. Addressing these issues and working towards mitigating them is imperative to reposition mining as a catalyst for sustainable development.
As the sector evolves, true success will be measured by the value it delivers to communities, ecosystems, and future generations. It will be reflected in forests restored, women empowered, skills developed, and communities made resilient. Together, these shape a future in which mining drives inclusive, sustainable growth. By embedding sustainability into every stage of mining operations, leveraging proactive reforms, and demonstrating that economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing, mining can redefine its role within India’s industrial landscape.
(B. Prabhakaran, Managing Director, Lloyds Metals & Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Thriveni Earthmovers Pvt. Ltd.)
Views are personal and do not represent the stance of this publication.
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