Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy has said that India is targeting steel production of 300 million tonnes by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047. He said the government is focusing on increasing iron ore production to meet growing demand and make steel more affordable.

Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the two-day Fourth Conference of Mining Ministers in Goa, Mr Reddy said the government is taking steps to strengthen the mining sector through expanded exploration, increased mineral production and greater transparency. He said India currently produces around 168 million tonnes of steel annually.

The Minister emphasised that increasing the availability of steel and cement would also help make housing more affordable and fulfil the dream of homeownership for people across income groups. Mr Reddy stressed the need to make better use of existing mining dumps, pointing out that significant quantities of iron ore could still be recovered from previously extracted material.