- Aluminium production drops 4% m-o-m
- Adani’s Kutch copper plant begins operations
In April 2025, India’s base metals production recorded a noticeable decline across key segments, reflecting broader industrial slowdowns and supply-side challenges. Aluminium output fell by 4%, while zinc production dropped sharply by 16%. Lead production declined by 25%, and copper cathode output was down 4% compared to the previous month.
The dip in aluminium and copper production was primarily driven by a combination of planned maintenance shutdowns by the major smelters and raw material supply constraints. Aluminium output was particularly affected by seasonal disruptions and ongoing maintenance at older smelters. In the case of copper, tight global concentrate availability and maintenance-led outages weighed on production levels.
This decline in base metal output coincided with a broader slowdown in India’s industrial activity. According to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India’s industrial output growth eased to 2.7% in April, down from a revised 3.9% in March. The weaker performance in the base metals sector likely contributed to softer industrial growth.
Aluminium
In April, India’s aluminium production stood at 347,000 tonnes (t), reflecting a 4% decline from 362,000 t recorded in the previous month. On a y-o-y basis, production increased by 1.5% from 342,000 t compared to the same period last year.
India’s primary aluminium smelting capacity totalled approximately 4.1 million tonnes (mnt). The steady production can be attributed to consistent demand in the Indian market.
The aluminium sector in India continues to be led by prominent players such as Vedanta, Hindalco, Balco, and Nalco. Among these, Vedanta remained a key contributor, producing 152,000 t in April, with a 3% decline m-o-m, yet marking a 2% rise from 149,000 t recorded in April’24.
Hindalco’s aluminium output stood at 109,000 t, while Balco reported a production of 48,000 t, both registering a 4% decrease compared to the previous month and remaining largely unchanged y-o-y. Nalco, on the other hand, recorded a sharper contraction with April output falling by 7% to 38,000 t m-o-m, although this represented a 6% increase from 36,000 t in the same month last year.
Vedanta Aluminium will invest INR 1.28 lakh crore ($15.42 billion) in a 3 mnt/per annum aluminium smelter and 4,900 MW power plant in Odisha, creating 30,000 jobs. Additionally, the state government has approved seven other projects worth INR 1.51 lakh crore across sectors such as steel, chemicals, and textiles, generating 60,000+ jobs — boosting Odisha’s industrial growth momentum.
Copper
Copper cathode production in April saw a 4% m-o-m decrease to 52,000 t from the previous month’s 54,000 t. On a y-o-y basis, copper cathode production increased by 16% compared to 45,000 t in April 2024. Hindalco emerged as the major contributor, with a production of 36,000 t, followed by Sesa Sterlite (Vedanta) with 14,000 t and Adani Kutch copper (KCL) with 2,000 t of copper cathode.
Conversely, India saw a 28% m-o-m decrease in copper ore and concentrates production, which totalled 261,600 t in April, compared to 365,799 t in March and decreased 18% y-o-y from 322,649 t in April 2024. Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), the sole primary producer, accounted for the entire production of 261,600 t of copper ores and concentrates in April.
Adani’s Kutch Copper plant in Gujarat has begun operations, marking a major step to reduce India’s import dependence. The 500,000 t/pa smelter, delayed due to global feedstock shortages, has started processing ores and aims to scale up to 1 mnt by FY’29. Reaching full capacity may take up to 18 months, amid tight global concentrate supply and declining smelting margins due to competing new capacity worldwide, as per sources.
Zinc
In April, zinc production declined by 16% m-o-m to 63,000 t against 75,000 t in March. Similarly, zinc production witnessed a decline of 11% y-o-y from 71,000 t in April’24.
India’s primary zinc smelting capacity stands at about 843,000 t. Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), India’s sole refined zinc producer, contributed around 63,000 t in April.
Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc has approved an INR 12,000 crore ($1.45 billion) investment to set up an integrated zinc complex, as part of its plans to double its zinc, lead, and silver production capacity. The project will expand refined metal capacity by 250,000 t/pa, with corresponding increases in mining and milling. Targeted for completion in 36 months, this move is part of the company’s broader 2x growth strategy.
Lead
India’s lead production decreased in April to 15,000 t, declined by 25% m-o-m from 20,000 t in March. Notably, lead production decreased by 6% y-o-y in April from 16,000 t in the same month of last year.
India’s installed capacity for primary lead production is 201,000 t/year. HZL, the sole producer of refined lead, had an output of 15,000 t in April.
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