According to an industry research, aluminium is the fastest growing nonferrous metal and its production volume is next only to steel in India.

By 2017, the demand and consumption of aluminium may rise to about 3 million tonne from nearly 1.71 million tonne now. By 2030, aluminium consumption growth will be driven by China and India, reports indicate.

After steel and aluminium, copper accounts for third in consumption. India is also among the top five zinc mining countries globally. For global players, India is a big market for mineral resources, as metals and power demand may have robust growth in long term.

But industry analysts feel that the growth in the mineral and mining sector may be affected by the regulatory and other hurdles. Despite 100 percent foreign direct investments allowed in mineral exploration, there is tepid response from global miners, experts point out.

In 2013 to 2014, industry observers feel that the mining business in India may continue to be uncertain and face problems owing to uncertainty in regulatory regime, declining global commodity prices and the Mines and Minerals Development & Regulation Bill not being in place.

Currently, mining operations face ban in three states Karnataka, Odisha and Goa. It led to revenue downturn in several companies including Sesa Goa, Rungta Mines and Patnaik Minerals.