Growth of the Non-ferrous Metallurgical Industry in India

Abstract

As a distinct contract to the important raw materials for the iron and steel industry viz. iron-ore, manganese ore, lime stone, etc., in which India has vast resources, the position regarding ores of non-ferrous metals, is far from satisfactory with the exception of bauxite and ilmenite. The non-ferrous industry covers the principal industrial metals viz. lead, zinc, copper, tin, aluminium, nickel and antimony and their alloys and various semi-manufactured products. It also includes the minor and rare metals like gold, titanium, manganese, beryllium, thorium, cerium, etc. which are at present either being produced in the country in small quantities or are likely to be produced shortly on a pilot-plant scale, as a result of intensive research work being undertaken at present. There is very large scope for the expansion of the non-ferrous metallurgical industries in India. Aluminium production requires being stepped-up considerably for the country to be self-sufficient as well as to replace copper wherever possible. Production of electrolytic copper from the large quantity of scrap available in the country could be taken up. Production of ferromanganese and titania pigment for export could be stepped up considerably. Production of beryllium oxide, electrolytic manganese and titanium on pilot plant scale is being speeded up. A smelter for the production of spelter from zinc sulphate concentrates produced in India may be started in the near future and the sulphur dioxide obtained as a by-product utilized for the manufacture of sulphuric acid