Mineral, non-ferrous metal production continue to register growth in Apr-Feb FY25
After reaching record production levels in the last financial year (FY 2023-24), the production of several key minerals has continued to grow strongly in the current fiscal (FY 2024-25) till February.

Centre plans to evacuate more thermal coal through coastal shipping
 

Imports, price challenges to affect stainless steel sector in first quarter of FY26: Experts
New Delhi: Imports will continue to pose challenge for the domestic stainless steel industry in the first quarter of FY26 starting April 1, affecting the sector’s growth, industry experts said. Besides, the industry is expected to face challenges in the form of volatility in raw material prices, the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) said. The inflow of low-cost imports, particularly from China and Vietnam, remains a concern for domestic manufacturers, ISSDA President Rajamani Krishnamurti said. “The stainless steel sector is also likely to encounter challenges such as volatile raw material prices, especially for key inputs like nickel and ferroalloys,” he said.

Iron ore production rises 4% to 263 MT in Apr-Feb
New Delhi, The iron ore production in April-February period of the current fiscal rose by 4.4 per cent to 263 million tonne (MT). In the year-ago period, the production was 252 MT, the mines ministry said in a statement.

Indias aluminium production sees modest rises to 38.36 LT in FY24-25
New Delhi: Aluminium production saw a modest increase of 0.9 per cent, rising to 38.36 lakh tonnes (LT) during April-February of Financial Year 2024-25, according to provisional data released by Ministry of Mines.

Here’s how you can avoid ATM interchange fees
Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed banks to increase the fees they charge to customers for using the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or cash vending machines by Rs 2 to Rs 23 per transaction above the currently permissible limits.

Tariff uncertainties to keep gold prices in India between Rs 87-90K range in H1-2025: Report
 

Oil slips on recession fears but posts 3rd weekly gain
Oil prices fell on Friday on worries that U.S. tariff wars could spark a global recession, but gained for a third consecutive week after Washington ratcheted up pressure on OPEC members Venezuela and Iran.

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hints at potential petrol, diesel price cut if global crude prices remain subdued
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri raised hopes of a potential reduction in petrol and diesel prices — the first in a year — if global crude prices continue to remain subdued, reported TOI.

Petroleum products exports up 4% in volume in April-Feb, value down 7%
India’s petroleum product exports grew by 3.7% in volume terms, reaching 59.0 million tonne (MT) during April–February, compared to 56.9 MT in the same period last fiscal, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell. The increase was primarily driven by higher shipments of motor spirit, petcoke, and fuel oil.However, despite the rise in export volumes, the value of these exports declined by nearly 7% to $40.4 billion in the first eleven months of the current fiscal, down from $43.4 billion in the same period last year.

OMCs add 10,000+ EV charging stations in FY25, total crosses 25,800
Chennai: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd — have significantly expanded their electric vehicle charging infrastructure, adding over 10,000 new Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year. With this addition, the total number of EVCS at their retail outlets stood at 25,852 as of March 1, 2025. Of these, 5,817 stations were set up under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme, while 20,035 were installed using the OMCs’ own funds. The cumulative number stood at about 15,800 as of March 31, 2024, recording a sharp increase in installations during the current fiscal. Indian Oil alone accounts for over 50 per cent of the total EVCS deployed by OMCs.

Smart mining feeds tech's hunger for rare earths and critical minerals
The hunger for rare earths and critical minerals is shaping international politics. China, the United States (US) and India are among countries eager to secure supplies for their economies. In the digital era, artificial intelligence (AI), smart devices and green technologies are dependent on critical minerals. Nearly every industry in every economy, from personal devices to electric mobility to smart chips, depends on critical minerals.

Onix Renewable to set up 7 GW energy plants
Onix Renewable plans to spend nearly Rs 25,000 crore to build 7 gigawatt renewable energy capacity and 5 GW solar module and cell capacities in the next three years.

Waaree Energies inaugurates India’s largest solar cell factory in Gujarat
Gujarat: Waaree Energies on Saturday inaugurated India’s largest solar cell manufacturing unit — with 5.4 GW capacity — at Chikhli in South Gujarat that can churn out 20 solar cells every second.

Big breakthrough in nuclear deal, US firm gets clearance to build n-reactors in India
There has been big breakthrough in India-US nuclear pact two decades after being signed. The United States has given regulatory approval to Holtec International for building and designing nuclear reactors in India, as reported by Indian Express. The US Department of Energy (DoE) approved this deal on March 26. This will also be considered as the first step in the path of tapping the commercial side of the 2008 deal made between the two nations.