The exports of various forms of non-ferrous minerals including mica, coal and other processed and unprocessed minerals have increased to $541.65 million in the year 1999-2000 till February from $443.08 million in the corresponding period in the previous year.

This is primarily due to the exports of non-ferrous ores and minerals increasing by 71.99 per cent to $307.43 million from $178.75 million in the like period last year.

Export of iron ore has declined by 37.71 per cent to $216.77 million in the said period as against $247.99 million in 1998-99.

The export of mica has declined by 5.87 per cent, processed minerals by 10.61 per cent and that of coal by 20.27 per cent.

With a view to aid the export process the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (Tifac), an autonomous body under the Union ministry of science and technology, has prepared strategy papers on non-ferrous metals like aluminium, copper, magnesium and titanium.Strategy papers on other metals like rare earth, nuclear and noble metals are under finalisation.

Tifac in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Metals is preparing 10 techno-commercial reports on all important non-ferrous metals. A viable team has been drawn from the vast pool of experts in the industry, R&D and academia to prepare these reports which would give a further boost to the non-ferrous metal industry in the country which is poised for a rapid growth, both in terms of production as well as diverse applications.

The source reports cover mineral resources, mining and extraction, properties and applications, process technology, production stages vis-a-vis world scenario, market requirement like demand scene and R&D strategies for India.

The reports are expected to be of immense use to the industry, R&D organisations, educational institutions, planners, designers, engineers and scientists.

The industry has decided to enlarge product range to suit the market demand, enhance competitiveness by cost reduction and through greater emphasis on quality and using of leverage of high grade ore to promote and develop exports of low and medium grade ores.

According to data available with the directorate-general of commercial intelligence and statistics, the major destinations for iron ore exports are China, Japan, Korea and Pakistan.

The major destinations for mica exports are Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, UK and US. The major destinations for coal exports are Bangladesh and Nepal.

The processed minerals, however, have more export markets like Australia, Belgium, Canada, Taipei, China, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, UK and US.