Kennametal targets the critical minerals boom in India

M.T. Swamy, Director - Sales of Kennametal India, outlines how advanced tungsten carbide solutions are powering the nation's coal surge to 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, blending productivity with sustainability in a shifting global landscape.

- M.T. Swamy

Could you introduce Kennametal India's core expertise and its strategic role within the Indian and global mining ecosystem?

Kennametal is a major global player renowned for its expertise in materials science, metallurgy, and application engineering. Our foundational strength lies in understanding complex applications and delivering superior productivity improvements, primarily through advanced tungsten carbide solutions and wear-resistant tooling.

For the mining segment, our role is to enhance efficiency and tool life. At IME 2025, we highlighted our complete range of tools for both surface and underground mining, emphasising continuous innovations in carbide grade and design to boost customer productivity and reduce downtime significantly.

What are the most significant trends shaping the Indian mining sector over the next few years, and how is Kennametal positioning itself to capitalise on these shifts?

The most significant domestic trend is the government's ambitious drive to increase coal production to 1.5 billion metric tonnes by 2030. This domestic production ramp-up is crucial for reducing forex expenditure and represents a massive growth opportunity for us.