THE INDIAN FOUNDRY sector-which consumes a number of minerals, including bentonite, chromite, silica sand, and zircon - has been severely hit by the global downturn, with around 1 50,000 jobs already lost in the sector. According to the Indian Institute of Foundrymen (IIF), one of the worst hit areas is west Bengal, losing around 50,000 jobs, and those foundries still in operation have cut production by around 40 percent .
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