Mineral Production during August 2011

PIB (Press Release): The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in August 2011 was lower by 5.99% compared to that of the preceding month. However the mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 3.36% during August 2011 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during August 2011 was Rs.13378 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5432 crore (41%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs 2264 crore, iron ore Rs.3143 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1242 crore, lignite Rs. 309 crore and limestone Rs. 269 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in August 2011.

Production level of important minerals in August 2011 were: coal 327 lakh tonnes, lignite 25 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 3993 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 912 thousand tonnes, chromite 262 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 12 thousand tonnes, gold 189 kg., iron ore 150 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 15 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 183 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 126 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 201 thousand tonnes, dolomite 430 thousand tonnes, limestone 197 lakh tonnes, magnesite 17 thousand tonnes and diamond 1728 carat.

In August 2011 the output of dolomite increased by 9.70%, apatite & phosphorite 8.37%, lead conc. 7.93%, bauxite 1.52%, zinc conc. 0.86 percent. However the production of petroleum (crude) decreased by 0.92%, natural gas (utilized) 1.29%, copper conc. 2.61%, lignite 2.85%, limestone 2.95%, iron ore 4.16%, manganese ore 11.15%, magnesite 11.41%, gold 14.09%, coal 15.98%, chromite 17.90% and diamond 37.66 percent.