Mineral Output Down In April

India's mineral production excluding atomic and minor minerals went down to Rs 4,219 crore in value terms during April 2001 as compared to Rs 4,875 crore in the previous month. Coal contributed 36 per cent to the overall production.

While coal accounted for Rs 1,516 crore, crude petroleum was pegged at Rs 1,476 crore, natural gas (utilised) at Rs 667 crore, iron ore at Rs 203 crore, lignite at Rs 91 crore and limestone at Rs 85 crore, a ministry of mines release today said here. These six minerals together contributed 96 per cent of the total value of mineral production in April 2001.

Accordingly the index of mineral production in April 2001, was 127.70 as compared to 143.25 in March 2001 showing a decrease of 11 per cent.

During the period, the output of gold increased by 82 per cent, even as that of zinc (concentrated) decreased by 51 per cent, coal 24 per cent, lignite, apatite and phosphate 23 per cent each, bauxite 21 per cent, copper (concentrated) and limestone 15 per cent each.

Decrease in output of lead (concetrated) was 12 per cent, iron ore and dolomite 10 per cent each, natural gas (utilised) five per cent, and chromite three per cent. And petroleum (crude) and managanese ore two per cent each and manganese by one per cent, it added.