Mineral production in May rises 9%

Mineral production in May rose 8.69 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year on account of a steady rise in demand from user industries, the Mines Ministry said today.

"Mineral production in May 2010, was higher by 8.69 per cent as compared to that of the corresponding month of the previous year," the ministry said in a statement here.

However, the comparative figures in terms of the quantum of production were not given.

In value terms, mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) in the country during May stood at Rs 10,746 crore.

Coal output was the highest in value terms, at Rs 3,716 crore followed by Iron ore production at Rs 2,620 crore. While petroleum (crude) production stood at Rs 1,640 crore, natural gas (utilised) at Rs 1,403 crore, lignite at Rs 398 crore and limestone at Rs 264 crore in May.

"These six minerals together contributed about 93 per cent to the total value of mineral production in May, 2010," it added.

In terms of output, about 405 lakh tonnes of coal was produced in May. Production of lignite stood at 36 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) at 4,483 million cubic metres, petroleum (crude) at 29 lakh tonnes and bauxite at 11.84 lakh tonnes, among others.