Mineral production drops 5.7% in May

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in May 2013 was higher by 1.6% compared to that of the preceding month

The country’s mineral output dropped 5.7 per cent in May this year, compared to the same month last year, while the total value of the production stood at Rs 18,074 crore in the month under review.

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in May 2013 was higher by 1.6 per cent compared to that of the preceding month.

The statement said the total value of mineral production, excluding atomic & minor minerals, in the country during May 2013 was Rs 18,074 crore.

“The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 5,790 crore (32 per cent). Next in the order of importance were coal at Rs 5,570 crore, iron ore Rs 2,923 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs 1,879 crore, lignite Rs 514 crore and limestone Rs 389 crore,” it said.

These six minerals together contributed  94 per cent of the total value of mineral production in May 2013.

As far as the production level of minerals during the month was concerned, the country produced 43.2 million tonnes (mt) of coal, 4.5 mt lignite, 2,935 million cu.m. natural gas (utilised), 3.2 mt petroleum (crude), 0.2 mt bauxite, 288,000 tonnes chromite and 12,000 tonnes copper.

The gold production was recorded at 128 kg, iron ore at 131 lakh tonnes, lead at 17 thousand tonnes, manganese ore at 237 thousand tonnes, zinc at 143 thousand tonnes, limestone at 242 lakh tonnes and magnesite at 17 thousand tonnes besides 3735 carat diamond.

The output of chromite increased by 31.5%, diamond 27.6%, zinc 15.8% and gold 8.5%.

Iron ore saw an increase of 6.8% while petroleum (crude) production was up 2.1%.

However the production of natural gas (utilized) decreased by 0.2%, limestone 0.4% and magnesite 7.0%.