Mineral production declines 8.1% in February 2013

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in February 2013 was lower by 8.1% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 8.1% during February 2013 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 February 2013 was Rs 17203 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 6119 crore (36%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs 5251 crore, iron ore Rs 2344 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs 1803 crore, lignite Rs 462 crore and limestone Rs 344 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in February 2013.

Production level of important minerals in February 2013 were: coal 517 lakh tonnes, lignite 42 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2817 million cubic meters, petroleum (crude) 29 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1504 thousand tonnes, chromite 185 thousand tonnes, copper concentrate 10 thousand tonnes, gold 137 kg., iron ore 104 lakh tonnes, lead concentrate 16 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 197 thousand tonnes, zinc concentrate 138 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 216 thousand tonnes, dolomite 499 thousand tonnes, limestone 223 lakh tonnes, magnesite 7 thousand tonnes and diamond 2785 carat.

In February 2013, the output of manganese ore increased by 8.7%, gold 5.4% and magnesite 3.1%. However, the production of apatite & phosphorite 0.2%, lignite 1.7%, copper concentrate 2.8%, dolomite 4.1%, limestone 4.3%, lead concentrate 6.4%, iron ore and zinc concentrate 7.3% each, coal 8.4%, petroleum (crude) 9.1%, diamond and natural gas (utilized) 11.1% each, chromite 13.1% and bauxite 18.6% declined.

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