Mineral Production during March 2014 was 0.4% lower as compared to March 2013

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of March (new Series 2004-05=100) 2014 at 145.8, was 0.4% lower as compared to March 2013. The cumulative growth for the period April- March 2013-14 over the corresponding period of the previous year stands at (-) 0.8%.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during March 2014 was Rs. 21232 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 8325 crore (39%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 5795 crore, iron ore Rs. 3024 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1789 crore, lignite Rs. 624 crore and limestone Rs. 427 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 94% of the total value of mineral production in March 2014.

Production level of important minerals in March 2014 were: coal 654 lakh tonnes, lignite 49 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2795 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1707 thousand tonnes, chromite 461 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 246 kg., iron ore 146 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 18 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 259 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 122 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 173 thousand tonnes, dolomite 642 thousand tonnes, limestone 255 lakh tonnes, magnesite 17 thousand tonnes and diamond 5118 carat.

The production of important minerals showing positive growth during March 2014 over March 2013 include 'gold' (82.2%), 'iron ore'(23.0%), 'chromite' (18.5%), 'apatite & phosphorite' (16.8%), 'diamond' (16.1%), 'lead conc.' (0.6%) and 'coal' (0.5%). The production of other important minerals showing negative growth are: 'dolomite' [(-) 0.1%], 'manganese ore' [(-) 1.4%], 'petroleum (crude)' [(-) 1.6%], 'limestone' [(-) 3.2], 'bauxite' [(-) 7.8%], 'natural gas (utilized)' [(-) 10.2%], 'lignite' [(-) 10.3], 'copper conc.' [(-) 12.9%], 'magnesite' [(-) 16.6%] and 'zinc conc.' [(-) 24.2%].

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