Index of mineral output grows 0.7 pc in Sept

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for September grew 0.7 per cent while the total value of the mineral output was estimated at Rs 17,221 crore.
"The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of September 2014 at 116.0, was 0.7 per cent higher as compared to September 2013," an official statement said.
It said the a cumulative growth of 2.1 per cent was recorded for April-September 2014-15 over the same period of previous year.
"The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during September 2014 was Rs 17,221 crore," the statement from the Mines Ministry said.

The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 5,643 crore (33 per cent), followed by petroleum (crude) at Rs 5,535 crore, iron ore at Rs 2,299 crore, natural gas (utilised) at Rs 2,182 crore, lignite at Rs 354 crore and limestone at Rs 410 crore respectively.
"These six minerals together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in September 2014," the statement added.
Production level of important minerals during the month stood at 440 lakh tonnes of coal, 29 lakh tonnes of lignite, 2638 million cu. M. Natural gas (utilised), 30 lakh tonnes of petroleum crude and 95 lakh tonnes iron ore. Besides, 108 kgs of gold and 2469 carat diamond were witnessed.