Mineral output up 5 pc in value terms to Rs 19,369 cr in Jan

The value of country's mineral production rose by five per cent in January to Rs 19,369 crore on better production compared to Rs 18,436 crore in the corresponding month a year-ago.
While production of minerals like iron ore, petroleum crude and bauxite showed an increase during the period under review, crucial minerals like coal and natural gas showed a decline in January as against same month in 2013.
"The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during January 2014 was Rs 19,369 crore," an official statement said.
The contribution of coal was recorded at Rs 6,908 crore, Petroleum (crude) at Rs 5,954 crore, iron ore Rs 2,613 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs 1,907 crore, limestone Rs 406 crore and lignite Rs 544 crore.

The production level of coal in Janaury was 561 lakh tonnes, lignite 45 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) 2980 million cu m and petroleum (crude) 33 lakh tonnes.
The country saw 131 kg gold production and 2,442 carat diamond output during the month.
Chromite output grew by 46.7 per cent, bauxite by 22.5 per cent, manganese ore by 11 per cent, iron ore by 6.1 per cent and petroleum (crude) by 3 per cent in January 2014 over January 2013.
The coal production dipped by 0.7 per cent during the month and natural gas (utilised) saw a decrease of 6 per cent.