Value of mineral production rises nearly 3% in December 2013

However, coal output dipped by 1 lakh tonne to 534 LT, but its contribution to the total kitty rose to Rs 6,540 crore

The value of country's mineral production rose by nearly three per cent in December, 2013 to Rs 18,735 crore on better production compared to Rs 18,195 crore a year ago.

Production of almost all minerals, excluding atomic and minors minerals, remained either almost at the same level as the previous year or marginally increased, official statement said.

However, in case of coal, which fetched the maximum value among other minerals in December last year, output dipped by 1 lakh tonne (LT) to 534 LT, but its contribution to the total kitty rose to Rs 6,540 crore from Rs 6,254 crore a year ago.

Crude petroleum fetched Rs 5,945 crore to the kitty in December last year compared to 5,854 crore in the same month previous year. Production also rose to 33 LT from 32 LT.

The value of iron ore production also went up to Rs 2,522 crore from Rs 2,331 crore. Actual output was also up at 124 LT from 99 LT.

Natural gas' contribution fell slightly to Rs 1,860 crore from Rs 2,076 crore. Production also fell to 2,906 million cubic meters from 3,244 million cubic meters.

Limestone contributed Rs 376 crore and lignite Rs 481 crore during December, 2013 compared to Rs 416 crore and Rs 346 crore, respectively a year ago.

"These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in December 2013," the statement said.

Among the precious minerals, diamond production increased to 3,206 carat from 2,367 carat, but gold output fell to 122 kg from 150 kg a year earlier.