The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in July 2013 was higher by 0.1% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 2.3% during July 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 July 2013 was Rs. 16641 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5804 crore (35%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs. 4899 crore, iron ore Rs. 2472 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1868 crore, lignite Rs. 308 crore and limestone Rs. 398 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in July 2013.
Production level of important minerals in July 2013 were: coal 399 lakh tonnes, lignite 25 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2918 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 2034 thousand tonnes, chromite 214 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 97 kg., iron ore 119 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 18 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 191 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 137 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 57 thousand tonnes, dolomite 522 thousand tonnes, limestone 235 lakh tonnes, magnesite 15 thousand tonnes and diamond 2338 carat.
In July 2013 the output of bauxite increased by 38.3%, limestone 4.9%, zinc conc.3.9%, iron ore 2.6%, petroleum (crude) 1.8%, natural gas (utilized) 1.7% and dolomite 0.4 percent. However the production of coal decreased by 0.8%, manganese ore 2.5%, lead conc. 3.6%, copper conc. 6.6%, apatite & phosphorite 7.4%, magnesite 7.8%, chromite 11.9%, diamond 14.5%, gold 21.8% and lignite 32.2 percent.