The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in September 2012 was lower by 2.6% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 5.5% during September 2012 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 September 2012 was Rs. 14785 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5600 crore (38%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs. 4137 crore, iron ore Rs. 2321 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1221 crore, lignite Rs. 355 crore and limestone Rs. 335 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 94% of the total value of mineral production in September 2012.
Production level of important minerals in September 2012 were: coal 361 lakh tonnes, lignite 31 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 3263 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 31 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1268 thousand tonnes, chromite 223 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 10 thousand tonnes, gold 124 kg., iron ore 94 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 14 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 159 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 118 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 163 thousand tonnes, dolomite 400 thousand tonnes, limestone 214 lakh tonnes, magnesite 4 thousand tonnes and diamond 2515 carat.
In September 2012 the output of apatite & phosphorite increased by 31.9%, lead conc. 13.5%, zinc conc.12.6%, copper conc. 11.6%, bauxite 8.2%, manganese ore 1.5 percent. However the production of coal decreased by 0.1%, gold 0.8%, iron ore 2.7%, limestone 3.5%, petroleum (crude) 5.0%, lignite 5.8%, natural gas (utilized) 6.3%, dolomite 11.6%, diamond 12.1%, chromite 17.8% and magnesite 69.8 percent.