The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in October 2012 was higher by 10.1% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 0.1% during October 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 October 2012 was Rs. 16975 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5850 crore (34%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs. 5067 crore, iron ore Rs. 2418 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 2130 crore, lignite Rs. 361 crore and limestone Rs. 338 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in October 2012.
Production level of important minerals in October 2012 were: coal 445 lakh tonnes, lignite 33 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 3328 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1745 thousand tonnes, chromite 176 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 134 kg., iron ore 100 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 15 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 159 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 131 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 151 thousand tonnes, dolomite 435 thousand tonnes, limestone 222 lakh tonnes, magnesite 18 thousand tonnes and diamond 2501 carat.
In October 2012 the output of coal increased by 22.9%, bauxite 20.8%, iron ore 12.1%, apatite & phosphorite 10.8%, zinc conc.10.7%, gold 8.1%, copper conc. 7.2%, lead conc. 7.0%, dolomite 5.3%, lignite 5.1%, petroleum (crude) 4.5%, limestone 3.7%, manganese ore 2.3%, natural gas (utilized) 2.0 percent. However the production of diamond decreased by 0.6%, magnesite 5.8% and chromite 21.2 percent.