The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in September 2013 was higher by 1.3% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 3.3% during September 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 September 2013 was Rs. 16120 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5625 crore (35%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs. 4939 crore, iron ore Rs. 2198 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1801 crore, lignite Rs. 383 crore and limestone Rs. 355 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in September 2013.
Production level of important minerals in September 2013 were: coal 406 lakh tonnes, lignite 30 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2814 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 31 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1239 thousand tonnes, chromite 170 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 12 thousand tonnes, gold 117 kg., iron ore 107 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 12 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 199 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 113 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 136 thousand tonnes, dolomite 504 thousand tonnes, limestone 206 lakh tonnes, magnesite 14 thousand tonnes and diamond 3001 carat.
In September 2013 the output of apatite & phosphorite increased by 133.8%, manganese ore 27.9%, magnesite 7.3%, iron ore 6.9%, limestone 6.8%, chromite 6.7%, coal 6.4%, bauxite 5.4% and lignite 4.5 percent. However the production of natural gas (utilized) decreased by 3.0%, petroleum (crude) 3.1%, dolomite 4.6%, copper conc. 6.0%, gold 6.4%, zinc conc.12.8%, lead conc. 18.2% and diamond 21.2 percent