India’s mineral production during August was 2.6% higher compared to the production during the corresponding month last year. The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) was Rs. 17264 crore with Coal being the highest contributor: Rs. 5508 crore (32%).

The next in line are: Petroleum (crude) Rs. 5496 crore, iron ore Rs. 2467 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 2187 crore, lignite Rs. 414 crore and limestone Rs. 396 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in August 2014.

According to a government data released on Tuesday, the index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of August stood at 116.6. The cumulative growth for the period April- August 2014-15 over the corresponding period of previous year stands at (+) 2.5%.

Production level of important minerals in August 2014 were: coal 435 lakh tonnes, lignite 35 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2645 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 30 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1415 thousand tonnes, chromite 69 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 9 thousand tonnes, gold 96 kg., iron ore 108 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 15 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 156 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 110 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 110 thousand tonnes, dolomite 535 thousand tonnes, limestone 227 lakh tonnes, magnesite 25 thousand tonnes and diamond 3676 carat.

The production of important minerals showing positive growth during August 2014 over August 2013 include ‘apatite and phosphorite’ (88.7%), ‘magnesite’ (77.9%), bauxite’ (29.6%), ‘lignite’ (19.6 %), ‘limestone’ (18.4 %), ‘coal’ (13.9), ‘iron ore’ (4.5%) and ‘manganese ore’ (2.6%). The production of other important minerals showing negative growth are: ‘lead conc.’ [(-)1.0%], ‘diamond’ [(-)3.5%], ‘petroleum (crude)’ [(-) 4.9%], ‘dolomite’ [(-)6.2%], ‘natural gas (utilized)’ [(-)8.9%], zinc conc.’ [(-)15.1%], ‘gold’ [(-) 23.2%], ‘copper conc.’ [(-)26.4%] and ‘chromite.’ [(-)56.4%].

• [Editor:Sophie]