Total Value of Mineral Production During March 2013 was 20475 Crore Rupees

As per the data released by Ministry of Mines on 14 May 2013, the index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in March 2013 was higher by 16.5 percent compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 2.9 percent during March 2013 as compared to that of March 2012.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during March 2013 was 20475 crore rupees. The contribution of coal was the highest at 7766 crore rupees (38 percent). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) 5888 crore rupees, iron ore 2530 crore rupees, natural gas (utilized) 1992 crore rupees, lignite 595 crore rupees and limestone 391 crore rupees. These six minerals together contributed about 94 percent of the total value of mineral production in March 2013.

Production level of important minerals in March 2013 were: coal 650 lakh tonnes, lignite 54 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 3112 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1677 thousand tonnes, chromite 348 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 135 kg., iron ore 113 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 18 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 215 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 161 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 226 thousand tonnes, dolomite 579 thousand tonnes, limestone 250 lakh tonnes, magnesite 16 thousand tonnes and diamond 4408 carat.

In March 2013 the output of diamond increased by 58.3 percent, chromite 35.1 percent, lignite 29.1 percent, coal 25.3 percent, zinc conc.16.6 percent, copper conc. 15.0 percent, petroleum (crude) 12.1 percent, natural gas (utilized) 10.5 percent, lead conc. 10.0 percent, limestone 9.6 percent, bauxite 9.3 percent, iron ore 7.7 percent, gold 6.3 percent, manganese ore 6.2 percent, dolomite 2.3 percent and apatite & phosphorite 0.1 percent. However the production of magnesite decreased by 0.3 percent.