Mineral Production During August 2010

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in August 2010 was lower by 1.13% compared to that of the preceding month. However the mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 7.05% during August 2010 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 August 2010 was Rs. 13450 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5337 crore (40%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs.3481 crore, iron ore (crude) Rs. 2187 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1326 crore, lignite Rs. 303 crore and limestone Rs. 235 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 96% of the total value of mineral production in August 2010.

Production level of important minerals in August 2010 were: coal 384 lakh tonnes, lignite 26 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 4250 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 860 thousand tonnes, chromite 220 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 201 kg., iron ore 143 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 11 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 212 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 127 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 173 thousand tonnes, dolomite 340 thousand tonnes, limestone 174 lakh tones, magnesite 26 thousand tones and diamond 1904 carats.

In August 2010 the output of diamond increased by 102.55%, apatite & phosphorite 21.35%, zinc con. 17.6%, chromite 13.15%, bauxite 8.15%, copper conc. 3.0%, lead conc. 2.84%, coal 1.05%, iron ore 1.0%, lignite 0.19 percent. However the production of dolomite decreased by 0.39%, petroleum (crude) 1.27%, natural gas (utilized) 3.72%, magnesite 6.79%, manganese ore 9.33%, limestone 10.12% and gold 33.0 percent.

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NSK/DB