Mineral Production During July 2010

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in July 2010 was lower by 2.12% compared to that of the preceding month. However the mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 9.71% during July 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 July 2010 was Rs. 13600 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5406 crore (40%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs.3418 crore, iron ore (crude) Rs. 2231 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1379 crore, lignite Rs. 303 crore and limestone Rs. 252 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 96% of the total value of mineral production in July 2010.

Production level of important minerals in July 2010 were: coal 380 lakh tonnes, lignite 26 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 4414 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 816 thousand tonnes, chromite 196 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 159 kg., iron ore 145 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 10 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 230 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 108 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 143 thousand tonnes, dolomite 357 thousand tonnes, limestone 193 lakh tones, magnesite 26 thousand tones and diamond 940 carats.

In July 2010 the output of dolomite increased by 10.89%, petroleum (crude) 9.97%, gold 9.66 %, magnesite 2.45%, natural gas (utilized) 1.01 percent. However the production of zinc conc. decreased by 5.23%, limestone 5.64%, coal 7.67%, copper conc. 7.96%, lead conc. 9.61%, manganese ore 10.16%, bauxite 15.74%, iron ore 15.96%, apatite & phosphorite 17.66%, lignite 20.45%, chromite 30.58% and diamond 83.35 percent.

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NSK/DB