Mineral Production during February 2012 (Provisional)

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in February 2012 was lower by 2.03% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 2.15% during February 2012 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 February 2012 was Rs.16566 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 5480 crore (33%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs 5406 crore, iron ore Rs.2743 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1320 crore, lignite Rs. 436 crore and limestone Rs. 311 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in February 2012.

Production level of important minerals in February 2012 were: coal 560 lakh tonnes, lignite 42 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 3526 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 30 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1219 thousand tonnes, chromite 401 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 10 thousand tonnes, gold 182 kg., iron ore 128 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 12 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 199 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 127 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 196 thousand tonnes, dolomite 364 thousand tonnes, limestone 214 lakh tonnes, magnesite 19 thousand tonnes and diamond 2379 carat.

In February 2012 the output of diamond increased by 30.43%, chromite 22.73%, apatite & phosphorite 12.00%, bauxite 11.54%, manganese ore 10.78%, dolomite 9.16%, coal 1.45%, zinc conc.0.56 percent. However the production of iron ore decreased by 1.22%, lignite 1.51%, limestone 2.25%, magnesite 2.26%, petroleum (crude) 5.58%, natural gas (utilized) 7.58%, gold 10.78%, copper conc. 13.75% and lead conc. 16.01 percent.

SKS