Question : PRODUCTION OF MINES AND MINERALS

(a) whether the volume of mines and minerals production in the country has increased during the recent years;

(b) if so, the details of the production during each of the last three years, mines and mineral-wise;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to improve the production, supply and use of mines and minerals especially of Coal and Lignite in the country;

(d) whether the Government have any specific proposals under consideration to develop and promote the production of Lignite in Neyveli;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the expected production of Lignite both in quantity and value in Neyveli mines during the next two years?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES & MINERALS

(SMT. RITA VERMA)

(a) &(b):Details of Mineral-wise production during the years 1996-97 to 1998-99 are given in Annexure.

(c) : The steps taken by Government to improve production and development of mineral sector include changes in mineral policy and amendments in legislation and procedures to make them investor friendly. Government is facilitating Coal and Lignite Sector improvement by opening new projects, modernising existing mines and upgrading technologies.

(d)&(e): Yes Sir. The Central Government has approved advance action in respect of two new mines to produce 16 million tonnes of lignite at Neyveli by Neyveli Lignite Corporation(NLC). NLC is in the process of preparing feasibility reports for these mines. The lignite so produced will be utilised to feed fuel to the two proposed thermal power stations at Neyveli.

(f) : The expected production of Lignite by NLC and its value in 2000-01 and 2001-02 are as under:

Year Expected Lignite Production Estimated value	(In million tonnes) (Rs. In crores)	-	-	2000-2001	17.50 834.62	2001-2002	19.00	1198.70

Minerals	Unit	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99(P)	-	-
Coal	M.Tonnes	285.63	295.80	292.27
Lignite	M.Tonnes	22.54	23.05	23.17
Natural Gas	MMSCM	23255	26401	27428
Crude Oil	M.Tonnes	33	34	33
Metallic Minerals
Bauxite	000` tonnes	6076	6112	6452
Chromite	000` tonnes	1456	1515	1404
Copper ore	000` tonnes	3896	4500	4253
Gold	Kg.	2710	2636	2463
Iron ore	000` tonnes	68161	75723	70683
Lead Conc.	000` tonnes	60	61	64
Manganese ore	000` tonnes	1871	1642	1526
Zinc Conc.	000` tonnes	277	293	350
Non Metallic Minerals
Apostite	000` tonnes	9	7	14
Asbestos	000` tonnes	27	26	20
Barytes	000` tonnes	382	453	659
Diamond	Carats	31836	30994	34579
Dolomite	000` tonnes	3469	3003	2908
Fire Clay	000` tonnes	407	450	361
Fluorite Conc.	000` tonnes	20	11	++
Fluorite graded	000` tonnes	5	6	4
Gypsum	000` tonnes	2210	2195	2327
Kaolin	000` tonnes	775	791	709
Kyanite	000` tonnes	7	6	6
Lime stone	M.Tonnes	103	110	110
Magnesite	000` tonnes	378	374	351
Mica	Tonne	1954	1697	1492
Phosphorite	000` tonnes	1341	1219	1609
Pyrites	000` tonnes	144	125	89
Silca Sand	000` tonnes	1540	1451	1314
Sillimanite	000` tonnes	9	12	12
Steatite	000` tonnes	531	475	456
Wollastonite	000` tonnes	97	98	95