mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 9.50%

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in June 2010 was lower by 1.62% compared to that of the preceding month. However the mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 9.50% during June 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 June 2010 was Rs. 11253 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 3793 crore (34%). Next in the order of importance were: iron ore Rs. 3176 crore, petroleum (crude) Rs. 1637 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1368 crore, lignite Rs. 372 crore and limestone Rs. 264 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 94% of the total value of mineral production in June 2010.

Production level of important minerals in June 2010 were: coal 411 lakh tonnes, lignite 33 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 4370 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 29 lakh tonnes, bauxite 966 thousand tonnes, chromite 379 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 12 thousand tonnes, gold 156 kg., iron ore 183 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 12 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 249 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 114 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 173 thousand tonnes, dolomite 317 thousand tonnes, limestone 204 lakh tones, magnesite 26 thousand tones and diamond 5646 carats.

In June 2010, the output of diamond increased by 86.95%, magnesite 9.84%, zinc conc. 9.14%, lead conc. 6.52%, copper conc. 2.40%, gold 1.96%, coal 1.14%, limestone 1.12 percent. However the production of petroleum (crude) decreased by 0.20%, apatite & phosphorite 2.47%, natural gas (utilized) 2.52%, dolomite 6.45%, lignite 7.93%, chromite 9.74%, manganese ore 10.76%, iron ore 11.89% and bauxite 17.60 percent.