Indian mineral production up
The mineral production from mining and quarrying sector in April 2006 was higher by 4.31 per cent as compared to that of corresponding month of previous year.
The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during the month was Rs.6251 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 2560 crore (41%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs.1533 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs.762 crore, iron ore Rs.710 crore, lignite Rs.154 crore and limestone Rs.158 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 94% of the total value of mineral production in April 2006.
Production level of important minerals during the month were: coal 323 lakh tonnes, lignite 22 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2631 million cu.m., petroleum (crude) 28 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1119 thousand tonnes, chromite 479 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 11 thousand tonnes, gold 179 kg., iron ore 152 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 10 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 169 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 86 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 105 thousand tonnes, diamond 2 thousand carat, dolomite 361 thousand tonnes, limestone 150 lakh tonnes and magnesite 19 thousand tonnes.
