The mineral sector had shown a positive growth of 4.67% during the current financial year i.e. April-June 2008-09 as compared to that of the previous year. However, the mineral production from mining and quarrying sector in June 2008 decreased by 7.57% as compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral production in June 2008 was also higher by 2.92% as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) in the country during June 2008 was Rs.7824 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs.2793 crore (36%). Next in the order of importance were:

• iron ore - Rs.1752 crore
• petroleum (crude) - Rs.1473 crore
• natural gas (utilized) - Rs.781 crore
• lignite - Rs.204 crore and
• limestone - Rs.214 crore

These six minerals together contributed about 92% of the total value of mineral production in June 2008.

Production level of important minerals in June 2008 were: coal 346 lakh tonnes, lignite 25 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2540 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 26 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1303 thousand tonnes, chromite 416 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 8 thousand tonnes, gold 247 kg., iron ore 185 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 10 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 242 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 88 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 154 thousand tonnes, dolomite 297 thousand tonnes, limestone 173 lakh tonnes and magnesite 22 thousand tonnes. A nominal production of diamond was also reported in the current month.

In June 2008, the out of copper conc. remains at the level of previous month whereas it was marginally lower in case of gold and magnesite. However, the production of iron ore decreased 1.08%, limestone 1.41%, zinc conc. 2.66%, manganese ore 4.23%, apatite & phosphorite 5.70%, coal 6.16%, petroleum (crude) 9.04%, natural gas (utilized) 9.38%, chromite 10.88%, lead conc. 13.21%, dolomite 19.91%, lignite 23.31% and bauxite 36.76 percent.

Courtesy: Ministry of Mines, Government of India