India's minerals production down 2.12 per cent in July

The index of mineral production from mines in the country fell 2.12 per cent in July 2010 compared to the level of the preceding month, even as the mineral sector has shown  positive growth of 9.71 per cent year-on-year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) in the country during July 2010 stood at Rs1,36,00 crore.

Of this, crude petroleum had the highest share at Rs5,406 crore (40 per cent), followed by coal (Rs3,418 crore), iron ore (Rs2,231 crore), natural gas (Rs1,379 crore), lignite (Rs303 crore) and limestone (Rs252 crore).

These six minerals together contributed about 96 per cent of the total value of mineral production in July 2010, the release noted.

Production volume of important minerals in July 2010 were: coal 380 lakh tonnes, lignite 2.6 million tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 4,414 million cu m, petroleum (crude) 3.2 million tonnes, bauxite 8.16 lakh tonnes, chromite 1.96 lakh tonnes, copper concentrate 11,000 tonnes, gold 159 kg, iron ore 14.5 million tonnes, lead concentrate 10,000 tonnes, manganese ore 2.30 lakh tonnes, zinc concentrate 1.08 lakh tonnes, appetite and phosphorite 1.43 lakh tonnes, dolomite 3.57 lakh tonnes, limestone 19.3 million tones, magnesite 26,000 tonnes and diamond 940 carats.

In July 2010 the output of dolomite increased 10.89 per cent while production of petroleum (crude) rose 9.97 per cent, gold 9.66 per cent, magnesite 2.45 per cent and natural gas (utilised) 1.01 per cent. However the production of zinc concentrate decreased 5.23 per cent, limestone 5.64 per cent, coal 7.67 per cent, copper concentrate 7.96 per cent, lead conc. 9.61 per cent, manganese ore 10.16 per cent, bauxite 15.74 per cent, iron ore 15.96 per cent, appetite and phosphorite 17.66 per cent, lignite 20.45 per cent, chromite 30.58 per cent and diamond 83.35 per cent.