New Delhi: India's mineral production rose 4.3% on-month in May, but the mineral sector showed a negative growth of 0.9% in the month as compared to the corresponding month of previous year.
"The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in May 2012 was higher by 4.3% compared to that of the preceding month. The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals)...was Rs 17863 crore (Rs 17084 crore in April)," the Ministry of Mines said in a statement Monday.
During the month, the contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 58.62 billion, an increase of 33% month-on-month, as far as the value of minerals was concerned.
Contribution of coal was at Rs 51.59 billion, iron ore at Rs 38.29 billion, natural gas (utilised) at Rs 13.53 billion, lignite at Rs 4.5 billion and limestone at Rs 3.34 billion, the statement said.
"These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in May 2012," it added.
In May, production level of important minerals were: coal at 44.7 million tonnes; lignite 4 million tonnes; natural gas (utilised) at 3,614 million cubic metres; petroleum (crude) 3.2 million tonnes; bauxite 1.34 million tonnes; chromite 387, 000 tonnes and copper concentrate 9,000 tonnes.
During the month, production of gold was at 144 kilogram; iron ore 15.8 million tonnes; manganese ore 202,000 tonnes; zinc 109,000 tonnes; limestone 23.8 million tonnes and diamond 2340 carat.
Production of diamond surged 57.8%; apatite & phosphorite 30.5%, while output of gold increased by 20% in the month of May.
During the month, production of chromite surged 17.9%, dolomite 17.7%, manganese ore 14.7%, bauxite 14.1%, zinc concentrate 8.5%, coal 6.2%, lead concentrate 6%, iron ore 5.3%, limestone 3.8%, petroleum (crude) 3.4%, lignite 2.6% and natural gas (utilized) 1.7%.
However, the production of copper concentrate fell by 5.2% and magnesite 41.8%.
Copyright Contify.com
