New Delhi: India's mineral production in the month of April fell by 16.6%, recording a total value of Rs 170.84 billion, compared to the previous month, led by the 35% decline in coal production, the government said Monday.
"The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in April 2012 was lower by 16.6% compared to that of the preceding month. The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals)...was Rs 17,084 crore (Rs 170.84 billion)," the Ministry of Mines said in a statement.
During the month, output (provisional) from all the minerals barring bauxite and chromite declined and the sector recorded a "a negative growth of 3.1% during April 2012 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year", the statement added.
Production of bauxite rose by 10.4% while chromite output surged by 7.2% during April.
Coal production dropped by 34.8% during the month to 42.1 million tonnes (MT), as against last month.
Apart from coal, gold production declined by 31.2%, manganese ore output dropped 25.6%, apatite and phosphorite production down by 19.7%, lignite output fell by 17.1%, while copper and lead concentrate declined by 13% and 12%, respectively.
The contribution of petroleum (crude) topped the rank with Rs 56.71 billion, as far as the value of minerals was concerned, in April 2012. Coal valued at Rs 48.49 billion, iron ore at Rs 35.93 billion, natural gas (utilised) at Rs 13.3 billion, lignite output at Rs 4.67 billion while limestone valued at Rs 3.09 billion, the statement said.
"These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in April 2012," it added.
In April, production level of important minerals were: natural gas (utilised) output at 3,555 million cubic metres, petroleum (crude) 3.1 million tonnes, bauxite 1.39 million tonnes, chromite 416,000 tonnes, copper concentrate 10,000 tonnes, and gold 119 Kilogram.
Iron ore output during April 2012 was 14.2 MT, limestone 2.2 MT, and diamond 1,483 carat.
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