Mineral production drops by 17 pc in April

NEW DELHI: Production of minerals declined nearly 17 per cent in April mainly due to fall in output of coal, petroleum and natural gas over the last month.

"The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in April 2013 was lower by 16.9 per cent compared to that of the preceding month," an official statement said.

The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 3.1 per cent during April 2013 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year, it said.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) during April 2013 was Rs 17,772 crore.

Though the contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 5,673 crore (32 per cent), its output declined by 33 per cent.

Likewise, the production of petroleum crude, which contributed Rs 5,671 crore to the total mineral value, was down by 3.7 per cent while natural gas which provided for Rs 1,883 crore saw a decrease in output by 5.5 per cent.

Iron ore accounted for Rs 2,712 crore, lignite Rs 490 crore and limestone Rs 382 crore, the statement said.

Six minerals -- coal, petroleum crude, natural gas, iron ore, lignite and limestone -- together contributed about 95 per cent of total value of mineral production in April 2013.

In April 2013, the output of apatite & phosphorite increased by 33.6 per cent, bauxite 14.7 per cent and iron ore 1.3 per cent, it said.