Mineral production declines by 16.6% in April; coal output dips 35%

India’s mineral production of mining and quarrying sector declined by 16.6% in April, mainly led by over 35% dip seen in coal output. Production of almost all minerals except bauxite and chromite declined in the month and the sector recorded a negative growth of 3.1% in April 2012 against the corresponding month of previous year.

As per the data released by the ministry of mines, the total value of mineral production barring atomic & minor minerals in April was Rs 17,084 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 5,671 crore (33%) followed by coal Rs 4,849 crore, iron ore Rs 3,593 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs 1,330 crore, lignite Rs 467 crore and limestone Rs 309 crore. These six minerals together contribute for about 95% of the total value of mineral production in April 2012.

Production of coal saw the highest decline of 34.8% at 421 lakh tonnes as compared to the previous month. Similarly, gold production witnessed 31% decline at 119 kg, followed by 26% in manganese ore output at 170 thousand tonnes, 20% in apatite and phosphorite at 205 thousand tonnes, lignite 17%, copper 13% and 12% in lead concentrate.

Production of natural gas (utilized) output was recorded at 3555 million cu.m., petroleum (crude) at 31 lakh tones, a fall of 2.3%. The output of bauxite, however, increased by 10.4% and chromite by 7.2% in April.