April 12, 2002

    The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during February 2002 was Rs. 4499 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 1958 crore (44%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 1351 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs. 571 crore, iron ore Rs. 191 crore, limestone Rs. 110 crore and lignite Rs. 90 crore. These six minerals together contributed 95% of the total value of mineral production in February, 2002.

    Production levels of important minerals in February, 2002 were: coal 305 lakh tonnes, lignite 19 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) 1974 million cu.m., petroleum (crude) 24 lakh tonnes, bauxite 862 thousand tonnes, chromite 198 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 15 thousand tonnes, gold 868 kg., iron ore 71 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 4 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 132 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 34 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 94 thousand tonnes, dolomite 225 thousand tonnes, limestone 104 lakh tonnes and magnesite 20 thousand tonnes.