The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during January, 2002 was Rs.4983 crore as compared to Rs. 4823 crore in December, 2001. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 2068 crore (42%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 1549 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs. 708 crore, iron ore Rs. 199 crore, limestone Rs. 121 crore and lignite Rs. 99 crore. These six minerals together contributed 95% of the total value of mineral production in January, 2002.

    Production levels of important minerals in January, 2002 were: coal 322 lakh tonnes, lignite 21 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) 2432 million cu.m., petroleum (crude) 28 lakh tonnes, bauxite 827 thousand tonnes, chromite 209 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 17 thousand tonnes, gold 1048 kg., iron ore 78 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 4 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 132 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 36 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 76 thousand tonnes, dolomite 250 thousand tonnes, limestone 112 lakh tonnes and magnesite 22 thousand tonnes.

    During January, 2002 the output of copper conc. Increased by 20%, chromite 12%, gold 10%, coal 9%, limestone 8% and bauxite 3%. However, the output of apatite & phosphorite decreased by 17%, magnesite 16%, manganese ore 8%, dolomite 6% lead conc. 5% iron ore 4% and zinc conc. 2%. The output of lignite, natural gas (utilised) and petroleum (crude) remained almost same at the level of previous month.