India's mineral production index of mining and quarrying sector in August (new Series 2004-05=100) 2015 stands at 119.4, which is 3.8% higher as compared to August 2014, according to government data.

 

The cumulative growth for the period April- August 2015-16 over the corresponding period of previous year stands at (+) 1.2%. 

 

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during August 2015 was Rs. 17601 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 6240 crore (35%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 5804 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 2257 crore, iron ore Rs. 1593 crore, lignite Rs. 463 crore and limestone Rs. 452 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in August 2015. 

 

Production level of important minerals in August 2015 were: coal 436 lakh tonnes, lignite 34 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2729 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 2074 thousand tonnes, chromite 124 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 9 thousand tonnes, gold 115 kg., iron ore 100 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 22 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 146 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 135 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 198 thousand tonnes, limestone 226 lakh tonnes, magnesite 21 thousand tonnes and diamond 2059 carat. 

 

The production of important minerals showing positive growth during August 2015 over August 2014 include ‘apatite & phosphorite’ (359.6%), ‘bauxite’ (96.3%), ‘chromite’ (78.9%), ‘lead conc.’ (50.5%), ‘zinc conc.’(23.3%), ‘gold’(21.1%), ‘iron ore’ (10.8%), ‘petroleum (crude)’ (5.6%), ‘natural gas (utilized)’(3.2%) and ‘coal’ (0.3%). The production of other important minerals showing negative growth are: ‘copper conc.’ and ‘limestone’ [(-) 0.5%] each, ‘lignite’ [(-) 2.0%], ‘manganese ore’ [(-) 9.2%], ‘magnesite’ [(-) 21.2%] and ‘diamond’ [(-) 44.0%].