Mineral production declined by 0.7 per cent in November last year to Rs 17,004 crore in value terms, mainly on account of less output of iron ore, natural gas and petroleum.
"The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in November 2012 was lower by 0.7 per cent compared to the preceding month. The sector has shown a negative growth of 5.5 per cent during November as compared to the corresponding month of previous year," an official statement from Mines Ministry said today.
Though the contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 5,673 crore (33 per cent), its production declined by three per cent.
Likewise despite contributing a massive Rs 2,422 crore and Rs 2,024 crore to the total value of minerals produced during the month, the production of iron ore and natural gas declined by 5.7 and 5 per cent during the period respectively.
The production of petroleum crude, iron ore and natural gas stood at 31 lakh tonnes, 98 lakh tonnes and 3,162 million cubic metre.
Petroleum (crude), coal, iron ore, natural gas, lignite and limestone "together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in November 2012," the statement said.
The contribution of lignite was Rs 362 crore with production at 33 lakh tonnes while limestone accounted for Rs 345 crore recording an output of 223 lakh tonnes.
Coal, which contributed Rs 5,365 crore to the kitty, second highest after petroleum saw an output of 462 lakh tonnes in November 2012, up 4 per cent than preceding month.
