Country's mineral production saw 2.6 per cent growth in August year-on-year with its total value estimated at Rs 17,264 crore.
"The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of August 2014 was 2.6 per cent higher as compared to August 2013," said an official statement.
"The cumulative growth for the period April-August, 2014-15, over the corresponding period of previous year stands at 2.5 per cent," it added.
The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in August this year was Rs 17,264 crore.
The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 5,508 crore (32 per cent), followed by petroleum (crude) at Rs 5,496 crore, iron ore at Rs 2,467 crore, natural gas (utilised) at Rs 2,187 crore, lignite at Rs 414 crore and limestone Rs 396 crore.
"These six minerals together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in August 2014," the statement said.
Coal output was recorded at 435 lakh tonnes, lignite at 35 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) at 2,645 million cum, petroleum (crude) at 30 lakh tonnes and iron ore at 108 lakh tonnes.
As per the statement, gold production was recorded at 96 kg and diamond at 3,676 carat.
"The production of important minerals showing positive growth during August 2014 over August 2013 include apatite and phosphorite (88.7 per cent), magnesite (77.9 per cent), bauxite (29.6 per cent), lignite (19.6 per cent), limestone (18.4 per cent), coal (13.9 per cent), iron ore (4.5 per cent) and manganese ore (2.6 per cent)," it said.
