The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in April 2013 was lower by 16.9% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 3.1% during April 2013 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during April 2013 was Rs. 17772 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs. 5673 crore (32%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 5671 crore, iron ore Rs. 2712 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1883 crore, lignite Rs. 490 crore and limestone Rs. 382 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in April 2013.

Production level of important minerals in April 2013 were: coal 435 lakh tonnes, lignite 39 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2942 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 31 lakh tonnes, bauxite 2035 thousand tonnes, chromite 242 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 10 thousand tonnes, gold 120 kg., iron ore 119 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 16 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 194 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 124 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 198 thousand tonnes, dolomite 520 thousand tonnes, limestone 242 lakh tonnes, magnesite 16 thousand tonnes and diamond 2928 carat.

In April 2013 the output of apatite & phosphorite increased by 33.6%, bauxite 14.7% and iron ore 1.3% percent. However the production of petroleum (crude) decreased by 3.7%, natural gas (utilized) 5.5%, limestone 5.9%, lead conc. 8.9%, gold 11.1%, dolomite 15.0%, manganese ore 18.1%, copper conc. 18.6%, magnesite 20.3%, zinc conc. 23.0%, lignite 27.9%, chromite 30.3%, coal 33.0% and diamond 33.6 percent.