The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in August 2013 was lower by 1.9% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 0.2% during August 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 August 2013 was Rs. 16099 crore. The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs. 5806 crore (36%). Next in the order of importance were: coal Rs. 4590 crore, iron ore Rs. 2313 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1858 crore, lignite Rs. 365 crore and limestone Rs. 342 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in August 2013.

Production level of important minerals in August 2013 were: coal 382 lakh tonnes, lignite 29 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2902 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1376 thousand tonnes, chromite 166 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 12 thousand tonnes, gold 125 kg., iron ore 115 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 15 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 175 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 129 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 77 thousand tonnes, dolomite 537 thousand tonnes, limestone 197 lakh tonnes, magnesite 14 thousand tonnes and diamond 3810 carat.

In August 2013 the output of diamond increased by 63.0%, gold 28.9%, lignite.14.8%, copper conc. 9.3%, dolomite 5.6%, magnesite 3.1% and iron ore 0.3 percent. The production of petroleum (crude) remains at the level of previous month. However the production of natural gas (utilized) decreased by 0.6%, manganese ore 3.7%, coal 3.9%, zinc conc. 6.1%, lead conc. 14.0%, limestone 15.4%, chromite 17.0%, apatite & phosphorite 18.6% and bauxite 29.6 percent.