New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) The mineral production from mining and quarrying sector in February 2006 was marginally higher compared to preceding month and the corresponding month of the previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) in the country during the month was Rs 6,139 crore, an offical release said today.

The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 2,708 crore (44 per cent), followed by petroleum (crude) Rs 1,416 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs 709 crore, iron ore Rs 649 crore, lignite Rs 178 crore and limestone Rs.154 crore.

These six minerals together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in February 2006.

Production level of important minerals during the month were: coal 37.8 million tonnes, limestone 14.1 million tonnes, iron ore 13.8 million tonnes, lignite 2.5 million tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2,542 million cu.m., petroleum (crude) 2.4 million tonnes, bauxite 1.048 million tonnes, chromite 355,000 tonnes, dolomite 349,000 tonnes, manganese ore 162,000 tonnes, apatite and phosphorite 136,000 tonnes, zinc conc. 72,000 tonnes, and magnesite 18,000 tonnes. copper conc. 10,000 tonnes, lead conc. 10,000 tonnes, diamond 3,000 carat and gold 217 kg.

During the month, the output of diamond increased by 10.4 per cent, Manganese ore by 8.9 per cent, lead conc. 5.9 per cent and Apatite and phosphorite by 3.6 per cent. However, the output of limestone decreased by 2.6 per cent, coal by 3.2 per cent, copper concentrates by 3.3 per cent, gold by 5.2 per cent, dolomite by 6.6 per cent, natural gas (utilized) by 8.4 per cent, iron ore by 8.8 per cent, petroleum (crude) by 9.1 per cent, lignite 9.8 per cent, zinc conc. by 13.8 per cent, bauxite by 14.0 per cent, chromite by 15.5 per cent and magnesite by 31.4 per cent.

UNI YJ MP RS1753