A government statement shows, mineral sector witnessed 5.7 per cent fall in output during May 2013 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) stood at Rs 18,074 crore in May 2013. But the index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector during the month was higher by 1.6 per cent compared to that of the preceding month.

The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 5,790 crore (32 per cent). Next in the order of importance were coal at Rs 5,570 crore, iron ore Rs 2,923 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs 1,879 crore, lignite Rs 514 crore and limestone Rs 389 crore.

These six minerals together contributed about 94 per cent of the total value of mineral production in May 2013.

As far as the production level of minerals during the month was concerned, the country produced 432 lakh tonnes of coal, 45 lakh tonnes lignite, 2,935 million cu.m. natural gas (utilised), 32 lakh tonnes petroleum (crude), 2.02 lakh tonne bauxite, 288 thousand tonne chromite and 12 thousand tonne copper.

Production of key minerals during May 2013 is as follows: iron ore 131 lakh tonne, lead 17 thousand tonne, manganese ore 237 thousand tonne, zinc 143 thousand tonne, limestone 242 lakh tonne and magnesite 17 thousand tonne besides 3735 carat diamond.