New Delhi, India – The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has reported a significant upswing in the index of mineral production for the mining and quarrying sector in November 2023. Based on the 2011-12 index, the figure stands at 131.1, marking a remarkable 6.8% increase compared to November 2022. The provisional statistics reveal a cumulative growth of 9.1% for the period between April and November 2023-24 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Key production levels for important minerals in November 2023 are as follows: Coal – 845 lakh tonnes, Lignite – 33 lakh tonnes, Natural Gas (utilized) – 2991 million cu. m., Petroleum (crude) – 24 lakh tonnes, Bauxite – 2174 thousand tonnes, Chromite – 135 thousand tonnes, Copper Concentrate – 9 thousand tonnes, Gold – 85 kg, Iron Ore – 250 lakh tonnes, Lead Concentrate – 29 thousand tonnes, Manganese Ore – 287 thousand tonnes, Zinc Concentrate – 136 thousand tonnes, Limestone – 352 lakh tonnes, Phosphorite – 101 thousand tonnes, and Magnesite – 98 thousand tonnes.
Minerals exhibiting positive growth in November 2023 compared to the same month in 2022 include Magnesite (14.1%), Coal (11%), Iron Ore (8%), Natural Gas (Utilized) (7.6%), Limestone (6.5%), Manganese Ore (4.7%), Lignite (2%), and Zinc Concentrate (1.7%). On the other hand, some minerals showed negative growth, with Petroleum (Crude) (-0.4%), Bauxite (-2.4%), Lead Concentrate (-4.6%), Copper Concentrate (-5.3%), Gold (-35.6%), Chromite (-44.6%), Phosphorite (-50.7%), and Diamond (-92.9%).
The robust performance of the mining and quarrying sector in India during November 2023 reflects positive trends and contributes to the country’s overall economic growth. The varied performance of individual minerals underscores the dynamic nature of the industry.
