IANS | 02 May, 2024
The production of gold from Indian mines surged by 86 per cent in
February this year to 255 kg while that of copper increased by 28.7 per
cent to 11,000 tonnes, according to data released by the Ministry of
Mines on Thursday.
Among the other important minerals, bauxite
(aluminium) production went up by 21 per cent to 24,14,000 tonnes while
chromite output also rose 21 per cent to 4,00,000 tonnes, the figures
showed.
Karnataka is home to some of the most significant gold
rеsеrvеs and mining operations in India. The primary districts for gold
mining in Karnataka include Kolar, Dharwad, Hassan, and Raichur. Thеsе
rеgions are the main contributors to the country's gold production.
The
overall index of mineral production of India’s mining and quarrying
sector rose by 8 per cent in February this year compared to the same
month last year, the figures compiled by the Indian Bureau of Mines
showed.
The cumulative growth in mineral production for
April-February, 2023-24 over the same period of the previous year is 8.2
per cent.
Other important minerals which showed positive growth
during February 2024 over February 2023, include Phosphorite (19 per
cent), Limestone (13 per cent), Coal (12 per cent), Natural gas (U) (11
per cent), Petroleum(crude) (8 per cent), Manganese Ore (6 per cent),
Magnesite (3 per cent), Lignite(2.8 per cent), and Zinc Conc. (2.8 per
cent).
Important minerals which showed negative growth include Iron Ore (-0.7 per cent) and Lead Conc. (-14 per cent).
The
production level of other minerals in February 2024 was Coal 966 lakh
tonne; Lignite 42 lakh tonne; Natural gas (utilized) 2,886 million
cu.m.; Petroleum (crude) 23 lakh tonne; Iron ore 244 lakh tonne; Lead
conc. 27,000 tonne; Manganese ore 2,95,000 tonne; Zinc conc. 1,49,000
tonne; Limestone 387 lakh tonne; Phosphorite 2,18,000 tonne; and
Magnesite 10,000 tonne.
