Mineral production in the country continues to decline. It fell marginally to R14,555 crore in October from R14,572 crore in the same month a year ago. This is the fifith consecutive month where mineral output registered a decline. The continuous decline in the iron ore and coal production has become a major issue with mining ministry and companies.
While crude petroleum, which is the biggest contributor of mineral output, grew from R 5,427 crore in October 2010 to R5,806 crore this October, it was mainly the production of coal, iron ore and gold that impacted overall growth. Coal’s share from total output fell from R4,051 crore to R 3,784 crore during October this year and iron ore dipped from R2,602 crore to R2,321 crore. In terms of quantity, coal production has come down to 400 lakh tonne from 439 lakh tonne and iron ore to 105 lakh tonne from 152 lakh tonne.
The production of precious mineral diamond, however, has grown tremendously in the last one year. It has reached 1,481 carats now, compared to 35 carats in October last year. The gold output, however, has not picked up. It has fallen to 104 kg from 197 kg a year ago. The country produces around 87 minerals. This includes four fuels, 10 metallic, 47 non-metallic, three atomic and 23 minor minerals. The mineral production was lower by 5.64% in September and 3.36% in August compared to same months a year before.