The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in December 2013 was higher by 7.4% compared to that of the preceding month. The mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 0.4% during December 2013 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during December 2013 was Rs 187.35 billion. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 65.40 billion (35%). Next in the order of importance were, petroleum (crude) Rs 59.45 billion, iron ore Rs 25.22 billion, natural gas (utilized) Rs 18.60 billion, limestone Rs 3.76 billion and lignite Rs 4.81 billion. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in December 2013.

Production level of important minerals in December 2013 were, coal 53.4 million tons, lignite 3.9 million tons, natural gas (utilized) 2,906 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 3.3 million tons, bauxite 2,615 thousand tonnes, chromite 286 thousand tons, copper conc. 12 thousand tons, gold 122 kg., iron ore 12.4 million tons, lead conc. 16 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 237 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 124 thousand tonnes, apatite and phosphorite 141 thousand tons, dolomite 552 thousand tons, limestone 21.9 million tons, magnesite 14 thousand tons and diamond 3,206 carat.

In December 2013, the output of bauxite increased by 77.8%, diamond 47.1%, gold 41.9%, lignite 36.5%, chromite 17.5%, coal 13.0%, manganese ore 11.4%, dolomite 9.1%, zinc conc. 7.6%, apatite & phosphorite 7.2% petroleum (crude) 3.8%, lead conc. 3.7%, natural gas (utilized) 3.5% and magnesite 1.9%. However the production of limestone decreased by 0.4%, copper conc. 1.7% and iron ore 2.1%.