The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) during August 2014 touched ₹17,264 crore with the highest contribution coming from coal. The value of coal production during the month stood at ₹5,508 crore or 32 per cent of the total production.

The value of crude oil production was the second largest at ₹5,496 crore followed by iron ore at ₹2,467 crore, natural gas at ₹2,187 crore, lignite at ₹414 crore and limestone at ₹396 crore.

The six minerals together contributed for 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production during the month, the Mines Ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that the index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in August 2014 was 116.6, 2.6 per cent higher than August 2013.

Coal production grew 13.9 per cent to 435 lakh tonnes while iron production grew 4.5 per cent at 108 lakh tonnes.

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