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Gujarat at doorstep of new industrial development era: official
Monday, 17 February 2003, 20:30 IST
AHMEDABAD: A new era of industrial development in Gujarat's petroleum and mineral sector will soon dawn with the state ranking first in crude oil production and third in mineral production, a senior official has said.
"Gujarat ranks first in both crude oil (18 percent) and natural gas (10 percent) onshore production in India," said Gujarat Chief Secretary G. Subba Rao.
He was speaking at the inauguration of Petrominex, a three-day conference on petroleum and mining industries.Rao said.
"Gujarat ranks third in value of mineral production with a nine percent share. Twenty-six out of 32 minerals identified in the state are being currently exploited," he added.
The conference will focus on the importance of Gujarat's petroleum sector in the national context and review the gas sector.
Also to be discussed will be exploration potential in Gujarat, policy issues and regulatory framework, private participation in exploration and distribution of gas, and investments in the mining sector.
"Gujarat, with four percent of the country's population, accounts for nine percent of its energy consumption. This is an indication of the state's relatively high level of industrial development.
"The state has limited coal deposits and oil and gas are major local source of energy," Rao said.
India's oil demand, which was 1.9 million barrels per day in 1999 is projected to reach 5.8 barrels per day in 2020.
The transportation sector accounts for half of India's oil consumption.
India produces 87 minerals, including four fuel minerals, 11 metallic minerals and 49 non-metallic minerals. During the 2000-01 fiscal, the total value of mineral production, excluding atomic and minor minerals, was 
530.51 billion.
India's principal minerals include coal and lignite, bauxite, copper, gold, iron, ore, lead, diamond and zinc. There are also large reserves of manganese, nickel, tungsten, barites, dolomite, gypsum, fireclay and graphite.
Source: IANS
530.51 billion.
India's principal minerals include coal and lignite, bauxite, copper, gold, iron, ore, lead, diamond and zinc. There are also large reserves of manganese, nickel, tungsten, barites, dolomite, gypsum, fireclay and graphite.
Source: IANS