Country's production of minerals fell by 2.3 per cent in July vis-a-vis a year-ago period and was valued at Rs 16,641 crore. The production was almost flat during the month as compared to the preceding month.

"The mineral sector has shown a negative growth of 2.3 per cent during July 2013 as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year...The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector in July 2013 was higher by 0.1 per cent compared to that of the preceding month," an official statement said.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during July 2013 was Rs 16,641 crore.

The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 5,804 crore (35 per cent) followed by coal at Rs 4,899 crore, iron ore at Rs 2,472 crore, natural gas (utilised) Rs 1,868 crore, lignite Rs 308 crore and limestone at Rs 398 crore.

"These six minerals together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in July 2013," the statement said.

As far as the production level of important minerals was concerned, coal output was recorded at 399 lakh tonnes, lignite 25 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) 2918 million cu m and petroleum (crude) 32 lakh tonnes.

Iron ore production was recorded at iron ore 119 lakh tonnes, while limestone output stood at 235 lakh tonnes. Gold production was recorded at 97 kg while diamond output stood at 2,338 carat.

The statement said the output of bauxite increased by 38.3 per cent, limestone 4.9 per cent, zinc conc.3.9 per cent, iron ore 2.6 per cent, petroleum (crude) 1.8 per cent, natural gas (utilised) 1.7 per cent and dolomite 0.4 percent.

However, the production of coal decreased by 0.8 per cent, manganese ore 2.5 per cent, lead 3.6 per cent, copper 6.6 per cent, apatite & phosphorite 7.4 per cent, magnesite 7.8 per cent, chromite 11.9 per cent, diamond 14.5 per cent, gold 21.8 per cent and lignite 32.2 per cent.