Country's production of minerals went up 2.24 per cent in July over the earlier month and was valued at more than 15,500 crore, the government said today.

The output was up 2.82 per cent when compared to the same month in 2010.

"The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) in the country during July, 2011 was Rs 15,568 crore," an official statement said.

The contribution of petroleum (crude) was the highest at Rs 5,482 crore (35 per cent), while that from coal was Rs 3,694 crore.

Besides iron ore contributed Rs 3,757 crore, natural gas (utilised) - Rs 1,259 crore, lignite - Rs 294 crore and limestone - Rs 283 crore.

"These six minerals together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in July 2011," the statement said.

Coal output in July was recorded at 389 lakh tonnes, lignite 26 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilised) 4,045 million cu.m, petroleum (crude) 33 lakh tonnes, bauxite 911 thousand tonnes, chromite 316 thousand tonnes and copper concentrate production was 12,000 tonnes.

Iron ore production during the month stood at 181 lakh tonnes, lead at 14,000 tonnes while limestone production was recorded at 205 lakh tonnes.

As for the precious metals, gold production in July was 217 kg and diamond output was 2,772 carats.