NEW DELHI: The country's mineral output from mining and quarrying sector grew by 9.7 per cent in March 2017 and total value of production stood at Rs 26,350 crore.The contribution of coal was the highest (44 per cent) at Rs 11,658 crore followed by petroleum (crude) Rs 5,616 crore, iron-ore Rs 2,960 crore and natural gas (utilised) at Rs 2,214 crore, lignite Rs 996 crore and limestone Rs 639 crore."The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of March (new Series 2011-12=100) 2017 at 127.2, was 9.7 per cent higher as compared to the level in March 2016," the mines ministry said in a statement."The cumulative growth for the period April-March 2016-17 over the corresponding period of previous year has been 5.3 per cent," it said.The total value of mineral production -- excluding atomic and minor minerals -- in the country during March 2017 was Rs 26,350 crore, it added.The six minerals together contributed about 91 per cent of the total value of mineral production in March 2017, the ministry said.