Mining sales advanced 3.8% on the year in 2012, while manufacturing sales were up 3%, the data showed.
In December alone, industrial sales declined 17.5% on the month, and were down 3.5% from the same month in the previous year.
By sector in December 2012, sales of intermediate goods fell 8.8% on the year, while sales in the durable and consumer goods industries declined 4% and 2.4%, respectively. Capital goods sales decreased by 1% on the year, but energy sales advanced 4.2%.