Gold traders buy as prices near 2-week low

At 02:18 p.m., the most-active gold for August delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was 0.17% lower at Rs 29,602 per 10 grams, after hitting a low of Rs 29,583, a level last seen on June 11.

Traders in India are waiting for monsoon rains to pick up, which is vital to farm productivity and profits. Rural areas contribute to about 60% of gold imports.

"There was demand yesterday evening because of correction. If prices are maintained at these level, we can see some buying," said Ketan Shroff, director with Pushpak Bullion.

There could be a pick up in imports in the second half of the year, if record prices ease but annual volumes will still fall about 30% after a tax hike, which could crimp demand until 2014, the Bombay Bullion Association head said.

India's crucial monsoon rains were again below average last week and failed to cover as much of the country as they should have, the weather office said.

Silver, an industrial metal, following positive trend in copper.

Silver for July delivery on the MCX was 0.68% higher at Rs 52,108 per kg.