Key findings regarding mining production for August 2011

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 5,1% for the three months ended August 2011 compared with the three months ended May 2011. The main contributors to the 5,1% decrease were PGMs (contributing -2,8 percentage points) and coal (contributing -1,5 percentage points).

Actual mining production was 2,7% lower for the three months ended August 2011 compared with the three months ended August 2010. A year-on-year decrease of 3,4% was recorded in August 2011 compared with a revised 5,0% decrease in July 2011.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for July 2011

The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices reflected virtually no change for the three months ended July 2011 compared with the three months ended April 2011. Seven out of the eleven mineral groups/minerals reported negative growth rates during this period. However, large increases were reported for iron ore, other metallic minerals and gold.

The actual value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended July 2011 increased by 14,7% compared with the three months ended July 2010. The major contributors to this increase were:
• iron ore (contributing 7,4 percentage points or R5 730,9 million);
• PGMs (contributing 3,4 percentage points or R2 662,5 million);
• other metallic minerals (contributing 1,9 percentage points or R1 489,5 million); and
• gold (contributing 1,5 percentage points or R1 151,1 million).

Source: Statistics South Africa