COVID-19 impact drags South Africa mining output down

South Africa’s mining production eased in March and April, reflecting the lockdown imposed in the country to curb the spread of Covid-19, official data shows.
Statistics South Africa said the country’s total mining output dropped by 47.3% year on year in April and further fell 18% in March after a jump in February and January. 
Platinum group metal and gold output fell 62% and 59.6% in April, respectively.
South Africa’s Minerals Council has projected that mining production could fall by between 8% and 10% this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
South Africa is the world’s biggest producer of platinum and chrome and a leading producer of gold and diamonds.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished