South Africa's mining production decreased by 4% year-on-year in June, with platinum group metals (PGMs) recording the largest negative contribution, declining 8.4% and contributing -2.4 percentage points, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
Coal production decreased by 6.6%, contributing -1.7 percentage points, while iron-ore production declined by 10.2%, contributing -1.5 percentage points.
Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0.3% in June compared with May, following month-on-month changes of -5.2% in May and 3% in April.
However, production decreased by 2.7% in the second quarter compared with the first quarter, with PGMs declining 6.4% and contributing -1.8 percentage points.
Mineral sales at current prices increased by 27.2% year-on-year in June, driven by gold up 125.7%, PGMs up 27% and chromium ore up 49%.
Iron-ore declined by 16.1% and 'other' non-metallic minerals fell by 35.5%, the only negative contributors.
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales increased by 2.7% in June compared with May, but decreased by 1.6% in the second quarter compared with the first quarter, Stats SA said.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
