Key findings: P2041 - Mining: Production and sales, August 2008

The total mining production for the three months ended August 2008, after seasonal adjustment, decreased by 0,5% compared with the previous three months, after large fluctuations since the start of 2008. The three biggest contributors to the 0,5% decrease were gold (-0,7 of a percentage point), diamonds (-0,5 of a percentage point) and coal (-0,4 of a percentage point). Iron ore production was the only significant positive contributor (0,9 of a percentage point) to the mining production for the three months ended August 2008.
The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended July 2008 reflected an increase of 7,0% compared with the previous three months. This increase of 7,0% (R5 293,2 million) can be attributed to an increase of 7,9% (R5 059,4 million) in the sale of non-gold minerals and 2,1% (R233,8 million) in the sale of gold.