IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The index of total mining production was 7,5% lower in 2008 compared with 2007. The 7,5% drop in annual mining production followed decreases of 0,9% in 2007 and 1,5% in 2006.The major contributors to the annual decrease of 7,5% in 2008 were the platinum group metals (PGMs) (-3,8 percentage points), gold (-2,2 percentage points) and diamonds (-1,7 percentage points). Iron ore production increased by 17,0% in 2008 and contributed positively with 0,6 of a percentage point.

The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended November 2008 reflected a decrease of 5,1% compared with the previous three months. This decrease of 5,1% (R4 110,0 million) can be largely attributed to a decrease of 7,7% (R5 396,6 million) in non-gold mineral sales.