Key findings: P2041 - Mining: Production and sales, December 2009

Key findings regarding mining production for December 2009

The index of total mining production was 6,7% lower in 2009 compared with 2008. The 6,7% drop in annual mining production followed decreases of 5,6% in 2008 and 0,9% in 2007.

The major contributors to the annual production decrease of 6,7% in 2009 were diamonds (contributing -3,5 percentage points) and gold (contributing -1,0 percentage point). However, iron ore production increased by 13,1% in 2009 and contributed positively with 0,9 of a percentage point.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for November 2009

The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended November 2009 reflected an increase of 1,5% compared with the previous three months. The increase of 1,5% (R847,3 million) was mainly due to increases in the sales value of PGMs (contributing 4,4 percentage points or R2 493,7 million), gold (contributing 1,6 percentage points or R923,1 million) and manganese ore (contributing 1,3 percentage points or R730,2 million).