Key findings: P2041 - Mining: Production and sales, February 2010

Key findings regarding mining production for February 2010

The index of total mining production was 5,8% higher in February 2010 compared with February 2009. The 5,8% increase in mining production year-on-year followed an increase of 9,7% in January 2010 and a decrease of 2,1% in December 2009. This is the second consecutive positive annual growth since December 2009.

The total mining production for the three months ended February 2010, after seasonal adjustment, increased by 3,4% compared with the previous three months. The production of platinum group metals (PGMs) was the main contributor (contributing 1,8 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for January 2010

The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended January 2010 reflected an increase of 7,7% compared with the previous three months. The increase of 7,7% (R4 447,1 million) was mainly due to increases in the sales value of PGMs (contributing 7,0 percentage points or R4 013,3 million), coal (contributing 2,6 percentage points or R1 497,1 million) and manganese ore (contributing 1,7 percentage points or R1 004,8 million).