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

Key findings regarding mining production for March 2010

The index of total mining production was 11,0% higher in March 2010 compared with March 2009. This is the third positive annual growth since December 2009.

The total mining production for the first quarter of 2010, after seasonal adjustment, increased by 4,0% compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. The main contributors to the 4,0% increase were diamonds (contributing 1,3 percentage points), coal and nickel (each contributing 0,9 of a percentage point) and other non-metallic minerals (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for February 2010

The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended February 2010 reflected an increase of 12,5% compared with the previous three months. The increase of 12,5% (R7 144,2 million) was mainly due to increases in the sales value of PGMs (contributing 4,6 percentage points or R2 602,9 million), other non-metallic minerals (contributing 3,4 percentage points or R1 934,6 million) and coal (contributing 3,1 percentage points or R1 787,0 million).