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

Key findings regarding mining production for September 2010

Mining production increased by 12,1% year-on-year in September 2010 compared with a 10,7% increase in August 2010.

Seasonally adjusted total mining production increased by 6,9% in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the second quarter of 2010. The main contributors to the 6,9% increase were PGMs (contributing 5,3 percentage points) and coal (contributing 2,2 percentage points). Iron ore production contributed negatively (-0,6 of a percentage point) during this period.

Actual estimated total mining production increased by 7,8% for the third quarter of 2010 compared with the third quarter of 2009.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for August 2010

The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended August 2010 reflected an increase of 5,6% compared with the previous three months. The increase of 5,6% (R3 974,2 million) was mainly due to increases in the sales value of gold (contributing 3,6 percentage points or R2 573,9 million), PGMs (contributing 2,0 percentage points or R1 391,4 million) and iron ore (contributing 1,4 percentage points or R989,1 million).