Key findings: P2041 - Mining: Production and sales, July 2011

Key findings regarding mining production for July 2011

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 6,3% for the three months ended July 2011 compared with the three months ended April 2011. The main contributors to the 6,3% decrease were PGMs (contributing -4,7 percentage points) and coal (contributing -2,1 percentage points).

Actual mining production was 1,4% higher for the three months ended July 2011 compared with the three months ended July 2010. A year-on-year decrease of 5,1% was recorded in July 2011 compared with a revised 0,1% decrease in June 2011.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for June 2011

The seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices reflected a decrease of 1,7% for the second quarter of 2011 compared with the first quarter of 2011. The 1,7% decrease
(-R1 478,6 million) was mainly due to a decrease in the sales value of PGMs (contributing -2,0 percentage points or -R1 757,0 million) while the only significant positive contributor was iron ore (contributing 1,3 percentage points or R1 135,9 million).

The actual value of mineral sales at current prices for the first half of 2011 increased by 24,8% compared with the first half of 2010. The major contributors to this increase were: