IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for December 2011

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0,3% in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the third quarter of 2011. Eight of the twelve mineral groups and minerals contributed positively to the 0,3% increase, with coal being the main contributor with a 1,8 percentage point contribution. Of the four mineral groups and minerals that contributed negatively, PGMs was the biggest (contributing -1,7 percentage points).

Actual mining production decreased by 5,1% in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. A year-on-year increase of 0,9% was recorded in December 2011 compared with a 4,4% decrease in November 2011. The index of total mining production was 0,1% lower in 2011 compared with 2010. The small decrease of 0,1% in 2011 followed an increase of 6,2% in 2010 and a decrease of 6,6% in 2009.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for October 2011

The seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices reflected an increase of 13,1% for the three months ended November 2011 compared with the three months ended August 2011. The 13,1% increase (R11 751,2 million) was mainly due to increases in the sales value of gold (contributing 6,0 percentage points or R5 354,7 million) and coal (contributing 3,6 percentage points or R3 256,4 million).

The actual value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended November 2011 increased by 26,6% compared with the same three months of 2010. The major contributors to this increase were: