Key findings: P2041 - Mining: Production and sales, January 2013

Key findings regarding mining production for January 2013

Mining production increased by 7,3% year-on-year in January 2013. The highest positive growth rate was recorded for diamonds (55,8%), followed by building materials (35,3%), iron ore (33,4%) and manganese ore (20,0%). The main contributors to the 7,3% increase were iron ore (contributing 4,8 percentage points), diamonds and coal (each contributing 1,1 percentage points). Gold (contributing -1,3 percentage points) and `other` metallic minerals (contributing -0,7 of a percentage point) were the only negative contributors.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 5,5% in January 2013 compared with December 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,1% in December 2012 and 12,7% in November 2012.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 5,4% in the three months ended January 2013 compared with the previous three months. The main contributors to the 5,4% increase were diamonds (contributing 1,3 percentage points) and coal (contributing 1,0 percentage point).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for December 2012

Mineral sales decreased by 3,3% year-on-year in December 2012. The largest negative growth rate was recorded for nickel (-21,2%), followed by gold (-16,2%), chromium ore (-13,1%) and PGMs (-10,0%). The major contributors to the 3,3% decrease were gold (contributing -3,3 percentage points), PGMs (contributing -2,3 percentage points) and coal (contributing -1,4 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 10,0% in December 2012 compared with November 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,5% in November 2012 and -4,2% in October 2012.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 4,4% in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with the previous quarter. This decrease was mainly driven by the sales value of gold (contributing -4,7 percentage points) and iron ore (contributing -1,8 percentage points). The only significant positive contributor was PGMs (contributing 1,7 percentage points).