IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for December 2013

Mining production increased by 12,0% year-on-year in December 2013. The highest positive growth rates were recorded for building materials (39,9%), iron ore (32,3%), chromium ore (29,9%) and manganese ore (24,6%). The main contributors to the 12,0% increase were iron ore (contributing 5,8 percentage points), PGMs (contributing 3,6 percentage points) and gold (contributing 1,8 percentage points).

Total mining production was 4,0% higher in 2013 compared with 2012. The 4,0% increase in annual mining production followed a decrease of 3,2% in 2012 and a decrease of 0,9% in 2011.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 4,3% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with the previous quarter. The main contributor to the 4,3% increase was iron ore (contributing 3,3 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for November 2013

Mineral sales increased by 7,9% year-on-year in November 2013. The highest positive growth rates were recorded for `other` metallic minerals (76,6%), iron ore (60,3%), nickel (37,9%) and chromium ore (34,0%). The major contributors to the 7,9% increase were iron ore (contributing 6,8 percentage points) and PGMs (contributing 4,8 percentage points). Gold (contributing -8,0 percentage points) was a significant negative contributor.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 2,7% in November 2013 compared with October 2013. This followed month-on-month changes of 3,3% in October 2013 and -8,0% in September 2013.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 1,1% in the three months ended November 2013 compared with the previous three months. This decrease was largely driven by the sales value of manganese ore and gold (each contributing -0,9 of a percentage point).