IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for April 2014

Mining production increased by 0,2% year-on-year in April 2014. The highest positive growth rates were recorded for 'other' metallic minerals (50,7%), nickel (25,2%) and diamonds (22,2%). The main contributors to the 0,2% increase were iron ore (contributing 1,2 percentage points), 'other' metallic minerals (contributing 0,8 of a percentage point), manganese ore (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point) and nickel (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point). PGMs was a significant negative contributor (contributing -2,4 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 7,9% in April 2014 compared with March 2014. Although this was driven largely by PGMs, actual PGM production continued to be adversely affected by industrial action in the sector.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 7,2% in the three months ended April 2014 compared with the previous three months. The main contributors to the 7,2% decrease were PGMs (contributing -5,4 percentage points) and iron ore (contributing -1,6 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for March 2014

Mineral sales decreased by 5,1% year-on-year in March 2014, although only gold (-37,7%) and PGMs (-26,4%) recorded negative growth rates. Gold contributed -7,0 percentage points and PGMs contributed -5,7 percentage points to the 5,1% decrease.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 10,0% in March 2014 compared with February 2014. This followed month-on-month changes of 4,3% in February 2014 and 6,2% in January 2014.