IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for December 2014

Mining production decreased by 2,0% year-on-year in December 2014. Negative growth rates were recorded for diamonds (-27,9%), iron ore (-15,6%), PGMs (-14,9%) and nickel (-1,1%). The three largest contributors to the 2,0% decrease were iron ore (contributing -3,5 percentage points), PGMs (contributing -3,1 percentage points) and diamonds (contributing -1,0 percentage point). Coal was a significant positive contributor (contributing 3,2 percentage points).

Total mining production was 1,5% lower in 2014 compared with 2013. The 1,5% decrease in annual mining production followed an increase of 3,6% in 2013 and a decrease of 3,1% in 2012.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0,9% in December 2014 compared with November 2014. This followed a month-on-month change of -1,1% in November 2014.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for November 2014

Mineral sales decreased by 5,8% year-on-year in November 2014. The largest negative growth rates were recorded for nickel (-38,6%), iron ore (-15,7%), copper (-15,7%) and gold (-11,2%). The major contributors to the 5,8% decrease were:

• iron ore (contributing -2,6 percentage points);
• coal (contributing -1,9 percentage points);
• PGMs (contributing -1,3 percentage points);
• gold (contributing -1,3 percentage points); and
• nickel (contributing -1,0 percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices declined by 4,0% in November 2014 compared with October 2014. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,1% in October 2014 and 5,7% in September 2014.