IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for April 2015

Mining production increased by 7,7% year-on-year in April 2015. The highest positive growth rate was recorded for PGMs (81,6%), partly the result of a low base in April 2014 when the PGM sector was adversely affected by industrial action.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 4,1% in April 2015 compared with March 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of 6,4% in March 2015 and 4,9% in February 2015.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 5,9% in the three months ended April 2015 compared with the previous three months. The main contributor to the 5,9% increase was PGMs (contributing 4,6 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for March 2015

Mineral sales decreased by 1,1% year-on-year in March 2015. The largest negative contributions to the decrease of 1,1% were made by the following mineral groups and minerals:

• iron ore (-38,7% and contributing -6,9 percentage points);
• coal (-5,5% and contributing -1,5 percentage points);
• ‘other’ non-metallic minerals (-13,3% and contributing -1,2 percentage points); and
• manganese ore (-16,6% and contributing -0,8 of a percentage point).

PGMs increased by 49,1% year-on-year and was a significant positive contributor (contributing 8,1 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 3,1% in March 2015 compared with February 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of 3,8% in February 2015 and -4,9% in January 2015.