IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for August 2015

Mining production increased by 3,8% year-on-year in August 2015. The highest positive growth rates were recorded for PGMs (63,0%) and diamonds (24,0%). The main positive contributors to the 3,8% increase were PGMs (contributing 7,6 percentage points) and diamonds (contributing 0,5 of a percentage point).

Iron ore (-17,1% and contributing -3,4 percentage points) and coal (-5,3% and contributing -1,5 percentage points) were significant negative contributors.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 1,1% in August 2015 compared with July 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,8% in July 2015 and 2,4% in June 2015.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 3,3% in the three months ended August 2015 compared with the previous three months. The main contributors to the 3,3% decrease were PGMs (contributing -1,5 percentage points), iron ore (contributing -1,2 percentage points) and coal (contributing -0,9 of a percentage point).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for July 2015

Mineral sales decreased by 1,5% year-on-year in July 2015. The largest negative contributions to the decrease of 1,5% were made by the following mineral groups and minerals:

• gold (-19,2% and contributing -3,6 percentage points);
• iron ore (-24,0% and contributing -3,4 percentage points); and
• nickel (-51,9% and contributing -1,6 percentage points).

PGMs increased by 32,7% year-on-year and was a significant positive contributor (contributing 6,3 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 7,2% in July 2015 compared with June 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,1% in June 2015 and 3,2% in May 2015.