IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for September 2015

Mining production decreased by 4,8% year-on-year in September 2015. The largest negative growth rates were recorded for diamonds (-38,5%), 'other' metallic minerals (-30,1%) and iron ore (-17,9%). The main negative contributors to the 4,8% decrease were iron ore (contributing -3,5 percentage points), coal (contributing -3,4 percentage points) and diamonds (contributing -1,2 percentage points).

PGMs (25,0% and contributing 3,5 percentage points) was a significant positive contributor.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 3,7% in September 2015 compared with August 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,2% in August 2015 and -0,9% in July 2015.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2,5% in the third quarter of 2015 compared with the second quarter of 2015. The main contributors to the 2,5% decrease were PGMs (contributing -1,4 percentage points) and iron ore (contributing -1,1 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales for August 2015

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

• coal (-8,6% and contributing -2,6 percentage points);
• iron ore (-19,5% and contributing -2,0 percentage points);
• nickel (-47,3% and contributing -1,4 percentage points); and
• gold (-6,7% and contributing -1,1 percentage points).

PGMs increased by 27,1% year-on-year and was a significant positive contributor (contributing 5,2 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 0,1% in August 2015 compared with July 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of -5,9% in July 2015 and -0,9% in June 2015.