IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production for December 2015

Total mining production was 3,3% higher in 2015 compared with 2014. The 3,3% increase in annual mining production followed a decrease of 1,4% in 2014 and an increase of 3,6% in 2013.

Mining production decreased by 0,3% year-on-year in December 2015. Negative growth rates were recorded for iron ore (-17,1%), copper (-15,0%), manganese ore (-8,7%), diamonds (-8,5%) and gold (-4,9%). The three largest negative contributors to the 0,3% decrease were iron ore (contributing -3,3 percentage points), gold (contributing -0,9 of a percentage point) and manganese ore (contributing -0,6 of a percentage point). PGMs was a significant positive contributor (contributing 3,4 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 1,5% in December 2015 compared with November 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,1% in November 2015 and 1,5% in October 2015.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for November 2015

Mineral sales decreased by 3,6% year-on-year in November 2015. The largest negative contributors to the decrease of 3,6% were iron ore (-39,3% and contributing -5,6 percentage points), 'other' non-metallic minerals (-45,8% and contributing -2,7 percentage points) and manganese ore (-56,3% and contributing -2,5 percentage points).

Two minerals with significant positive contributions were PGMs (16,8% and contributing 3,6 percentage points) and gold (17,1% and contributing 2,4 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 1,8% in November 2015 compared with October 2015. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,4% in October 2015 and 1,4% in September 2015.