IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Mining production decreased by 1,9% year-on-year in December 2016. The main negative contributor was PGMs (-15,1% and contributing -3,8 percentage points). Manganese ore (29,5% and contributing 1,6 percentage points) and iron ore (7,6% and contributing 1,3 percentage points) were significant positive contributors.

Total mining production was 4,9% lower in 2016 compared with 2015. The 4,9% decrease in annual mining production followed an increase of 4,3% in 2015 and a decrease of 1,3% in 2014.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0,7% in December 2016 compared with November 2016. This followed month-on-month changes of -3,9% in November 2016 and -0,8% in October 2016.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2,7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the previous quarter. PGMs (contributing -2,1 percentage points) and iron ore (contributing -2,0 percentage points) were the largest negative contributors.

Key findings regarding mineral sales for November 2016

Mineral sales increased by 27,0% year-on-year in November 2016. The three largest positive contributors to the increase of 27,0% were:

•  coal (28,3% and contributing 7,9 percentage points);
•  manganese ore (294,9% and contributing 6,1 percentage points); and
•  iron ore (56,7% and contributing 5,1 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 6,0% in November 2016 compared with October 2016. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,5% in October 2016 and 4,8% in September 2016.