IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Mining production increased by 3,1% year-on-year in February 2018. The main positive contributors were:

• diamonds (42,9% and contributing 2,0 percentage points);
• iron ore (10,5% and contributing 1,5 percentage points);
• manganese ore (24,3% and contributing 1,0 percentage point); and
• coal (3,9% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0,9% in February 2018 compared with January 2018. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,7% in January 2018 and -4,1% in December 2017.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2,4% in the three months ended February 2018 compared with the previous three months. PGMs (contributing -1,2 percentage points), coal (contributing -0,6 of a percentage point) and 'other' non-metallic minerals (contributing -0,6 of a percentage point) were the largest negative contributors.

Key findings regarding mineral sales

Mineral sales increased by 1,8% year-on-year in February 2018. Coal (17,2% and contributing 5,0 percentage points) and manganese ore (20,3% and contributing 1,4 percentage points) were the main positive contributors. PGMs (-14,3% and contributing -2,6 percentage points), gold (-10,1% and contributing -1,4 percentage points) and iron ore (-8,5% and contributing -1,2 percentage points) were significant negative contributors.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 4,6% in February 2018 compared with January 2018. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,1% in January 2018 and -2,0% in December 2017.