IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Key findings regarding mining production

Mining production increased by 0,1% year-on-year in December 2020. The largest positive contributors were:

·        manganese ore (32,5% and contributing 2,2 percentage points);

·        diamonds (51,4% and contributing 1,4 percentage points); and

·        coal (5,7% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).

The largest negative contributor was PGMs (-19,4% and contributing -5,0 percentage points).

Total mining production was 10,7% lower in 2020 compared with 2019. The 10,7% decrease in annual mining production followed a decrease of 0,5% in 2019 and a decrease of 1,5% in 2018.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0,5% in December 2020 compared with November 2020. This followed month-on-month changes of -2,4% in November 2020 and -0,8% in October 2020.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 0,5% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared with the third quarter of 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2020 the largest negative contributor was PGMs (-13,2% and contributing -3,0 percentage points) and the biggest positive contributor was iron ore (13,3% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales

Mineral sales increased by 23,8% year-on-year in December 2020. The largest positive contributors were:

·        iron ore (59,0% and contributing 8,2 percentage points);

·        PGMs (24,6% and contributing 7,4 percentage points);

·        gold (23,9% and contributing 3,5 percentage points);

·        manganese ore (26,3% and contributing 1,4 percentage points);

·        chromium ore (37,5% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and

·        nickel (80,8% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).

Total mineral sales were 10,4% higher in 2020 compared with 2019. The 10,4% increase in annual mineral sales followed increases of 10,8% in 2019 and 5,2% in 2018.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 6,5% in December 2020 compared with November 2020. This followed month-on-month changes of -4,4% in November 2020 and 2,2% in October 2020.