Key findings regarding mining production

Mining production increased by 21,3% year-on-year in March 2021. The largest positive contributors were:

·        PGMs (68,6% and contributing 11,6 percentage points);

·        iron ore (47,9% and contributing 4,1 percentage points);

·        manganese ore (29,9% and contributing 2,4 percentage points); and

·        gold (10,5% and contributing 1,5 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 4,5% in March 2021 compared with February 2021. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,9% in February 2021 and 4,2% in January 2021.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 3,8% in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. The largest positive contributors were PGMs (21,5% and contributing 4,3 percentage points) and iron ore (17,0% and contributing 1,7 percentage points).

Key findings regarding mineral sales

Mineral sales increased by 46,9% year-on-year in March 2021. The largest contributors were:

·        PGMs (76,0% and contributing 26,1 percentage points);

·        gold (61,3% and contributing 7,2 percentage points);

·        iron ore (48,3% and contributing 6,9 percentage points); and

·        ‘other’ non-metallic minerals (72,0% and contributing 2,2 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 15,7% in March 2021 compared with February 2021. This followed month-on-month changes of -9,5% in February 2021 and 31,9% in January 2021.