Key findings regarding mining production

Mining production increased by 1,8% year-on-year in December 2019. The largest positive contributors were:

·       gold (24,9% and contributing 2,7 percentage points);

·       ‘other’ non-metallic minerals (24,1% and contributing 1,3 percentage points);

·       iron ore (9,8% and contributing 1,2 percentage points); and

·       chromium ore (26,6% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point).

Total mining production was 1,3% lower in 2019 compared with 2018. The 1,3% decrease in annual mining production followed a decrease of 2,1% in 2018 and an increase of 4,6% in 2017.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2,4% in December 2019 compared with November 2019. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,8% in November 2019 and 1,7% in October 2019.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0,2% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with the third quarter of 2019. The two largest positive contributors were iron ore (7,4% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point) and PGMs (3,4% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point). Coal (-5,6% and contributing -1,5 percentage points) and manganese ore (-8,8% and contributing -0,6 of a percentage point) were significant negative contributors.

Key findings regarding mineral sales

Mineral sales decreased by 6,0% year-on-year in December 2019. The largest negative contributors were:

·       coal (-20,1% and contributing -5,7 percentage points);

·       manganese ore (-49,0% and contributing -4,9 percentage points); and

·       ‘other’ non-metallic minerals (-26,5% and contributing -1,3 percentage points).

Total mineral sales were 10,6% higher in 2019 compared with 2018. The 10,6% increase in annual mineral sales followed increases of 5,2% in 2018 and 8,3% in 2017.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 9,9% in December 2019 compared with November 2019. This followed month-on-month changes of 6,5% in November 2019 and -0,4% in October 2019.

In the fourth quarter of 2019 the seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices was 1,3% higher compared with the third quarter of 2019.