South African mining production increased by 4% year-on-year in June‚ but iron ore production decreased by 21% year-on-year‚ negatively affected by poor global growth and lower commodity prices.
The highest positive growth rates recorded were for platinum-group metals (84%)‚ diamonds (31%)‚ chromium ore (23‚7%) and manganese ore (19‚5%)‚ Statistic SA said on Tuesday.
The main positive contributors to the 4% increase were platinum-group metals (PGMs) — contributing 8‚8 percentage points‚ manganese ore (contributing 1‚1 percentage points)‚ diamonds (contributing 0‚8 of a percentage point) and chromium ore (contributing 0‚7 of a percentage point).
Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 1‚1% in June compared with May. This followed month-on-month changes of -4‚5% in May and -5‚2% in April.
“Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2% in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the previous quarter. The main contributors to the 2% decrease were iron ore (contributing -2‚6 percentage points) and coal (contributing -1‚7 percentage points)‚” StatsSA said.
Mineral sales for May increased by 5‚7% year-on-year in May 2015. The highest positive contributions to this increase were made by PGMs (70‚4% and contributing 11‚8 percentage points); other non-metallic minerals (12‚9% and contributing 0‚9 of a percentage point); and gold (3‚5% and contributing 0‚6 of a percentage point).
Iron ore sales for the same month decreased by 36‚9% year-on-year and was a significant negative contributor (contributing -5‚9 percentage points).
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 0‚4% in May compared with April. This followed month-on-month changes of 2‚2% in April and 2‚1% in March.
The Nedbank Economic Unit said the large contribution by the platinum group metals category was expected as this category was still recovering from last year’s five-month long strike.
“The effect of last year’s platinum mining strike should work itself through the base in the next month or so after which mining production numbers should soften.
“Mining production will also be negatively impacted by poor global growth and therefore lower commodity prices as well as local infrastructure constraints — especially concerning electricity supply.”
June iron ore production dips by 21% year-on-year
South African mining production increased by 4% year-on-year in June‚ but iron ore production decreased by 21% year-on-year‚ negatively affected by poor global growth and lower commodity prices.
The highest positive growth rates recorded were for platinum-group metals (84%)‚ diamonds (31%)‚ chromium ore (23‚7%) and manganese ore (19‚5%)‚ Statistic SA said on Tuesday.
The main positive contributors to the 4% increase were platinum-group metals (PGMs) — contributing 8‚8 percentage points‚ manganese ore (contributing 1‚1 percentage points)‚ diamonds (contributing 0‚8 of a percentage point) and chromium ore (contributing 0‚7 of a percentage point).
Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 1‚1% in June compared with May. This followed month-on-month changes of -4‚5% in May and -5‚2% in April.
“Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2% in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the previous quarter. The main contributors to the 2% decrease were iron ore (contributing -2‚6 percentage points) and coal (contributing -1‚7 percentage points)‚” StatsSA said.
Mineral sales for May increased by 5‚7% year-on-year in May 2015. The highest positive contributions to this increase were made by PGMs (70‚4% and contributing 11‚8 percentage points); other non-metallic minerals (12‚9% and contributing 0‚9 of a percentage point); and gold (3‚5% and contributing 0‚6 of a percentage point).
Iron ore sales for the same month decreased by 36‚9% year-on-year and was a significant negative contributor (contributing -5‚9 percentage points).
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 0‚4% in May compared with April. This followed month-on-month changes of 2‚2% in April and 2‚1% in March.
The Nedbank Economic Unit said the large contribution by the platinum group metals category was expected as this category was still recovering from last year’s five-month long strike.
“The effect of last year’s platinum mining strike should work itself through the base in the next month or so after which mining production numbers should soften.
“Mining production will also be negatively impacted by poor global growth and therefore lower commodity prices as well as local infrastructure constraints — especially concerning electricity supply.”
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