Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has reported that mining production increased by 4.4% year-on-year in July.
Iron-ore and platinum-group metals (PGMs) were the most significant positive contributors to growth. Iron-ore production increased by 12.2% and PGMs rose by 6.2% year-on-year. Diamond, chromium ore and coal production also expanded.
Stats SA principal survey statistician Juan-Pierre Terblanche notes, however, that the industry produced less gold, manganese ore, copper and nickel.
Stats SA also reports that seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 1% in July compared with June. This followed month-on-month changes of 0.4% in June and 3.7% in May.
Additionally, seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 5.8% in the three months ended July compared with the previous three months.
The largest positive contributors were PGMs at 16.8% and gold at 3.7%.
MINERAL SALES
Meanwhile, Stats SA reports that mineral sales at current prices increased by 2.2% year-on-year in July, with PGMs and iron-ore being the largest positive contributors, recording growth in sales of 24.8% and 20.5%, respectively.
The largest negative contributors were gold, with a contraction in sales of 8.7%, and manganese ore with a contraction in sales of 30.9%.
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 10% in July compared with June. This followed month-on-month changes of -7.1% in June and 5.8% in May.
Stats SA notes that seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 10.7% in the three months ended July compared with the previous three months. 
