By: Creamer media

PGM production decreased by 9.9% and gold by 11.1%, while iron-ore output increased by 7.5% year-on-year, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has revealed.

Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 3.5% month-on-month in March. This followed month-on-month changes of -4.1% in February and 0.2% in January.

Seasonally adjusted mining production for the first quarter of this year, however, decreased by 4.5%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. PGMs was again the biggest contributor to the decrease in production, but was offset to some extent by iron-ore, which made the largest positive contribution.

Stats SA further reported that mineral sales had increased by 1.6% year-on-year in March, with gold, iron-ore and coal having made the largest positive contributions and PGMs the largest negative contribution.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices also increased by 0.5% month-on-month in March. This followed month-on-month changes of -9.6% in February and 1.4% in January.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices, however, decreased by 10.1% in the first quarter of of the year compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.