PGMs were a major contributor to an increase in South Africa's total mining production in the last quarter of 2009, it has been revealed.

Figures released by Statistics South Africa show that total mining production in the country were, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, up by 0.6 per cent in the October to December period when compared with the previous quarter.

Of this rise, 2.8 percentage points can be attributed to pgm output.

However, annual mining production in South Africa decreased by 6.7 per cent in 2009 based on year-on-year figures.

The results for 2009 follow on from the 5.6 per cent decline in production witnessed on a year-on-year basis in 2008.

Stats South Africa added that during the three-month period through to November last year, a rise of 1.5 per cent was witnessed on the previous quarter in terms of the seasonally-adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices.

This increase was mainly put down to increases in the sales value of pgms, which improved by 4.4 per cent.

Stats South Africa provides statistics on a range of topics to do with the country's economy and society.

Source:

Mining production down 6,7% y/y (11/02/10)

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