Total platinum group metal production in South Africa has dipped according to the latest figures.

Details released by the government-backed Statistics South Africa agency show that nationwide production of pgms fell by 1.9 per cent for the three months ended November 2004.The figures contributed to a dip in total mining production in the country for the quarter, with output dropping by 0.8 per cent in comparison with the same period in 2003. 

The dip can probably be explained by of a number of factors that include the fire at Northam and strikes at Anglo Platinum and Impala during the quarter period.  The quarter would have probably seen an increase had it not been for these factors, more details can be found in the Platinum 2004 Interim Review.    

Gold production also stuttered, falling by 1.9 per cent, with non-gold minerals dropping by 0.5 per cent.However, pgm production did play a major part in driving up the value of overall mineral sales at current prices for the third quarter of 2004.Total value of mineral sales rose by 4.8 per cent, with pgms rising by four per cent in comparison to the same period for 2003.