According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa, in May this year the country's actual mining production index increased by 0.8 percent compared to May 2011, while the seasonally adjusted mining production index in May increased by 6.5 percent compared to April this year.
In South Africa, the iron ore mining production index in May increased by 23.4 percent year on year, up 3.1 percent over April, while the country's manganese ore production index in May decreased by 16 percent compared to May 2011 and was down 1.7 percent month on month. On the other hand, South Africa's nickel production index in the month in question increased by 22.5 percent compared to the same month last year, rising 4.6 percent compared to the previous month.
Furthermore, the seasonally adjusted iron ore sales value at current prices in April this year decreased by four percent compared to March, falling to ZAR 4.87 billion ($591 million), up 13 percent compared to April 2011. In April this year, the seasonally adjusted manganese ore sales value at current prices was ZAR 618.8 million ($75 million), falling 22.5 percent month on month and down 16.1 percent compared to April last year, while the seasonally adjusted nickel sales value at current prices decreased by 20.2 percent compared to March, to ZAR 357 million ($43.2 million), down 33.7 percent compared to April 2011.