South African 2004 mining stats

South African 2004 mining stats

Statistics South Africa released total mining production and sales figures for 2004. The total mining production for 2004 increased 5.9% from 2003. Total mining production for Q4 2004, however, showed a seasonal decrease of 2.9% from the previous quarter. Despite the overall decrease, coal production showed a gain of 2.1 percentage points. Total mine production in 2004 was approximately 4.6 million metric tons. Iron ore accounted for 140 thousand metric tons of 2004 total production, a 10% gain from 2003. Total manganese ore production was 60 thousand metric tons, a 25% increase from the previous year. Total coal production was 900 thousand metric tons, up 22% from 2003. Iron ore contributed 3.1, manganese ore 1.3 and coal 20% to the total mining production. Total mineral sales increased 11% to Rand 11.09 billion ($1.8 billion). Furthermore, the actual value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended November 2004 increased 11.4% compared with the same period in 2003. The value of iron ore sales represents an outstanding increase in terms of its contribution to overall mineral sales. Iron ore sales accounted for only 3.5% of sales between September and November 2003, compared to 14% in 2004. The sales of iron ore rose 23% from November 2003 to November 2004, while manganese ore and coal enjoyed gains of 6% and 37%.