PGM production in South Africa increased by 3.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis during November, according to new official figures released today (14th January).

Statistics South Africa confirmed that pgm output made a solid contribution to the overall mineral production total for the month, which fell by 1.6 per cent.

The November data also revealed that gold production in the country slumped by 4.9 per cent in volume terms, while output of non-gold minerals declined by one per cent.

In addition, the body noted that total mineral sales in value for the three months ended October increased by 5.2 per cent on a quarterly basis, with pgms (up 14.2 per cent) making a strong contribution.

South Africa, which supplies roughly four-fifths of the world's platinum, is currently struggling to run effective operations as wages and electricity costs are soaring higher.

Mines are also seeing production levels hampered by regulations introduced in 2007 which require them to close after an accident until safety inspectors are happy for work to resume.

Sources:

South Africa's Mining Production Declines in November (Update1) (14/01/10)

SA Gold production drops 4,9% (14/01/10)

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