South Africa's mining production decreased by 1.9% year-on-year in September, with diamonds, 'other' metallic minerals and manganese ore having made the largest negative contributions.

Diamond production decreased by 61.4%, contributing -2.9 percentage points to the overall figure, while 'other' metallic minerals production decreased by 17.1%, contributing -0.5 of a percentage point.

Manganese ore production decreased by 5.6%, contributing -0.4 of a percentage point to the overall figure.

Platinum group metals (PGMs) output, however, increased by 3.8% year-on-year in September, making a significant positive contribution of one percentage point to the overall figure.

Further, seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 0.3% month-on-month in September. This followed month-on-month changes of 1.2% in August and -1.8% in July.

Seasonally adjusted mining production for the third quarter, however, decreased by 1.6%, compared with the second quarter.

The biggest negative contributions were made by PGMs (-4.5% and contributing -1.2 percentage points); and gold (-7.3% and contributing -1.1 percentage points).

Iron-ore (8.5% and contributing one percentage point) was a significant positive contributor.

Meanwhile, mineral sales decreased by 20.2% year-on-year in September, with coal, gold, PGMs and 'other' metallic minerals having made the biggest contributions.

Coal sales were down 32.1%, contributing -9.8 percentage points, while gold sales decreased by 35.1%, contributing -5.2 percentage points.

PGMs sales decreased by 10.7%, contributing -2.6 percentage points, while ‘other’ metallic minerals sales decreased by 48.5%, contributing -2 percentage points

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices decreased by 4.7% month-on-month in September. This followed month-on-month changes of 6.6% in August and -6.1% in July.

Mineral sales at current prices decreased by 6.1% in the third quarter, compared with the second quarter, Statistics South Africa reports.