Mining production decreased by 2.5% year-on-year in August, with diamonds, manganese ore and 'other' metallic minerals having made the largest negative contributions.

Diamond output was down by 54.6% year-on-year, manganese ore by 7.9% year-on-year and 'other' metallic minerals by 17.6% year-on-year.

Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 0.8% month-on-month in August.

This follows month-on-month changes of -1.7% in July 2023 and 0.8% in June.

Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2% in the three months ended August, compared with the previous three months. The largest negative contributors were gold (-6.5%), coal (-2.8%) and manganese ore (-6%).

Meanwhile, mineral sales at current prices decreased by 16.1% year-on-year in August, with platinum group metals and coal having made the largest negative contributions.

Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 6.7% month-on-month in August. This followed month-on-month changes of -5.8% in July and -13.6% in June.

Mineral sales at current prices decreased by 5.7% in the three months ended August, compared with the previous three months.