According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa, in June this year the seasonally adjusted index of iron ore mining production in South Africa decreased by 5.8% while the country's manganese ore production index decreased by 0.9% both compared to May. On the other hand, in the given month South Africa's nickel production increased by 9.6% MoM.

On YoY basis, in June this year South African iron ore production fell 1.2% manganese ore production increased by 30.7% while the country's nickel output expanded by 15.3%.

Furthermore, the country's seasonally adjusted iron ore sales at current prices in May this year decreased by 14.3% compared to the previous month, to ZAR 4.9 billion while the seasonally adjusted nickel sales value at current prices increased by 81.1% in May compared to April, amounting to ZAR 1.01 billion. South Africa's seasonally adjusted manganese ore sales in May at current prices totaled ZAR 1.33 billion down 9.1% MoM.

The YoY percentage change at current prices in May this year was down 5.9% in iron ore sales, was up 97.3% in nickel sales and was down 8.9% in manganese ore sales.

• [Editor:Sophie]