According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa, in July this year the seasonally adjusted index of manganese ore decreased by 6.8 percent compared to the prior month, while nickel production reduced by 8.7% month on month.

On year-on-year basis, in June this year South Africa manganese ore production increase by 21.7%, while the country's nickle output expanded by 5.3%.

Furthermore, the country;s seasonally adjusted nickel sales value at current prices decreased by seven percent in June compared to May, accounting to ZAR 749.3 million, while manganese ore sales in June at current prices totaled ZAR 1.23 billion, down 7.5 percent month on month.

The year-on-year percentage change at current prices in June this was contracted by 25.2% in nickel sales and was up 4.2 percent in manganese ore sales.

• [Editor:Sophie]