Another bad month for mining production in July - Stats SA

There was no respite for South Africa's miners in July, as Stats SA announced yet another fall in production when compared to a year ago. 

Mining production fell by 5.2% in July 2018 when compared to July 2017, with major dips in gold and iron ore, and smaller dips in coal and platinum group metals. 

If it wasn't for sterling diamond production figures - which increased by 40.7% year-on-year - the overall fall could have been even worse. 

On a monthly basis, mining production decreased by 8.6% between June and July 2018. 

According to stats SA, when July 2018 production figures are compared with those of July 2017:

• gold fell by 15.0%

• iron ore fell by 17.4%

• coal fell by 5.8% 

• Platinum group metals fell by 6.2%

• Diamonds were up 40.7% 

• Mineral sales decreased by 1.7% 

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