According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa, in March this year the seasonally adjusted index of iron ore mining production in South Africa increased by seven percent, while the country's manganese ore production index decreased by nine percent, both compared to February. On the other hand, in the given month South Africa's nickel production increased by 13.1 percent month on month.
On year-on-year basis, in March this year South African iron ore production rose nine percent, manganese ore production increased by 24.6 percent, while the country's nickel output expanded by 7.1 percent.
Furthermore, the country's seasonally adjusted iron ore sales at current prices in February this year increased by 17.9 percent compared to the previous month, to ZAR 6.23 billion ($606.18 million), while the seasonally adjusted nickel sales value at current prices increased by 17.8 percent in February compared to January, amounting to ZAR 824.80 million ($80.25 million). South Africa's seasonally adjusted manganese ore sales in February at current prices totaled ZAR 1.24 billion ($120.65 million), down 16.3 percent month on month.
The year-on-year percentage change at current prices in February this year was up 52.4 percent in iron ore sales, up 52.9 percent in nickel sales and up 72.5 percent in manganese ore sales.