South Africa's iron ore mining output up 31.4% in June

In South Africa, the iron ore mining production index in June went up by 31.4% year on year, up 3.1 percent over May, while the country's manganese ore production index in June decreased by 11.8% compared to June 2011 and was down 6.1% month-on-month. On the other hand, South Africa's nickel production index in the month in question increased by 24.4% compared to the same month last year, rising 3.5% compared to the previous month.

Furthermore, the seasonally adjusted iron ore sales value at current prices in May this year increased by 17% compared to April, rising to ZAR5.89 billion (US$724 million), up 29.5% compared to May 2011. In May this year, the seasonally adjusted manganese ore sales value at current prices was ZAR835.4 million (US$102.6 million), rising 25.1% month on month and up 9.4% compared to May last year, while the seasonally adjusted nickel sales value at current prices increased by 73.2 percent compared to April, to ZAR643.5 million (US$79.08 million), up 62.3% compared to May 2011.