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South Africa: Dec gold production fell 12,4% y-on-y

Source: Mining Weekly

http://metalsplace.com/metalsnews/?a=10137

South Africa's gold production fell by 12,4% year-on-year in December, while non-gold producers lifted their production by more than 15% in the same period, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Monday.

But the national statistics agency reported that total mining production for 2006 had fallen by 1,1% in 2006 – the first yearly decrease in seven years – with gold producers producing 7,7% less gold in the year. Nongold producers' output remained almost unchanged at 0,2% in 2006.

Stats SA reported, however, that total mining production for the December quarter increased by 5,5% year-on-year after seasonal adjustment. The adjustment was owing to a 6,7% increase in nongold minerals, particularly from higher production from the platinum group metals sector.

In November, gold sales rose by 55,7% to R3,14-billion and non-gold minerals sales grew by 49,8% to R15,63-billion.

Total mineral sales remained above R17-billion for the sixth consecutive month in November, increasing by 50,8% to R18,77-billion, the agency reported.

The actual value of mineral sales at current prices for the three-months ended November 2006 increased by 51,3% year-on-year and Stats SA attributed the growth to higher sales from platinum group metals, gold, nickel, coal and copper.