South Africa Mining Output Falls More than Expected

Mining production in South Africa slipped by 7.7% over a year ago in April 2025, following a revised 2.5% decline in the prior month and more than an expected 4.3% drop.

The latest reading pointed to the sixth consecutive month of downturn in the country's sector, and at a solid pace, led by PGMs (-24.1% vs -9.9% in March), nickel (-21.9% vs -0.3%) and copper (-9.5% vs 3.2%).

Output also decreased for building materials (-6.1% vs -1-1%); other non-metallic minerals (-5.2% vs 8.9%); gold (-2.5% vs -11.1%) and coal (-1.7% vs 1.2%).

Conversely, the biggest increases were seen for other metallic minerals (16.5% vs 4.4%); diamonds (10.1% vs 1.4%) and iron ore (5.3% vs 7.5%).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, mining output rose by 0.6% in April, after an upwardly revised 3.6% advance in the prior month.

Mining production shrank by 2.7% in the three months ended April 2025 compared with the previous three months.