The index of total mining production was 7,5% lower in 2008 compared with 2007 and was at the lowest level since 2000, according to Statistics South Africa.
The 7,5% drop in annual mining production followed decreases of 0,9% in 2007 and 1,5% in 2006.
The major contributors to the annual decrease of 7,5% in 2008 were the platinum group metals (PGMs) (-3,8 percentage points), gold (-2,2 percentage points) and diamonds (-1,7 percentage points).
Iron ore production increased by 17% in 2008 and contributed positively with 0,6 of a percentage point.
The total mining production for the fourth quarter of 2008, after seasonal adjustment, increased by 1,2% compared with the third quarter of 2008.
The major contributor to this increase of 1,2% in total mining was PGMs (5,5 percentage points).
Diamond production counteracted the seasonally adjusted growth of 1,2% in total mining in the fourth quarter of 2008 with a negative contribution of 2,2 percentage points.-I-Net Bridge