/ 15 August 1999

MINING OUTPUT DROPS

THE total mining production after seasonal adjustment for the three months to June decreased by 0,2% compared with the previous three months, Statistics South Africa reported on Thursday. The seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales for the three months to April decreased by 2,5% or R468,8-million compared with the previous three months. Stats SA attributed the decrease in total mining production to decreases in both gold and non-gold production, with iron and other metallic mineral mines being the biggest contributors to the decrease in non-gold production. The decrease in the value of mineral sales was attributed to a decrease of 4,3 percent or R528,1-million reported by non-gold mines.