South Africa experienced a 3.9% year-on-year surge in mining production in October, led by significant contributions from platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese ore, and chromium ore. According to Statistics South Africa, PGMs saw a notable 16.9% increase, accounting for four percentage points of the overall growth. Manganese ore output rose by 8.9% year-on-year, contributing 0.7 of a percentage point, while chromium ore increased by 13.8%, contributing 0.6 of a percentage point to the upsurge.

Moreover, seasonally adjusted mining production exhibited a 2.1% month-on-month increase in October, following minor fluctuations of -0.1% in September and 0.9% in August.

In the three months leading to October 31, seasonally adjusted mining production showed a 0.7% increase compared to the previous three months. Coal and PGMs were the primary contributors, with coal recording a 3.5% rise and PGMs exhibiting a 2% increase, contributing 0.8 and 0.5 of a percentage point, respectively. However, gold experienced a significant decline (-5.1%), contributing -0.8 of a percentage point.

Conversely, mineral sales at current prices saw a year-on-year decrease of 0.7% in October. PGMs (-32.1%) and coal (-18.2%) were the primary negative contributors, accounting for -10.5 and -5.3 percentage points, respectively.

In contrast, seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices showed a notable 12.6% month-on-month increase in October, following fluctuating changes of -4.1% in September and 6.9% in August. However, mineral sales at current prices witnessed a 1.3% decline in the three months leading to October 31, compared to the previous three months.

This growth in mining production, particularly in PGMs, manganese ore, and chromium ore, showcases positive momentum in South Africa's mining sector, despite fluctuations in mineral sales at current prices.