Statistics South Africa reported mining production down 10.7 percent year on year in September 2026, dragged by iron ore, coal, platinum group metals and diamonds, while seasonally adjusted output rose 2.8 percent on the month.
Why it matters: A double digit annual fall in output from one of the world's largest iron ore, coal and platinum suppliers, alongside a 4.1 percent fall in mineral sales, points to a weak third quarter for South African mining earnings and export receipts.
Data as of Statistics South Africa release P2041, Mining: Production and sales, September 2026, published November 12, 2026 at 11:30; figures are from the bureau's own release summary, and the publication page was confirmed in this run. The full publication PDF was not opened in this run. Developing item.
South Africa’s mining production fell 10.7 percent year on year in September 2026, Statistics South Africa reported in release P2041. The largest negative contributors were iron ore, down 23.7 percent, coal, down 13.4 percent, platinum group metals, down 9.9 percent, and diamonds, down 63.1 percent.
The annual fall came despite a monthly recovery: seasonally adjusted production rose 2.8 percent month on month in September. Mineral sales at current prices fell 4.1 percent year on year.