By 
The mining sector as the backbone of South Africa’s economy is proving to be resilient, as it was dubbed a sunset industry with minimum investment opportunities.
The recent report on the production and sales in the mining industry by Stats SA shows that the industry is growing. Compared to the COVID-19 era, the sector has made remarkable recovery and performing well given the volatile global economic environment considering the tensions in the Middle East.
According to Stats SA on its findings released on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, mining production increased by 9,7% year-on-year in February 2026. The largest positive contributors were:
· PGMs (52,3% and contributing 9,4 percentage points);
· chromium ore (26,9% and contributing 1,6 percentage points);
· manganese ore (17,8% and contributing 1,5 percentage points); and
· gold (12,8% and contributing 1,3 percentage points).
Iron ore (-12,4% and contributing -2,3 percentage points) and coal (-6,7% and contributing -2,0 percentage points) were the largest negative contributors.
Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 2,3% in February 2026 compared with January 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of 3,7% in January 2026 and -2,1% in December 2025.
Seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 1,7% in the three months ended February 2026 compared with the previous three months. The largest negative contributors were:
· iron ore (-9,3% and contributing -1,4 percentage points); and
· PGMs (-2,5% and contributing -0,7 of a percentage point).
Manganese ore (11,4% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point) was the largest positive contributor.
Mineral sales: results for February 2026
Mineral sales at current prices increased by 58,3% year-on-year in February 2026. The largest positive contributors were:
· gold (397,6% and contributing 32,2 percentage points);
· PGMs (132,1% and contributing 26,5 percentage points); and
· chromium ore (53,8% and contributing 4,2 percentage points).
‘Other’ non-metallic minerals (-55,9% and contributing -2,8 percentage points) and manganese ore (-22,9% and contributing -1,7 percentage points) were the largest negative contributors.
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 9,4% in February 2026 compared with January 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of -8,0% in January 2026 and 21,8% in December 2025.
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 17,5% in the three months ended February 2026 compared with the previous three months.
