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After going through a rough economic storm composed of load-shedding and a decline in global demand, the mining sector is beginning to show signs of recovery with increased production and sales.
The economy of South Africa under the Government of National Unity (GNU) is signalling a recovery with the latest report by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showing that the economy jumped from 0.1% to 0.8% in GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025. The mining sector, which is dubbed a sunset industry, is now showing signs of life.
According to Stats SA’s mining production and sales report for July 2025, mining production increased by 4,4% year-on-year in July 2025. The largest positive contributors were:
· iron ore (12,2% and contributing 1,7 percentage points);
· PGMs (6,2% and contributing 1,7 percentage points); and
· ‘other’ metallic minerals (45,8% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point).
Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 1,0% in July 2025 compared with June 2025. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,4% in June 2025 and 3,7% in May 2025.
Seasonally adjusted mining production increased by 5,8% in the three months ended July 2025 compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributors were:
· PGMs (16,8% and contributing 4,6 percentage points); and
· gold (3,7% and contributing 0,5 of a percentage point).
Mineral sales: results for July 2025
Mineral sales at current prices increased by 2,2% year-on-year in July 2025. The largest positive contributors were:
· PGMs (24,8% and contributing 4,7 percentage points); and
· iron ore (20,5% and contributing 1,6 percentage points).
The largest negative contributors were:
· gold (-8,7% and contributing -2,5 percentage points); and
· manganese ore (-30,9% and contributing -2,5 percentage points).
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 10,0% in July 2025 compared with June 2025. This followed month-on-month changes of -7,1% in June 2025 and 5,8% in May 2025.
Seasonally adjusted mineral sales at current prices increased by 10,7% in the three months ended July 2025 compared with the previous three months.
