South Africa Mining Output Unexpectedly Shrinks

Mining production in South Africa fell by 0.2% over a year ago in August 2025, following a 5.1% advance in the prior month and defying market estimates of a 1% rise.

This marked the first decline in mining activity since April, largely on account of PGMs (-3.0%, contributing -0.9 percentage points); gold (-3.6%, contributing -0.4 percentage points); and manganese ore (-3.4%, contributing -0.3 percentage points).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, mining output decreased by 1.2% in August, after an upwardly revised 1.2% rise in the previous month.