Total mining production for the third quarter of 2008 in South Africa the world's biggest precious metals producer decreased by 3.5% from the previous three months, and by 7.1% compared to the corresponding quarter of 2007.

Releasing latest production figures here, Statistics South Africa revealed that the four biggest contributors to the 3,5% decrease were PGMs (-1,9 percentage points), gold (-1,0 percentage point), diamonds (-0,8 of a percentage point) and coal (-0,5 of a percentage point).

The actual total mining production for September 2008 decreased by 3.5% compared to September 2007, reflected by both gold and non-gold mineral production decreasing by 17.7% and 1.2% respectively.

Statistics South Africa added that the total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended August 2008 had reflected an increase of 3.7% on the previous three months. This increase of 3.7% (R2 880.3 million) could be attributed to an increase of 5.8% (R3 874.7 million) in the sale of non-gold minerals.

The actual estimated total value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended August 2008 had increased by 53.5% compared with the same three months of 2007. The major contributors to this increase of 53.5%, year-on-year, were coal (16.0 percentage points or R8 714.7 million), PGMs (15.7 percentage points or R8 552.2 million), and manganese ore (10.0 percentage points or R5 524.1 million).