South Africa grapples with declining mining and manufacturing outputs as economic challenges intensify

Siphelele Dludla

South Africa’s productive sectors began the year on a slippery slope as both mining and manufacturing output plunged in January on the back of persistent economic constraints. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday showed that mining production shrank by 2.7% year-on-year in January following a 2.4% decline in December 2024. This extends a three-month downward trend and marks the steepest decline since June 2024. Stats SA’s principal service statistician, Jean-Pierre Terblanche, said iron ore was the largest negative contributor, retreating by 15.1% while coal, platinum group metals (PGM) and chromium ore also performed poorly. Combined, these commodities make up over 65% of the mining basket. “On the upside, gold turned positive after 14 consecutive months of decline. Manganese ore, copper, nickel and diamond production also expanded in…

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Star South Africa (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2025-03-14

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