Mining output remained flat in 2025 after iron ore, manganese offset PGMs, coal weakness

South Africa’s mining sector ended 2025 on a marginally firmer footing, with total production rising by just 0.1% compared with 2024, as gains in iron ore and manganese helped offset declines in platinum group metals (PGMs), coal and gold.
This marked a moderate slowdown from the 0.6% growth in mining production recorded in 2024. 
Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) on Thursday, mining production increased by 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, rebounding from a downwardly revised 2.4% contraction in November.
The improvement was largely driven by strong performances in manganese ore and iron ore.
Manganese ore output surged by 40.4% year-on-year in December, up from 16.7% in November, while iron ore production jumped 19%, reversing November’s 7.6% decline. Other metallic minerals rose by 27.3%, nickel by 26.6%, chromium ore by 15.5%, and other non-metallic minerals by 10.4%.
However, the gains were tempered by sharp declines in key commodities. Diamond production plunged 35.8%, PGMs fell 7.7%, coal declined 5.7%, and copper slipped 1.5% year-on-year in December.
On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, mining production decreased by 1.2% in December, following a revised 5.7% decline in November, pointing to ongoing volatility in output.
Jean-Pierre Terblanche, Principal Survey Statistician at StatsSA, said the December data marked the conclusion of the calendar year results.
"Iron ore was the largest positive contributor, expanding by 3.0% and contributing 0.5% of a percentage point to overall growth," Terblanche said.
"Manganese ore, diamonds, chromium ore and nickel were also positive. On the downside, the industry produced less copper, platinum group metals, gold and coal in 2025."