South Africa's mining production contracted 0.8% in November 2015 compared with a year ago, after contracting sharply by 4.7% in October, Statistics SA data showed.

The production of iron ore, other metallic minerals and manganese ore fell in November 2015 compared with November 2014, and were the main reasons behind the 0.8% decline in mining production.

Platinum group metals were a significant positive contributor, Statistics SA said.

Despite the year-on-year decline, seasonally adjusted mining production increased 2.4% in November compared with October. This followed month-on-month changes of 1.7% in October 2015 and -4% in September 2015.

Seasonally adjusted mining production dropped 3.1% in the three months ended November compared with the previous three months. The main reason for the quarterly decline in production was lower output of coal, manganese ore, other metallic minerals, platinum group metals and iron ore.

Mineral sales were down 2.8% year on year in October. Commodity prices are down and are forecast to continue being depressed over the next few months.

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• [Editor:Sophie]