Mining production in South Africa rose by 0.2% over a year ago in May 2025, rebounding slightly after a sharp 7.7% decline in April and ending a six-month streak of contraction. Iron ore was the biggest positive driver, rising 12.5% (vs +7.4% in April) and contributing 1.7 percentage points. Output also increased significantly for nickel (19.1% vs -21.9%); other metallic minerals (11.4% vs 16.5%) and diamonds (7.7% vs 10%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, mining output rose by 3.7% in May, after a revised flat reading in the previous month. Mining production increased by 2.6% in the three months ended May 2025 compared with the previous three months.