According to Mining Weekly, data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showed that the country's mining production fell by 7.7% YoY in April, mainly due to declines in platinum group metals and gold production, although the growth in iron ore production partially mitigated the decline. Seasonally adjusted production increased by 0.6% MoM in April, compared to changes of 3.6% and -3.9% in March and February, respectively. Stats SA found that seasonally adjusted mining production decreased by 2.7% QoQ from February to April. The largest negative impact came from platinum group metals, while the largest contribution was from iron ore. Meanwhile, Stats SA also found that the sales value of mineral products increased by 0.7% YoY at current prices in April. The largest contributor was gold, with sales increasing by 57.6%, contributing 9.4 percentage points, followed by manganese ore, with sales increasing by 66.6%, contributing 3.3 percentage points. The largest drag was from platinum group metals, which fell by 20.1%, pulling down the index by 4.7 percentage points, followed by iron ore, which fell by 25.9%, pulling down the index by 3.5 percentage points. Seasonally adjusted sales value of mineral products at current prices increased by 6.7% MoM in April. It increased by 1.6% in March and decreased by 8.6% in February. Seasonally adjusted sales value of mineral products decreased by 8.5% QoQ from February to April.

[[Weekly Review of Aluminum Scrap and Secondary Aluminum]]Geopolitical Risks and Cost Drivers Combined: Weekly Increase in ADC12 Prices Reached 1,000 Yuan

According to foreign news on April 12, data from Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) showed that copper production in Peru, the world's second largest copper producer, reached 192,334 mt in February, an increase of 11.6% from February 2022 (172,335 mt).

According to MiningWeekly, South Africa's mining production fell by 2.8% YoY in March, primarily due to decreased production of platinum group metals (PGMs) and gold. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showed that PGM production declined by 9.9% and gold production by 11.1%, while iron ore production increased by 7.5% YoY. Seasonally adjusted mining production rose by 3.5% MoM in March, following a 4.1% decline in February and a 0.2% increase in January. Seasonally adjusted mining production fell by 4.5% QoQ in Q1. The decline was mainly driven by PGMs, though the increase in iron ore production partially offset the decrease. Seasonally adjusted sales of mineral products rose by 0.5% MoM at current prices, following a 9.6% decline in February and a 1.4% increase in January. Seasonally adjusted sales of mineral products fell by 10.1% QoQ in Q1. Bongani Motsa, senior analyst at the Minerals Council South Africa, stated that future gold demand is expected to remain stable, which should benefit South African gold companies. "Gold is a barometer of global events. It has various uses, from jewelry to industrial applications and as a safe-haven investment tool. These characteristics make gold a timeless and ideal metal," he said. Additionally, he pointed out that despite the contraction in PGM production in February, exports and export revenues were higher than pre-2019 pandemic levels. He believes that the short- to medium-term outlook for chrome and manganese is positive, especially given the easing of trade tensions.

[South Africa's platinum group metals and gold production fell in Q1] According to MiningWeekly, South Africa's mining production fell by 2.8% YoY in March, mainly due to a decrease in the production of platinum group metals and gold. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showed that platinum group metals production fell by 9.9%, and gold production fell by 11.1%, but iron ore production was up 7.5% YoY.

France's Eramet SA, one of the biggest producers, said the London Metal Exchange (LME) has lost its benchmark status in a key sector of the nickel market since a massive short sale last year, according to Bloomberg.