Halt in loadshedding could boost mining production, if sustained

South Africa has had more than two weeks without loadshedding and, if this can be sustained, it could push mining production for the full year into positive terrain, says Minerals Council South Africa chief economist Hugo Pienaar. He points out that, following two calendar years of decline and a poor start to this year, Statistics South Africa has reported that, in real terms, total mining production surged by 9.9% year-on-year in February.