South Africa’s mining sector remained under pressure in September 2026, but the pace of decline showed signs of easing. Mining production contracted by 10.7% year-on-year in September, an improvement from the sharper 12.7% drop recorded in August 2026.
The latest data, updated on 12 November 2026, indicate that while the industry is still firmly in negative territory, the narrower decline could suggest some stabilization in output after months of weakness. Investors and policymakers are likely to watch upcoming releases closely to see whether September’s softer contraction marks the beginning of a sustained recovery or merely a temporary moderation in the downturn.