# Statistics South Africa says mining production increased by 2.5-percent in March, driven mainly by strong growth in platinum group metals, gold and manganese ore, while coal recorded a decline. However, seasonally adjusted production fell by 5.1-percent compared with February, despite a slight quarterly increase of 0.6-percent. Stats SA’s Juan-Pierre Terblanche says mineral sales rose significantly by 30.2-percent, supported by surging platinum group metals and gold sales, but iron ore dragged on performance: