Overall mining activities slowly picking up

For April 2021, the volume of diamonds produced stood at 103 780 carats compared to 95 576 and 110 311 carats recorded in March 2021 and April 20200, respectively.
Phillepus Uusiku
PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

The mining composite index increased marginally by 0.8% in April 2021 on a monthly basis, better-off than a negative growth rate of 12.0% recorded in the preceding month. Annually, the index recorded a negative growth rate of 18.7%.

The increase recorded on a monthly basis is mainly reflected in the production of diamond carats, zinc concentrate and gold bullion.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), diamond production index month-on-month recorded an increase of 8.6% for April 2021 compared to a decline of 15.2% recorded in the previous month. On an annual basis, diamond production declined by 5.9% in April 2021.

The monthly increase registered in the production of diamonds was mainly driven by the marine operations ascribed to high global demand during the period under review.

In the month of April 2021, the volume of diamonds produced stood at 103 780 carats. Whereas in March 2021, the production stood at 95 576 carats, while 110 311 carats were produced in April 2020, NSA pointed out.

Zinc production index registered a slow growth on monthly basis of 1.8% in April 2021, compared to an increase of 15.4% recorded in the preceding month.

On annual basis, zinc concentrate and contained index recorded a reduction of 36.3%. During the period under review, 5 857 tons of zinc concentrate and contained were produced compared to 5 752 tons and 9 197 tons produced in March 2021 and April 2020, respectively, NSA added.

Uranium

Uranium production index reduced further on a monthly basis by 25.9% during the period under review, from a declined growth rate of 16.6% recorded in the preceding month. On an annual basis, uranium recorded a decline of 38.1% in April 2021.

In the month of April 2021, the production of uranium went down to 382 tons from 515 tons and 617 tons produced in March 2021 and April 2020, respectively. The decline recorded in the production of uranium on monthly basis was attributed to low grade ore mined.

The gold bullion production index recorded a growth rate of 14.3% for April 2021, month on month. This reflects an improvement when compared to a growth rate of 4.6% recorded in the preceding month, NSA pointed out.

On annual basis, gold bullion production declined by 24.6% from a negative growth rate of 44.7% recorded in March 2021.

The production of gold bullion stood at 393 kg compared to 344 kg and 522 kg for March 2021 and April 2020, respectively. The increase recorded on monthly basis in the production of gold bullion and zinc concentrate was attributed to high grade ore mined, respectively, NSA said.

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Namibian Sun 2024-04-26

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