South Africa mining and manufacturing output slows

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 10 (AFP):  South Africa's mining production shrank by 10.1 per cent in the year to August, led by the volatile platinum industry which is recovering from a long strike, official figures showed on Thursday.
According to the national statistics agency, platinum group metals recorded an 11.6-per cent dip, followed by gold which dropped 1.1 per cent.
South Africa's platinum mining sector was rocked this year by a five-month wage strike at three top producing firms. The stoppages at Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin in the Rustenburg platinum belt slashed profits.
The strike ended in June with the signing of a three-year wage deal.
Nedbank, one of South Africa's major banks, cautioned that "activity is likely to remain lacklustre" through to the end of the year.