Mining Momentum Falters: Fuel Costs, Conflict & Commodity Pressures

South Africa’s mining sector hit its first production contraction in five months, with May down 4.5% year‑on‑year. Minerals Council Economist André Lourens breaks down the drivers behind the slowdown — from Middle East tensions disrupting global oil flows to fading commodity price support. We unpack manganese and chrome’s surprising resilience, the pressure on coal, iron ore and diamonds, and the urgent structural reforms needed to stabilise the sector. www.kaya959.co.za · Kaya FM