South Africa’s total mining production decreased 7.2 percent in February 2008, led by a decline in gold and diamond production, Statistics South Africa reported. Production of diamonds, which make up 8.3 percent of the total, fell 25.8 percent, or 38 percentage points in February, in the country’s monthly mining production index report. Gold, which carries a weight of 25.7 percent, fell 28.2 percent, or 17.6 percentage points. Platinum group metals, making up 27.6 percent of the total, were flat for the month compared to February 2007.

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