Former global top gold producer, South Africa's output fell 5,3% in volume terms in June compared with the corresponding month last year.

In a statement, Statistics SA said production of nongold minerals and total mineral production both fell 4,9% that month compared with the same month last year.

However, the year's trend of stunted gold production should not cause too much alarm due to the nature of the industry, analysts said.

Mining contributes about 5% to SA's gross domestic product.

In May, the country's gold output fell 4,9% in volume terms, while total mineral production dropped 7,6% compared with the same month last year. Production of nongold minerals also decreased 8% .

Production declines in June were driven by a 19,3% year-on-year contraction in platinum group metals and a 5,3% fall in gold output.

South Africa Gold