The South African rand was steady in early trade on Tuesday before the release of domestic mining output and unemployment figures.

At 0618 GMT, the rand traded at 17.74 against the dollar, about 0.2% firmer than Monday's close.

Statistics South Africa will publish June mining production numbers, and second-quarter unemployment data at 0930 GMT on Tuesday.

Mining production rose 0.2% year-on-year in May, and economists polled by Reuters expect it to have risen by 1.4% this time around.

The unemployment rate of Africa's most industrialised economy was estimated to have picked up to 33.0% in the second quarter from 32.9% in the previous quarter.

Also in focus is a US inflation report due at 1230 GMT, which could offer further insight into the Federal Reserve's rate-cut trajectory.

The rand, like other risk-sensitive currencies, often takes cues from global drivers such as US policy and economic data.

The dollar last traded flat against a basket of currencies.

South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was also little changed in early deals, with the yield up half a basis point at 9.675%.