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Q1 2015 Production Report

23 April, 2015

Overview      
  Q1 2015 Q1 2014 % vs. Q1 2014
Iron ore – Kumba (Mt) 12.2 11.3 7%
Iron ore – Minas-Rio (Mt)(1) 1.2 - nm(2)
Export metallurgical coal (Mt) 5.0 6.1 (17)%
Export thermal coal (Mt) 8.7 7.9 11%
Copper (t)(3) (4) 171,800 202,000 (15)%
Nickel (t)(5) 6,700 9,200 (27)%
Platinum (equivalent refined)(koz)(6) 536 357 50%
Diamonds (Mct)(7) 7.7 7.5 2%
  • Solid Q1 2015 production performance, in line with Anglo American’s expectations.
  • Iron ore production from Kumba increased by 7% to 12.2 million tonnes due to improved equipment productivity at Sishen and plant performance at Kolomela.
  • Minas-Rio produced 1.2 million tonnes (wet basis) of iron ore during Q1 2015, a 71% increase compared to Q4 2014 and broadly in line with ramp-up plans. The port is operating well, with 13 vessels loaded since first ore on ship (FOOS) in October 2014.
  • Export metallurgical coal production decreased by 17% following Canadian operation Peace River Coal being put on care and maintenance in Q4 2014 and Australian production being impacted by tropical cyclone Marcia.
  • Export thermal coal production increased by 11% to 8.7 million tonnes due to increased productivity and a change in product mix in Australia.
  • Copper production decreased by 15% to 171,800 tonnes, as expected, primarily as a result of the decision to take the smaller of Los Bronces’ two processing plants offline for 51 days in the quarter to manage water reserve levels.
  • Nickel production decreased by 27% to 6,700 tonnes, as expected, due to the scheduled rebuild of the Barro Alto furnaces, which is under way and on track for completion in Q4 2015.
  • Equivalent refined platinum production increased by 50% to 536,000 ounces compared to strike impacted Q12014, with Mogalakwena delivering a 13% production increase.
  • Diamond production increased by 2% to 7.7 million carats, driven primarily by higher grades at Venetia. Full year production guidance for diamonds has been reduced from 32 to 34 million carats to 30 to 32 million carats, in light of current trading conditions.
  • All other Business Units are performing in line with the delivery of full year production guidance.

This Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2015 is unaudited.

(1) Wet basis
(2) Not meaningful (nm)
(3) Copper production from the Copper business unit
(4) Copper production shown on a contained metal basis
(5) Nickel production from the Nickel business unit
(6) Equivalent refined is the mines’ production and purchases of metal in concentrate, secondary metals and other metals converted to equivalent refined production using Anglo American Platinum’s standard smelting and refining recoveries
(7) De Beers production on 100% basis

View full PDF of this press release (561 KB, link opens in a new window)

For further information, please contact:

Media Investors
UK
James Wyatt-Tilby
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759
South Africa
Pranill Ramchander
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2592
UK
Paul Galloway
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8718
Sarah McNally
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8747
Emily Blyth
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8481
Shamiela Letsoalo
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 3112
Edward Kite
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 2178

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is a global and diversified mining business that provides the raw materials essential for economic development and modern life. Our people are at the heart of our business. It is our people who use the latest technologies to find new resources, plan and build our mines and who mine, process and move and market our products – from bulk commodities and base metals to precious metals and diamonds (through De Beers) – to our customers around the world. Our diversified portfolio of products spans the economic development cycle and, as a responsible miner, we are the custodians of precious resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders, but also for the communities and countries in which we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference. Our mining operations, growth projects and exploration and marketing activities extend across southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.


www.angloamerican.com