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Anglo American plc Production Report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2014

28 January, 2015

Anglo American plc Production Report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2014

Overview

  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 % vs. Q4 2013
Iron ore – Kumba (Mt) 12.4 11.3 10%
Iron ore – Minas-Rio (wmt)(1) 0.7 - nm(2)
Export metallurgical coal (Mt) 4.9 4.7 4%
Export thermal coal (Mt) 9.7 9.5 2%
Copper (t)(3) (4) 174,800 214,300 (18)%
Nickel (t)(5) 6,700 10,200 (34)%
Platinum (equivalent refined) (koz)(6) 594 520 14%
Diamonds (Mct)(7) 8.4 9.1 (8)%
  • Kumba Iron Ore production increased by 10% to 12.4 million tonnes following implementation of the production recovery plan and Anglo American Operating Model at Sishen. Waste removal at Sishen continues to be the operational focus.
  • Minas-Rio achieved first ore on ship on 25 October 2014; production started in the quarter.
  • Export metallurgical coal production increased by 4% to 4.9 million tonnes due to a step change in performance at Grasstree and Q4 2013 longwall moves.  
  • Export thermal coal production increased by 2% to 9.7 million tonnes mainly due to increases across Australian and South African operations.
  • Copper production decreased by 18% to 174,800 tonnes, primarily as a result of the expected grade declines at Los Bronces and Collahuasi.
  • As expected, nickel production decreased by 34% to 6,700 tonnes due to the Barro Alto Line 2 furnace rebuild, which commenced in October.
  • Equivalent refined platinum production increased by 14% to 593,900 ounces mainly due to higher production at Amandelbult, Rustenburg and Union mines as Q4 2013 was impacted by industrial action. Mogalakwena also increased production in Q4 2014 due to increased throughput at the concentrator and mining productivity improvements.
  • Diamond production decreased by 8% to 8.4 million carats compared with Q4 2013 due to lower grades at Orapa and Venetia, combined with lower production at Snap Lake as a result of a mandatory safety stoppage.
  • Given the sharply lower commodity price environment, particularly for the bulk commodities, Anglo American expects to record certain non-cash impairment charges as special items for the 2014 financial year. Full details will be provided when Anglo American publishes its preliminary results for 2014 on 13 February 2015.

This Production Report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2014 is unaudited. Financial Results for the year to 31 December 2014 will be announced on 13 February 2015.

(1) Wet metric tonnes (wmt)
(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

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For further information, please contact:

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