Overview
| |
Q3 2016 |
Q3 2015 |
% vs. Q3 2015 |
YTD 2016 |
YTD 2015 |
% vs. YTD 2015 |
| Diamonds (Mct)(1) |
6.3 |
6.0 |
4% |
19.6 |
21.6 |
(9)% |
| Platinum (produced ounces) (koz)(2) |
619 |
614 |
1% |
1,772 |
1,739 |
2% |
| Copper retained operations (t)(3) (4) (5) |
139,800 |
153,100 |
(9)% |
430,500 |
456,600 |
(6)% |
| Nickel (t)(6) |
11,300 |
6,800 |
66% |
33,600 |
19,800 |
70% |
| Iron ore – Kumba (Mt) |
11.8 |
11.4 |
3% |
29.5 |
33.9 |
(13)% |
| Iron ore – Minas-Rio (Mt)(7) |
4.5 |
2.9 |
53% |
11.3 |
5.9 |
91% |
| Export metallurgical coal (Mt) |
5.5 |
5.5 |
1% |
15.5 |
15.7 |
(1)% |
| Export thermal coal (Mt)(8) |
8.8 |
8.8 |
0% |
24.5 |
26.1 |
(6)% |
Mark Cutifani, Anglo American Chief Executive, said “Operational improvements continue across the portfolio, delivering a 4% production increase on a copper equivalent basis(9) in the third quarter, and a 12% increase compared to Q2 2016. The latter increase is largely due to the strong recovery at Kumba’s Sishen mine, a 46% production increase, following the successful completion of its restructuring. In our diamond and platinum businesses we continue to maintain discipline on volumes by mining to demand, whilst the ramp-ups at Minas-Rio and Grosvenor are progressing well, and Barro Alto has now reached nameplate capacity. The modestly higher production at De Beers is reflective of improved market conditions relative to Q3 2015, but we maintain a cautious outlook.”
- Diamond production increased by 4% to 6.3 million carats compared with Q3 2015 when production was reduced in response to the prevailing trading conditions.
- Platinum production (expressed as metal in concentrate)(2) was broadly unchanged, increasing by 1% to 619,000 ounces. Refined platinum production increased by 14% to 694,700 ounces, following recovery at the Precious Metals Refinery.
- Copper production from the retained operations decreased by 9% to 139,800 tonnes. Expected lower grades at Los Bronces and the impact of strikes at Los Bronces and El Soldado, were partly offset by strong plant performance and higher grades at Collahuasi.
- Nickel production increased by 66% to 11,300 tonnes following the successful completion of the Barro Alto furnace rebuilds in 2015.
- Iron ore production from Kumba increased by 3% (33% vs. Q2 2016) to 11.8 million tonnes due to productivity improvements at Sishen following its restructuring.
- Iron ore production from Minas-Rio increased by 53% to 4.5 million tonnes (wet basis) as the operation continues to ramp-up.
- Export metallurgical coal production was broadly unchanged, increasing by 1% to 5.5 million tonnes due to the ramp-up at Grosvenor and a longwall move at Moranbah in Q3 2015, offsetting geological issues at Grasstree and the sale of Foxleigh, which completed on 30 August 2016.
- Export thermal coal production remained flat at 8.8 million tonnes. An increase in production at Cerrejón was offset by a ramp-down at Drayton where mining activities will cease in Q4 2016.
This Production Report for the third quarter ended 30 September 2016 is unaudited.
(1) De Beers production on 100% basis except the Gahcho Kué joint venture which is on an attributable 51% basis;
(2) Reflects own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate;
(3) Copper production from the Copper business unit;
(4) Copper production shown on a contained metal basis;
(5) 2015 Copper production normalised for the sale of Anglo American Norte;
(6) Nickel production from the Nickel business unit;
(7) Wet basis;
(8) Export thermal coal includes production from Australia, South Africa and Colombia;
(9) Copper equivalent production is normalised for the sale of Anglo American Norte and the Kimberley mine, and to reflect Snap Lake being placed on care and maintenance.
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