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Q4 2016 Production Report

26 January, 2017

Anglo American plc Production Report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2016.

Overview

  Q4 2016 Q4 2015 % vs. Q4 2015 2016 2015 % vs. 2015
Diamonds (Mct)(1) 7.8 7.1 10% 27.3 28.7 (5)%
Platinum (produced ounces) (koz)(2) 610 598 2% 2,382 2,337 2%
Copper retained operations (t)(3)(4)(5) 146,600 181,400 (19)% 577,100 638,000 (10)%
Nickel (t)(6) 10,900 10,500 4% 44,500 30,300 47%
Iron ore – Kumba (Mt) 11.9 10.9 9% 41.5 44.9 (8)%
Iron ore – Minas-Rio (Mt)(7) 4.9 3.3 49% 16.1 9.2 76%
Export metallurgical coal (Mt) 5.4 5.5 (2)% 20.9 21.2 (2)%
Export thermal coal (Mt)(8) 8.0 7.7 4% 32.5 33.8 (4)%

Mark Cutifani, Anglo American Chief Executive, said "Operational improvements across the portfolio delivered a 4% production increase on a copper equivalent basis(9) in Q4 2016. De Beers saw continued production increases, reflecting improved trading conditions relative to Q4 2015, while the successful restructuring at Kumba's Sishen mine resulted in an 11% production increase. Similarly, Barro Alto's nickel production increased by 9% after reaching nameplate capacity in Q3 2016. At Platinum, we continue to maintain discipline by mining to demand. Together with positive contributions from ongoing ramp-ups at Minas-Rio, Grosvenor and Gahcho Kué, we will be reporting a 2% increase in copper equivalent production volumes for 2016 as a whole."

  • Rough diamond production increased by 10% to 7.8 million carats compared with Q4 2015 when production was reduced in response to trading conditions. The increase also reflects the ramp-up of Gahcho Kué in Canada.
  • Platinum production (expressed as metal in concentrate)(2) increased by 2% to 610,100 ounces with strong production from Mogalakwena and Unki mines as well as BRPM and Kroondal. Refined platinum production decreased by 15% to 631,600 ounces following the Waterval Smelter run-out and subsequent rebuild which impacted refined production by 59,000 ounces in the quarter.
  • Copper production decreased by 19% to 146,600 tonnes, primarily at Los Bronces due to expected lower grades, adverse weather earlier in the year, and illegal industrial action by contractor unions.
  • Nickel production increased by 4% to 10,900 tonnes following the successful ramp-up of Barro Alto to nameplate capacity in Q3 2016.
  • Iron ore production from Kumba increased by 9% to 11.9 million tonnes driven by improved mining productivity and higher plant yields at Sishen, and higher throughput at Kolomela.
  • Iron ore production from Minas-Rio increased by 49% to 4.9 million tonnes (wet basis) as the operation continues to ramp-up.
  • Export metallurgical coal production decreased by 2%, primarily due to the sale of Foxleigh which completed in August 2016. Excluding Foxleigh, production increased by 5% to 5.4 million tonnes due to the ramp-up at Grosvenor and productivity improvements at Moranbah and Dawson, partly offset by geological issues and a subsequent longwall move at Grasstree in Q4 2016.
  • Production of export thermal coal was impacted by the sale of Callide, which completed on 31 October 2016. Excluding Callide, production increased by 7% to 7.9 million tonnes due to productivity driven improvements across all operations in South Africa and Cerrejón.

This Production Report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 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, Kimberley, Niobium & Phosphates, Foxleigh and Callide, and to reflect Snap Lake being placed on care and maintenance, and to reflect the closure of Drayton.

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For further information, please contact:

Media Investors
UK UK
James Wyatt-Tilby Paul Galloway
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759 Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8718
Marcelo Esquivel Trevor Dyer
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8891 Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8992
South Africa Sheena Jethwa
Pranill Ramchander Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8680
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2592
Ann Farndell
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2786

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is a globally diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class competitive mining operations and undeveloped resources provides the raw materials to meet the growing consumer-driven demands of the world’s developed and maturing economies. 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 diamonds (through De Beers) to platinum and other precious metals and copper – to our customers around the world.

As a responsible miner, we are the custodians of those 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.

www.angloamerican.com