Further to our announcement on March 1 2010, Anglo American is now in a position to provide a further update on the situation in Chile.
03 March 2010
Further to our announcement on March 1 2010, Anglo American is now in a position to provide a further update on the situation in Chile. Affected copper mining
operations - Los Bronces, El Soldado and Mantoverde - were able to resume full and safe production during Sunday when power was returned to all operations. It is
expected that the Chagres smelter will resume full production by Wednesday following the resumption of full power supply. Lost copper production during the stoppage was
limited to less than 1,500 tonnes. Minor damage was reported at Anglo American's copper mining operations.
At Scaw Metals' plant near Concepcion, considerable damage has been caused preventing the resumption of operations until further notice. Power and other
infrastructure in the Concepcion area is also affected. Scaw's site near Santiago has been less impacted, while a third site in the north of Chile near Antofagasta is
unaffected. Both affected plants will reopen once complete safety, operational inspections and remedial work is concluded. Production will be increased at other Scaw
facilities globally accordingly. Scaw's operations are part of Anglo American's Other Mining and Industrial Business Unit.
Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll said: "I am pleased to confirm that none of our employees and contractors working at the time of the earthquake was injured. Anglo
American teams on the ground are in contact with local authorities and the central government to express our willingness to support affected communities. We are
committed to the reconstruction of areas impacted by this tragedy by ensuring that we can partner with in government in providing relief."
Anglo American continues to review the situation and will provide updates when necessary.
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For further information, please contact:
United Kingdom
Pranill Ramchander, Media Relations
Tel: +27 82 452 5669
Caroline Metcalfe, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 2192
Leisha Wemyss, Investor Relations
Tel : +44 (0)20 7968 8607
South Africa
Anna Poulter, Investor Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2079
Chile
Marcelo Esquivel
Tel: +56 2 230-6584
Notes to Editors:
Anglo American plc is one of the world’s largest mining groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests in copper, iron ore, metallurgical coal, nickel and thermal coal, as well as a divestment portfolio of other mining and industrial businesses. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia.