Q3 2021 Production Report
21 October, 2021
Anglo American plc Production Report for the third quarter ended 30 September 2021.
Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said: “Production is up 2%(1) compared to Q3 of last year, with our operating levels generally maintained at approximately 95%(2) of normal capacity. The increase in production is led by planned higher rough diamond production at De Beers, increased production from our Minas-Rio iron ore operation in Brazil, reflecting the planned pipeline maintenance in Q3 2020, and improved plant performance at our Kumba iron ore operations in South Africa.
"We are broadly on track to deliver our full year production guidance across all products, while taking the opportunity to tighten up the guidance for diamonds, copper and iron ore within our current range as we approach the end of the year. Our copper operations in Chile continue to work hard on mitigating the risk of water availability due to the challenges presented by the longest drought on record for the region, including through sourcing water that is not suitable for use elsewhere and further increasing water recycling."
Q3 2021 highlights
- Rough diamond production increased by 28%, principally from the Jwaneng and Venetia mines, reflecting planned higher production in response to the ongoing consumer demand recovery led by the key US and China markets.
- Copper production decreased by 6% due to planned maintenance at Collahuasi, while total year to date production across all copper operations increased marginally by 1% despite ongoing water availability constraints caused by record drought conditions in Chile.
- Our Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) operations delivered a 39% increase in refined output, reflecting stable performance from the ACP Phase A unit.
- Iron ore production increased by 15%, driven primarily by a 22% uplift from Minas-Rio, reflecting the planned maintenance period in Q3 2020 for routine internal scanning of the pipeline. Kumba production also performed strongly, increasing by 11% due to improved plant performance.
- At our longwall metallurgical coal operations in Australia, Moranbah has steadily improved as they mined through challenging geological zones this quarter, and development work at Grosvenor continues to progress, with longwall mining expected to restart towards the end of the year.
- Primary nickel production increased by 2% over the period and by-product nickel from our PGMs business increased by 20% to 6,000 tonnes.
Production | Q3 2021 | Q3 2020 | % vs. Q3 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 | % vs. YTD 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diamonds (Mct)(3) | 9.2 | 7.2 | 28% | 24.6 | 18.4 | 33% |
Copper (kt)(4) | 157 | 166 | (6)% | 487 | 480 | 1% |
Platinum group metals (koz)(5) | 1,116 | 1,113 | 0% | 3,195 | 2,733 | 17% |
Iron ore (Mt)(6) | 16.9 | 14.7 | 15% | 48.8 | 45.5 | 7% |
Metallurgical coal (Mt) | 4.3 | 4.8 | (11)% | 10.5 | 12.6 | (17)% |
Nickel (kt)(7) | 10.4 | 10.2 | 2% | 31.1 | 31.9 | (3)% |
Manganese ore (kt) | 1,004 | 939 | 7% | 2,849 | 2,578 | 11% |
(1) Copper equivalent production is normalised to reflect the demerger of the South Africa thermal coal operations, the announced sale of our interest in Cerrejón and the closure of the manganese alloy operations.
(2) Production capacity excludes Grosvenor.
(3) De Beers Group production is on a 100% basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint venture which is on an attributable 51% basis.
(4) Contained metal basis. Reflects copper production from the Copper operations in Chile only (excludes copper production from the Platinum Group Metals business unit).
(5) Produced ounces of metal in concentrate. 5E+Au (platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium plus gold). Reflects own mine production and purchase of concentrate.
(6) Wet basis.
(7) Reflects nickel production from the Nickel operations in Brazil only (excludes nickel production from the Platinum Group Metals business unit).
PRODUCTION OUTLOOK SUMMARY
2021 production guidance is summarised as follows:
2021 production guidance(1) | |
---|---|
Diamonds(2) | ~32 Mct (previously 32-33Mct) |
Copper(3) | 650-660 kt (previously 650-680kt) |
Platinum Group Metals(4) | 4.2–4.4 Moz |
Iron ore(5) | ~64.5 Mt (previously 64.5-66.5Mt) |
Metallurgical coal(6) | 14–16 Mt |
Nickel(7) | 42-44 kt |
(1) Subject to the extent of further Covid-19 related disruption.
(2) On a 100% basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint venture, which is on an attributable 51% basis.
(3) Copper operations in Chile only. On a contained-metal basis.
(4) 5E + gold produced metal in concentrate ounces. Includes own mined production (~65%) and purchased concentrate volumes (~35%). The split of metals differs for own mined and purchased concentrate, refer to FY2019 results presentation slide 30 for indicative split of own mined volumes. FY2021 metal in concentrate production is expected to be 1.9-2.0 million ounces of platinum, 1.35-1.40 million ounces of palladium and 0.95-1.0 million ounces of other PGMs and gold.
(5) Wet basis.
(6) Excludes thermal coal by-product from Australia.
(7) Nickel operations in Brazil only.
REALISED PRICES
Q3 YTD 2021 | Q3 YTD 2020 | Q3 YTD 2021 vs Q3 YTD 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|
Copper (USc/lb)(1) | 434 | 273 | 59% |
Platinum Group Metals | |||
Platinum (US$/oz) | 1,118 | 876 | 28% |
Palladium (US$/oz) | 2,582 | 2,143 | 20% |
Rhodium (US$/oz) | 22,009 | 9,465 | 133% |
Basket price (US$/PGM oz)(2) | 2,868 | 1,869 | 53% |
Iron Ore – FOB prices(3) | 176 | 99 | 78% |
Kumba Export (US$/wmt)(4) | 181 | 101 | 79% |
Minas-Rio (US$/wmt)(5) | 167 | 96 | 74% |
Metallurgical Coal - HCC (US$/t)(6) | 149 | 114 | 31% |
Nickel (USc/lb) | 748 | 531 | 41% |
(1) The realised price for Copper excludes third party sales volumes.
(2) Price for a basket of goods per PGM oz. The dollar basket price is the net sales revenue from all metals (PGMs, base metals and other metals), excluding trading, per 5E + gold sold ounces (own mined and purchased concentrate).
(3) Average realised total iron ore price is a weighted average of the Kumba and Minas-Rio realised prices. The comparative has been restated as Kumba previously reported on a dry basis.
(4) Average realised export basket price (FOB Saldanha) (wet basis as product is shipped with ~1.6% moisture). The comparative has been restated as Kumba previously reported on a dry basis. The realised prices differ to Kumba's standalone results due to sales to other Group companies. Average realised export basket price (FOB Saldanha) on a dry basis is $184/t (Q3 2020: $103/t) and this was higher than the dry 62% Fe benchmark price of $157/t (FOB South Africa, adjusted for freight).
(5) Average realised export basket price (FOB Açu) (wet basis as product is shipped with ~9% moisture).
(6) Weighted average coal sales price achieved at managed operations. Metallurgical Coal PCI (US$/t) Q3 2021 was US$138/t and Q3 2020 was US$90/t, resulting in a 53% YTD movement. Thermal Coal Australia (US$/t) Q3 2021 was US$105/t and Q3 2020 was US$56/t, resulting in a 88% YTD movement.
NOTES
- This Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2021 is unaudited.
- Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown in this Production Report.
- Copper equivalent production shows changes in underlying production volume. It is calculated by expressing each product’s volume as revenue, subsequently converting the revenue into copper equivalent units by dividing by the copper price (per tonne). Long-term forecast prices are used, in order that period-on-period comparisons exclude any impact for movements in price.
- Please refer to page 16 for information on forward-looking statements.
In this document, references to “Anglo American”, the “Anglo American Group”, the “Group”, “we”, “us”, and “our” are to refer to either Anglo American plc and its subsidiaries and/or those who work for them generally, or where it is not necessary to refer to a particular entity, entities or persons. The use of those generic terms herein is for convenience only, and is in no way indicative of how the Anglo American Group or any entity within it is structured, managed or controlled. Anglo American subsidiaries, and their management, are responsible for their own day-to-day operations, including but not limited to securing and maintaining all relevant licences and permits, operational adaptation and implementation of Group policies, management, training and any applicable local grievance mechanisms. Anglo American produces group-wide policies and procedures to ensure best uniform practices and standardisation across the Anglo American Group but is not responsible for the day to day implementation of such policies. Such policies and procedures constitute prescribed minimum standards only. Group operating subsidiaries are responsible for adapting those policies and procedures to reflect local conditions where appropriate, and for implementation, oversight and monitoring within their specific businesses.
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