Q1 2023 Production Report
25 April, 2023
Anglo American plc Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2023
Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said: “Our production in the first quarter increased by 9% compared to the same period in 2022, driven by the ramp-up of copper production from our new Quellaveco mine in Peru(1). Performance also benefited from the ongoing improvement at our Steelmaking Coal longwall operations, as well as at Kumba and Minas-Rio, our iron ore businesses. These were offset by planned lower copper grades in Chile, lower PGMs production and the transition of De Beers' Venetia mine from open pit to the new underground section, which results in temporary lower production until the underground operation fully ramps up.
"This improved performance reflects our focus on safe and stable operational momentum through the seasonally slower first quarter of the year which also coincides with the wet season in much of the southern hemisphere.
"We continue to make progress towards our suite of sustainability ambitions and organic growth options in future-enabling products and we welcome the recent approval of the environmental permit application for our Los Bronces Integrated Project, which sets up the next phase of development for one of the world's largest copper mines."
Q1 2023 highlights
- Copper production increased by 28%, reflecting the ramp-up of production from our new Quellaveco copper mine in Peru, while production from our operations in Chile decreased by 15%, primarily due to planned lower grades at both Los Bronces and Collahuasi.
- Steelmaking coal production increased by 59%, primarily due to all three underground longwall operations running during the quarter.
- Iron ore production increased by 15%, driven by improved operational performance at both Kumba and Minas-Rio, as well as improved rain readiness plans.
- Nickel production increased by 4%, reflecting improved operational performance.
- Rough diamond production was flat, as planned higher grade ore and strong operational performance across most of the assets was offset by the planned completion of Venetia's open pit in December 2022, as it transitions to underground operations during 2023.
- Metal in concentrate production from our Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) operations decreased by 6% due to the impact of unplanned plant maintenance and lower grades at Mogalakwena, as well as planned infrastructure closures at Amandelbult in Q4 2022.
- Partnering with H2 Green Steel, the Swedish hydrogen and steel producer, to study and trial the use of premium quality iron ore products from Kumba and Minas-Rio as feedstock for H2 Green Steel’s direct reduced iron production process.
- 2023 production and unit cost guidance is unchanged across all business units.
Production | Q1 2023 | Q1 2022 | % vs. Q1 2022 |
---|---|---|---|
Diamonds (Mct)(2) | 8.9 | 8.9 | 0% |
Copper (kt)(3) | 178 | 140 | 28% |
Nickel (kt)(4) | 9.7 | 9.3 | 4% |
Platinum group metals (koz)(5) | 901 | 956 | (6)% |
Iron ore (Mt)(6) | 15.1 | 13.2 | 15% |
Steelmaking coal (Mt) | 3.5 | 2.2 | 59% |
Manganese ore (kt) | 841 | 804 | 5% |
(1) Total production across Anglo American’s products is calculated on a copper equivalent basis, including the equity share of De Beers’ production and using long-term consensus parameters.
(2) De Beers Group production is on a 100% basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint operation which is on an attributable 51% basis.
(3) Contained metal basis. Reflects copper production from the Copper operations in Chile and Peru only (excludes copper production from the Platinum Group Metals business unit).
(4) Reflects nickel production from the Nickel operations in Brazil only (excludes 3.3 kt of Q1 2023 nickel 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.
Production and unit cost guidance summary
2023 production guidance | 2023 unit cost guidance(1) | |
---|---|---|
Diamonds(2) | 30–33 Mct | c.$80/ct |
Copper(3) | 840-930 kt | c.156c/lb |
Nickel(4) | 38-40 kt | c.515c/lb |
Platinum Group Metals(5) | 3.6–4.0 Moz | c.$1,025/oz |
Iron Ore(6) | 57-61 Mt | c.$39/t |
Steelmaking Coal(7) | 16-19 Mt | c.$105/t |
(1) Unit costs exclude royalties, depreciation and include direct support costs only. FX rates used for 2023 costs: ~17 ZAR:USD, ~1.5 AUD:USD, ~5.3 BRL:USD, ~900 CLP:USD, ~3.8 PEN:USD.
(2) Production on a 100% basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint operation, which is on an attributable 51% basis, subject to trading conditions. Venetia continues to transition to underground operations - first production is expected in 2023. Unit cost is based on De Beers' share of production and is impacted by the Venetia transition to underground during 2023.
(3) Copper business unit only. On a contained-metal basis. Total copper production is the sum of Chile and Peru: Chile: 530–580 kt and Peru: 310–350 kt. Production in Chile is subject to water availability, and in Peru is subject to completion of ramp-up, expected around mid-2023. Unit cost total is a weighted average based on the mid-point of production guidance. Chile: c.190 c/lb and Peru: c.100 c/lb.
(4) Nickel operations in Brazil only. The Group also produces approximately 20 kt of nickel on an annual basis as a co-product from the PGM operations.
(5) 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 FY2022 results presentation slide 42 for indicative split of own mined volumes. 2023 metal in concentrate production is expected to be 1.6–1.8 Moz of platinum, 1.2–1.3 Moz of palladium and 0.8–0.9 Moz of other PGMs and gold. 5E + gold refined production is expected to be 3.6–4.0 Moz, subject to the impact of Eskom load-curtailment. Unit cost is per own mined 5E + gold PGMs metal in concentrate ounce.
(6) Wet basis. Total iron ore is the sum of operations at Kumba in South Africa and Minas-Rio in Brazil. Kumba: 35–37 Mt and Minas-Rio: 22–24 Mt. Kumba production is subject to the third party rail and port performance. Unit cost total is a weighted average based on the mid-point of production guidance. Kumba: c.$44/t and Minas-Rio: c.$32/t .
(7) Production excludes thermal coal by-product from Australia. FOB unit cost comprises managed operations and excludes royalties and study costs.
Realised prices
Q1 2023 | Q1 2022 | Q1 2023 vs. Q1 2022 | FY 2022 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copper (USc/lb)(1) | 447 | 462 | (3) % | 385 |
Copper Chile (USc/lb)(2) | 455 | 462 | (2) % | 386 |
Copper Peru (USc/lb) | 433 | n/a | n/a | 379 |
Nickel (US$/lb) | 10.16 | 10.85 | (6) % | 10.26 |
Platinum Group Metals | ||||
Platinum (US$/oz)(3) | 984 | 998 | (1) % | 962 |
Palladium (US$/oz)(3) | 1,690 | 2,097 | (19) % | 2,076 |
Rhodium (US$/oz)(3) | 11,671 | 17,161 | (32) % | 15,600 |
Basket price (US$/PGM oz)(4) | 2,131 | 2,685 | (21) % | 2,551 |
Iron Ore – FOB prices(5) | 122 | 168 | (27) % | 111 |
Kumba Export (US$/wmt)(6) | 121 | 169 | (28) % | 113 |
Minas-Rio (US$/wmt)(7) | 125 | 166 | (25) % | 108 |
Steelmaking Coal – HCC (US$/t)(8) | 301 | 373 | (19) % | 310 |
Steelmaking Coal – PCI (US$/t)(8) | 278 | 266 | 5 % | 271 |
(1) Average realised total copper price is a weighted average of the Copper Chile and Copper Peru realised prices.
(2) Realised price for Copper Chile excludes third party sales volumes.
(3) Realised price excludes trading.
(4) 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).
(5) Average realised total iron ore price is a weighted average of the Kumba and Minas-Rio realised prices.
(6) Average realised export basket price (FOB Saldanha) (wet basis as product is shipped with ~1.6% moisture). 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 $123/t (Q1 2022: $172/t), higher than the dry 62% Fe benchmark price of $112/t (FOB South Africa, adjusted for freight).
(7) Average realised export basket price (FOB Açu) (wet basis as product is shipped with ~9% moisture).
(8) Weighted average coal sales price achieved at managed operations. Australian thermal coal by-product in Q1 2023, a 16% decrease to US$194/t (Q1 2022:: US$230/t). FY 2022 was $310/t.
NOTES
- This Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2023 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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