Press Release Archive - 2012

Overview

• Successful project execution and asset optimisation delivered volume growth in iron ore, metallurgical coal, export thermal coal, copper⁽¹⁾ and nickel⁽²⁾
  • Growth projects delivered in 2011 continue to ramp up well, with Los Bronces expansion achieving 92% of nameplate capacity during the quarter
• Iron ore production increased by 12% to 12.9 million tonnes due to the ramp-up of the Kolomela mine and production improvements at Amapá
  • Should current production levels be sustained at Kolomela mine, it ought to produce at least 6 million tonnes in 2012, and reach 9 Mtpa design capacity in 2013
• Metallurgical Coal achieved a quarterly production record, with export metallurgical coal production increasing by 23% to 4.8 million tonnes, benefiting from productivity improvements
• Export thermal coal production from Colombia increased by 22% to 3.1 million tonnes, achieving a quarterly production record. Export thermal coal production from South Africa increased by 7% to 4.2 million tonnes due to the ramp-up of Zibulo
• Copper production⁽¹⁾ increased by 7% to 161,100 tonnes. Strong ramp-up of the Los Bronces expansion was offset by lower grades, lower recoveries and adverse weather
• Nickel production⁽²⁾ increased by 65% to 10,900 tonnes as production from Barro Alto continued to ramp up
• Platinum equivalent refined production was flat at 583,600 ounces. Refined production was 623,000 ounces, 3% less, due to the slower than expected ramp-up of the converter plant following the planned maintenance
• Diamond production decreased by 11% to 7.2 million carats largely in response to market conditions; while focusing on planned maintenance and waste stripping

This Production Report for the second quarter ended 30 June 2012 is unaudited.

Interim Results for the half year to 30 June 2012 will be announced on 27 July 2012, 07:00 BST.

^{(1) Copper production from the Copper business unit
(2) Nickel production from the Nickel business unit}

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