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Q1 2017 Production Report

24 April, 2017

Anglo American plc Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2017

Overview
  Q1 2017 Q1 2016 % vs. Q1 2016
Diamonds (Mct)(1) 7.4 6.9 8%
Platinum (produced ounces) (koz)(2) 572 567 1%
Copper (t)(3) (4) 142,600 146,500 (3)%
Iron ore – Kumba (Mt) 10.5 8.9 17%
Iron ore – Minas-Rio (Mt)(5) 4.3 3.3 30%
Export metallurgical coal (Mt) 5.2 4.1 28%
Export thermal coal (Mt)(6) 6.8 6.5 6%
Nickel (t)(7) 9,900 11,200 (12)%

Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said “A strong operational performance enhanced by the continued ramp-up of Gahcho Kué, Minas-Rio and Grosvenor delivered a 9% increase in production on a copper equivalent basis(8). The operating improvements at Sishen and ongoing portfolio refinements are further strengthening Anglo American’s resilience and competitive position. De Beers’ total sales volumes of 14.1 million carats reflected improved demand for lower value goods in stock at 31 December 2016.”

  • Rough diamond production increased by 8% to 7.4 million carats compared with Q1 2016. This reflected the contribution of Gahcho Kué in Canada, as well as increases in response to improved trading conditions.
  • Platinum production (metal in concentrate)(2) was broadly flat at 572,000 ounces. With the sale of Rustenburg, production from that operation is now treated as purchase of concentrate (which increased by 93%) rather than own mined production (which decreased by 26%). Refined platinum production increased by 121% to 577,000 ounces as Q1 2016 was impacted by a Section 54 safety stoppage at the Precious Metals Refinery.
  • Copper production decreased by 3% to 142,600 tonnes. Continued strong performance at Collahuasi was offset by expected lower grades and increased ore hardness at Los Bronces, and the temporary suspension of mining operations at El Soldado which resulted in ~3,000 tonnes of lost production.
  • Iron ore production from Kumba increased by 17% to 10.5 million tonnes due to improved mining productivity at Sishen, and higher throughput at Kolomela.
  • Iron ore production from Minas-Rio increased by 30% to 4.3 million tonnes (wet basis) as the operation continued to ramp-up.
  • Export metallurgical coal production increased by 28% to 5.2 million tonnes, primarily due to a longwall move at Moranbah in Q1 2016 and the ramp-up at Grosvenor.
  • Production of South African and Colombian export thermal coal increased by 6% to 6.8 million tonnes, driven by higher productivity across most of the South African mines.
  • Nickel production decreased by 12% to 9,900 tonnes due to unplanned maintenance of Barro Alto’s electric furnaces, impacting throughput.

This Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2017 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) Wet basis;
(6) Export thermal coal includes export primary production from South Africa and Colombia, and excludes secondary South African production that may be sold into either the export or domestic markets;
(7) Nickel production from the Nickel business unit;
(8) Copper equivalent production is normalised for, Kimberley, Niobium & Phosphates, Foxleigh and Callide, and to reflect Snap Lake being placed on care and maintenance, and 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 to our customers around the world.

As a responsible miner - of diamonds (through De Beers), platinum and other precious metals, copper, nickel, iron ore and coal - we are the custodians of what are precious natural resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders and for the communities and countries in which we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference.

www.angloamerican.com

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