Q3 2017 Production Report
24 October, 2017
Anglo American reports a 6% increase in total production on a copper equivalent basis in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the same period of 2016. For the first nine months of the year, copper equivalent production has increased by 8%(1).
Mark Cutifani, Anglo American Chief Executive, said: “We have delivered another strong production performance across our business. Grosvenor production has materially stepped-up as the new operating procedures have been implemented, while Gahcho Kué and Minas-Rio continue to make positive contributions. We have further increased production guidance at Kumba Iron Ore as we continue to improve our broader productivity performance. In Platinum, we have taken necessary steps to remove unprofitable ounces from production as we focus on value over volume.”
Highlights
- At De Beers, stable trading conditions supported an increase in rough diamond production, driven principally by Debswana, and the ramp-up of Gahcho Kué.
- Copper production increased by 5% to 147,300 tonnes, reflecting strong mine extraction and higher associated grades.
- Production guidance for Platinum has been lowered to 2.30 – 2.35 million ounces following the closure of unprofitable production at Bokoni, which was placed on care and maintenance in the quarter.
- Production guidance at Kumba Iron Ore has been further increased to 42 – 44 million tonnes following the continuation of strong productivity performance at Sishen.
- Metallurgical coal production increased by 8% as Grosvenor delivered strong production through successful management of geological challenges and completion of its first longwall panel.
- Thermal coal production decreased by 15% due to operating challenges at Khwezela, a 100-hour safety stoppage across all the South African coal operations in August and weather related stoppages at Cerrejón.
| Production Summary | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2017 | Q3 2016 | % vs. Q3 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 | % vs. YTD 2016 | |
| Diamonds (Mct)(2) | 9.2 | 6.3 | 46% | 25.3 | 19.6 | 29% |
| Copper (t)(3) (4) | 147,300 | 139,800 | 5% | 430,700 | 430,500 | - |
| Platinum (produced ounces) (koz)(5) | 621 | 619 | - | 1,810 | 1,772 | 2% |
| Iron ore – Kumba (Mt) | 11.5 | 11.8 | (2)% | 33.3 | 29.5 | 13% |
| Iron ore – Minas-Rio (Mt)(6) | 4.2 | 4.5 | (6)% | 12.8 | 11.3 | 14% |
| Export metallurgical coal (Mt) | 5.5 | 5.1 | 9% | 14.7 | 14.1 | 5% |
| Export thermal coal (Mt)(7) | 6.3 | 7.4 | (15)% | 19.6 | 20.4 | (4)% |
| Nickel (t)(8) | 11,200 | 11,300 | (1)% | 32,400 | 33,600 | (4)% |
This Production Report for the third quarter ended 30 September 2017 is unaudited.
(1) 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;
(2) De Beers production on 100% basis except the Gahcho Kué joint venture which is on an attributable 51% basis;
(3) Copper production from the Copper business unit;
(4) Copper production shown on a contained metal basis;
(5) Reflects own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate;
(6) Wet basis;
(7) 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;
(8) Nickel production from the Nickel business unit.
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