Q3 2015 Production Report

22 October 2015

 

Anglo American plc

Production Report for the third quarter ended 30 September 2015

 

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http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/0390D_-2015-10-21.pdf

 

Overview

 

	Q3 2015	Q3 2014	% vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	% vs. YTD 2014
Iron ore - Kumba (Mt)	11.4	13.0	(12)%	33.9	35.8	(5)%
Iron ore - Minas-Rio (Mt)(1)	2.9	-	nm	5.9	-	nm
Export metallurgical coal (Mt)	5.5	5.1	8%	15.7	16.0	(2)%
Export thermal coal (Mt)	8.8	9.0	(2)%	26.1	25.0	5%
Copper (t)(3) (4)	171,100	176,900	(3)%	527,400	573,300	(8)%
Nickel (t)(5)	6,800	10,700	(36)%	19,800	30,500	(35)%
Platinum (produced ounces) (koz)(6)	614	541	14%	1,739	1,267	37%
Diamonds (Mct)(7)	6.0	8.2	(27)%	21.6	24.2	(11)%

 

·       Q3 2015 production increased by 2% (on a copper equivalent basis) compared to Q3 2014 and by 3% compared to Q2 2015.

·       Iron ore production from Kumba decreased by 12% to 11.4 million tonnes due to a temporary lack of sufficient exposed high quality ore for blending purposes at Sishen and adjustments to the mine plan and schedule as it transitions to the lower cost pit configuration.

·       Minas-Rio produced 2.9 million tonnes (wet basis) of iron ore, a 60% increase compared to Q2 2015, reflecting the ongoing ramp up of the operation.

·       Export metallurgical coal production increased by 8% to 5.5 million tonnes, driven by productivity improvements at Grasstree, which more than offset the loss of production from Peace River Coal being placed on care and maintenance in December 2014.

·       Export thermal coal production was broadly flat at 8.8 million tonnes, with higher production at Cerrejón offsetting lower production from South Africa.

·       Copper production from retained operations increased by 1%, while total production decreased by 3% to 171,100 tonnes as a result of the sale of the Norte assets, effective for reporting from 1 September.

·       Nickel production decreased by 36% to 6,800 tonnes due to the planned Barro Alto furnace rebuilds. Both furnace rebuilds are now complete, ahead of schedule and below budgeted cost, with Furnace 2 operating at design capacity and Furnace 1 currently being ramped up.

·       Platinum production (expressed as metal in concentrate)⁽⁶⁾ increased by 14% to 614,300 ounces due to Rustenburg, Amandelbult and Union mines ramping up to normal production levels during the comparable period in 2014 following the strike.

·       Diamond production decreased by 27% to 6.0 million carats, following the decision to reduce production to better reflect current trading conditions.

 

(1) Wet basis; (2) Not meaningful (nm); (3) Copper production from the Copper business unit; (4) Copper production shown on a contained metal basis; (5) Nickel production from the Nickel business unit; (6) In keeping with industry benchmarks, production disclosure has been amended to reflect own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate. Previous disclosure of own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate was converted to equivalent refined production using standard smelting and refining recoveries; (7) De Beers production on 100% basis.

IRON ORE AND MANGANESE

 

Iron Ore and Manganese		Q3  2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014		Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs.   YTD2014
Iron ore - Kumba	000t	11,391	12,972		(12)%	10,385	10%	33,943	35,765	(5)%
Iron ore - Minas-Rio(1)	000t	2,919	-		nm	1,826	60%	5,922	-	nm
Manganese ore(2)	000t	923	866		7%	806	15%	2,516	2,427	3%
Manganese alloys(3)	000t	44	68		(36)%	54	(18)%	170	206	(17)%

(1)  Wet basis

(2)  Saleable production

(3)  Production includes medium carbon ferro-manganese

 

Kumba Iron Ore - Production from Kumba Iron Ore decreased by 12% to 11.4 million tonnes.

 

Sishen produced 7.7 million tonnes, a decrease of 17% due to a temporary lack of sufficient exposed high quality ore for blending purposes and adjustments to the mine plan and schedule as it transitions to the lower cost pit configuration.

 

At Kolomela, revised mining plans were implemented, including deferral of mining at one of three pits.  Efficiencies and throughput at the plant continued to improve, resulting in production of 3.3 million tonnes for the quarter.

 

Export sales of 9.8 million tonnes were achieved, an increase of 9%, due to improved rail and port operating performance.  Total finished product stocks were 4.7 million tonnes, compared with 6.5 million tonnes at 30 September 2014.

 

Production guidance

While further operational improvement is expected in Q4, Sishen production for 2015 is revised to ~31 million tonnes (previous guidance of 33 million tonnes). Waste mining activities are currently at ~230 million tonnes and are expected to be maintained at this level for the remainder of 2015 and 2016 to ensure adequate volumes of high quality ore are exposed (previous guidance ~200 million tonnes).

 

Kolomela production for the year has been revised upwards to ~12 million tonnes (previous guidance of 11 million tonnes) and, in order to ensure feed to the plants at this rate going forward, waste mining has been increased to 44-45 million tonnes (previous guidance of 35-38 million tonnes).

 

Overall production guidance at Kumba for 2015 is revised to ~43 million tonnes (previous guidance ~44 million tonnes).

 

Iron Ore Brazil - Minas-Rio's ramp up is continuing and gained further momentum during the third quarter, with 2.9 million tonnes (wet basis) produced, 60% higher than in Q2 2015. The mine, pipeline and filtration plant productivity rates are in line with plan, however Q3 production was marginally lower than expected due to water quality issues  (a result of ongoing drought conditions and the mix of ore mined which limits blending opportunities in the current shallow pit).

 

Production guidance

As a result, full year production guidance for Minas-Rio has been decreased to ~10 million tonnes (wet basis) from previous guidance of 11 to 14 million tonnes (wet basis). 

 

Manganese ore - Manganese ore production increased by 7% in Q3 2015, largely driven by the Australian operations. Ore production from South African operations was adjusted lower to meet decreased demand from Metalloys, where furnaces were shut in response to market conditions.

 

Manganese alloy - Manganese alloy production decreased by 36% with only one furnace in operation at Metalloys, due to market conditions, compared with full operation in Q3 2014.

 

COAL

 

Coal		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs.   YTD 2014
Australia & Canada
Metallurgical - Export	000 t	5,476	5,090	8%	5,253	4%	15,724	15,974	(2)%
Thermal - Export	000 t	1,366	1,575	(13)%	1,327	3%	4,126	3,302	25%
Thermal - Domestic	000 t	1,800	2,074	(13)%	1,622	11%	5,073	5,148	(1)%
South Africa
Thermal - Export	000 t	4,887	5,008	(2)%	4,297	14%	13,526	13,430	1%
Thermal - Domestic (Eskom)	000 t	6,763	8,000	(15)%	6,774	0%	20,488	23,554	(13)%
Thermal - Domestic (Non-Eskom)	000 t	1,730	1,863	(7)%	1,590	9%	5,022	4,834	4%
Colombia
Thermal - Export	000 t	2,527	2,369	7%	2,944	(14)%	8,446	8,225	3%

 

 

Australia and Canada - Export metallurgical coal production increased by 8% to 5.5 million tonnes due to record production from Capcoal's underground Grasstree operation and development coal delivered from Grosvenor, which more than offset the effect of Peace River Coal being placed on care and maintenance in December 2014 (Q3 2014 production of 0.4 million tonnes) and an extended longwall move at Moranbah in Q3 to rectify equipment design issues. 

 

Australian export thermal coal production decreased by 13% to 1.4 million tonnes due to expected lower production from Drayton as the mine nears the end of its life. 

 

South Africa - Export thermal coal production reduced by 2% to 4.9 million tonnes. Lower production at Mafube, as the operation transitioned into new reserves, and the planned closure of one section at Goedehoep was partly offset by productivity improvements across all operations, notably at Zibulo (+10%) and Greenside (+6%).

 

Eskom production decreased by 15% to 6.8 million tonnes predominantly due to reduced demand from Eskom.

 

Domestic thermal (Non-Eskom) production reduced by 7% to 1.7 million tonnes due to a safety related stoppage at Isibonelo.

 

Colombia - Cerrejón's production increased by 7% to 2.5 million tonnes, due to improved productivity and heavy rain in the comparable period in Q3 2014.

 

Production guidance

Full year production guidance remains unchanged at 20 to 21 million tonnes for export metallurgical coal and 28 to 30 million tonnes for export thermal coal from South Africa and Colombia.

 

  

COPPER

 

Copper		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs.   YTD 2014
Copper(1)	t	171,100	176,900	(3%)	184,500	(7%)	527,400	573,300	(8%)
Copper  retained operations(2)	t	153,100	150,900	1%	156,700	(2%)	456,600	496,700	(8%)

 

(1)       Copper production shown on a contained metal basis

(2)       Anglo American Norte excluded for all periods

 

Copper - Copper production decreased by 3% to 171,100 tonnes, largely driven by the sale of the Norte assets, effective for reporting from 1 September 2015. Production from retained operations increased by 1%.

 

Production from Los Bronces increased by 3% to 98,600 tonnes.  Higher grade material was processed to offset water constraints during July and August.  High levels of plant throughput were achieved in September. The total year-to-date production impact of water constraints was ~18,000 tonnes, net of mitigating actions. Following high levels of precipitation during the latter part of Q3, no further water constraints are expected to impact production in 2015. 

 

At Collahuasi, attributable production decreased by 10% to 43,500 tonnes. This was primarily due to major maintenance on two of the three smaller SAG lines (together ~40% of capacity) to address previously reported vibration and structural issues. Plant operating times are expected to increase during Q4 2015, with no major maintenance shutdowns expected.

 

On 29 September 2015, Collahuasi announced an intention to focus solely on the higher margin sulphide production and to curtail the higher cost oxide production, with a gradual ramp-down beginning from 1 October 2015.

 

El Soldado production increased by 64% to 11,000 tonnes due to higher grade ore processed. 

 

Production guidance

Following the sale of the Norte assets (~37,000 tonnes impact) and the announced changes at Collahuasi (~3,000 tonnes impact at 44% share), full year production guidance is adjusted to 680,000 to 710,000 tonnes (previously 720,000 to 750,000 tonnes).

 

The annualised impact of the sale of the Norte assets is ~110,000 tonnes, whilst the annual impact of the curtailment of Collahuasi oxide production is ~10,000 tonnes (at 44% share).

 

 

NICKEL

 

Nickel		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs.   YTD 2014
Nickel	t	6,800	10,700	(36)%	6,300	8%	19,800	30,500	(35)%

 

Nickel - Nickel production decreased by 36% to 6,800 tonnes, due to the planned furnace rebuilds at Barro Alto. The Furnace 2 rebuild was concluded ahead of schedule, with first metal tapped in April 2015 and is now producing at nameplate capacity. First metal was tapped following the Furnace 1 rebuild in September 2015, also ahead of schedule, and ramp up is under way with nameplate capacity expected to be achieved by the end of 2016. The overall furnace rebuild is now expected to be completed at below budgeted cost.

 

Production from Codemin decreased by 13% to 2,100 tonnes mainly due to differences in maintenance timing between years.

 

Production guidance

Full year production guidance has been revised upwards to 28,000 to 30,000 tonnes (previously 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes).

 

NIOBIUM

 

Niobium		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Niobium	t	1,800	1,200	50%	1,600	13%	4,700	3,400	38%

 

 

 

Niobium - Niobium production increased by 50% to 1,800 tonnes following the ramp up of the Boa Vista Fresh Rock (BVFR) plant. Production from installed capacity is expected to increase to 6,800 tonnes per year once the BVFR plant reaches nameplate capacity in mid-2016 (previously 2017).

 

 

PHOSPHATES

 

Phosphates		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs.   YTD 2014
Phosphates
Concentrate	t	363,100	362,700	0%	303,300	20%	985,700	1,060,100	(7)%
Phosphoric Acid	t	75,600	81,300	(7)%	62,400	21%	201,200	216,400	(7)%
Fertiliser	t	294,400	284,700	3%	274,200	7%	807,400	827,600	(2)%
Dicalcium phosphate (DCP)	t	33,700	44,100	(24)%	38,700	(13)%	108,600	119,300	(9)%

 

 

Phosphates - Concentrate and fertiliser production was broadly in line with Q3 2014. Phosphoric acid production decreased by 7% to 75,600 tonnes mainly due to plant repairs at Cubatão and DCP production decreased by 24% as priority was given to phosphoric acid sales.

 

  

PLATINUM

 

Platinum		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs.   YTD 2014
Refined
Platinum	000 oz	611	460	33%	561	9%	1,714	1,316	30%
Palladium	000 oz	391	316	23%	388	1%	1,127	868	30%
Rhodium	000 oz	78	48	60%	77	1%	220	158	39%
Copper - Refined	t	4,200	2,800	50%	4,000	5%	12,100	9,900	22%
Copper - Matte(1)	t	-	1,300	(100)%	-	-	300	4,800	(94)%
Nickel - Refined	t	6,400	5,200	23%	6,000	7%	18,100	15,700	15%
Nickel - Matte(1)	t	-	1,800	(100)%	-	-	400	5,900	(93)%
Gold	000 oz	23	15	58%	30	(24)%	84	67	25%
Produced ounces(2)
Platinum	000 oz	614	541	14%	581	6%	1,739	1,267	37%

 

(1)       Nickel and copper refined through third parties is shown as production of nickel matte and copper matte

(2)       In keeping with industry benchmarks, production disclosure has been amended to reflect own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate. Previous disclosure of own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate was converted to equivalent refined production using standard smelting and refining recoveries.

 

Platinum - Platinum production increased by 14% to 614,300 ounces compared to 541,000 ounces in Q3 2014, where strike-affected mines were ramping up to normal production during the quarter. Production increased by 6% compared to Q2 2015 due to increased volumes, as the third quarter has the highest number of working days in the year.

 

Platinum production from own mines and tailings retreatment increased by 25% to 395,000 ounces due to the Rustenburg, Amandelbult and Union operations ramping up following the strike in the comparable period in Q3 2014. Lost production in Q3 2014 as a result of the ramp-up following the strike was approximately 92,000 ounces. In addition, as part of the on-going optimisation of Union mine, production decreased by 11,000 ounces in Q3 2015 following the closure of the mine declines at the end of 2014. 

 

Mogalakwena production increased by 2% to 90,000 ounces due to higher achieved head grade and improved recoveries at the concentrator. The mine was affected by community disruption during the quarter which led to a loss of production of 9,000 ounces. 

 

Rustenburg (including WLTR) increased platinum production from 101,000 ounces to 122,000 ounces; Union mine increased from 34,000 to 38,000 ounces; and Amandelbult increased from 75,000 to 126,000 ounces due to the mines ramping up to normal production in 2014 following the strike.

 

Independently managed production (mined and purchased) was broadly unchanged at 209,000 ounces.

 

Refined platinum production increased by 33% to 610,900 ounces, following a return to normal production after the industrial action and subsequent ramp up in Q3 2014. Refined palladium and rhodium increased for similar reasons. The mix of metals returned to normal compositions as all mines produced at normal rates.

 

Production guidance

Full year production guidance is unchanged at 2.3 to 2.4 million ounces.

 

 

DIAMONDS

 

Diamonds (100% basis)		Q3 2015	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Diamonds	000 carats	6,012	8,193	(27)%	7,963	(25)%	21,640	24,239	(11)%

 

De Beers - Diamond production decreased by 27% to 6.0 million carats, following the decision to reduce production to better reflect current trading conditions.

 

At Debswana, production decreased by 35% to 4.1 million carats as a result of planned maintenance being prioritised in light of current trading conditions at both Jwaneng and Orapa, whilst at Jwaneng there was also a focus on waste mining and the processing of lower grade material.

 

Production at DBCM (South Africa) decreased by 8% to 1.0 million carats, largely as a result of reduced throughput and processing lower grades at Venetia, again as a response to current trading conditions.

 

Production in Namibia increased by 4% due to higher volumes from the marine operations, partly as a result of increased availability of the Mafuta vessel. 

 

Production in Canada increased by 11%, due principally to improved grades at Snap Lake.

 

 

Production guidance

Full year production guidance is now ~29 million carats (previously 29 to 31 million carats), subject to trading conditions.

 

 

 

 

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

 

Exploration and Evaluation expenditure totalled $70 million, a decrease of 34% compared to Q3 2014.  Exploration expenditure for the quarter was $32 million, a decrease of 26%. Evaluation expenditure for the quarter was $38 million, a decrease of 40%, primarily in relation to iron ore.

 

 

NOTE

 

This Production Report for the third quarter ended 30 September 2015 is unaudited.

 

PRODUCTION SUMMARY

 

The figures below include the entire output of consolidated entities and the Group's attributable share of joint operations, associates and joint ventures where applicable, except for De Beers' joint ventures which are quoted on a 100% basis.

 

Iron ore (tonnes)	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	H1 2015 vs. H1 2014
Kumba Iron Ore
Lump	7,322,300	6,761,800	7,889,900	8,048,000	8,235,700	8%	(11)%	21,974,100	23,220,800	(5)%
Fines	4,068,600	3,622,900	4,277,500	4,383,600	4,736,400	12%	(14)%	11,968,900	12,544,100	(5)%
Total Kumba production	11,390,900	10,384,700	12,167,400	12,431,600	12,972,100	10%	(12)%	33,943,000	35,764,900	(5)%
Sishen	7,669,800	7,176,200	8,885,500	9,286,300	9,260,200	7%	(17)%	23,731,600	26,254,300	(10)%
Kolomela	3,347,800	2,880,300	2,972,500	2,727,800	3,379,000	16%	(1)%	9,200,600	8,840,300	4%
Thabazimbi	373,300	328,200	309,400	417,500	332,900	14%	12%	1,010,800	670,300	51%
Total Kumba production	11,390,900	10,384,700	12,167,400	12,431,600	12,972,100	10%	(12)%	33,943,000	35,764,900	(5)%
Kumba sales volumes
RSA export iron ore	9,846,500	11,732,600	11,471,600	11,699,000	9,058,800	(16)%	9%	33,050,700	28,768,700	15%
RSA domestic iron ore	960,700	1,348,000	1,434,600	901,800	1,129,200	(29)%	(15)%	3,743,300	3,918,000	(4)%
Minas-Rio
Pellet feed (wet basis)	2,918,800	1,826,200	1,176,700	687,700	-	60%	nm	5,921,700	-	nm
Minas-Rio sales volumes
Export - pellet feed (wet basis)	2,793,900	1,344,400	1,294,300	239,600	-	108%	nm	5,432,600	-	nm
Samancor
Manganese ore(1)	923,200	805,700	786,700	882,100	866,000	15%	7%	2,515,600	2,426,500	3%
Manganese alloys(1)(2)	43,700	53,600	72,800	80,400	68,400	(18)%	(36)%	170,100	205,700	(17)%
Samancor sales volumes
Manganese ore	813,900	720,700	829,900	841,100	853,000	13%	(5)%	2,364,500	2,541,000	(7)%
Manganese alloys	42,400	55,300	63,600	72,800	68,400	(23)%	(38)%	178,800	222,000	(19)%

 

 

 

 

Coal (tonnes)	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Australia
Metallurgical - Export Coking	4,115,000	3,743,800	3,746,900	3,364,400	3,196,200	10%	29%	11,605,700	10,077,900	15%
Metallurgical - Export PCI	1,360,500	1,508,800	1,248,800	1,395,800	1,493,900	(10)%	(9)%	4,118,000	4,595,000	(10)%
	5,475,500	5,252,600	4,995,700	4,760,200	4,690,100	4%	17%	15,723,800	14,672,900	7%
Thermal - Export	1,366,400	1,326,600	1,433,200	1,871,600	1,574,600	3%	(13)%	4,126,200	3,302,300	25%
Thermal - Domestic	1,800,500	1,622,400	1,649,900	1,966,300	2,074,400	11%	(13)%	5,072,800	5,148,300	(1)%
	3,166,900	2,949,000	3,083,100	3,837,900	3,649,000	7%	(13)%	9,199,000	8,450,600	9%
Canada
Metallurgical - Export Coking	-	-	-	160,200	385,000	0%	nm	-	1,233,400	(100)%
Metallurgical - Export PCI	-	-	-	11,200	15,000	0%	nm	-	67,800	(100)%
	-	-	-	171,400	400,000	0%	nm	-	1,301,200	(100)%
South Africa
Thermal - Export	4,887,200	4,296,700	4,341,700	4,782,800	5,007,600	14%	(2)%	13,525,600	13,430,400	1%
Thermal - Domestic (Eskom)	6,763,000	6,774,000	6,950,700	7,434,600	8,000,200	(0)%	(15)%	20,487,700	23,553,900	(13)%
Thermal - Domestic (Non-Eskom)	1,730,400	1,590,000	1,702,000	1,761,400	1,862,800	9%	(7)%	5,022,400	4,833,500	4%
	13,380,600	12,660,700	12,994,400	13,978,800	14,870,600	6%	(10)%	39,035,700	41,817,800	(7)%
Colombia
Thermal - Export	2,526,800	2,944,400	2,975,000	3,002,300	2,368,800	(14)%	7%	8,446,200	8,224,700	3%
Total Metallurgical coal production	5,475,400	5,252,600	4,995,700	4,931,600	5,090,100	4%	8%	15,723,800	15,974,100	(2)%
Total Export Thermal coal production	8,780,400	8,567,700	8,749,900	9,656,700	8,951,000	2%	(2)%	26,098,000	24,957,400	5%
Total Domestic Thermal coal production	10,293,900	9,986,400	10,302,600	11,162,300	11,937,400	3%	(14)%	30,582,900	33,535,700	(9)%
Total Coal production	24,549,800	23,806,700	24,048,200	25,750,600	25,978,500	3%	(5)%	72,404,700	74,467,200	(3)%
Sales volumes (own mined)
Australia and Canada
Metallurgical - Export(4)	5,480,900	5,103,100	5,113,400	5,025,600	5,003,800	7%	10%	15,697,400	15,542,600	1%
Thermal - Export	1,638,600	1,505,800	1,418,200	2,345,400	1,703,800	9%	(4)%	4,562,500	3,620,800	26%
Thermal - Domestic	1,871,900	1,670,500	1,591,000	1,989,400	2,102,300	12%	(11)%	5,133,400	5,303,700	(3)%
South Africa
Thermal - Export	4,568,600	4,967,400	5,195,200	5,139,300	4,473,700	(8)%	2%	14,731,100	12,433,500	18%
Thermal - Domestic	7,977,783	8,203,900	8,746,600	8,770,400	9,690,900	(3)%	(18)%	24,928,300	28,447,000	(12)%
Colombia
Thermal - Export	2,853,400	2,765,700	3,005,100	2,732,000	3,076,800	3%	(7)%	8,624,200	8,582,100	0%

 

           

 

  

 

Coal by mine (tonnes)	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Australia
Callide	1,988,900	1,789,300	1,857,000	2,164,700	2,318,500	11%	(14)%	5,635,200	5,392,300	5%
Capcoal (incl. Grasstree)	2,353,300	1,793,500	2,259,100	2,074,300	1,816,300	31%	30%	6,405,900	5,568,500	15%
Dawson	1,249,400	1,375,500	663,800	1,074,800	1,041,400	(9)%	20%	3,288,700	3,165,400	4%
Drayton	600,400	462,800	707,500	920,200	817,000	30%	(27)%	1,770,700	2,184,600	(19)%
Foxleigh	494,800	511,200	478,300	579,200	551,200	(3)%	(10)%	1,484,300	1,455,300	2%
Grosvenor	147,300	121,800	51,600	-	-	21%	0%	320,700	-	0%
Jellinbah	798,400	766,400	763,900	757,100	732,800	4%	9%	2,328,700	2,166,600	7%
Moranbah North	1,009,900	1,381,100	1,297,600	1,027,800	1,061,900	(27)%	(5)%	3,688,600	3,190,800	16%
	8,642,400	8,201,600	8,078,800	8,598,100	8,339,100	5%	4%	24,922,800	23,123,500	8%
Canada
Peace River Coal	-	-	-	171,400	400,000	0%	(100)%	-	1,301,200	(100)%
	-	-	-	171,400	400,000	0%	(100)%	-	1,301,200	(100)%
South Africa
Goedehoop	1,151,200	1,106,100	1,133,800	1,245,800	1,210,200	4%	(5)%	3,391,100	3,525,800	(4)%
Greenside	1,059,600	992,300	927,500	1,010,700	1,003,400	7%	6%	2,979,400	2,613,500	14%
Zibulo	1,592,500	1,385,000	1,281,100	1,367,900	1,450,000	15%	10%	4,258,500	3,685,900	16%
Kleinkopje	895,200	572,000	860,300	950,200	1,011,500	57%	(11)%	2,327,500	2,961,600	(21)%
Landau	1,144,600	1,065,000	979,900	1,208,800	1,195,900	7%	(4)%	3,189,500	2,969,600	7%
Mafube	370,100	344,500	361,500	414,700	525,400	7%	(30)%	1,076,000	1,260,700	(15)%
New Vaal	3,576,700	4,211,200	3,548,600	3,701,400	4,755,200	(15)%	(25)%	11,336,600	12,971,500	(13)%
New Denmark	881,600	441,100	872,600	1,312,400	724,900	100%	22%	2,195,300	2,455,500	(11)%
Kriel	1,613,000	1,546,000	1,813,300	1,462,400	1,614,000	4%	(0)%	4,972,300	5,415,600	(8)%
Isibonelo	1,096,100	997,500	1,215,800	1,304,500	1,380,100	10%	(21)%	3,309,500	3,958,100	(16)%
	13,380,600	12,660,700	12,994,400	13,978,800	14,870,600	6%	(10)%	39,035,700	41,817,800	(7)%
Colombia
Carbones del Cerrejón	2,526,800	2,944,400	2,975,000	3,002,300	2,368,800	(14)%	7%	8,446,200	8,224,700	3%
Total Coal production	24,549,800	23,806,700	24,048,200	25,750,600	25,978,500	3%	(5)%	72,404,700	74,467,200	(3)%

 

 

 

Copper (tonnes) on a contained metal basis unless otherwise stated (5)	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Collahuasi 100% basis (Anglo American share 44%)
Ore mined	18,879,300	20,130,700	18,094,700	15,594,200	16,442,500	(6)%	15%	57,104,700	50,251,100	14%
Ore processed - Oxide	1,484,900	1,835,700	1,333,300	1,552,300	1,744,800	(19)%	(15)%	4,653,900	5,105,200	(9)%
Ore processed - Sulphide	9,464,800	10,464,200	11,060,300	11,991,600	11,689,600	(10)%	(19)%	30,989,300	36,944,500	(16)%
Ore grade processed - Oxide (% ASCu)(6)	0.63	0.60	0.69	0.68	0.78	6%	(19)%	0.63	0.74	(14)%
Ore grade processed - Sulphide (% TCu)(7)	1.09	1.15	1.08	1.1	1.12	(5)%	(2)%	1.11	1.08	3%
Production - Copper cathode	6,000	6,600	6,500	9,100	6,200	(9)%	(3)%	19,100	15,900	20%
Production - Copper in concentrate	92,800	105,500	98,000	110,400	104,000	(12)%	(11)%	296,300	335,000	(12)%
Total copper production for Collahuasi	98,800	112,100	104,500	119,500	110,200	(12)%	(10)%	315,400	350,900	(10)%
Anglo American's share of copper production for Collahuasi(8)	43,500	49,300	46,000	52,600	48,500	(12)%	(10)%	138,800	154,400	(10)%
Anglo American Sur
Los Bronces mine(9)
Ore mined	10,112,600	13,345,700	13,548,000	15,655,600	14,215,400	(24)%	(29)%	37,006,300	42,010,600	(12)%
Marginal ore mined	7,733,600	10,929,100	8,916,800	8,993,400	7,012,900	(29)%	10%	27,579,500	17,242,700	60%
Ore processed - Sulphide	11,584,300	10,447,300	9,250,100	12,739,000	14,202,100	11%	(18)%	31,281,700	41,408,700	(24)%
Ore grade processed - Sulphide (% TCu)	0.87	0.98	1.07	0.75	0.71	(11)%	23%	0.97	0.79	23%
Production - Copper cathode	8,500	7,800	9,000	8,300	9,100	9%	(7)%	25,300	27,900	(9)%
Production - Copper in concentrate	90,100	89,600	85,700	78,900	86,600	1%	4%	265,400	289,400	(8)%
Production total	98,600	97,400	94,700	87,200	95,700	1%	3%	290,700	317,300	(8)%
El Soldado mine(9)
Ore mined	951,600	1,915,700	1,060,800	563,900	210,700	(50)%	352%	3,928,100	2,554,500	54%
Ore processed - Sulphide	1,441,800	1,752,100	1,214,000	1,762,700	1,806,600	(18)%	(20)%	4,407,900	5,440,900	(19)%
Ore grade processed - Sulphide (% TCu)	0.90	0.71	0.66	0.55	0.53	27%	70%	0.76	0.59	28%
Production - Copper cathode	0	0	200	400	300	nm	nm	200	800	(75)%
Production - Copper in concentrate	11,000	10,000	5,900	7,000	6,400	10%	72%	26,900	24,200	11%
Production total	11,000	10,000	6,100	7,400	6,700	10%	64%	27,100	25,000	8%
Chagres Smelter(9)
Ore smelted	39,900	36,200	37,100	28,900	33,300	10%	20%	113,200	103,200	10%
Production	38,900	35,300	36,000	28,300	32,300	10%	20%	110,200	100,200	10%
Total copper production for Anglo American Sur	109,600	107,400	100,800	94,600	102,400	2%	7%	317,800	342,300	(7)%
Anglo American Norte
Mantos Blancos mine
Ore processed  - Sulphide	718,400	1,043,300	1,073,800	1,059,300	1,156,100	(31)%	(38)%	2,835,500	3,343,100	(15)%
Ore grade processed - Sulphide (% TCu)	0.75	0.79	0.75	0.75	0.68	(5)%	10%	0.76	0.62	23%
Production - Copper cathode	5,000	8,500	6,900	7,300	6,500	(41)%	(23)%	20,400	19,400	5%
Production - Copper in concentrate	4,500	6,800	6,800	6,800	6,500	(34)%	(31)%	18,100	18,900	(4)%
Production total	9,500	15,300	13,700	14,100	13,000	(38)%	(27)%	38,500	38,300	1%
Mantoverde mine
Ore processed - Oxide	1,838,000	2,487,900	2,279,400	2,582,100	2,634,100	(26)%	(30)%	6,605,300	7,730,700	(15)%
Ore processed - Marginal ore	1,658,000	2,790,000	1,496,800	2,274,500	2,077,300	(41)%	(20)%	5,944,800	6,371,600	(7)%
Ore grade processed - Oxide (% ASCu)	0.51	0.54	0.51	0.49	0.47	(6)%	8%	0.52	0.48	8%
Ore grade processed - Marginal ore (% ASCu)	0.20	0.21	0.22	0.23	0.23	(3)%	(12)%	0.21	0.23	(9)%
Production - Copper cathode	8,500	12,500	11,300	13,500	13,000	(32)%	(35)%	32,300	38,300	(16)%
Total copper production for Anglo American Norte	18,000	27,800	25,000	27,600	26,000	(35)%	(31)%	70,800	76,600	(8)%
Total Copper segment copper production	226,400	247,300	230,300	241,700	238,600	(8)%	(5)%	704,000	769,800	(9)%
Total Attributable copper production(10)	171,100	184,500	171,800	174,800	176,900	(7)%	(3)%	527,400	573,300	(8)%
Total Attributable payable copper production	165,800	179,000	166,800	169,700	171,700	(7)%	(3)%	511,600	556,200	(8)%
Total Attributable sales volumes	178,400	179,400	164,800	187,400	179,300	(1)%	(1)%	522,600	567,700	(8)%
Total Attributable payable sales volumes	172,900	173,800	160,100	181,700	173,900	(1)%	(1)%	506,800	550,800	(8)%

 

Nickel (tonnes) unless otherwise stated (11)	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Barro Alto
Ore mined	1,351,700	903,300	235,300	400,500	1,019,300	50%	33%	2,490,400	2,109,900	18%
Ore processed	330,700	281,100	294,600	276,000	531,900	18%	(38)%	906,400	1,551,400	(42)%
Ore grade processed - %Ni	1,79	1,80	1.77	1.86	1.86	(1)%	(4)%	1,79	1.81	(1)%
Production	4,700	4,100	4,400	4,500	8,300	15%	(43)%	13,100	23,800	(45)%
Codemin
Ore mined	-	8,600	-	-	-	(100)%	-	8,600	6,800	26%
Ore processed	140,000	145,700	151,400	151,500	154,100	(4)%	(9)%	437,100	442,100	(1)%
Ore grade processed - %Ni	1,70	1.71	1.66	1.66	1.67	0%	2%	1,69	1.67	1%
Production	2,100	2,200	2,300	2,200	2,400	(5)%	(13)%	6,700	6,700	0%
Total Nickel segment nickel production	6,800	6,300	6,700	6,700	10,700	8%	(36)%	19,800	30,500	(35)%
Sales volumes	6,400	8,600	7,500	8,400	8,800	(26)%	(27)%	22,500	27,700	(19)%

 

Niobium (tonnes) unless otherwise stated	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Niobium
Ore mined	597,300	605,600	291,100	166,300	424,900	(1)%	41%	1,494,000	819,600	82%
Ore processed	578,400	570,400	501,800	377,700	237,900	1%	143%	1,650,600	706,300	134%
Ore grade processed - %Nb	0.93	0.93	0.96	1.05	1.08	0%	(14)%	0.94	1.04	(10)%
Production	1,800	1,600	1,300	1,300	1,200	13%	50%	4,700	3,400	38%
Sales volumes	1,400	1,500	1,300	1,100	1,200	(7)%	17%	4,300	3,500	23%

 

 

Phosphates (tonnes) unless otherwise stated	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q2 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Phosphates
Concentrate	363,100	303,300	319,300	355,600	362,700	20%	0%	985,700	1,060,100	(7%)
Concentrate grade - %P2O5	36.8	36.9	36.9	36.8	37.3	(0%)	(1%)	36.8	37.1	(1%)
Phosphoric acid	75,600	62,400	63,200	78,600	81,300	21%	(7%)	201,200	216,400	(7%)
Fertiliser	294,400	274,200	238,800	284,900	284,700	7%	3%	807,400	827,600	(2%)
High analysis fertiliser	42,400	56,100	37,500	50,200	60,200	(24%)	(30%)	136,000	134,500	1%
Low analysis fertiliser	252,000	218,100	201,200	234,600	224,500	16%	12%	671,300	693,100	(3%)
Dicalcium phosphate (DCP)	33,700	38,700	36,200	44,800	44,100	(13%)	(24%)	108,600	119,300	(9%)
Fertiliser sales volumes	339,600	317,500	208,500	277,400	311,700	7%	9%	865,600	819,200	6%

 

 

Platinum	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Refined production
Platinum (troy oz)	610,900	560,600	542,400	573,700	460,000	9%	33%	1,713,900	1,315,800	30%
Palladium (troy oz)	390,700	387,700	348,100	357,700	316,400	1%	23%	1,126,500	867,700	30%
Rhodium (troy oz)	77,600	76,900	65,000	71,700	48,400	1%	60%	219,500	157,700	39%
Copper  refined (tonnes)(12)	4,200	4,000	3,900	2,600	2,800	5%	50%	12,100	9,900	22%
Copper  matte (tonnes)(12)	-	-	300	1,400	1,300	-	nm	300	4,800	(94)%
Nickel refined (tonnes)(12)	6,400	6,000	5,700	4,800	5,200	7%	23%	18,100	15,700	15%
Nickel matte (tonnes)(12)	-	-	400	1,800	1,800	-	nm	400	5,900	(93)%
Gold (troy oz)	23,000	30,400	30,100	28,900	14,600	(24)%	58%	83,500	66,700	25%
Produced ounces
Platinum (troy oz)(13)	614,300	580,900	544,100	602,900	541,000	6%	14%	1,739,300	1,267,000	37%
4E built-up head grade (g/tonne milled)(14)	3.27	3.27	3.14	3.19	3.06	-	7%	3.23	2.92	11%
Platinum sales volumes	690,100	635,600	523,900	523,400	546,600	9%	26%	1,849,600	1,591,400	16%

 

 

 

De Beers	Q3 2015	Q2 2015	Q1 2015	Q4 2014	Q3 2014	Q3 2015 vs. Q2 2015	Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014	YTD 2015	YTD 2014	YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014
Carats recovered
100% basis
Orapa	1,959,000	2,792,000	2,610,000	2,732,000	2,651,000	(30)%	(26)%	7,361,000	9,342,000	(21)%
Letlhakane	134,000	111,000	188,000	83,000	157,000	21%	(15)%	433,000	465,000	(7)%
Damtshaa	45,000	60,000	57,000	94,000	83,000	(25)%	(46)%	162,000	209,000	(22)%
Jwaneng	1,936,000	2,950,000	2,777,000	3,080,000	3,333,000	(34)%	(42)%	7,663,000	8,232,000	(7)%
Debswana	4,074,000	5,913,000	5,632,000	5,989,000	6,224,000	(31)%	(35)%	15,619,000	18,248,000	(14)%
Namdeb	148,000	131,000	96,000	121,000	156,000	13%	(5)%	375,000	492,000	(24)%
Debmarine Namibia	318,000	300,000	366,000	375,000	293,000	6%	9%	984,000	898,000	10%
Namdeb Holdings	466,000	431,000	462,000	496,000	449,000	8%	4%	1,359,000	1,390,000	(2)%
Kimberley	192,000	182,000	221,000	202,000	207,000	5%	(7)%	595,000	520,000	14%
Venetia	712,000	763,000	624,000	1,060,000	776,000	(7)%	(8)%	2,099,000	2,141,000	(2)%
Voorspoed	132,000	172,000	216,000	140,000	143,000	(23)%	(8)%	520,000	571,000	(9)%
DBCM	1,036,000	1,117,000	1,061,000	1,402,000	1,126,000	(7)%	(8)%	3,214,000	3,232,000	(1)%
Snap Lake	283,000	352,000	328,000	301,000	253,000	(20)%	12%	963,000	900,000	7%
Victor	153,000	150,000	182,000	178,000	141,000	2%	9%	485,000	469,000	3%
De Beers Canada	436,000	502,000	510,000	479,000	394,000	(13)%	11%	1,448,000	1,369,000	6%
Total carats recovered	6,012,000	7,963,000	7,665,000	8,366,000	8,193,000	(25)%	(27)%	21,640,000	24,239,000	(11)%
Sales volumes (15)
Total sales volume - carats (100%) (Mct)	3.0	5.4	8.6	8.0	7.4	(44)%	(59)%	17.0	26.4	(36)%
Total consolidated sales volume - carats (Mct)	3.0	4.9	8.4	7.5	7.1	(39)%	(58)%	16.3	25.2	(35)%

 

 

(1)              Saleable production

(2)              Production includes medium carbon ferro-manganese

(3)              Within export coking and export PCI coals there are different grades of coal with different weighted average prices compared to benchmark

(4)              Includes both hard coking coal and PCI sales volumes

(5)              Excludes Anglo American Platinum's copper production

(6)              ASCu = acid soluble copper

(7)              TCu = total copper

(8)              Anglo American's share of Collahuasi production is 44%

(9)              Anglo American ownership interest of Anglo American Sur is 50.1%. Production is stated at 100% as Anglo American consolidates Anglo American Sur

(10)            Difference between total copper production and attributable copper production arises from Anglo American's 44% interest in Collahuasi

(11)            Excludes Anglo American Platinum's nickel production

(12)            Nickel and copper refined through third parties is now shown as production of nickel matte and copper matte.

(13)            In keeping with industry benchmarks, production disclosure has been amended to reflect own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate. Previous disclosure of own mine production and purchases of metal in concentrate was converted to equivalent refined production using standard smelting and refining recoveries.

(14)            4E: the grade measured as the combined content of the four most valuable precious metals: platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold

(15)            Number of Sights (sales cycles) in each quarter as follows:  Q3 2015: 2; Q2 2015: 2; Q1 2015: 3; Q4 2014: 3; Q3 2014: 2

 

 

Note:

 

Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown in the commentary of this report. The percentage change will reflect the percentage change using the production figures shown in the Production Summary of this report.

 

Forward-looking statements:

 

This contains certain forward looking statements which involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Media		Investors
UK James Wyatt-Tilby Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759		UK Paul Galloway Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8718
South Africa Pranill Ramchander Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2592   Shamiela Letsoalo Tel: +27 (0)11 638 3112		Edward Kite Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 2178   Caroline Crampton Tel: + 44 (0)20 7968 2192

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is a global and diversified mining business that provides the raw materials essential for economic development and modern life. 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 - from bulk commodities and base metals to precious metals and diamonds (through De Beers) - to our customers around the world. Our diversified portfolio of products spans the economic development cycle and, as a responsible miner, we are the custodians of precious resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders, but also for the communities and countries in which we operate - creating sustainable value and making a real difference. Our mining operations, growth projects and exploration and marketing activities extend across southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.

 

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