29th Apr 2008 07:00
Anglo American PLC29 April 2008 News Release29 April 2008 Anglo American plc Review and Production Report Interim Management Statement for the quarter ended 31 March 2008 First quarter overview • Production increases in copper, zinc, iron ore, manganese ore, and metallurgical coal versus prior year. • Platinum remains on target for full year refined production of 2.4 million ounces. • Rhodium sales contracts renegotiated with improved pricing. • Production in the first quarter, particularly of PGMs and coal, was adversely affected by power supply constraints in South Africa and adverse weather conditions in Australia and South Africa. • Acquisition of 70% interest in Foxleigh mine completed in February 2008. Integration underway and first month production contribution of 78,000 tonnes of metallurgical coal. • Anglo American to acquire control of the Minas-Rio and Amapa iron ore projects in Brazil. • On 20 February, the South African Department of Minerals and Energy and Anglo American confirmed agreement on all remaining matters regarding mining rights conversions, subject to completion of outstanding documentation. • Anglo American's energy task team continues to address critical issues in relation to power supply constraints in South Africa, focusing on short term supply constraints, enhanced emergency power provisions and supplementary power generation for the short, medium and longer term requirements of mining operations. There has been no material change to the financial position of the Group since31 December 2007. Interim results for the half year to 30 June will be announced on 31 July 2008. This report forms Anglo American plc's Interim Management Statement for thepurpose of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. Production report PLATINUM Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Platinum(1) 000 oz 517.5 638.1 -18.9%Platinum 000 oz 428.6 565.1 -24.2%Palladium 000 oz 245.8 326.8 -24.8%Rhodium 000 oz 57.5 78.4 -26.7%Nickel 000 t 3.7 5.0 -26.0% (1) Equivalent refined platinum production Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium and Nickel - Platinum production from the minesmanaged by Anglo Platinum and its joint venture partners (equivalent refinedplatinum production) for Q1 2008 decreased 18.9% when compared to Q1 2007. Themain factors affecting production included electricity supply constraintsexperienced in January and February and the associated ramp up period whensupply resumed; the disruption of operations at the Amandelbult mine as a resultof underground working areas being flooded; and higher than planned mining fromthe lower grade North pit of the Mogalakwena (formerly Potgietersrust or "PPRust") mine. Refined platinum production decreased by 24.2% as a result of the above and anincrease in pipeline stocks caused by repair work at the Polokwane Smelter andpower supply constraints. The repair work has been completed and normal smeltingoperations have resumed. The Kroondal concentrate off-take agreement with Impala was completed, asexpected, in Q1 2008, resulting in increased concentrate ounces delivered to thesmelters. During the quarter, the terms of Anglo Platinum's rhodium sales contracts thatimpact the portion of sales being made at prices significantly below the spotprice were renegotiated. As a result of the revised contract terms, the specificdetails of which are subject to contractual confidentiality, the price to bereceived by Anglo Platinum will change during 2008 and 2009. Should the currentspot price of rhodium of $9,000 per ounce and rhodium production at the 2007level of approximately 330,000 ounces remain constant for the remainder of 2008and for 2009, the impact of the contract renegotiations will result in anincrease in Anglo Platinum's after tax earnings of approximately $213 million in2008 and a further $384 million in 2009 (earnings impact examples unaudited). BASE METALS Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Copper t 159,733 146,387 +9.1%Nickel t 4,622 6,462 -28.5%Zinc t 82,877 82,072 +1.0% Copper - Production for the quarter was higher than Q1 2007 due to improvedgrades at Los Bronces. Adverse weather conditions in January 2008 and earlierthan scheduled maintenance impacted production at Collahuasi. The hardness ofthe Donoso Este ore reduced throughput at Los Bronces. Nickel - Year to date production has been impacted by the strike action whichstarted on 22 February 2008 at Loma de Niquel and halted production for themonth of March. The duration of the strike was 35 days and partial productionresumed in the first half of April. Zinc - Year to date production is higher than the same period in 2007 mainly asa result of higher grades at Lisheen and the resolution of the variousoperational issues at Black Mountain which impacted production in 2007.However, there was reduced output at Skorpion in Q1 2008, mainly due to powershedding in South Africa. FERROUS METALS & INDUSTRIES Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Iron ore 000 t 8,190 7,638 +7.2% - Lump 000 t 4,888 4,495 +8.7% - Fines 000 t 3,302 3,143 +5.1%Manganese ore 000 t 666 581 +14.6%Manganese alloys 000 t 77 78 -1.3% Iron ore - Total iron ore production increased 7.2% in Q1 2008 to 8.2 milliontonnes. This was mainly due to the additional production delivered by theSishen Expansion Project which was commissioned towards the end of 2007. Manganese ore - Record production achieved in Q1 2008 with improvement versus Q12007 due to record or near record performance from all operations. This wasachieved despite a mandatory 10% reduction in power consumption for the SouthAfrican sinter plant and weather related interruptions at GEMCO in Australia. Manganese alloys - Production in Q1 2008 was 1.3% lower than Q1 2007, impactedby the mandatory 10% reduction in power consumption in South Africa. COAL - Total(1) Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07 Eskom 000 t 8,363 8,670 -3.5%Thermal 000 t 11,163 11,629 -4.0%Metallurgical 000 t 2,773 2,644 +4.9%TOTAL 000 t 22,299 22,943 -2.8% (1) Includes contribution from Peace River Coal which commenced production atthe end of 2007, producing 163,000 t thermal and 89,000 t metallurgical coal forthe period. COAL - South Africa Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Eskom 000 t 8,363 8,670 -3.5%Thermal 000 t 4,798 5,948 -19.3%Metallurgical 000 t 216 335 -35.5% Eskom coal - Production decreased by 3.5% on Q1 2007 following heavy rainfall inthe quarter, which impacted open pit production at Kriel in particular. Thermal coal - Production has been impacted by power shortages in Q1 2008,resulting in a decline in volumes against the prior year. COAL - Australia Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Thermal 000 t 3,374 3,118 +8.2%Metallurgical 000 t 2,468 2,309 +6.9% Thermal coal - The increase of 8.2% versus Q1 2007 was principally due toadditional volumes at Dawson, following ramp up of the expansion project at themine. Metallurgical coal - Production in Q1 2008 was higher than Q1 2007, despite thesevere flooding in Central Queensland in the quarter. The increased volumes areprincipally due to the productivity improvements at the metallurgical coalunderground mines, the ramp up of the Dawson expansion project and the firstmonth's contribution from Foxleigh, following completion of the acquisition. Inany given calendar year, a significant percentage of metallurgical coal salesare priced at the previous fiscal year settlement prices due to the overlap ofcalendar and fiscal years; however, a significant amount of metallurgical coalsales for 2008 remain unpriced. COAL - South America Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Thermal 000 t 2,828 2,563 +10.3% Thermal coal - Production in South America increased by 10.3% versus Q1 2007,reflecting less rainfall, better equipment utilisation and improved recovery atCerrejon. DIAMONDS - Carats recovered Mar Mar Mar Q08 2008 2007 vs. QTR QTR Mar Q07Total 000 carats 11,774 12,632 -6.8% Production in Q1 2008 was lower than Q1 2007 principally as a result of fewercarats recovered at Venetia. This was due to power shortages and unplannedmaintenance. Production summary The figures below include the entire output of consolidated entities and theGroup's share of joint ventures, joint arrangements and associates whereapplicable, except for De Beers, which is quoted on a 100% basis. Quarter ended Change Mar Q08 Mar Mar vs. 2008 2007 Mar Q07Anglo Platinum(1)Platinum 000 oz 428.6 565.1 -24.2%Palladium 000 oz 245.8 326.8 -24.8%Rhodium 000 oz 57.5 78.4 -26.7%Nickel 000 t 3.7 5.0 -26.0%Copper 000 t 2.1 3.0 -30.0%Gold 000 oz 23.7 26.8 -11.6%Anglo Base MetalsCopper t 159,733 146,387 +9.1%Molybdenum t 733 893 -17.9%Nickel t 4,622 6,462 -28.5%Zinc t 82,877 82,072 +1.0%Lead t 17,110 16,903 +1.2%Anglo Ferrous MetalsIron ore 000 t 8,190 7,638 +7.2%Manganese Ore 000 t 666 581 +14.6%Manganese Alloys 000 t 77 78 -1.3%Anglo CoalEskom 000 t 8,363 8,670 -3.5%Thermal 000 t 11,163 11,629 -4.0%Metallurgical 000 t 2,773 2,644 +4.9%De BeersDiamonds recovered 000 carats 11,774 12,632 -6.8% (1) Production volumes for 2007 and 2008 exclude the contribution of NorthamPlatinum Limited (a 22.5% associate of Anglo Platinum) which was transferred toa disposal group on 30 September 2007. Project report Selected major growth and replacement projects As reported at the year end, Anglo American has major growth and replacementprojects under development totalling $12 billion, on an attributable basis,across all business units and geographies. The Group is considering furthermajor projects with an estimated potential cost of around $29 billion. Selected major approved projects Project Country First Capex $m Production Status production (100%) volume(1) datePlatinumMogalakwena South In production 692 230 kozpa Plant commissioned in MarchNorth expansion Africa refined 2008. Production ramp-up platinum continues. Twickenham South 2012 800 (2) 180 kozpa Project approved in Februaryexpansion Africa refined 2008. platinumBase MetalsBarro Alto Brazil 2010 1,500 36 ktpa Under construction and on nickel schedule for first production in 2010. Los Bronces Chile 2011 1,700 170 ktpa Under construction and onexpansion copper (3) schedule for first production in 2011. Ferrous MetalsSishen Expansion South In production 754 13 Mtpa iron Commissioned in Q4 2007. Africa ore MMX Minas-Rio Brazil 2010 3,456 26.5 Mtpa iron Under construction. 49%phase 1 ore pellet stake acquired in July feed (wet 2007. Agreement signed base)(4) to acquire control of Minas-Rio iron ore project and Amapa iron ore mine, announced 31 March 2008. Selected major approved projects continued Project Country First Capex $m Production Status production (100%) volume(1) dateCoalDawson Australia In production 835 5.7 Mtpa Commissioned in Q4 2007. coking, semi-soft and thermal Lake Lindsay Australia In production 726 4.0 Mtpa Development progressing, coking and completion estimated during semi-soft second half of 2008. Zondagsfontein South Africa 2009 505 6.6 Mtpa On schedule for firstimplementation thermal production in 2009. DiamondsSnap Lake Canada In production 997 1.6 M carats Full production expected pa during 2008. Victor Canada 2008 1,021 0.6 M carats Expected to enter production pa by mid-2008. (1) Production represents 100% of average incremental or replacement production, at full production, unless otherwise stated.(2) Nominal basis. Capex of $735 million disclosed at 31 December 2007 on a real basis.(3) Average volume over first 10 years of project.(4) MMX Minas-Rio phase 1 is also expected to produce 0.8 Mtpa lump iron ore. Forward looking statements: This Interim Management Statement contains certain forward looking statementswhich involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend oncircumstances that occur in the future. There are a number of factors thatcould cause actual results or developments to differ materially from thoseexpressed or implied by these forward looking statements. For further information, please contact: United KingdomJames Wyatt-Tilby, Media RelationsTel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759 Anna Poulter, Investor RelationsTel: +44 (0)20 7968 2155 Ralf Rueller, Investor RelationsTel : +44 (0)20 7968 8878 South AfricaPranill Ramchander, Media RelationsTel: +27 (0)11 638 2592 Notes to Editors: Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining and natural resourcegroups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a globalleader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests incoal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business. TheGroup is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South andNorth America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Anglo American