TOP NEWS: Anglo American production up slightly in third quarter

(Alliance News) - Anglo American PLC said on Thursday that production rose marginally in the ...

Alliance News 21 October, 2021 | 7:45AM
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(Alliance News) - Anglo American PLC said on Thursday that production rose marginally in the third quarter and predicted it is on track to deliver its full-year production guidance.

Anglo American shares were down 3.0% to ZAR550.31 in Johannesburg. In London they also were down 3.0%, to 2,752.50 pence.

In its production report for the third quarter ended September 30, the London-based miner said output was up 2% compared to the third quarter last year, with operating levels generally maintained at about 95% of normal capacity.

"The increase in production is led by planned higher rough diamond production at De Beers, increased production from our Minas-Rio iron ore operation in Brazil, reflecting the planned pipeline maintenance in Q3 2020, and improved plant performance at our Kumba iron ore operations in South Africa," said Anglo American Chief Executive Mark Cutifani.

For the third quarter, rough diamond production rose 28% to 9.2 million carats from 7.2 million carats in the prior year, reflecting planned higher production in response to the recovery in consumer demand, led by De Beers's key US and China markets.

Iron ore production increased 15% to 16.9 million tonnes from 14.7 million tonnes, driven primarily by a 22% uplift from Minas-Rio and strong performance from Kumba Iron Ore Ltd, in which Anglo American has a 65% stake.

Manganese ore production expanded to 1.0 million tonnes, up 7% from 939,000 tonnes, while nickel output inched up 2% to 10.4 million tonnes from 10.2 million tonnes.

As for platinum group metals, production was flat at 1.1 million ounces.

Other commodities registered lower production in the third quarter, with copper output dropping 6% to 157,000 million tonnes from 166 million tonnes. Metallurgical coal production fell to 4.3 million tonnes, down 11% from 4.8 million tonnes.

On the 2021 production outlook, Cutifani said: "We are broadly on track to deliver our full-year production guidance across all products, while taking the opportunity to tighten up the guidance for diamonds, copper and iron ore within our current range as we approach the end of the year."

Anglo American expects iron ore output to reach 64.5 million tonnes for the full year, compared to a range of 64.5 million tonnes and 66.5 million tonnes projected previously. Iron ore production in 2020 amounted to 61.1 million tonnes.

Platinum group metals production is forecast to remain at between 4.2 million ounces and 4.4 million ounces, an improvement from 3.8 million produced in 2020. Metallurgical coal is also maintained at 14 million tonnes to 16 million tonnes. In 2020, it was recorded at 16.8 million tonnes.

Copper output is seen ranging from 650,000 tonnes to 660,000 tonnes, slightly revised from the 650,000 to 680,000 tonnes previously guided. Production of this base metal hit 647,000 tonnes in 2020.

Diamond production is projected to expand to 32 million carets from 32-33 million carets previously. In 2020, diamond output stood at 25.1 million carets.

By Artwell Dlamini; artwelldlamini@alliancenews.com

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Anglo American PLC 2,179.00 GBX -0.14
Kumba Iron Ore Ltd 47,856.00 ZAC -0.77 -

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