Anglo American’s production results for the first half of the year were generally lower than the corresponding period of 2015, although nickel was an exception.
Copper production from retained operations was 290.7 kt, down 4% year-on-year as expected lower grades and significant snowfall impacted operations at Los Bronces, where production was down 16% as the average copper grade fell from 1.02% to 0.68%. Collahuasi, meanwhile, showed an improved performance with a 13% production rise to an attributable total of 107.3 kt as mill tonnage and grade increased.
Anglo American sold the Norte operations, which produced 52.8 kt of copper in H1 2015, in September 2015.
Overall iron ore production was 24.6 Mt, down 4% on 2015. Production from the Kumba mines was down 21% to 17.8 Mt as Sishen downsized and transitioned the operations to a lower-cost pit configuration. At Minas-Rio, meanwhile, iron ore output rose by 128%, to 6.8 Mt, as the mine continues to ramp up to full production.
Nickel production increased by 72% to 22.4 kt following the successful completion of the Barro Alto furnace rebuilds in 2015.
Platinum production was slightly up on the previous year, at 1,153 koz (2014: 1,125 koz).
The company’s diamond production decreased by 19%, to 6.4 million carats, reflecting the decision to reduce production in response to prevailing trading conditions in H2 2015.
Metallurgical coal production in H1 was 10.0 Mt, 2% lower than a year earlier, while export thermal coal production fell by 9%, to 15.7 Mt.
Full-year mineral production guidance is: copper 570-600 kt; iron ore approximately 27 Mt from Kumba and 15-17 Mt from Minas-Rio; nickel 45-47 kt, platinum 2.3-2.5 Moz; diamonds 26-28 million carats; metallurgical coal 21-21 Mt and thermal coal 28-30 Mt.
Anglo’s production generally lower y-o-y in H1: AAL