Platinum stands out as Anglo lowers production targets for several minerals



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The globally diversified minor Anglo American reduced his production forecast for a number of his ores, with the exception of platinum, which he pushed upward thanks to the improvement of its operational performance.

Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive Officer, noted that his copper and metallurgical coal production units had a strong performance.

"This reflects our constant focus on boosting the efficiency and productivity of our world-clbad badets. However, for the entire year, the outlook was mixed: production targets were lowered for the first time. Kumba Iron Ore iron ore because of railway constraints and for thermal coal exported from SA and Colombia.

Downward forecasts offsetting expectations of an increase in production by Anglo American Platinum, the world's largest platinum producer.

Amplats indicated that it would increase its platinum production. from 2.4 to 2.45 million ounces for the year to the end of December, up from its previous forecast of 2.3 to 2.4 million ounces, in reason for a "strong operational performance".

The main divisions of Anglo are platinum, copper and diamonds, with bulk products such as metallurgical and thermal coal, as well as nickel and manganese, which constitute the balance of the portfolio . 19659002] In the first six months of the year, platinum production of its own mines and purchased concentrates – an important element of the Amplats business after the sale of two large mines – increased by 4 % to 1.233 million ounces. production increased by 10% during the interim period to 312 900 tonnes, while sales volumes increased by 18% to 306 000 tonnes. Anglo said it had valued 120,300 tonnes of copper at $ 3.01 a pound at the end of June. Copper trades at about $ 2.79 per pound

Copper production for the year was maintained at between 630,000 and 660,000 tonnes

De Beers' diamond production, 85%, was increased by 8% during the interim period to 17.5 due to the sharp increase in production from Canada, Namibia and Botswana, which offset a 16% decrease in SA in the event of a fatal accident at the Venetia mine.

De Beers maintains its annual production target of 3,600,000 carats.

De Beers sold 10 million carats in the interim period in three sales, compared to 5.9 million carats in two sales in the same period a year earlier.

"In addition to the different During the period, sales volumes benefited from a positive sentiment in the mid-sector following the growth in demand for diamond jewelry end 2017 and a Continuous positive outlook, "said Anglo, noting that average rough diamond prices rose 4 percent. at $ 162 a carat

The price improvement this year was to be considered in relation to the sale of a "substantial volume of lower value diamonds" sold in the first half of 2017. Anglo said [19659002] that Anglo noted an increase in production of lower value. diamonds from the Gahcho Kue mine in Canada and the Orapa mine in Botswana

On the coal front, Anglo sold its Eskom-related mines to SA and was now focusing on its coal-fired coal mines. export. [19659002] South Africa's thermal export coal fell 9% during the interim period to 8.8 million tonnes, as two of its mines closed mined areas. Domestic coal in South Africa halved to 7.8 million tonnes

Anglo reduced its forecast for thermal coal production by 1 million tonnes from 29 to 30 million tonnes because of the impending closure of some South African mines. areas and "dust stops" at its Colombian operations.

Metallurgical coal production in Australia was an exceptional performance for Anglo, with an increase of 17% in the interim period to 10.8 million tonnes. Anglo has maintained its target for the entire year at a maximum of 22 million tons.

Production at Kumba, SA's largest iron ore producer, was reduced by 1 million tonnes from 43 to 44 million tonnes. Kumba said that there were derailments on the line connecting his mines to the port of Saldanha. Anglo said the lowered forecast was to align production rates with rail availability.

The production of the Minas Rio iron ore mine in Brazil was indexed to the 3 million tons already sold this year. arrested in March following the discovery of leaks in the pipeline connecting the mine to the port more than 500 km.

Anglo replaces a 4-km section of the pipeline where leaks were found and work will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018 Anglo predicted that it will lose up to $ 400 million in profits from 39, operation of the stop.

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