AngloGold Ashanti Q3 2023 Production Update
DENVER-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Nov 9, 2023-
AngloGold Ashanti plc:
OVERVIEW
AngloGold Ashanti plc (“AngloGold Ashanti”, “AGA” or the “Company”) has reaffirmed annual production guidance for 2023 after third-quarter gold production improved versus the second quarter, continuing the recovery from setbacks faced in the first and second quarters of this year at its mines in Brazil and Guinea respectively. The Company recorded no fatalities in the nine months ended 30 September 2023.
AngloGold Ashanti continued to build momentum during the three months ended 30 September 2023, recording a 3% increase in gold production versus the second quarter of the year. Gold production rose to 673,000oz in the third quarter of 2023 from 652,000oz in the second quarter of 2023 mainly due to higher ore tonnes processed partly offset by lower overall recovered grades.
Gold production gains quarter-on-quarter were recorded at Iduapriem (+27%), Siguiri (+22%), Kibali (+13%), Serra Grande (+9%), Geita (+6%) and Tropicana (+3%). These increases in gold production quarter-on-quarter were partly offset by lower production performances at Obuasi (-19%), at AGA Mineração (-13%), at Cerro Vanguardia (-5%) and at Sunrise Dam (-3%). Adjusting for the placement of Córrego do Sítio (“CdS”) in Brazil in care and maintenance, gold production was up 5% quarter-on-quarter.
AngloGold Ashanti has been actively taking measures to close the value gap with its international peers. These efforts involve initiatives to enhance cost-efficiency and extend the life of its mines while also prioritising safety, optimising cash flow, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects. During the period, the Company also completed the migration of its primary listing to the NYSE on 25 September 2023, to enable enhanced access to the world’s largest capital market and improved positioning alongside the gold industry’s most highly valued companies.
“Gold production has improved in the third quarter of 2023 and is expected to step up again over the remainder of the year, in line with our guidance,” CEO Alberto Calderon said. “We continue the work across a number of fronts to enhance our competitiveness versus our peers; our corporate restructuring is complete, we’ve continued to sharpen our operational and project focus, and we’re on track to deliver on our decarbonisation commitments.”
As part of the approach to narrow management focus and direct its capital allocation to the Company’s Tier One and Tier Two operating assets, as well as its high- return development projects, AngloGold Ashanti commenced the process of placing its loss-making CdS mine on care and maintenance during August 2023, and completed the sale of its 50% indirect interest in the Gramalote project to B2Gold Corp.
The Company continues to progress studies related to its first development in the Beatty Mining District in Nevada, USA, where an initial 8.4Moz of Mineral Resource has been reported and an initial exploration target of between 6.0Moz and 8.0Moz from the Merlin deposit alone, was disclosed earlier this year. AngloGold Ashanti anticipates reaching a final investment decision for North Bullfrog in 2024, once the appropriate permits have been received.
Furthermore, the decarbonisation programme has been advancing at both the Geita site, in Tanzania and at the Tropicana site, in Western Australia. Preparation for connecting the mine site to the Tanzania grid, which has a high percentage of its power mix from renewable energy sources, is well advanced while at Tropicana project works have commenced for the construction of a 62MW wind and solar facility.
Additional salient points from the third quarter of 2023 include:
- Geita recorded improved gold production versus the prior quarter of 2023 and is on track for a strong finish to the year with a production target of 500koz.
- Kibali’s gold production rose 13% versus the prior quarter of 2023 and 19% versus the same period last year. The improved performance was mainly driven by higher ore tonnes processed and recovered grades. Successful exploration is expected to more than replace reserves depleted by mining this year.
- Iduapriem recorded a 27% quarter-on-quarter production improvement as mine throughput increased following commissioning of the new tailings’ storage facility. Grades improved after accelerating access to higher-grade blocks.
- Siguiri posted a strong quarter-on-quarter increase in production, as the mine stepped up production to near-normal levels following the carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) tank failure during the second quarter of 2023. Whilst throughput stepped up, recovery rates are anticipated to improve by year end, as the remaining CIL tanks are re-commissioned and reintroduced into the processing circuit.
- Sunrise Dam’s Full Asset Potential (“FP”) review programme continues to deliver positive results as underground ore tonnes mined continued to show steady improvement. During the third quarter of 2023, the mine recorded an 18% year-on-year improvement in underground ore tonnes processed.
- Gold production at Obuasi was lower mainly due to poor ground conditions in high grade areas at the current mining front. In line with our commitment to ensure the safety of our people, the decision was taken to review the mining method employed for such high-grade areas. Following that review, a pilot study for the transition from sub-level open stoping to underhand cut and fill is now underway.
- At AGA Mineração, the decision was taken to place the CdS mine on care and maintenance in August 2023.
For the nine months ended 30 September 2023, gold production was 1.909Moz, compared to 1.971Moz in the same period last year. The production shortfall over the nine-month period in 2023 versus the same period last year was mainly due to issues we have flagged previously, such as the CIL tank failure during the second quarter of 2023 at the Siguiri mine in Guinea, which resulted in an estimated loss of 29koz (attributable) of production, and the suspension of waste deposition on the Calcinados TSF at the Cuiabá mine in Brazil in the first quarter of 2023, necessitating the transition to gold-in-concentrate production and the subsequent loss of an estimated 5koz of production. The Siguiri tank has been repaired and the mine has ramped back up to full production, while it is anticipated that, for the full year, Cuiabá will exceed its targeted gold production of 180koz (comprising 60koz of gravimetric gold and 120koz of gold-in-concentrate). Further adding to the shortfall, was a reduction of 36koz at Obuasi during the third quarter of 2023 on the back of poor ground conditions in high-grade mining areas.
for the nine months ended 30 September 2023 and 30 September 2022 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Gold production oz (000) |
Open-pit treated 000 tonnes |
Underground milled / treated 000 tonnes |
Other milled / treated 000 tonnes |
Open-pit Recovered grade g/tonne |
Underground Recovered grade g/tonne |
Other Recovered grade g/tonne |
Total Recovered grade g/tonne |
||||||||
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
|
AFRICA Joint Ventures |
250 |
240 |
1,588 |
1,408 |
1,201 |
1,134 |
– |
— |
1.54 |
0.94 |
4.45 |
5.43 |
– |
— |
2.79 |
2.94 |
Kibali – Attributable 45% |
250 |
240 |
1,588 |
1,408 |
1,201 |
1,134 |
– |
— |
1.54 |
0.94 |
4.45 |
5.43 |
– |
— |
2.79 |
2.94 |
AFRICA Subsidiaries |
860 |
914 |
12,619 |
13,339 |
2,592 |
2,438 |
174 |
125 |
1.20 |
1.16 |
4.41 |
5.23 |
1.00 |
1.37 |
1.74 |
1.79 |
Iduapriem |
189 |
181 |
3,914 |
3,994 |
– |
— |
– |
— |
1.51 |
1.41 |
– |
— |
– |
— |
1.51 |
1.41 |
Obuasi |
163 |
162 |
– |
— |
732 |
708 |
174 |
125 |
– |
— |
6.69 |
6.88 |
1.00 |
1.37 |
5.60 |
6.05 |
Siguiri – Attributable 85% |
165 |
208 |
6,626 |
6,861 |
– |
— |
– |
— |
0.77 |
0.94 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
0.77 |
0.94 |
Geita |
343 |
363 |
2,079 |
2,484 |
1,860 |
1,730 |
– |
— |
1.98 |
1.37 |
3.51 |
4.55 |
– |
— |
2.70 |
2.68 |
AUSTRALIA |
405 |
397 |
5,114 |
5,643 |
2,807 |
2,402 |
– |
— |
1.07 |
1.15 |
2.53 |
2.45 |
– |
— |
1.59 |
1.54 |
Sunrise Dam |
190 |
174 |
1,012 |
1,312 |
1,882 |
1,678 |
– |
— |
1.34 |
1.24 |
2.43 |
2.26 |
— |
— |
2.05 |
1.81 |
Tropicana – Attributable 70% |
215 |
223 |
4,102 |
4,331 |
925 |
724 |
– |
— |
1.01 |
1.12 |
2.74 |
2.89 |
– |
— |
1.33 |
1.37 |
AMERICAS |
394 |
420 |
618 |
706 |
1,951 |
3,004 |
1,967 |
1,356 |
2.14 |
2.15 |
3.34 |
3.60 |
2.24 |
0.51 |
2.70 |
2.57 |
Cerro Vanguardia – Attributable 92.50% |
114 |
128 |
569 |
568 |
290 |
293 |
1,101 |
1,225 |
2.21 |
2.32 |
6.12 |
7.10 |
0.46 |
0.44 |
1.81 |
1.89 |
AngloGold Ashanti Mineração |
219 |
231 |
– |
— |
875 |
1,947 |
866 |
131 |
– |
— |
3.33 |
3.61 |
4.50 |
1.14 |
3.91 |
3.45 |
Serra Grande |
61 |
61 |
49 |
138 |
786 |
764 |
– |
— |
1.22 |
1.44 |
2.34 |
2.24 |
– |
— |
2.27 |
2.12 |
AngloGold Ashanti Total |
1,909 |
1,971 |
19,939 |
21,096 |
8,551 |
8,978 |
2,141 |
1,481 |
1.22 |
1.18 |
3.55 |
3.97 |
2.14 |
0.58 |
1.94 |
1.94 |
Joint Ventures |
250 |
240 |
1,588 |
1,408 |
1,201 |
1,134 |
– |
— |
1.54 |
0.94 |
4.45 |
5.43 |
– |
— |
2.79 |
2.94 |
Subsidiaries |
1,659 |
1,731 |
18,351 |
19,688 |
7,350 |
7,844 |
2,141 |
1,481 |
1.20 |
1.19 |
3.41 |
3.76 |
2.14 |
0.58 |
1.85 |
1.86 |
Rounding of figures may result in computational discrepancies.
Administration and corporate information
AngloGold Ashanti plc Incorporated in England & Wales
Registration No. 14654651
LEI No. 2138005YDSA7A82RNU96
Share codes:
ISIN: GB00BRXH2664
CUSIP: G0378L100
NYSE: AU
JSE: ANG
A2X: ANG
GhSE (Shares): AGA
GhSE (GhDS): AAD
AngloGold Ashanti website
AngloGold Ashanti posts information that may be important to investors on the main page of its website at ww.anglogoldashanti.com and under the “Investors” tab on the main page. This information is updated periodically. AngloGold Ashanti intends to use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information to the public in a broad, non-exclusionary manner and for complying with its disclosure obligations. Accordingly, investors should visit this website regularly to obtain important information about AngloGold Ashanti, in addition to following its press releases, documents it files with, or furnishes to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and public conference calls and webcasts. No material on the AngloGold Ashanti website forms any part of, or is incorporated by reference into, this document. References herein to the AngloGold Ashanti website shall not be deemed to cause such incorporation.
PUBLISHED BY ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements contained in this document, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, those concerning the economic outlook for the gold mining industry, expectations regarding gold prices, production, total cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, all-in costs, cost savings and other operating results, return on equity, productivity improvements, growth prospects and outlook of AngloGold Ashanti’s operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones, commencement and completion of commercial operations of certain of AngloGold Ashanti’s exploration and production projects and the completion of acquisitions, dispositions or joint venture transactions, AngloGold Ashanti’s liquidity and capital resources and capital expenditures, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the outcome and consequences of any potential or pending litigation or regulatory proceedings or environmental, health and safety issues, are forward-looking statements regarding AngloGold Ashanti’s financial reports, operations, economic performance and financial condition. These forward-looking statements or forecasts are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect our current beliefs and expectations concerning future events and generally may be identified by the use of forward-looking words, phrases and expressions such as “believe”, “expect”, “aim”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “foresee”, “forecast”, “predict”, “project”, “estimate”, “likely”, “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “seek”, “plan”, “scheduled”, “possible”, “continue”, “potential”, “outlook”, “target” or other similar words, phrases, and expressions; provided that the absence thereof does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements or forecasts involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause AngloGold Ashanti’s actual results, performance, actions or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, actions or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Although AngloGold Ashanti believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and forecasts are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results, performance, actions or achievements could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in economic, social, political and market conditions, including related to inflation or international conflicts, the success of business and operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and other government actions, including environmental approvals, fluctuations in gold prices and exchange rates, the outcome of pending or future litigation proceedings, any supply chain disruptions, any public health crises, pandemics or epidemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), and other business and operational risks and challenges and other factors, including mining accidents. For a discussion of such risk factors, refer to AngloGold Ashanti Limited’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2022 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and AngloGold Ashanti’s registration statement on Form F-4 initially filed with the SEC on 23 June 2023. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause AngloGold Ashanti’s actual results, performance, actions or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on AngloGold Ashanti’s future results, performance, actions or achievements. Consequently, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. AngloGold Ashanti undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by applicable law. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to AngloGold Ashanti or any person acting on its behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements herein.
Non-GAAP financial measures
This communication may contain certain “Non-GAAP” financial measures. AngloGold Ashanti utilises certain Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios in managing its business. Non- GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the reported operating results or cash flow from operations or any other measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures other companies may use.
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CONTACT: Investor Relations contacts
Yatish Chowthee Telephone: +27 11 637 6273
Mobile: +27 78 364 2080
E-mail:yrchowthee@anglogoldashanti.comAndrea Maxey
Telephone: +61 08 9425 4603
Mobile: +61 400 072 199
E-mail:amaxey@anglogoldashanti.com
KEYWORD: COLORADO CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA SOUTH AMERICA AFRICA AUSTRALIA TANZANIA BRAZIL NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES ARGENTINA GUINEA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MINING/MINERALS NATURAL RESOURCES
SOURCE: AngloGold Ashanti plc
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PUB: 11/09/2023 07:34 AM/DISC: 11/09/2023 07:32 AM
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