Anglo American copper production increased by 6%

LONDON  – In its ‘Production Report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2020’ Anglo American reports that the copper production increased by 6% to 167,800 tonnes, largely due to secured access to industrial water at Los Bronces, partially offset by planned plant maintenance at Collahuasi.

Production from Los Bronces increased by 34% to 95,900 tonnes, with an 82% increase in plant throughput, due to secured access to industrial water, partially offset by planned lower ore grades (0.77% vs 0.99%).

At Collahuasi, attributable production decreased by 18% to 59,200 tonnes, driven by a 12% decrease in throughput, due to planned maintenance, and lower ore grades (1.18% vs 1.25%) reflecting changes in the mine plan as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.

Production from El Soldado decreased by 15% to 12,700 tonnes as a result of planned lower ore grade (0.84% vs 1.02%).

2020 sales volumes were 648,500 tonnes at an average realised price of 299 c/lb ($6,592/t), which was higher than the average LME price of 280 c/lb due to 140,599 tonnes being provisionally priced at 352 c/lb.

Production guidance is unchanged at 640,000-680,000 tonnes of copper, subject to the extent of further Covid-19 related disruption.

NICKEL

Nickel production was flat at 11,700 tonnes, reflecting continued operational stability.

Production guidance is unchanged at 42,000-44,000 tonnes of nickel, subject to the extent of further Covid-19 related disruption.

MANGANESE

Manganese ore production increased by 4% to 942,400 tonnes, due to stronger mining performance and higher concentrator yield in Australia.

Manganese alloy production decreased by 54% to 14,600 tonnes, with the smelter in South Africa on care and maintenance since the Covid-19 lockdown and an unplanned furnace outage in Australia. The sale of the TEMCO alloy smelter in Australia completed at the start of 2021.