Anglo American’s total iron ore production volume at Kumba decreased by 2pc to 42.4mn mt in 2019 from 43.1mn mt a year ago amid unscheduled maintenance and upgrade of facilities. For fiscal year 2020, Anglo has forecast iron ore production at 41.5-42.5mn mt.
Sishen mine
Anglo’s Sishen mine is forecast to produce more than 29mn mt in 2020. The mine produced 29.2mn mt of iron ore in 2019, flat compared to a year ago. Production at Sishen was hit by unscheduled maintenance at the mine and processing facility.
Kolmela mine
Kolmela mine is expected to produce more than 13mn mt in 2020. The mine produced 13.2mn mt of iron ore in 2019 compared to 13.9mn mt produced a year ago. Production fell due to the temporary closure of its dense media separation plant for technology and infra upgrades early in the year, however, production increased in the fourth quarter as the plant restarted.
Results
In 2019, Anglo’s sales volume dipped to 42.2mn mt from 43.3mn mt a year ago. Domestic sales volume dropped to 2.2 mn mt in 2019 down from 3.3 mn mt in 2018 due to shutdown of ArcelorMittal SA’s Saldanha Steel plant. Exports remained flat compared to 2018 at 40.0mn mt due to port congestion.
Anglo’s posted a profit of ZAR21,316mn ($1,411.55mn) in 2019, up by 69pc from ZAR12,595mn a year ago.
($1=ZAR15.10)