Anglo American: update on ope

RNS Number : 8583H

Anglo American PLC

01 March 2010

 



News Release

01 March 2010

Anglo American: update on operations in Chile

Anglo American today provides an update on its operations following the massive earthquake which struck Chile on Saturday.  Due to the interruption of power supply, production was affected at four of Anglo American's copper operations in Chile - the Los Bronces, El Soldado and Mantoverde mines and the Chagres copper smelter. 

Power was partially restored to the operations during Saturday night and following detailed inspections production began to ramp up on Sunday.  The affected mine operations produced 341,300 tonnes of copper in 2009, as part of Anglo American's total copper output of 669,800 tonnes for the year.  Chagres smelter production in 2009 was 137,700 tonnes of anodes.

Anglo American's Mantos Blancos mine and the jointly owned Collahuasi mine were unaffected by the earthquake.

In addition, three Scaw Metals facilities located in Chile have also been affected with limited damage at two sites. A detailed evaluation is underway at our Concepcion site which has been more severely damaged. These operations are part of Anglo American's Other Mining and Industrial Business Unit.

Anglo American continues to review the situation and is working with its teams on the ground to return to full and safe production as soon as it is able to do so and will provide more information on the situation as it becomes available.

Cynthia Carroll, Anglo American CEO said: "Our teams on the ground are focussed on ensuring the safety of our colleagues as our number one priority Preliminary information indicates that no Anglo American employees and contractors were injured in the earthquake. We are targeting an efficient resumption of full production as the situation allows. Anglo American is also reviewing how best to support the government and people of Chile at this time of need. "

-ends-

For further information:

United Kingdom

Pranill Ramchander, Media Relations
Tel: [phone]

Caroline Metcalfe, Investor Relations
Tel: [phone]

Leisha Wemyss, Investor Relations
Tel : [phone]

South Africa

Anna Poulter, Investor Relations
Tel: [phone]

Chile

Marcelo Esquivel

Tel: [phone]

Notes to Editors:

Anglo American plcis one of the world's largest mining groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests in copper, iron ore, metallurgical coal, nickel and thermal coal, as well as a divestment portfolio of other mining and industrial businesses. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia.

2008-2009 Copper production: affected operations

	2009
Los Bronces	238,400
El Soldado	41,400
Mantoverde	61,500
Total - affected mines	341,300
Total Anglo American Copper production	669,800

www.angloamerican.co.uk

 

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