Anglo American's 3Q16 phosphate production remains largely unchanged

The sale of the Niobium and Phosphates businesses completed as at the end of 30 September 2016.

Looking back at 2Q16, concentrate production increased by 18% due to softer material feed to the plant in this quarter. Fertilizer production increased by 4%, mainly due to strong performance at the granulation plants and good plant conditions allowing a combination of the January and March maintenance programmes. Phosphoric acid production increased by 18% due to increased plant stability and higher equipment availability at both sites. DCP production increased by 7% following stable process and phosphoric acid availability.

Commenting on the company’s overall production performance, Mark Cutifani, Anglo American CEO, said: "Operational improvements continue across the portfolio, delivering a 4% production increase on a copper equivalent basis(9) in the third quarter, and a 12% increase compared to Q2 2016. The latter increase is largely due to the strong recovery at Kumba's Sishen mine, a 46% production increase, following the successful completion of its restructuring. In our diamond and platinum businesses we continue to maintain discipline on volumes by mining to demand, whilst the ramp-ups at Minas-Rio and Grosvenor are progressing well, and Barro Alto has now reached nameplate capacity. The modestly higher production at De Beers is reflective of improved market conditions relative to Q3 2015, but we maintain a cautious outlook."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/phosphates/25102016/anglo-americans-3q16-phosphate-production-remains-largely-unchanged/