In the Republic of Guinea, Siguiri’s production was 68,000oz at a total cash cost of $791/oz compared to 80,000oz at a total cash cost
of $777/oz in the same quarter last year. The reduction in production was a result of a planned decrease in recovered grade due to
depletion of higher grade ore sources in the previous year, partly offset by a 6% increase in tonnage throughput. Total cash costs were
higher than the previous period reflecting the impact of the lower recovered grade. This was partly offset by favourable exchange rate
effects and lower production input costs, especially lower fuel prices.
In Mali, production at Morila was 14,000oz at a total cash cost of $618/oz compared to 10,000oz at a total cash cost of $1,137/oz in the
same quarter last year. Production increased by 40% as a result of the higher grade tonnes sourced from the satellite pit commissioned
in the latter part of last year. Consequently, total cash costs decreased by 46%.
Production at Sadiola was 17,000oz at a total cash cost of $801/oz compared to 23,000oz at a total cash cost of $957/oz in the same
quarter last year. The decrease in production was caused by a planned 24% decrease in recovered grade as a result of limited
operational flexibility in the oxide operations as availability of higher grade oxide ore declines. Total cash costs decreased by 16% due
to lower processing and general & administration costs, together with the cumulative benefit of the cost management initiatives
implemented in the previous year.
Yatela accelerated the transition to full closure in the current period with no reportable operational metrics.
In Tanzania, the Geita mine production was 132,000oz at a total cash cost of $405/oz compared to 110,000oz at a total cash cost of
$667/oz in the same quarter last year. Production increased by 20% as a result of the 11% increase in recovered grade realised from
accessing the higher grade ore sources stripped in the Nyankanga pit in the previous year, together with an 8% increase in plant
throughput due to higher mill efficiency and softer ore. Total cash costs decreased by 39% primarily as a result of the higher production,
the efficiency of lower mining unit costs together with the benefits of lower fuel and reagent prices.
The Americas produced 182,000oz at a total cash cost of $662/oz for the second quarter of 2015 compared to 229,000oz at a total
cash cost of $765/oz in the same quarter last year. The region’s performance was somewhat dampened by decreased production from
Anglogold Ashanti Mineração, which during the quarter, had lower feed grades following changes in the mining plan. This was partially
offset by a 16% increase in production from CC&V as well as higher grades and more tonnes treated in Argentina. The costs in the
Americas decreased mainly due to higher by-product credits and local currency depreciation. Annual wage negotiations in Brazil and
Argentina, which had started early in July 2015, have been concluded, with all parties reaching an agreement in early August 2015.
In Argentina, Cerro Vanguardia´s production was 70,000oz at a total cash cost of $632/oz compared to 62,000oz at a total cash cost of
$682/oz in the same quarter last year. Production was 13% higher mainly due to the effect of higher production from the heap leach and
other operational efficiencies. The mine also treated higher grades and more tonnes during the quarter. Cash costs benefited from the
higher by-product credits derived from higher volumes sold, in addition to which the average exchange rate also contributed positively.
Lower rehabilitation charges were due to an increase in the discount rate and also positively impacted improved costs. However, these
favourable effects were partially offset by higher equipment and vehicle maintenance costs, higher explosives consumption and higher
costs from the heap leach due to higher volume of material processed.
Cost savings initiatives continued during the quarter, which were oriented towards efficiencies and production improvements including
underground mine expansion, increased mill throughput and silver recovery, and capex savings. Additionally, production improvements
are being analysed with a view to increasing the production profile going forward.
In Brazil, production was 113,000oz at a total cash cost of $681/oz in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 118,000oz at a total
cash cost of $759/oz in the same quarter last year. At AngloGold Ashanti Mineração, production was 83,000oz at a total cash cost of
$656/oz compared to 88,000oz at a total cash cost of $717/oz in the same quarter last year. Production was adversely impacted by both
lower feed grades and tons treated following changes of the mining plan.
Mining plan changes are expected to be implemented with a view to improving tonnage in higher grade areas and shaft haulage
performance. At the Córrego do Sítio complex, changes in the geological modelling at both Oxide and Sulphide (Mina II) mines affected
the mining plan for the first half of the year which led to a review to identify actions in both mines for production recovery as planned for
the second half of the year.
Serra Grande’s production was at 30,000oz at a total cash cost of $749/oz compared to 30,000oz at a total cash cost of $879/oz in the
same quarter last year. Production remained unchanged from the same quarter last year, however, it was lower than the previous
quarter as a result of both lower feed grade and tonnage treated, in line with plans. Total cash costs were lower as the mine maintained
gold production levels and as a consequence of inventory movements, as well as the positive effects resulting from the depreciation of
the
Brazilian Real.
The limited availability of
the heavy mechanised equipment
fleet affected production in the first half of the year.
Mining of higher grade
ore at Mina III and increased mining from Open Pit Orebody V are expected in the latter part of the year. However, high inflation rates in
Brazil and the threats of power rationing due to the rainy season early in the year which poses a risk to both costs and production. Plans
are being developed and implemented to mitigate these risks.
The Australia region produced 139,000oz at a total cash cost of $727/oz for the second quarter of 2015 compared to 155,000oz at a
total cash cost of $850/oz in the same quarter last year.
Sunrise Dam’s production was 58,000oz at a total cash cost of $947/oz compared to 62,000oz at a total cash cost of $1,308/oz in the
same quarter last year. Production was lower due to lower than anticipated mined grades. The mine delivered 683,000t during the
quarter, and cost management measures continued to deliver improvements in underground mining unit costs. A total of 963m of
underground capital development and 1,975m of operational development were completed during the quarter, at an average rate of
920m of development per month. Mill throughput was 937,000t, with good plant availability.
Tropicana’s production was 81,000oz at a total cash cost of $533/oz compared to 93,000oz at a total cash cost of $498/oz in the same
quarter last year. Gold production was lower as a result of lower throughput and lower head grade. Mill throughput of 1.00 Mt was
impacted by planned maintenance on major components of the processing plant including refurbishment of the primary crusher, a mill
reline and the first change of the HPGR rolls, which have exceeded wear-life expectations. Head grades decreased over the period by
approximately 9% in line with the mine’s grade streaming approach. The average gold recovery remained constant at ~90%.
Quarterly report June 2015 - www.AngloGoldAshanti.com
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