| Wed 11 May 2011, 7:56 | | ANG - AngloGold Ashanti Limited - Anglogold Ashanti Posts $203m Earnings; Cuts |
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ANANO
ANG - AngloGold Ashanti Limited - Anglogold Ashanti Posts $203m Earnings; Cuts
Net Debt 15%
AngloGold Ashanti Limited
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
Registration Number: 1944/017354/06)
ISIN Number:ZAE000043485
JSE Share Code: ANG
("AngloGold Ashanti/Company")
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI POSTS $203M EARNINGS; CUTS NET DEBT 15%
(ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI-JOHANNESBURG) - AngloGold Ashanti posted adjusted headline
earnings* of $203m in the first quarter and boosted cash flow from its
operations after eliminating its hedge book last year to reap the full benefit
of record gold prices.
"The business is generating strong, steady cash flow now that we`re capturing
this higher gold price," Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutifani said. "We`re now
focused on driving operational improvements through the business and advancing
our growth projects."
Adjusted headline earnings in the three months to 31 March, 2011 were $203m, or
53 US cents a share compared with $61m, or 17 US cents for the corresponding
quarter in 2010, due to improved year-on-year performance from the South African
mines and full impact of higher bullion prices. The first three months of the
year traditionally have the lowest production, given that South African mines
restart operations after the Christmas break.
Cash flow generated from the company`s operating activities during the first
quarter was $513m. Net debt** improved by another 15% to $1.1bn, underscoring
the improvement in AngloGold Ashanti`s cash generation, even after the company
funded its capital expenditure requirements.
Production was 1.039Moz at a total cash cost of $706/oz in the three months to
31 March, 2011, compared with 1.079Moz at $619/oz the for the corresponding
quarter last year, and guidance for the first quarter of 1.04Moz at $675/oz to
$700/oz. The result was achieved despite a five-day stoppage at TauTona, in
South Africa, following a seismic event and also flooding at the company`s
Sunrise Dam mine in Western Australia. Strong performances from the Continental
Africa and Americas operating regions helped claw back the lost production.
AngloGold Ashanti announced a significant new discovery beneath the current
workings of its Sunrise Dam mine, which has the potential to yield between 2Moz-
5Moz. Drilling at its Cerro Vanguardia mine in Argentina also provided a high-
grade interception of gold and silver at a depth of 400 meters, some 200 meters
beneath where the current mineralisation was previously thought to end. At La
Colosa, in Colombia, drill results continue to confirm confidence in the
potential of the ore body.
Tragically, two fatalities were recorded after separate incidents in South
Africa and Ghana. The company`s reported fatal incident rate has now dropped
more than 90% since the introduction of the "Safety is Our First Value" approach
in late 2007. General safety incidents have reduced by more than 50% over that
same period. Efforts continue on a range of fronts to deliver on the company`s
vision for a "no harm" workplace.
Guidance for the second quarter is 1.09Moz at $760/oz, assuming an exchange rate
of R6.75 to the dollar and Brent crude price of $120 a barrel. This takes into
account the impact of the rainfall at Sunrise Dam, a decision to halt mining of
the VCR pillar at TauTona following the seismic event in February and
maintenance at the Geita mill. AngloGold Ashanti anticipates a stronger second
half performance on both cost and production.
*Excludes cost of accelerated hedge buy-back
** Excludes mandatory convertible bonds
ENDS
11 May 2011
JSE Sponsor - UBS
Contacts
Tel: E-mail:
Alan Fine (Media) +27 11 637 6383 afine@AngloGoldAshanti.com
Mike Bedford (Investor) +27 11 637 6273 mbedford@anglogoldashanti.com
Stewart Bailey(Investor) +1 2128364303 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
Certain statements made in this communication, including, without limitation,
those concerning the economic outlook for the gold mining industry, expectations
regarding gold prices, production, cash costs and other operating results,
growth prospects and outlook of AngloGold Ashanti`s operations, individually or
in the aggregate, including the completion and commencement of commercial
operations of certain of AngloGold Ashanti`s exploration and production
projects, the completion of announced mergers and acquisitions transactions,
AngloGold Ashanti`s liquidity and capital resources, and expenditure and the
outcome and consequences of any litigation proceedings or environmental issues,
contain certain forward-looking statements regarding AngloGold Ashanti`s
operations, economic performance and financial condition. Although AngloGold
Ashanti believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will
prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results could differ materially from
those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other
factors, changes in economic and market conditions, success of business and
operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and other
government actions including environmental approvals and actions, fluctuations
in gold prices and exchange rates, and business and operational risk management.
For a discussion of certain of these factors, refer to AngloGold Ashanti`s
annual report for the year ended 31 December 2010, which was distributed to
shareholders on 29 March 2011. The company`s 2009 annual report on Form 20-F,
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States on
April 19, 2010 and as amended on May 18, 2010. AngloGold Ashanti undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after today`s date or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events. All subsequent written or oral forward-
looking statements attributable to AngloGold Ashanti or any person acting on its
behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements herein.
AngloGold Ashanti posts information that is important to investors on the main
page of its website at www.anglogoldashanti.com and under the "Investors" tab on
the main page. This information is updated regularly. Investors should visit
this website to obtain important information about AngloGold Ashanti.
Date: 11/05/2011 07:56:25 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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