| Wed 23 Nov 2011, 10:28 | | AGL - Anglo American plc - Anglo American delivers first production from |
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AGL
ANAAL
AGL - Anglo American plc - Anglo American delivers first production from
the Los Bronces expansion project
Anglo American plc ("the Company")
Incorporated in the United Kingdom
(Registration number: 3564138)
Short name: Anglo
Share code: AGL
ISIN number: GB00B1XZS820
Anglo American delivers first production from the Los Bronces expansion
project
Anglo American announces the delivery of first copper production on
schedule from its
Los Bronces expansion project in central Chile. The expansion of Los
Bronces is expected to more than double (on average over the first three
years of full production) the mine`s existing production of 221,000 tonnes
per year(1) and is the second of Anglo American`s four major strategic
growth projects to begin production during 2011.
John Mackenzie, CEO of Anglo American`s Copper business, said: "We have
delivered this major expansion of Los Bronces on schedule, thanks to the
admirable hard work and dedication of the entire team of up to 16,000
people who have been working on the project over the last three years. We
have a 12-month ramp up period ahead until we reach full production, during
which time we will be increasing processing plant throughput from 61,000
tonnes to 148,000 tonnes of ore per day."
Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said: "The
commissioning of the Los Bronces expansion marks the second major new
project that we have delivered on schedule this year. At peak production
levels, Los Bronces is expected to be the fifth largest copper mine in the
world, with reserves and resources that support a mine life of over 30
years and with further expansion potential. We are driving volume growth
across the most attractive commodities with a continued focus on long life
assets with low cash operating costs. Our long term growth pipeline
presents significant opportunities and optionality. Looking at our Copper
business in particular, we have existing projects spanning Chile, Peru and
the United States and exploration activities under way in several other
geographies."
Additional information:
Los Bronces is an open-cut copper and molybdenum mine located approximately
65km northeast of Santiago, Chile, at an altitude of c.4,000m above sea
level. The ore is extracted, crushed and transported down a 56km slurry
pipeline to the Las Tortolas flotation plant, where copper and molybdenum
concentrates are produced. The mine also produces copper cathodes.
The Los Bronces expansion project involved several sub-projects that
spanned various geographical areas. A new primary crusher was installed
near the Los Bronces open pit, with crushed ore being fed by conveyer
through a 4.4km tunnel to the grinding plant at an area known as
Confluencia. At Confluencia, a new stockpile, a grinding building (with one
SAG mill and two ball mills), thickeners and other associated equipment
were installed to produce the slurry.
The slurry is then transported through a 56km pipeline from the Confluencia
grinding plant to a new copper and molybdenum concentrator plant
(flotation) built next to the existing concentrator at the Las Tortolas
complex some 45km from Santiago at about 750m above sea level.
Due to the more than 3,000m difference in elevation between Confluencia and
Las Tortolas, the pipeline system also required the construction of five
choke stations to control the gravitational force of the descending slurry,
and five pump stations to return water from Las Tortolas to Confluencia.
The project also called for the construction of new 220KV electric power
lines to satisfy increased energy requirements, in addition to improvements
to the operation`s tailings dam, fresh water supply and water recirculation
systems.
At its peak of construction the Los Bronces Project employed approximately
16,000 workers directly and indirectly.
Notes:
(1) 2010 production from Los Bronces.
The schedule for delivery of first production from projects refers to the
information published in Anglo American`s 2010 Annual Report.
Anglo American is one of the world`s largest mining companies, is
headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock
exchanges. Anglo American`s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk
commodities - iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal;
base metals - copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals - in
which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. Anglo American
is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across
all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference
in the development of the communities around its operations. The company`s
mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in
southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia.
www.angloamerican.com
For further information, please contact:
Media Investors
UK UK
James Wyatt-Tilby Leng Lau
Tel: +44 (0)7817 735 337 Tel: +44 (0)20 7968
8540
Emily Blyth Caroline Crampton (nee
Tel: +44 (0)7545 920 657 Metcalfe)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968
2192
South Africa Leisha Wemyss
Pranill Ramchander Tel: +44 (0)20 7968
Tel: +27 (0)82 330 4053 8607
Chile
Marcelo Esquivel
Tel: +56 2 230 6584
23 November 2011
Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Date: 23/11/2011 10:28:36 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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