| Mon 24 Oct 2005, 12:00 | | Anglo American plc - Collahuasi: Project and Explo |
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Anglo American plc - Collahuasi: Project and Exploration Update
Anglo American plc
(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
Registration number: 3564138
Share code: AGL
ISIN: GB0004901517
(the "Company")
Collahuasi: Project and Exploration Update
Molybdenum Plant
Anglo American is pleased to announce that the Collahuasi molybdenum plant was
commissioned on 27 September 2005, two months ahead of schedule and under
budget.
The molybdenum plant has a design capacity to process 4,300 tonnes of copper-
molybdenum concentrate per day and is initially forecast to produce 4,000 tonnes
of molybdenum contained in moly concentrate per year, rising to up to 8,000
tonnes in later years. At present the plant is in start-up mode and first
commercial production is anticipated in November.
Future Developments
Following completion of the $623 million Rosario transition project in 2004,
Collahuasi has identified the possibility of a debottlenecking project that has
the potential to increase the nominal design capacity of the sulphide circuit by
upwards of 20%. A feasibility study will start shortly, the results of which
will be available in early 2006.
Exploration: Rosario Oeste
The first stage of the resource estimate of Collahuasi"s Rosario Oeste zone has
been completed. Exploration results indicate that the zone contains an Inferred
Mineral Resource estimated at 248 million tonnes grading 1.54% copper at a 0.4%
copper cut-off.
This resource estimate comprises only a limited block, located in the central
part of the Rosario Oeste zone, representing approximately 50% of the total
prospective area. The zone is located 300 metres from the edge of the current
Rosario open pit and, as currently defined, remains open to the north, south and
at depth.
For further information:
Anglo American - London
Investor Relations Media Relations
Charles Gordon Kate Aindow
Tel: +44 207 968 8933 Tel: +44 207 968 8619
Anglo American - Johannesburg
Investor Relations Media Relations
Anne Dunn Daniel Ngwepe
Tel: +27 11 638 4730 Tel: +27 11 638 2267
Notes to Editors:
Collahuasi is a joint venture between Anglo American (44%), Falconbridge (44%)
and a Japanese consortium, lead by Mitsui and Co. Ltd. (12%)
Anglo American plc is one of the world"s largest mining and natural resource
groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global
leader in platinum group metals, gold and diamonds, with significant interests
in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and paper and packaging.
The group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South
and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)
Sponsor:
J.P.Morgan Equities Limited
Date: 24/10/2005 12:00:04 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department