JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Diversified mining major Anglo American on Friday reported solid increases in its fourth-quarter output of export metallurgical coal, export thermal coal, copper and diamonds, but lower iron-ore, platinum and nickel production.    

Export metallurgical coal production increased by 13% to 4.6-million tons for the quarter.

Export thermal coal production from South Africa increased by 5% to 4.7-million tons, reflecting the ramp-up of the Zibulo colliery, in Mpumalanga, as well as the increased output of lower calorific coal.

The group’s Colombia-based Cerrejón coal play achieved record production of 11.5-million tons in 2012.

Further, copper production from the Chile-based Los Bronces operation increased by 31%, with the mine’s expansion contributing 54 100 t, boosting total copper production by 2% to 172 900 t.

Diamond production increased by 24% to 8.1-million carats, reflecting the resumption of mining operations at the Jwaneng mine, in September.

De Beers’ operations continued to focus on waste stripping and maintenance activities initiated in the fourth quarter of 2011 owing to softer demand.

Meanwhile, nickel production fell by 25% to 7 400 t, largely owing to the expiry of the Loma de Níquel mining concessions, in Venezuela, which was partly offset by an increased contribution from Barro Alto, which delivered 4 900 t in the quarter.

Subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore’s fourth-quarter output decreased by 19% to nine-million tons, owing to illegal strike action at the Sishen mine which, along with the subsequent recovery time, had resulted in a loss of production of some five-million tons.

The Kolomela iron-ore operation, however, exceeded its monthly design capacity to contribute 2.8-million tons for the quarter and 8.5-million tons for the year, but could not offset the lost production time at the Sishen mine.

Further, equivalent refined platinum production was down 29% on the back of illegal strikes at the Rustenburg, Amandelbult and Union mines, with 272 590 oz of production lost during the quarter as a result.     

Meanwhile, Anglo American’s exploration expenditure for the year amounted to $206-million, 70% higher than in 2011.

“This was as a result of the inclusion of fully consolidated De Beers exploration costs following the acquisition of an additional 40% interest in De Beers, as well as increased exploration activity,” the group said.

Expenditure was primarily focused on opportunities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, Peru and several countries in Africa.