UK-based mining giant Anglo American Corporation has announced its production results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018. In the fourth quarter, iron ore production from its South African subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore decreased by 13 percent year on year to 10.2 million mt, as planned for offsetting elevated stock levels at the mines, while its Minas-Rio segment in Brazil produced 200,000 mt of iron ore, decreasing by 94 percent year on year. Production at Minas-Rio had been suspended since March 2018 following the discovery of two leakages in the 529-kilometre iron ore pipeline from the mine to the Port of Açu. Operations were resumed after the receipt of regulatory approvals as a result of technical inspections and the precautionary replacement of certain sections of the pipeline.
In 2018, Anglo American’s total iron ore production from Kumba reached 43.1 million mt, decreasing by four percent, while Minas-Rio production in the same year was 3.4 million mt, falling by 80 percent, both year on year.
Kumba’s iron ore production guidance for 2019 is at 43-44 million mt, while guidance for Minas-Rio is at 18-20 million mt.
Meanwhile, in the fourth quarter, Anglo American’s iron ore exports from Kumba Iron Ore totaled 10.7 million mt, decreasing by six percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Anglo American's export metallurgical coal production in the given quarter increased by 15 percent year on year to 5.6 million mt due to productivity improvements at Moranbah offsetting the impact of a longwall move at Grasstree, which started in December 2018.