AngloGold Ashanti Earnings Surge to Record $342M; Ups Dividend
(firmenpresse) - JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/04/11 -- AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU)
posted record adjusted headline earnings* of $342m in the second quarter
after production and costs improved amid record gold prices.
"We did a good job of containing costs and growing production, despite some
difficult production issues," Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutifani said.
"Our focus on driving free cash-flow generation and returns is evident in
these results and this positions us well as we grow through a prudent,
well-managed capital programme."
AngloGold Ashanti eliminated the gold industry's last remaining major hedge
book in October, last year, improving cash flow and earnings by increasing
exposure to the rising gold price. The company is also in the process of
implementing a new operating model to improve productivity across its 20
existing operations and a portfolio of development projects as it expands
production by around 1Moz, to 5.5Moz in 2014/2015.
Adjusted headline earnings in the three months to June 30 were $342m, or 89
US cents a share, compared with $203m, or 53 US cents a share the previous
quarter. The Continental Africa operations were a significant contributor,
with the Geita and Obuasi mines both delivering cost and production
improvements. The South African operations increased production by 7% and
contained cost increases to 8%, despite inflationary pressures including
annual power-tariff increases and a stronger local currency.
Cash flow generated from the company's operating activities during the
first quarter rose 24% to a record $636m. Net debt** improved by another
22% to $866m, underscoring the improvement in AngloGold Ashanti's cash
generation, even after the company funded its capital expenditure
requirements. The improved cash flow allowed for a 38% increase in the
interim dividend to 90 South African cents a share. In dollar terms, the 13
US cents a share dividend represents a 44% improvement compared with last
year's interim payout.
Production was 1.086Moz at a total cash cost of $705/oz in the three months
to 30 June, compared with 1.039Moz at $706/oz the previous quarter, and
guidance of 1.09Moz at $760/oz.
Additional exploration at the Vogue discovery, beneath the Sunrise Dam
operation in Australia, returned high grade intersections reflecting
improved potential to increase the size of the deposit, as did drilling at
the Cerro Vanguardia mine in Argentina.
Tragically, three fatalities were recorded after an underground mining
incident in South Africa and separate accidents in Brazil and at an
exploration camp in North Africa. The company's long-term safety
performance remains markedly better than three years ago, when the new
safety strategy was launched. This is reflected in an improvement of around
80% in its fatality injury frequency rate over the period. Efforts continue
to push toward an elimination of workplace injuries.
Guidance of the year has been updated to around 4.45Moz at a total cash
cost of $725/oz to $740/oz(1). This production level reflects the impact of
floods at the Sunrise Dam mine in Australia, a decision to halt mining of
the VCR pillar at TauTona following a seismic event earlier in the year, a
drought at the Cripple Creek & Victor mine in the U.S. which impacted
output from the heap-leach pad, and a six-day strike which halted
production from the South African operations. Total cash costs are impacted
by the lower output, stronger local currencies and a higher fuel price.
Previous guidance was for 4.55Moz to 4.75Moz, at a total cash cost of
$660/oz to $685/oz.
Guidance for the second quarter is around 1.11Moz at $775/oz, assuming an
exchange rate of R6.75 to the dollar and Brent crude price of $115 a
barrel.
*Excludes cost of accelerated hedge buy-back
** Excludes mandatory convertible bonds
(1) assuming an exchange rate of R6.83/$ and an oil price of $114/barrel.
Contacts
Alan Fine
(Media)
+27 (0) 11 637-6383
+27 (0) 83 250 0757
Mike Bedford
(Investors)
+27 (0) 11 637 6273
+27 (0) 82 3748820
Stewart Bailey
(Investors)
+1 212 836 4303
+1 646 338 4337
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Datum: 04.08.2011 - 00:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 1027429
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