eBusiness Weekly
Enacy Mapakame
Anglo American Platinum’s local unit — Unki recorded a 36 percent jump in Platinum Group Metals (PGM) production to 49 800 ounces during the quarter to December 2018 from 36 600 ounces recorded in the same quarter in the prior year.
The resources group attributed the growth to a 20 percent increase in tonnes milled and a 10 percent improvement in recovery. Additionally, Unki achieved a 3 percent improvement in built up head grade.
Unki’s strong performance also helped spur Anglo’s overall production for the quarter. Platinum production grew by 34 percent to 22 000 ounces from 16 400 ounces in the comparable quarter.
At 19 600 ounces, palladium production was 38 percent above comparable quarter’s 14 200 ounces. Overall, Anglo’s total PGM production rose 3 percent to 1 256 900 ounces, from 1 220 000 ounces in the same quarter prior year on the back of improved operational performances across the majority of the portfolio, particularly at Unki.
Platinum and palladium both increased by 3 percent each to 602 300 ounces and 386 600 ounces respectively.
Own managed mines PGM production eased 2 percent to 535 600 ounces from 545 600 ounces due to lower production at Mogalakwena and Amandelbult. Further decline was, however, offset by the strong performance at Unki and the inclusion of Matotolo as an own mine with effect from November 1, 2018 following the completion of the acquisition of Glencore and Kagiso-Tiso’s stakes in the Mototolo mine.
At 244 400 ounces, platinum production was 3 percent below the 252 900 ounces produced during the same quarter prior year. Palladium production retreated by 1 percent to 193 600 ounces from 195 700 ounces. Joint venture PGM production rose 6 percent to 281 600 ounces.
Platinum and palladium production both increased 6 percent each to 126 200 ounces and 82 400 ounces.
This was driven by productivity improvements, improved plant recoveries and an increase in built-up head grades.
While Anglo anticipates to maintain the operational efficiencies production guidance for 2019 is lower than that of 2018.
Total PGM production for 2019 is expected to reach between 4,2 million ounces and 4,5 million ounces. Platinum is guided to reach between 2 million and 2,1 million ounces while guidance for palladium of between 1,3 million and 1,4 million ounces is given.
“Production guidance is down on 2018 due to the transition of Sibanye-Stillwater material to a tolling arrangement in place of its concentrate purchased. Purchased production from Sibanye-Stillwater in 2018 equated to 903 900 PGM ounces, including 464 100 platinum ounces and 231 800 palladium ounces.
“Refined production and sales volumes should increase as the backlog of work-in-progress-inventory is processed in full during 2019,” said Anglo.
