Wrap Text
AngloGold Ashanti Free Cash Flow up 156%; Obuasi Set for Year-End Start
AngloGold Ashanti Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Reg. No. 1944/017354/06
ISIN. ZAE000043485 – JSE share code: ANG
CUSIP: 035128206 – NYSE share code: AU
(“AngloGold Ashanti” or “AGA” or the “Company”)
28 October 2019
NEWS RELEASE
AngloGold Ashanti Free Cash Flow up 156%; Obuasi Set for Year-End Start
(JOHANNESBURG - PRESS RELEASE) - AngloGold Ashanti increased free cash flow to
$87m in the third quarter of 2019, more than double the free cash flow in the third quarter of
2018, as the Company prepared to recommence production from its Obuasi mine which is
on track to pour first gold by the end of the year.
Obuasi, the 36Moz ore body in Ghana, is set to resume production by year-end, ahead of an
anticipated ramp-up through the course of 2020 which is expected to introduce about
400,000oz a year of lower-than-average cost production to the Company’s portfolio. The
strong improvement in cash flow, aided by a higher gold price, helped reduce debt and bring
leverage close to the Company’s target levels.
“The team has made extraordinary progress toward meeting the year-end target of bringing
this world-class ore body back into production,” Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Dushnisky said.
“The fact that we’ve generated strong cash flow and improved our balance sheet while making
this investment, is testament to the strength of our portfolio.”
The Company also achieved five consecutive quarters and a total of 541 days without a fatality
by quarter end, a first in AngloGold Ashanti’s history. Sadiola, Siguiri, Iduapriem, Geita, Cerro
Vanguardia, the Colombia Projects and Generative Exploration had no recordable injuries in
the third quarter.
Free cash flow was $87m for the third quarter of 2019, a 156% step up from the $34m
generated in the third quarter of 2018, partially offset by higher capital expenditure and
operating costs, and lower gold sales.
Production in the three months to 30 September 2019 was 825,000oz at a total cash cost of
$786/oz compared to 851,000oz at $722/oz for the third quarter of last year. Production was
impacted by the planned reduction in output from Cerro Vanguardia, Kibali, where open-pit
mining is contributing fewer ounces of the high base achieved in the comparable quarter last
year, and Mponeng, which saw lower grades during the quarter. Strong production
performances occurred at Iduapriem and AGA Mineração.
AngloGold Ashanti has initiated processes to review divestment options for its entire business
in South Africa and separately its respective interests in Sadiola in Mali and Cerro Vanguardia
in Argentina. These processes are active and continue to make progress. In South Africa, the
process has moved forward at a steady pace with site due diligence by prospective bidders
now complete. For Sadiola and Cerro Vanguardia, these processes have similarly moved
forward and engagement with prospective bidders, including site inspections and other due
diligence, is ongoing.
Lower production, along with inflationary pressures and other factors, raised total cash costs
by 9% year-on-year to $786/oz for the quarter ended 30 September 2019, while All-in
Sustaining Costs (AISC) rose 12% year-on-year to $1,031/oz. With a strong fourth quarter
anticipated, cash costs and AISC are expected to improve on the back of increased
production, in line with past trends.
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet remains robust with strong liquidity and long-dated maturities providing
financial flexibility. Adjusted net debt declined by 6% to $1.646bn at 30 September 2019, from
$1.749bn in the third quarter of 2018. The adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio at 30
September 2019 was 1.06 times compared with 1.2 times at 30 June 2019 and 1.13 times at
30 September 2018. The Company remains committed to maintaining a flexible balance sheet
with an adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio target of 1x through the cycle.
The 2019 guidance* for key operating metrics, including production, costs and sustaining
capital expenditure, remains on track, with production expected at the lower half of the range
and costs at the upper end of the range, excluding the non-cash impact of the change in the
Brazilian TSF regulations.
* Both production and cost estimates assume neither operational or labour interruptions, or power disruptions, nor any
changes to asset portfolio and/or operating mines (and thus do not give effect to any of the contemplated divestitures in South
Africa, Argentina and Mali) and have not been reviewed by our external auditors. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could
also have material adverse effects on our future results and no assurance can be given that any expectations expressed by
AngloGold Ashanti will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, actual results could differ from guidance and any deviation may
be significant. Please refer to the Risk Factors section in AngloGold Ashanti’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31
December 2018, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Ends
Johannesburg
JSE Sponsor: The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
CONTACTS
Media
Chris Nthite +27 11 637 6388/+27 83 301 2481
cnthite@anglogoldashanti.com
General inquiries
media@anglogoldashanti.com
Investors
Sabrina Brockman +1 646 880 4526/ +1 646 379 2555
sbrockman@anglogoldashanti.com
Yatish Chowthee +27 11 637 6273 / +27 78 364 2080
yrchowthee@anglogoldashanti.com
Fundisa Mgidi +27 11 637 6763 / +27 82 821 5322
fmgidi@anglogoldashanti.com
Certain statements contained in this document, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, those
concerning the economic outlook for the gold mining industry, expectations regarding gold prices, production, total cash costs,
all-in sustaining costs, all-in costs, cost savings and other operating results, productivity improvements, growth prospects and
outlook of AngloGold Ashanti’s operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones,
commencement and completion of commercial operations of certain of AngloGold Ashanti’s exploration and production projects
and the completion of acquisitions, dispositions or joint venture transactions, AngloGold Ashanti’s liquidity and capital resources
and capital expenditures and the outcome and consequence of any potential or pending litigation or regulatory proceedings or
environmental health and safety issues, are forward-looking statements regarding AngloGold Ashanti’s operations, economic
performance and financial condition. These forward-looking statements or forecasts involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause AngloGold Ashanti’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ
materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements.
Although AngloGold Ashanti believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and forecasts are
reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results could differ
materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in economic, social
and political and market conditions, the success of business and operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and
other government actions, including environmental approvals, fluctuations in gold prices and exchange rates, the outcome of
pending or future litigation proceedings, and business and operational risk management. For a discussion of such risk factors,
refer to AngloGold Ashanti’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018, which has been filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that
could cause AngloGold Ashanti’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Other
unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. Consequently, readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. AngloGold Ashanti undertakes no obligation to update publicly or
release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by applicable law. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking
statements attributable to AngloGold Ashanti or any person acting on its behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements herein.
The financial information contained in this document has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company’s external auditors.
Non-GAAP financial measures
This communication may contain certain “Non-GAAP” financial measures. AngloGold Ashanti utilises certain Non-GAAP
performance measures and ratios in managing its business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and
not as an alternative for, the reported operating results or cash flow from operations or any other measures of performance
prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures other companies may use.
Website: www.anglogoldashanti.com
ENDS
Date: 28/10/2019 07:05:00
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