Anglo American plc announced April 30 its Production Report for the January to March quarter of 2009, which shows iron ore production during the period totaled 9.992 million tonnes (Mt), an increase of 1.802 Mt or 22% from 8.190 Mt produced in the previous corresponding period.
The increase was mainly due to the additional production delivered by the Sishen Mine's jig plant, which continues to ramp up. The jig plant was introduced by Anglo American's South African iron ore mining subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore, and can process contaminated ore into commercially valuable one. Kumba remains on schedule to achieve an annualized rate of 13 Mt/a from the jig plant during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Finished product stockpiles have increased to 7.5 Mt due to domestic iron ore sales falling below contractual volumes and difficult export market conditions. Kumba continues to monitor stock levels and market developments and, should conditions deteriorate, production cuts will be considered. |
