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AngloGold Ashanti Trebles Free Cash Flow to $108m, Cuts Net Debt 32%
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 the “Company”)
15 August 2016
NEWS RELEASE
AngloGold Ashanti Trebles Free Cash Flow to $108m, Cuts Net Debt 32%
(JOHANNESBURG – PRESS RELEASE) -- AngloGold Ashanti said it more than trebled free cash
flow generation in the first half of the year to $108m and lowered net debt by almost a third, as
costs fell and it took advantage of a higher gold price.
AngloGold Ashanti has delivered on a range of self-help measures over the past two years to
reduce debt using internally generated funds. In focusing on improving the quality of its production,
the Company has sold some mines, closed others and made significant reductions to all areas of
cost as it prioritises sustainable improvements to free cash flow and returns.
“We will continue to push hard to improve operational and cost performance, as well as our overall
balance sheet flexibility, regardless of the gold price environment,” Chief Executive Officer
Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan said. “Our focus remains to improve margins and grow cash flow and
returns on a sustainable basis.”
Net debt fell by 32% to $2.1bn as at June 30 of this year from $3.1bn at the end of June last year,
significantly lowering interest payments. On 1 August 2016, AngloGold Ashanti also completed the
redemption of the remaining 8.5%, seven year bonds outstanding, at a total cost of the $503m.
This extinguished the Company’s most expensive debt and fulfilled a key strategic objective by
further reducing its future interest payments.
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) improved to an average of $911/oz in the six months through 30
June, compared with the $924/oz recorded in the first half of 2015. Production from continuing
operations was 1.745Moz, versus 1.878Moz in the comparable period last year given the
unforeseen challenges faced at the Kibali joint venture and planned reduction in output from the
Tropicana, Geita and Obuasi mines.
The Company’s International Operations produced 1.259Moz at AISC of $873/oz, accounting for
almost three in every four ounces mined. The performance benefited from weaker currencies
versus the dollar in Argentina, Australia and Brazil. There were especially strong cost
performances from Sunrise Dam and Cerro Vanguardia, which posted significant efficiency gains
during the first half of 2016.
A number of brownfield expansion or mine-life extension projects are under way, including at
Siguiri in Guinea, Sadiola in Mali, Tropicana in Australia and Geita, in Tanzania. Pre-feasibility
studies of two key projects in Colombia are expected to be completed next year, potentially adding
significant new reserves to the Company’s mineral inventory.
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AngloGold Ashanti’s South African operations delivered 486,000oz of production at AISC of
$958/oz, a 13% cost reduction from the first six months of last year. Mponeng, the largest of the
local mines, continued its recovery with a 25% jump in output and a 28% reduction in AISC to
$893/oz. Tragically, there were three work-related fatalities at the South African operations during
the period under review, overshadowing safety improvements that have been made across the
balance of the portfolio. The South African operations continue to face significant challenges due
to safety-related stoppages, which have continued throughout the year.
Adjusted headline earnings were $159m, or 39 cents per share in the first half of 2016, compared
with $61m, or 15 cents per share, in the first half of 2015. Net profit attributable to equity
shareholders during the first half of 2016 was $52m compared with a net loss from continuing
operations of $23m a year earlier.
Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (adjusted EBITDA)
decreased by $12m, or 2% from $793m in the six month period ended 30 June 2015 to $781m in
the six months ended 30 June 2016. The lower production year-on-year was largely offset by cost
improvements over the same period. The ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA at the end of June
2016 was 1.44 times, compared with the 1.47 times recorded at the end March 2016, and 1.95
times at the end of June 2015, highlighting the success of AngloGold Ashanti’s continued efforts to
deleverage and sustainably improve cash flow.
Ends
JSE Sponsor: Deutsche Securities (SA) Proprietary Limited
Contacts
Media
Chris Nthite +27 11 637 6388/+27 83 301 2481 cnthite@anglogoldashanti.com
Stewart Bailey +27 81 032 2563 / +27 11 637 6031 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
General inquiries media@anglogoldashanti.com
Investors
Stewart Bailey +27 81 032 2563 / +27 11 637 6031 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
Sabrina Brockman +1 212 858 7702 / +1 646 379 2555 sbrockman@anglogoldashanti.com
Fundisa Mgidi +27 11 6376763 / +27 82 821 5322 fmgidi@anglogoldashanti.com
Forward-Looking Information and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
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, cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, all-in costs, cost savings and other operating results, return on equity, 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 2015, which was 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 news release has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company's external auditors. 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. AngloGold Ashanti posts information that is important to investors on the main page of its website at
www.anglogoldashanti.com and under the “Investors” tab on the main page. This information is updated regularly. Investors should visit this website to obtain important information about
AngloGold Ashanti.
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
Website: www.anglogoldashanti.com
Date: 15/08/2016 07:10:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
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