Wrap Text
De Beers’ Gahcho Kué mine begins commercial production
Anglo American plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registration number: 3564138)
Registered office: 20 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AN
ISIN: GBOOB1XZS820
JSE Share Code: AGL
NSX Share Code: ANM
De Beers’ Gahcho Kué mine begins commercial production
Anglo American plc draws attention to an announcement issued today by De Beers, the text of
which is set out below:
Gahcho Kué, the world’s largest new diamond mine in the last 13 years, officially began
commercial production i today (2 March 2017).
The mine, a joint venture with De Beers Group (51 per cent.) and Mountain Province Diamonds
(49 per cent.), is expected to produce approximately 54 million carats of rough diamonds over
its lifetime. ii
Production ramp up began on 1 August 2016 and the official opening ceremony took place on
20 September 2016, with 200 guests in attendance from across Canada and around the world.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “Today marks a significant landmark for De Beers
in Canada as Gahcho Kué becomes an important contributor to the Group’s global production.
That the mine has reached this landmark, on budget and ahead of schedule, is testament to the
partnerships that have worked together since construction began. It’s a result of these
partnerships that the mine is set to deliver socio-economic benefits of more than C$5 billion to
the economy of the Northwest Territories over its lifetime.”
Kim Truter, CEO, De Beers Canada, said: “With Gahcho Kué achieving commercial production,
it successfully builds on the transformation of De Beers in Canada. General Manager Allan
Rodel and his entire team are to be congratulated for completing this milestone safely and
ahead of schedule during the extreme winter conditions that have taken place over the past few
months.”
Patrick Evans, President and CEO of Mountain Province Diamonds, added: “The dedicated
support of our shareholders, business partners and employees has made today’s important
achievement possible. Gahcho Kué is a rich diamond deposit that secures Canada’s position
as one of the world’s leading diamond producers. Our thanks and appreciation goes to our
operating partner, De Beers Canada, for delivering the Gahcho Kué mine safely and ahead of
schedule.”
The fly-in/fly-out remote mine site is situated approximately 280km northeast of Yellowknife in
the Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada. Comprising three open pits, the mine will employ
530 people full-time, with the majority working a two-week in/two-week out rotation.
In addition to a C$440 million boost to the NWT economy through 2015, the Gahcho Kué mine
will provide a further C$5.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA)iii to the NWT now that it has
reached commercial production, according to a socio-economic impact report by EY.iv
2 March 2017
Sponsor
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
NOTES TO EDITORS
I. Commercial production is deemed to be achieved once an asset is capable of operating in
the manner intended by management, following any ramp-up or commissioning activity.
II. Production of approximately 54 million carats from an estimated 35 million tonnes of ore
over the life of the mine. For further information, refer to the Anglo American Ore Reserves
and Mineral Resources Report 2015 at www.angloamerican.com/investors/annual-
reporting
III. GVA is a measure of economic activity. It is often referred to as the ‘income from
production’ and is broadly equivalent to the wages and profits generated by a particular
economic activity, or total output (revenues) minus intermediate costs. As a measure of
economic activity, it is comparable to GDP, but does not include net taxes and subsidies
levied on products.
IV. The Socio-Economic Impact Report of De Beers in Canada can be viewed online at
www.debeersgroup.com/thecanadareport.
Anglo American is a globally diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class
competitive mining operations and undeveloped resources provides the raw materials to meet
the growing consumer-driven demands of the world’s developed and maturing economies. Our
people are at the heart of our business. It is our people who use the latest technologies to find
new resources, plan and build our mines and who mine, process and move and market our
products to our customers around the world.
As a responsible miner - of diamonds (through De Beers), platinum and other precious metals,
copper, nickel, iron ore and coal - we are the custodians of what are precious natural resources.
We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that
those resources represent for our shareholders and for the communities and countries in which
we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference.
www.angloamerican.com
Date: 02/03/2017 03:00:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.
Sharenet Sites 
