Wrap Text
AngloGold Ashanti Provides an Update on Restart of Certain Operations
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 April 2020
NEWS RELEASE
AngloGold Ashanti Provides an Update on Restart of Certain Operations
(PRESS RELEASE – JOHANNESBURG) – AngloGold Ashanti recognises the significant global challenge
presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working closely with governments and civil society groups
in each of our operating jurisdictions to help slow the spread of the virus, mitigate the risks of infection,
ensure the sick receive treatment and cushion the economic impact caused by necessary government
measures to slow its spread. Throughout this process, we continue to prioritise the safety and health of our
employees and host communities.
This update provides details on the restart of production that had been suspended in Argentina, Brazil and
South Africa, highlights the recent affirmation of our credit rating outlook by Moody’s Investor Service and
today’s repayment of the 10-year, $700m bond, which has now matured.
“A diverse portfolio and proactive management of our balance sheet has given us flexibility during this
unprecedented time,” said Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Dushnisky. “We’re focused on the health of our
employees and our communities, while ensuring we have the ability to contribute meaningfully to a range of
vital public health and economic initiatives in each of our operating jurisdictions.”
Update on operations in Latin America
AngloGold Ashanti’s sole mine in Argentina, Cerro Vanguardia, successfully restarted milling operations on
6 April 2020. The operation has now ramped up capacity and will initially process stockpiles, allowing
production to remain near planned levels with a significantly smaller staff complement. The mining operation
had been suspended since 21 March 2020 as a result of countrywide COVID-19 related restrictions on travel
and border closings.
In 2019, Cerro Vanguardia produced 225,000oz at an all-in sustaining cost of $859/oz.
In Brazil, at Mineração Serra Grande S.A. (Serra Grande), operations resumed based on the Municipality
Decree and Federal Statement (Ordinance) from the Mining Minister. Ramp up of production began on 5
April 2020 following a suspension that took effect on 27 March 2020 in response to measures taken by local
authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19.
In 2019, Serra Grande produced 123,000oz at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,105/oz.
In each case, the resumption of operations has occurred alongside stringent screening, hygiene, social
distancing and other measures designed to mitigate the risk of infection.
The Company’s operations in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil (AGA Mineração) continue as they do in
Australia, Tanzania, the DRC, Guinea, Ghana and Mali. Exploration work in the USA has been suspended
for a time. The situation related to COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly and the Company will continue to
assess developments and provide updates as they occur.
Update on the South African operations
AngloGold Ashanti has been granted permission by the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy for the
limited restart of its Surface Operations in South Africa, which have now recommenced operation on a
limited basis. This includes the processing of marginal ore dumps at the West Wits Operations and the
reclamation of tailings at the Mine Waste Solutions business unit, in the Vaal River region.
The restart of these operations on 6 April 2020 has been facilitated by about 500 employees, spread across
both the West Wits and Vaal River regions. This is less than a third of the usual staff complement for these
business units, and roughly 8% of our total South Africa workforce. All sites have the requisite Covid-19 risk
management plans in place. The limited restart will help safeguard technical infrastructure and enable a
safe and quick resumption of all remaining operations once the lockdown is over.
In 2019, the marginal ore dumps business produced 70,000oz at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,272/oz and
Mine Waste Solutions produced 106,000oz at an AISC of $894/oz.
Production from the Mponeng underground operation remains suspended during the lockdown which is
currently expected to continue to 30 April 2020. This is now the only one of AngloGold Ashanti’s 14
operations where production is currently suspended.
Moody’s Investor Service and Bond Repayment
AngloGold Ashanti is pleased to announce that Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the Company’s
Baa3 credit rating, with a stable outlook.
Moody’s cited the favourable geographic diversification of the Company’s portfolio, which offers a de-risked
production profile which links to multiple streams of free cash flow generation. Furthermore, it cited the
conservative financial policies in place and the proactive measures that the Company has taken to manage
the COVID-19 impacts. Moody’s also noted a strong liquidity position.
AngloGold Ashanti will today repay the principal of $700m on its 10-year bond issued in April 2010, which
has now matured. As announced on 27 March 2020, the funds for the repayment of the bond have been
drawn from the $1.4 billion revolving credit facility. The Company is in a strong cash position after the bond
repayment, and as mentioned on the 27 March 2020 is procuring additional credit facilities to further bolster
available liquidity. Further updates in this regard along with the release of its first quarter market update, on
11 May 2020.
Background
AngloGold Ashanti remains in a state of high-alert and preparedness to deal with the global challenge
presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company has created heightened awareness around the
COVID-19 virus and steps to prevent its spread, stepped up screening and surveillance of employees,
banned non-essential travel, instituted clear self-quarantine measures where applicable and increased
hygiene awareness and facilities across its operations, in addition to a range of other measures taken to
mitigate the risks presented by the virus.
AngloGold Ashanti is continually monitoring the situation related to the COVID-19 outbreak as it unfolds and
remains in close contact with authorities in each country, with our employees and with our key suppliers and
other business partners, to help ensure business continuity and mitigate any interruptions that may occur.
For additional information on AngloGold Ashanti’s response to COVID-19, please refer to our website.
Ends
JSE Sponsor
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
CONTACTS
Media
Stewart Bailey +27 11 637 6031 / +27 81 032 2563 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
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, (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), 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, (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), 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 reports on Form 20-F filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.
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.
Ends
Date: 15-04-2020 03:08:00
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 
