AngloGold Ashanti Posts 339% year-on-year Adjusted EBITDA*
increase, 17-fold rise in free cash flow*; YTD total cash costs per
ounce* rise only 2%; FY 2024 guidance reaffirmed on all
metrics
AngloGold Ashanti plc (“AngloGold Ashanti”, “AGA” or the
“Company”) reported its strongest gold production quarter of 2024
from managed operations(1) in the three months ended 30 September
2024, driving significant year-on-year gains in earnings and free
cash flow*. The Company reaffirmed full-year guidance for gold
production, costs and capital expenditure.
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"Tight control of costs and active management of our working
capital means that the higher gold price has flowed through to our
bottom line,” CEO Alberto Calderon said. “We’re looking for
additional improvements to production and margins, to ensure we
deliver an even stronger fourth quarter and continue to capitalise
on this healthy gold price environment.”
AngloGold Ashanti saw resilient performances from several key
operations. The Australian portfolio recovered well from rains and
flooding in the first quarter, while the operational turnaround of
its Brazilian operations continued to gain momentum with the
resumption of processing of gold concentrate at the Queiroz plant
during September.
Solid cost control and active management of working capital
helped ensure that higher revenues were reflected in stronger
earnings and cash flows. Headline earnings(3) of $236m, or 56 US
cents per share, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to a
headline loss(3) of $194m, or 46 US cents per share, in the third
quarter of 2023. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax,
depreciation and amortisation* (“Adjusted EBITDA”) rose 339% to
$746m in the third quarter of 2024 from $170m in the same period
last year. Free cash flow* rose sharply to $347m during the third
quarter of 2024, from $20m in the same period a year earlier. The
average gold price received per ounce* for the group(1)(2) rose 28%
to $2,449/oz during the third quarter of 2024 from $1,908/oz in the
third quarter of last year.
A solid overall performance from AngloGold Ashanti’s managed
operations helped the Company deliver a strong cash cost
performance despite persistent high inflation across several of its
operating jurisdictions. Total cash costs per ounce* for the
group(1)(2) rose 8% year-on-year to $1,172/oz versus $1,089/oz in
the third quarter of last year. Total cash costs per ounce* for
managed operations(1)(2) rose by only 3% year-on-year to $1,186/oz
versus $1,152/oz in the third quarter of last year, demonstrating
disciplined and consistent focus on costs despite inflationary
pressure across its operating jurisdictions and the impact of
higher royalties paid, driven by the increase in the gold price.
All-in sustaining costs per ounce* (“AISC”) for the group(1)(2)
rose 10% to $1,616/oz during the third quarter of 2024 versus
$1,469/oz in the third quarter of last year due to increased total
cash costs* and rehabilitation costs.
Gold production for the group(1)(2) was 657,000oz for the third
quarter of 2024 versus 676,000oz in the same period of 2023, due to
lower production from the Kibali joint venture, where lower grades
resulted in production of 71,000oz compared with 99,000oz in the
third quarter of 2023. Gold production for managed operations(1)(2)
rose 2% year-on-year to 586,000oz, from 577,000oz in the third
quarter of 2023. Gold production was stronger at Obuasi (15%),
Siguiri (9%), Tropicana (14%), Cerro Vanguardia (11%) and Sunrise
Dam (14%).
At Obuasi, third-quarter gold production(1) increased 15%
year-on-year as total grades and underground tonnages rose, despite
a continued impact on production of reduced mining flexibility in
Block 8 and difficult ground conditions in higher-grade stopes.
Notwithstanding these near-term challenges, total cash costs per
ounce*(1) improved 20% year-on-year to $1,153/oz and AISC per
ounce*(1) at $2,063/oz was 17% lower over that period.
Centamin Acquisition to Improve the Portfolio Mix
On 28 October 2024, the shareholders of Centamin plc
(“Centamin”) approved the proposed acquisition of Centamin by
AngloGold Ashanti. The proposed acquisition, announced on 10
September 2024, will bring to AngloGold Ashanti’s portfolio an
established Tier One asset with the Sukari mine in Egypt, which
produced(1) 450,000oz of gold in 2023 at an AISC per ounce*(1) of
$1,196/oz, well below AngloGold Ashanti’s current average AISC*.
The addition of Sukari ensures a higher proportion of AngloGold
Ashanti’s gold production will be derived from Tier One assets, and
will provide flexibility for the Company to consider disposal
options of its higher-cost Tier Two mines.
The proposed acquisition is expected to be accretive on a per
share basis to both free cash flow* and net asset value and is a
compelling strategic fit, closely aligned with AngloGold Ashanti’s
core mining and exploration competencies. Synergies are expected to
be captured by streamlining Centamin’s corporate costs, which were
$33m in 2023; in the area of procurement, by leveraging the
relative size and scale of AngloGold Ashanti’s portfolio; and by
utilising AngloGold Ashanti’s Full Asset Potential business
optimisation process. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the
remaining closing conditions, the proposed transaction is expected
to be completed in the second half of November 2024.
Nine-Month Performance
Adjusted EBITDA* for the first nine months of 2024 more than
doubled to $1.863bn, from $846m in the first nine months of 2023.
Free cash flow* for the first nine months of 2024 was $553m,
compared to an outflow of $184m in the same period of the previous
year.
For the first nine months of 2024 gold production for the
group(1)(2) was little changed at 1.911Moz, versus 1.907Moz in the
same period a year earlier, with total cash costs per ounce* for
the group(1)(2) increasing 2% year-on-year to $1,163/oz from
$1,140/oz in the same period last year. This compared to a realised
inflation rate for the Company of about 6% during the first nine
months of 2024, which represents consumer price index (CPI) changes
in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. AISC per ounce*
for the group(1)(2) rose 5% year-on-year in the first nine months
of 2024 to $1,598/oz compared with $1,525/oz in the same period in
2023. Total capital expenditure for managed operations(1)(2) and
non-managed joint ventures(1) over the same period rose 10%
year-on-year.
Total cash costs per ounce* for managed operations(1)(2)
increased 0.5% year-on-year from $1,189/oz in the first nine months
of 2023 to $1,195/oz in the first nine months of 2024. Total cash
costs per ounce* for non-managed joint ventures(1) increased 13%
year-on-year from $817/oz in the first nine months of 2023 to
$924/oz in the first nine months of 2024. AISC per ounce* for
managed operations(1)(2) increased 3% year-on-year from $1,609/oz
in the first nine months of 2023 to $1,660/oz in the first nine
months of 2024. AISC per ounce* for non-managed joint ventures(1)
increased 17% year-on-year from $967/oz in the first nine months of
2023 to $1,133/oz in the first nine months of 2024.
Q3 2024 - KEY OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL FEATURES
- Q3 2024 is strongest gold production quarter in 2024 for
managed operations(1)(2) at 586,000oz vs 577,000oz in Q3 2023
- Q3 2024 Gold production for the group(1)(2) of 657,000oz vs
676,000oz in Q3 2023
- Improved Q3 2024 gold production(1)(2) y-o-y compared to Q3
2023 at Obuasi (15%), Siguiri (9%), Tropicana (14%), Cerro
Vanguardia (11%) and Sunrise Dam (14%)
- AngloGold Ashanti Mineração Q3 2024 total cash costs per
ounce*(1)(2) -16% compared to Q3 2023; Queiroz plant resumes
processing gold concentrate
- Free cash flow* rises 17-fold to $347m in Q3 2024 compared to
$20m in Q3 2023
- Adjusted EBITDA* +339% to $746m in Q3 2024 vs $170m in Q3 2023;
Adjusted EBITDA* margin 52%
- Financial performance driven by solid operational results and
the higher average gold price received*
- Total cash costs* - Group(1)(2): $1,172/oz in Q3 2024 vs
$1,089/oz in Q3 2023
- Total cash costs* - Managed operations(1)(2): $1,186/oz in Q3
2024 vs $1,152/oz in Q3 2023
- Total cash costs* - Non-managed joint ventures(1): $1,053/oz in
Q3 2024 from $721/oz in Q3 2023
- AISC* - Group(1)(2): $1,616/oz in Q3 2024 from $1,469/oz in Q3
2023, mainly on increased total cash costs
- AISC* - Managed operations(1)(2): $1,665/oz in Q3 2024 from
$1,579/oz in Q3 2023
- AISC* - Non-managed joint ventures(1): $1,241/oz in Q3 2024
from $820/oz in Q3 2023
- Basic earnings of $223m in Q3 2024 from basic loss of $224m in
Q3 2023
- Headline earnings(3) of $236m in Q3 2024 from a headline
loss(3) of $194m in Q3 2023
- Obuasi’s Q3 2024 gold production(1) +15% y-o-y to 53,000oz;
total cash costs per ounce*(1) -20%; AISC per ounce*(1) -17%
y-o-y
- Obuasi completed the trial of its new mining method Under Hand,
Drift and Fill (UHDF) to extract the most value from high-grade ore
source and will implement a hybrid mining approach incorporating
traditional Sub-Level Open Stoping (SLOS) and UHDF from 2025. This
hybrid approach is proven to be more cost-efficient, with a
reduction in total cash cost per ounce* of approximately 9%
(1) The term “managed operations” refers to subsidiaries managed
by AngloGold Ashanti and included in its consolidated reporting,
while the term “non-managed joint ventures” refers to
equity-accounted joint ventures that are reported based on
AngloGold Ashanti's share of attributable earnings and are not
managed by AngloGold Ashanti. Managed operations are reported on a
consolidated basis. Non-managed joint ventures are reported on an
attributable basis. (2) All financial periods within the financial
year ended 31 December 2023 have been adjusted to exclude the
Córrego do Sítio (“CdS”) operation that was placed on care and
maintenance in August 2023. (3) The financial measures “headline
earnings (loss)” and “headline earnings (loss) per share” are not
calculated in accordance with IFRS® Accounting Standards, but in
accordance with the Headline Earnings Circular 1/2023, issued by
the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), at
the request of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (JSE). These
measures are required to be disclosed by the JSE Listings
Requirements and therefore do not constitute Non-GAAP financial
measures for purposes of the rules and regulations of the US
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to the use
and disclosure of Non-GAAP financial measures. * Refer to “Non-GAAP
disclosure” for definitions and reconciliations.
GROUP - Key statistics
Quarter
Quarter
Nine months
Nine months
ended
ended
ended
ended
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating review
Gold
Produced - Group (1) (2) (3)
- oz (000)
657
676
1,911
1,907
Produced - Managed operations (1) (2)
(3)
- oz (000)
586
577
1,682
1,657
Produced - Non-managed joint ventures
(2)
- oz (000)
71
99
229
250
Sold - Group (1) (2) (3)
- oz (000)
667
670
1,954
1,913
Sold - Managed operations(1) (2) (3)
- oz (000)
590
573
1,724
1,662
Sold - Non-managed joint ventures (2)
- oz (000)
77
97
230
251
Financial review
Gold income
- $m
1,466
1,112
3,957
3,257
Cost of sales
- $m
921
863
2,683
2,612
Total operating costs
- $m
720
714
2,096
2,130
Gross profit
- $m
541
286
1,290
721
Average gold price received per ounce* -
Managed operations (1) (2)
- $/oz
2,442
1,906
2,268
1,913
Average gold price received per ounce* -
Non-managed joint ventures (2)
- $/oz
2,503
1,924
2,313
1,935
Cost of sales - Managed operations
- $m
921
863
2,683
2,612
Cost of sales - Non-managed joint
ventures
- $m
104
97
278
279
All-in sustaining costs per ounce* -
Managed operations (1) (2) (3)
- $/oz
1,665
1,579
1,660
1,609
All-in sustaining costs per ounce* -
Non-managed joint ventures (2)
- $/oz
1,241
820
1,133
967
All-in sustaining costs per ounce* - Group
(1) (2) (3)
- $/oz
1,616
1,469
1,598
1,525
All-in costs per ounce* - Managed
operations (1) (2) (3)
- $/oz
1,925
1,741
1,916
1,837
All-in costs per ounce* - Non-managed
joint ventures (2)
- $/oz
1,458
954
1,339
1,092
All-in costs per ounce* - Group (1) (2)
(3)
- $/oz
1,871
1,627
1,848
1,740
Total cash costs per ounce* - Managed
operations (1) (2) (3)
- $/oz
1,186
1,152
1,195
1,189
Total cash costs per ounce* - Non-managed
joint ventures (2)
- $/oz
1,053
721
924
817
Total cash costs per ounce* - Group (1)
(2) (3)
- $/oz
1,172
1,089
1,163
1,140
Profit (loss) before taxation
- $m
394
(157)
974
(81)
Adjusted EBITDA*
- $m
746
170
1,863
846
Total borrowings
- $m
2,303
2,169
2,303
2,169
Adjusted net debt*
- $m
906
1,253
906
1,253
Profit (loss) attributable to equity
shareholders
- $m
223
(224)
534
(263)
- US cents/share
53
(53)
127
(62)
Headline earnings (loss) (4)
- $m
236
(194)
549
(133)
- US cents/share
56
(46)
130
(32)
Net cash inflow from operating
activities
- $m
606
274
1,278
567
Free cash flow*
- $m
347
20
553
(184)
Capital expenditure - Managed
operations
- $m
267
255
757
708
Capital expenditure - Non-managed joint
ventures
- $m
28
18
89
61
(1) All financial periods within the
financial year ended 31 December 2023 have been adjusted to exclude
the Córrego do Sítio (“CdS”) operation that was placed on care and
maintenance in August 2023. All gold production, gold sold, average
gold price received per ounce*, all-in sustaining costs per ounce*,
all-in costs per ounce* and total cash costs per ounce* metrics in
this document have been adjusted to exclude the CdS operation,
unless otherwise stated.
(2) The term “managed operations” refers
to subsidiaries managed by AngloGold Ashanti and included in its
consolidated reporting, while the term “non-managed joint ventures”
refers to equity-accounted joint ventures that are reported based
on AngloGold Ashanti’s share of attributable earnings and are not
managed by AngloGold Ashanti. Managed operations are reported on a
consolidated basis. Non-managed joint ventures are reported on an
attributable basis.
(3) Includes gold concentrate from the
Cuiabá mine sold to third parties.
(4) The financial measures “headline
earnings (loss)” and “headline earnings (loss) per share” are not
calculated in accordance with IFRS® Accounting Standards, but in
accordance with the Headline Earnings Circular 1/2023, issued by
the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), at
the request of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (JSE). These
measures are required to be disclosed by the JSE Listings
Requirements and therefore do not constitute Non-GAAP financial
measures for purposes of the rules and regulations of the US
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to the use
and disclosure of Non-GAAP financial measures.
* Refer to “Non-GAAP disclosure” for
definitions and reconciliations.
$ represents US Dollar, unless otherwise
stated.
Rounding of figures may result in
computational discrepancies.
(Incorporated in England and Wales) Registration No. 14654651
LEI No. 2138005YDSA7A82RNU96 ISIN: GB00BRXH2664 CUSIP: G0378L100
NYSE Share code: AU JSE Share code: ANG A2X Share code: ANG GhSE
(Shares): AGA GhSE (GhDS): AAD
Johannesburg, South Africa 7 November 2024
JSE Sponsor: The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
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, 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, the
consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the outcome and
consequences of any potential or pending litigation or regulatory
proceedings or environmental, health and safety issues, are
forward-looking statements regarding AngloGold Ashanti’s financial
reports, operations, economic performance and financial condition.
These forward-looking statements or forecasts are not based on
historical facts, but rather reflect our current beliefs and
expectations concerning future events and generally may be
identified by the use of forward-looking words, phrases and
expressions such as “believe”, “expect”, “aim”, “anticipate”,
“intend”, “foresee”, “forecast”, “predict”, “project”, “estimate”,
“likely”, “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “seek”,
“plan”, “scheduled”, “possible”, “continue”, “potential”,
“outlook”, “target” or other similar words, phrases, and
expressions; provided that the absence thereof does not mean that a
statement is not forward-looking. Similarly, statements that
describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements or
forecasts involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause AngloGold Ashanti’s actual results,
performance, actions or achievements to differ materially from the
anticipated results, performance, actions 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, performance, actions or
achievements could differ materially from those set out in the
forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors,
changes in economic, social, political and market conditions,
including related to inflation or international conflicts, 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, any
supply chain disruptions, any public health crises, pandemics or
epidemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), the failure to
maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or
effective disclosure controls and procedures, the inability to
remediate one or more material weaknesses, or the discovery of
additional material weaknesses, in the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting, and other business and operational risks
and challenges and other factors, including mining accidents. For a
discussion of such risk factors, refer to AngloGold Ashanti’s
annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2023
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,
performance, actions or achievements to differ materially from
those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Other unknown or
unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on
AngloGold Ashanti’s future results, performance, actions or
achievements. 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.
Website: www.anglogoldashanti.com
September 2024 Published 7 November
2024
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241107857707/en/
Media Andrea Maxey: +61 08
9425 4603 / +61 400 072 199 amaxey@anglogoldashanti.com
General inquiries media@anglogoldashanti.com
Investors Yatish Chowthee:
+27 11 637 6273 / +27 78 364 2080
yrchowthee@anglogoldashanti.com
Andrea Maxey: +61 08 9425 4603 / +61 400 072 199
amaxey@anglogoldashanti.com
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