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”)
NEWS RELEASE
AngloGold Ashanti Outlines Capital Allocation, Safety Philosophies at Mining Indaba
(PRESS RELEASE –CAPE TOWN) – AngloGold Ashanti’s Chief Executive Officer will this week
present to delegates at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, outlining the company’s
capital allocation philosophy as it looks to invest in brownfield projects in its own portfolio. He will also
provide detail on the company’s ongoing efforts to improve safety across its mines.
“In line with our inward focus, we will prioritise investment in low-risk, high-return projects at our
existing operations, in jurisdictions and ore bodies we understand,” CEO Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan
said. “Rather than looking first to M&A to improve our portfolio, we will use our much improved
balance sheet to increase reinvestment to extend mine lives and increase profitability at key assets.”
AngloGold Ashanti has since 2013 used ‘self-help’ measures including asset sales and efficiency
improvements to reduce debt and improve balance sheet flexibility without diluting shareholders, and
whilst improving the safety and cash-flow margins across its 17-mine portfolio. The company, which
emphasises margin growth over volume growth, will continue that philosophy this year as it focuses
on both sustaining and growth projects.
AngloGold Ashanti will post second-half and full-year 2016 financial and operating results on
February 21, at which time it will provide its outlook for production, costs and capital expenditure for 2017.
As Venkat pointed out at the third-quarter results on November 14, capital expenditure will increase in
2017.
Higher sustaining-capital expenditure in 2017 is expected at:
- Cuiaba in Brazil, where a greater rate of ore reserve development will improve mining flexibility
hampered by geotechnical challenges in recent years;
Iduapriem in Ghana, to strip waste rock from the Teberebie ore body to extend mine life, and
lower cash costs;
Geita, in Tanzania, to replace the mine’s original 20-year old power plant to ensure reliable
electricity supply, and also continue the ramp-up of underground production in advance of
depletion of open-pit ore in future;
Sunrise Dam, in Australia, where investment in plant modifications are expected to improve
gold recoveries;
Kibali, in the DRC, where additional ore reserve development will be conducted ahead of a
ramp-up in underground production.
It is currently anticipated that sustaining capital will decline in 2018.
There will also be growth capital invested in the construction of a new plant at Siguiri, in Guinea,
which will process harder ore, extending mine life, lowering cost and increasing production, whilst also
improving exploration potential in the area surrounding the mine. At Sadiola, in Mali – subject to