Anglo American Platinum : Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2017

OVERVIEW

• Commitment to zero harm - no fatalities in Q1 2017
• Total platinum production (expressed as metal in concentrate) increased 1% to 571,900 ounces
• Strong performances from Mogalakwena up 3% offsetting operational challenges at Amandelbult
• With the sale of Rustenburg in November 2016, production from that operation is now treated as third party purchase of concentrate, resulting in own mine production decreasing by 26%
• Total purchase of concentrate (joint venture, associates and third party) increased by 93% due to the inclusion of material from Rustenburg
• Refined platinum production increased by 121% to 576,900 ounces versus Q1 2016 which was impacted by a Section 54 safety stoppage at the Precious Metals Refinery (PMR)
• Following the Waterval smelter run-out in Q3 2016, the Number 1 furnace at Waterval smelter was successfully rebuilt in Q4 2016 and is running at steady-state. The Number 2 furnace underwent planned maintenance and has now been successfully rebuilt. It is ramping-up to full capacity, which is expected in Q2 2017
• Sales volumes of 518,800 ounces were up 26% as Q1 2016 sales were impacted by lower refined production as a result of the Section 54 safety stoppage at the PMR

REVIEW OF THE QUARTER

OPERATIONS

Anglo American Platinum remains committed to zero harm and had no fatalities in Q1 2017. The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ('LTIFR') per 200,000 hours worked at managed operations was broadly flat at 0.74 compared to 0.73 in Q1 2016.

Total platinum production (metal in concentrate) was up 1% to 571,900 ounces with strong performances from Mogalakwena offsetting operational challenges at Amandelbult. The increase in production is despite the Twickenham project being placed on care and maintenance in the second half of 2016, reducing unprofitable platinum production by 1,100 ounces.

With the sale of Rustenburg in November 2016, production from that operation is now treated as third party purchase of concentrate, resulting in own mine production decreasing by 26%

Mogalakwena production increased by 3% to 111,900 ounces with strong plant recoveries and increased throughput.

Amandelbult production decreased by 12% to 97,100 ounces primarily due to unusually heavy rainfall resulting in flooded opencast pits and affected feed chutes to the concentrator plants, as well as minor industrial action which impacted production for two days.

Unki production was up 2% to 18,900 ounces, as continued efforts in efficient mining height control have reduced mining waste, leading to increased grade and higher production.

Union increased production by 10% to 37,700 ounces due to improved crew efficiencies, and mining ground closer to the access shafts in line with the optimised mine plan. The sale of Union to Siyanda Resources was announced on 15 February 2017 and is expected to complete during 2017.

Joint venture production (mined and purchased) was down marginally to 182,700 ounces (59,000 ounces relating to own mined share of joint ventures and 123,700 ounces purchase of concentrate from joint ventures and associates). Lower production was primarily due to a two day illegal strike and lower grade impacting Kroondal, lower grade in the current mining area at Mototolo, and a tragic fatality and subsequent Section 54 safety stoppage which impacted production at Bokoni. This was partially offset by increased production at BRPM's Styldrift project and higher production at Modikwa following extensive focus on improving plant recoveries.

Third party purchase of concentrate increased by 119,900 ounces largely due to the inclusion of material from Rustenburg including the Western Limb Tailings Retreatment (117,600 ounces), since the transfer of these operations to Sibanye on 1 November 2016. Other third party purchases, largely from Maseve increased to 3,200 ounces from 1,200 as the mine ramps up.

Refined platinum production increased by 316,100 ounces to 576,900 ounces, with Q1 2016 refined production having been materially impacted by a Section 54 safety stoppage at the Precious Metal Refinery.

Following the Waterval smelter run-out in Q3 2016, the Number 1 furnace at Waterval smelter was successfully rebuilt in Q4 2016 and is running at steady-state. The Number 2 furnace underwent planned maintenance and has now been successfully rebuilt. It is ramping-up to full capacity, which is expected in Q2 2017. The backlog in processing pipeline material of 65,000 platinum ounces following the run-out should be made up during 2017.

Sales volumes for the quarter of 518,800 ounces were up 26% due to the increase in refined platinum production, however was less than refined production of 576,900 ounces, due to rebuilding refined inventory, which had been drawn down in 2016 to supplement sales during the PMR stoppage.

GUIDANCE

Full year production guidance remains unchanged at 2.35 - 2.40 million ounces.

Download the Anglo American Platinum Limited Production Report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2017