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AngloGold Ashanti will release results for the year ended 31 December 2016 ('the period') on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange News Service on 21 February 2017.

With reference to the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, issuers are required to publish a trading statement as soon as they become reasonably certain that the financial results for the period to be reported on next will differ by at least 20% from those of the previous corresponding reporting period.

Shareholders are advised that the Company has reasonable certainty that headline earnings for the period is expected to be between 242% and 262% higher and headline earnings per share ('HEPS') for the period is expected to be between 239% and 256% higher than for the year ended 31 December 2015 ('comparative period'). Headline earnings are expected to be between $104 million and $118 million, with HEPS between 25 cents and 28 cents. Headline loss and headline loss per share for the comparative period were $73 million and 18 cents, respectively.

Basic earnings for the period is expected to be between 164% and 184% higher and basic earnings per share ('EPS') is expected to be between 165% and 185% higher than the comparative period. Basic earnings are expected to be between $54 million and $71 million, with EPS between 13 cents and 17 cents. Basic loss and loss per share for the comparative period were $85 million and 20 cents, respectively.

Full year gold production, total cash costs, all-in-sustaining costs and capital expenditure are all expected to be in line with the guidance contained in the third quarter release of 14 November 2016, as follows:

  • Gold production: between 3.60Mozs and 3.65Mozs;
  • Total cash costs: between $730/oz and $750/oz;
  • All-in-sustaining costs: between $980/oz and $1,010/oz; and
  • Capital expenditure: between $790 million and $820 million.

During the period, AngloGold Ashanti settled foreign denominated debt resulting in a recycling of historic foreign exchange losses of $60 million (post-tax) from the Foreign Currency Translation Reserve in the Statement of Changes in Equity to the Income Statement. This amounts to a loss per share of 15 cents. These losses are non-cash in nature and are added back for purposes of the HEPS and adjusted HEPS calculations for the period.

The expected overall increases in headline earnings and basic earnings are primarily due to:

  • The higher gold price received, which averaged $1,249/oz for the year compared with $1,158/oz in the comparative period;
  • Weaker operating currencies in Argentina, Brazil and South Africa in the current period versus the comparative period;
  • Continued focus on cost control across the portfolio of 17 operations in nine countries especially considering the lower grades achieved by the group overall, which resulted in the group having to mine additional volumes to mitigate the drop in production;
  • Interest savings after a successful tender offer on 25 September 2015 to repurchase 8.5% bonds maturing 2020 (the 'Notes') with an aggregate face value of $779 million; and the redemption of the $471 million remaining Notes on 1 August 2016, resulting in an interest saving in the period of $67 million;
  • The positive effect of the translation of the deferred taxation balance in South America of $99 million due to a weaker local currency compared with the same period in 2015; and
  • The above increases are partly offset by reduced income from associates and joint ventures during the period of $77 million.

The forecast financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed or reported on by AngloGold Ashanti's external auditors.

Johannesburg
2 February 2017

JSE Sponsor: Deutsche Securities (SA) Proprietary Limited

Contacts:

Media
Chris Nthite +27 11 637 6388/+27 83 301 2481 cnthite@anglogoldashanti.com
Stewart Bailey +27 81 032 2563/+27 11 637 6031 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
General inquiries media@anglogoldashanti.com

Investors
Stewart Bailey +27 81 032 2563/+27 11 637 6031 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
Sabrina Brockman +1 646 880 4526/+1 646 379 2555 sbrockman@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 production, cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, all-in costs, cost savings, headline earnings, headline earnings per share, basic earnings, basic earnings per share and other operating or financial results, and outlook of AngloGold Ashanti's operations, individually or in the aggregate, 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, 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, and business and operational risk management.

For a discussion of such risk factors, refer to AngloGold Ashanti's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2015, which was 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 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.

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. AngloGold Ashanti posts information that is important to investors on the main page of its website at www.anglogoldashanti.com and under the 'Investors' tab on the main page. This information is updated regularly. Investors should visit this website to obtain important information about AngloGold Ashanti.

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 Ltd. published this content on 02 February 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 02 February 2017 14:29:06 UTC.

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