Anglo American plc reported production results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018. For the quarter, diamond was 9.1 million carats compared to 8.1 million carats a year ago. Copper production was 184,000 tonnes against 149,000 tonnes a year ago. Platinum production (metal in concentrate) was 602,000 ounces against 587,000 a year ago. Iron ore production from Kumba was 10.2 million tonnes against 11.6 million tonnes a year ago. Iron ore production Minas-Rio was 0.2 million tonnes against 4.0 million tonnes a year ago. Nickel production was 11,400 tonnes against 11,400 tonnes a year ago.

For the nine months, diamond was 35.3 million carats compared to 33.5 million carats a year ago. Copper production was 668,000 tonnes against 579,000 tonnes a year ago.  Platinum production (metal in concentrate) was 2,485,000 ounces against 2,397,000 a year ago. Iron ore production from Kumba was 43.1 million tonnes against 45.0 million tonnes a year ago. Iron ore production from Minas-Rio was 3.4 million tonnes against 16.8 million tonnes a year ago. Nickel production was 42,300 tonnes against 43,800 tonnes a year ago.

The company provided production guidance for the year 2019. 2019 production guidance is 31-33 million carats, subject to trading conditions. The lower production is driven by the process of exiting from the Venetia open pit with the underground becoming the principal source of ore from 2023. 2019 platinum production guidance is revised to 2.0-2.1 million ounces (previously 2.0-2.2 million ounces) and palladium production guidance remains at 1.3-1.4 million ounces, decreases compared to 2018 due to the transition of Sibanye material to a tolling arrangement in place of its purchase as concentrate. 2019 production guidance for Kumba is 43-44 million tonnes. 2019 production guidance for Minas-Rio is 18-20 million tonnes (wet basis). 2019 production guidance for Metallurgical Coal is 22-24 million tonnes. 2019 production guidance for Export Thermal Coal is 26-28 million tonnes.