WASHINGTON: Anglo American saw its coal exports rom Australia, South Africa and Colombia fall in the fourth quarter. Thermal coal exports from Australia dropped by 38% vis-a-vis a year earlier to 1.15m tonnes because of lower production from its Drayton mine, which is nearing the end of its life, the miner said in a statement on Thursday.
South Africa volumes fell 19% to 3.88m tonnes due to strike action and the planned closure of a part of the Goedehoop facility, it said. Colombian supplies dropped 12% to 2.63m tonnes as a result of a decrease in production at Cerrejón due to “severe dry weather and the suspension of operations due to dust emission levels,” it said.
Exports of iron ore from its South African operations also fell, dropping by 10% to 10.5m tonnes. The company continues to ramp up iron ore production at Minas Rio in Brazil, with 3.3m tonnes produced in the quarter, it said, although the volumes were lower than expected due to drought and ore variability.
