Company Announcements

Approval of Aquila Hard Coking Coal Project

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 6874G
Anglo American PLC
25 July 2019
 

25 July 2019

Anglo American approves Aquila hard coking coal project in Australia

 

Anglo American plc ("Anglo American") announces the approval by its Board of the Aquila project to extend the life of the Capcoal underground (Grasstree mine) hard coking coal operations in Queensland, Australia by six years, to 2028 ("the Project"). With an expected attributable capital cost of US$226 million, development work is expected to begin in September 2019, with first longwall production of premium quality hard coking coal in early 2022.

 

Seamus French, CEO of Bulk Commodities, said: "Aquila offers us a high margin six-year life extension to our Grasstree mine, with an average annual saleable production of 3.5 million tonnes (attributable) of premium quality hard coking coal at a real, post-tax IRR of more than 30%, and an EBITDA margin of 40% at consensus long term prices. The project benefits from low capital intensity as we can use the existing infrastructure and systems from our adjacent Grasstree mine that is coming towards the end of its economic life, as well as providing continuity of employment for our workforce."

 

The Capcoal complex includes the Capcoal open cut and Grasstree underground operations, both managed by Anglo American. The underground operations are owned 70% by Anglo American and 30% by Mitsui & Co. Ltd. ("Mitsui"). The Project is also subject to approval by Mitsui. In 2018, the Capcoal open cut produced 2.0 million tonnes of metallurgical coal products and Grasstree underground produced 3.6 million tonnes of hard coking coal (attributable). The Capcoal open cut operations have a Reserve Life of 20 years, as at 31 December 2018.

 

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Media

 

Investors

UK

James Wyatt-Tilby

james.wyatt-tilby@angloamerican.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759

 

Marcelo Esquivel

marcelo.esquivel@angloamerican.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8891

 

South Africa

Pranill Ramchander

pranill.ramchander@angloamerican.com

Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2592

 

Sibusiso Tshabalala

sibusiso.tshabalala@angloamerican.com

Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2175

 

UK

Paul Galloway

paul.galloway@angloamerican.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8718

 

Robert Greenberg

robert.greenberg@angloamerican.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 2124

 

Emma Waterworth

emma.waterworth@angloamerican.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to editors:

 

Anglo American is a leading global mining company and our products are the essential ingredients in almost every aspect of modern life. Our portfolio of world-class competitive mining operations and undeveloped resources provides the metals and minerals that enable a cleaner, more electrified world and that meet the fast growing consumer-driven demands of the world's developed and maturing economies. With our people at the heart of our business, we use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine, process, move and market our products to our customers around the world - safely, responsibly and sustainably.

 

As a responsible miner - of diamonds (through De Beers), copper, platinum group metals, iron ore, coal and nickel - we are the custodians of what are precious natural resources. We work together with our business partners and diverse stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate, and for society as a whole. Anglo American is re-imagining mining to improve people's lives.

www.angloamerican.com

 

     

 

Legal Entity Identifier: 549300S9XF92D1X8ME43


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