2013. This improvement in costs was driven by efficiency gains and by stronger performances from key assets in the region. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the region showed improved costs, with production of 419,000oz at a total cash cost of $687/oz compared to 460,000oz at a total cash cost of $839/oz during the same quarter a year ago.
In Ghana, Iduapriem’s production was 177,000oz at a total cash cost of $865/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 221,000oz at a total cash cost of $861/oz for the year ended December 2013. The decline in production was a result of a 21% decrease in recovered grade in line with plans to mine less volume and process the ore tonnes accumulated on stockpiles. Total cash costshowever were maintained at $865/oz mainly as a result of productivity improvements. During the fourth quarter of 2014, Iduapriem’s production decreased to 40,000oz at a total cash cost of $976/oz compared to 67,000oz at a total cash cost of $966/oz during the same quarter of 2013. The decline in production and modest increase in costs for the quarter were a result of a 38% decrease in recoveredgrade due to the planned treatment of lower grade stockpiles and a 4% decrease in tonnage throughput.
Obuasi’s production was 243,000oz at a total cash cost of $1,086/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 239,000oz at atotal cash cost of $1,406/oz for the year ended December 2013. The improvement in production is attributable to an increase in surface tonnes processed partly offset by the initiation of the Amended Programme of Mining Operations (APMO) approved by the governmentof Ghana in November 2014, which saw the mine transition to limited operation phase by the end of the year. Due to the limited operational activity, costs declined, resulting in all-in sustaining costs of $1,374/oz, down 38% compared to the same period a year ago. During the fourth quarter of 2014, production was 48,000oz at a total cash cost of $999/oz compared to 63,000oz at a total cash cost of $1,354/oz during the same quarter a year ago.
In The Republic of Guinea, Siguiri’s production was 290,000oz at a total cash cost of $799/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 268,000oz at a total cash cost of $918/oz for the year ended December 2013. Production increased as a result of higher grade ore sources being accessed. Total cash costs were further aided by efficiency improvements, and improved by 13%. During thefourth quarter of 2014, production decreased to 68,000oz at a total cash cost of $884/oz compared to 75,000oz at a total cash cost of $844/oz during the same quarter a year ago. The decrease in the quarter’s production was a result of a planned 8% decrease in recovered grade due to the depletion of higher grade ore sources. Total cash costs consequently increased by 5% despite lower miningcost.
In Mali, production was 140,000oz at a total cash cost of $1,106/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 170,000oz at a total cash cost of $1,192/oz for the year ended December 2013. Morila’s production decreased by 23% as a result of a decrease inrecovered grade, due to treatment of lower grade mineralised waste tonnes, further impacted by a decrease in tonnes treated. Sadiola’s production decreased by 1% as a result of a decrease in recovered grade due to lower availability of higher grade oxide material, which was partly offset by an increase in tonnes treated. Total cash costs decreased due to a 63% decline in volume mined and as a result of further planned cost reductions having been achieved during the current year. At Yatela, production decreased in line with the cessationof mining activities and planned transition to closure. Costs decreased substantially based on a shared allocation of fixed overheads between the operating and closure activities.
In Tanzania, Geita’s production was 477,000oz at a total cash cost of $599/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 459,000oz at a total cash cost of $515/oz for the year ended December 2013. Production increased due to a 28% increase in tonnestreated, and the fact that tonnage throughput the previous year was impacted by replacement of the SAG mill. Total cash costs however increased by 16% largely as a result of utilisation of higher cost ore stockpiles. During the fourth quarter of 2014, production decreased to 144,000oz at a total cash cost of $429/oz compared to 154,000oz at a total cash cost of $543/oz during the same quarter a year ago. The decline in production was due to a 16% planned decrease in recovered grade compared to the same quarter in the previous yearwhich had benefited from the feed of higher grade ore tonnes from Nyankanga pit, partly offset by a 12% increase in tonnage throughput due to consistent mill running time and improved mill productivity. Total cash costs decreased by 21% primarily as a result of lower mining costs incurred during the quarter that were driven by efficiency improvements and the benefits of lower fuel costs.
In The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kibali’s production attributable to AngloGold Ashanti was 237,000oz at a total cash cost of $578/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 40,000oz at a total cash cost of $471/oz for the year ended December 2013.During the fourth quarter of 2014, production increased to 80,000oz at a total cash cost of $546/oz compared to 40,000oz at a total cash cost of $471/oz during the same quarter a year ago, the mine’s first full quarter in operation. Tonnes treated increased 106% with consistent plant operations following a full year of operations compared to the same quarter a year ago when the oxide plant wasundergoing commissioning.
In the Americas, production was 996,000oz at a total cash cost of $709/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 1.001Moz at a total cash cost of $671/oz for the year ended December 2013. The reduction in production was due to decreased production atCripple Creek & Victor and Serra Grande, while AngloGold Ashanti Córrego do Sítio Mineração (AGA Mineração) and at Cerro Vanguardia saw increased output. Cerro Vanguardia’s production for the 2014 year was the highest annual production of the operation in 11 years, mainly assisted by production from the heap leach. All-in sustaining costs were at $1,010/oz for the year ended December2014, compared to $970/oz achieved for the year ended December 2013. Costs were negatively affected by lower grades in most operations within the region. During the fourth quarter of 2014, production in the Americas increased to 280,000oz at a total cash cost of $677/oz compared to 262,000oz at a total cash cost of $634/oz during the same quarter a year ago.
Work continued on Project 500 initiatives. These were focused on developing efficiencies and production improvements, includingunderground mine design optimisation, extension of the operating life of tires, and optimisation and stabilisation of CIL and regeneration circuits.
In Brazil, production was 539,000oz at a total cash cost of $670/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 529,000oz at a total cash cost of $665/oz for the year ended December 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2014, production increased to 163,000oz at a total cash cost of $566/oz compared to 154,000oz at a total cash cost of $560/oz during the same quarter a year ago.
At AGA Mineração production was 403,000oz at a total cash cost of $644/oz for the year ended December 2014 compared to 391,000oz at a total cash cost of $646/oz for the year ended December 2013. The production was mainly driven by the strong
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Quarterly report December 2014 - www.AngloGoldAshanti.com