Sunrise Dam increased due to 4% higher mill throughput and a 15% increase in head grade as the large Dolly stope was brought into
production.
CORPORATE UPDATES
In December 2016, AngloGold Ashanti reported an improved production outlook at the Tropicana Gold Mine in Western Australia, based
on higher mining and processing rates along with a 45% increase in the mine’s Ore Reserve estimate. See the Mineral Resource and
Ore Reserve report that follows.
Chief Operating Officer - International
Ron Largent, who has had a distinguished career within AngloGold Ashanti since 1994 and more than 30 years’ experience in
international mining operations and project management, will be retiring with effect from 30 June 2017. During his period of service with
AngloGold Ashanti, Ron has filled a number of roles with distinction, ranging from his time as a mining manager and general manager
(both at Cripple Creek & Victor), to Executive Vice President of the Americas Region and finally -- since 2013 -- as Chief Operating
Officer: International. In this role Ron showed exceptional leadership in driving a range of improvements across our International
Portfolio at a critical time for the business. These improvements included, among others, a wide range of advances in safety,
development and retention of key personnel, enhancements to our sustainability performance, consistent delivery on production and
costs, reinforcement of capital discipline, and continual work necessary to uncover potential and value from our portfolio. Crucially, Ron
also oversaw a robust succession plan in anticipation of his retirement
.
We thank Ron Largent for the significant contributions he has made to the Group and wish him well in his retirement.
In line with the company’s succession plan and to ensure an orderly handover, Ludwig Eybers who has been in the role of Deputy
Chief Operating Officer International, has been appointed to succeed Ron as Chief Operating Officer: International. Ludwig has
been with the company for five years, and has led the remarkable turnaround across all aspects of our Continental Africa portfolio
since 2013. Ludwig, who has had extensive experience working across a number of international jurisdictions over a 25-year career,
has overseen an increase in productivity for the Continental Africa region, along with an improvement in safety. He has been
working very closely with Ron Largent on budgeting and business planning, as well as on the execution of Operational Excellence
initiatives and assumed safety, production, costs and project accountabilities from Ron during 2017. Ludwig will replace Ron on
AngloGold Ashanti’s group executive committee effective 22 February 2017 and will continue to work with Ron to complete the well
advanced transition.
Board of Directors
In accordance with paragraph 3.59 of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, AngloGold Ashanti wishes to inform shareholders
of changes to its board of directors (“the Board”) and Board committees.
Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu (73) has notified the Board of his intention to retire as an independent non-executive director at the
company’s forthcoming annual general meeting to be held on 16 May 2017, after eight years of distinguished service, and will thus not
stand for re-election on such date.
During his tenure, Professor Nkuhlu, a Chartered Accountant, was the deputy chairman of the Board and an invaluable member of its
Audit and Risk, Investment, Nominations, and Remuneration and Human Resources committees.
The Board wishes to thank Professor Nkuhlu for his significant contribution to the Company during his tenure and wishes him all the
very best on his retirement from the Board.
“We greatly value the insight, incisiveness and independence that Wiseman has brought to the Board of AngloGold Ashanti for close to
a decade,” Chairman Sipho Pityana said. “He has added value to the Board and the Company and we wish him well in any and all of his
future endeavours.”
In addition, on 2 December 2016 AngloGold Ashanti announced the appointment of Sindiswa Zilwa as an Independent Non-Executive
Director with effect from 1 April 2017.
Sindi Zilwa will be appointed as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Remuneration and Human Resources Committee and
Investment Committee, and Maria Richter will be appointed as a member of the Nominations Committee from May 2017.
OBUASI UPDATE
In early February 2016, following the incursion of hundreds of illegal miners inside the fenced area of the Obuasi mine site, AngloGold
Ashanti was forced to declare force majeure and, in the interests of safety, withdrew all employees performing non-essential functions.
At its peak, an estimated 12,000 illegal miners operated across the previously fenced-off area of the site. A directive to clear the site of
illegal mining by 10 October 2016 was given by the Minerals Commission which, along with a multi-stakeholder committee it
established, prepared alternative sites off the company lease for the miners to relocate to.
On 18 October 2016, the Security Task Force took the first concerted steps to start to restore safety and security at the Obuasi
concession.
At each step along the way, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana was at pains to petition authorities to ensure that the process of clearing illegal
mining activity from site should be done with the least amount of force and with full deference to the Voluntary Principles on Security
and Human Rights.
As of 13 February, 2017, all areas within our fenced operational area have been cleared of illegal miners, and all identified illegal mining
holes within the fence have been closed. Following a review of the safety, surface and underground conditions we have notified the
Ghanaian authorities that the circumstances that led to the declaration of force majeure no longer exist and as such lifted the force
majeure with effect from 13 February 2017.
Note, however, there remains further work to be undertaken in relation to the removal of the illegal mining activities outside of the
fenced area but within the Obuasi concession area. Only once that process is complete, and the feasibility study for the redevelopment
of the mine has been updated with the relevant information, will the company be in a position to outline its plans for Obuasi.
UPDATE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS
Mponeng project
The Phase 1 project is in the production build up phase. Infrastructure development on 123 level has progressed to schedule with four
raise lines holed in total during 2016. The construction of the capital infrastructure, execution of ore reserve development, as well as the
Preliminary Condensed Financial Information for the year ended 31 December 2016 - www.AngloGoldAshanti.com
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