Anglo American Platinum remains committed to the elimination of fatalities and reports zero fatalities in the period at managed operations.

The Company continues its record fatal-free period as a result of the commitment made by every employee to maintaining safety standards. The Total Recordable Case Frequency Rate ('TRCFR') per million hours at managed operations for the quarter improved 20% to 2.39 compared to 2.97 in the prior period.

PGM PRODUCTION

Total PGM production of 954,800 ounces decreased 7% (against prior period Q1 2019), with platinum production down 7% to 440,900 ounces and palladium production down 7% to 303,100 ounces. The impact of the shutdowns implemented by the Government of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) in response to curbing the outbreak of COVID-19 led to a loss of 61,000 PGM ounces in the quarter. Eskom load-shedding also impacted production, largely at Amandelbult, resulting in a loss of 8,300 PGM ounces.

PGM production from own managed mines

Total PGM production from own managed mines decreased 7% to 560,100 ounces (platinum production decreased by 6% to 257,500 ounces and palladium production decreased 7% to 204,500 ounces), largely due to the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Mogalakwena PGM production decreased 8% to 282,300 ounces (platinum decreased by 7% to 121,900 ounces and palladium production decreased by 9% to 128,700 ounces), primarily due to maintenance on the North concentrator mill which impacted tonnes milled, as well as the impact from COVID-19 shutdowns.

Amandelbult PGM production decreased 13% to 167,700 ounces (platinum and palladium production both decreased by 13%, to 85,500 ounces and 39,100 ounces respectively), due to Eskom load shedding power outages in January and February, as well as the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Mototolo PGM production increased by 6% to 61,200 ounces (platinum production increased by 5% to 28,300 ounces and palladium increased by 5% to 17,200 ounces), due to higher throughput and grade, despite the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns.

Unki PGM production increased 13% to 49,000 ounces (platinum production increased by 13% to 21,800 ounces and palladium production increased by 15% to 19,600 ounces), due to improved concentrator throughput and recovery supported by mining volume increases.

PGM production from joint ventures (50% own mined production and 50% purchase of concentrate)

Joint venture PGM production, decreased by 10% to 188,800 ounces (platinum production decreased by 11% to 83,800 ounces and palladium production decreased by 9% to 56,800 ounces). This was largely due to the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns.

In addition, due to the temporary closure of the ACP resulting in the declaration of force majeure to purchase of concentrate suppliers, it was agreed that 50% of the concentrate produced by Kroondal (a pool and share agreement) will be sold to, and processed by Sibanye-Stillwater for the duration of the force majeure period. As a result, Sibanye-Stillwater purchased and will market and sell material, equivalent to 12,000 PGM ounces in Q1.

Purchases of PGM concentrate from third parties

Purchase of PGM concentrate (POC) from third parties, decreased by 5% to 205,900 ounces (platinum POC decreased by 3% to 99,600 ounces and palladium POC decreased by 6% to 41,800 ounces), due to the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns, and the agreement that purchase of concentrate from Platinum Mile would be made by Sibanye-Stillwater for the duration of the force majeure period.

Refined PGM production

Refined PGM production, excluding tolling and 4E production now tolled, decreased by 22% to 612,200 ounces (refined platinum production decreased 34% to 240,300 ounces and refined palladium production decreased by 26% to 197,100 ounces). Refined production was largely impacted by the temporary closure of the ACP on 6 March 2020, to repair the Phase B unit, which led to a temporary increase in work-in-progress inventory.

ACP Repair

The ACP was temporarily closed on 6 March 2020 to secure a safe operating environment. Repairs started on Phase B unit, with most of the replacement equipment (i.e. waffle coolers) obtained from the undamaged waffle coolers in the Phase A unit or spares available in inventory. All procurement of additional equipment was from within South Africa, so no supply chain disruptions have been experienced.

The original estimated time for repairs was 80 days, with a completion date of around 25 May 2020. The ACP Phase B repairs were able to continue during the lockdown period in South Africa and are progressing well and on schedule. Repairs will be followed by significant testing to ensure stability and a safe operating environment before re-commissioning of the ACP.

PGM sales volumes

PGM sales volumes, excluding the impact of 4E toll treated material and trading, decreased 13% to 681,300 ounces, with platinum sales volumes down 33% to 239,900 ounces and palladium sales volumes down 14% to 222,500 ounces due to the decrease in refined production, supplemented by a drawdown in refined palladium inventory.

Contact:

Emma Chapman

Tel: +27 (0) 11 373 6239

Email: emma.chapman@angloamerican.com

Notes to editors

Anglo American Platinum Limited is a member of the Anglo American plc Group and is a leading primary producer of platinum group metals. The company is listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). Its mining, smelting and refining operations are based in South Africa. Elsewhere in the world, the Group owns Unki Platinum Mine in Zimbabwe. Anglo American Platinum has a number of joint ventures with several historically disadvantaged South African consortia as part of its commitment to the transformation of the mining industry. Anglo American Platinum is committed to the highest standards of safety and continues to make a meaningful and sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations.

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, nickel and manganese 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.

(C) 2020 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire