'000 tonnes Quarter

% change

Quarter % change
Q3 2015 Q3 2014 Q3 2015
vs
Q3 2014		 Q2 2015 Q3 2015
vs
Q2 2015
Total 10,807 10,188 6 13,081 (17)
- Export sales 9,847 9,059 9 11,733 (16)
- Domestic sales 960 1,129 (15) 1,348 (29)
Sishen mine 665 818 (19) 906 (27)
Thabazimbi mine 295 311 (5) 442 (33)

Sishen produced 7.7 million tonnes, a decrease of 17% due to a temporary lack of sufficient exposed high quality ore for blending purposes and adjustments to the mine plan and schedule as it transitions to the lower cost pit configuration.

Whilst further improvement is anticipated in Q4, 2015 production is now expected to be ~31mt (previous guidance 33mt). Waste mining activities are currently at ~230mtpa and are expected to be maintained at this rate for FY'2015 and FY'2016 to ensure adequate levels of exposed ore. This compares to previous guidance of ~200mtpa.

At Kolomela, the revised mining plans, including deferral of mining at one of three pits, were implemented. Efficiencies and throughput at the plant continued to improve resulting in production of 3.3mt for the quarter. Production for the year has been revised upwards to 12mt (previously 11mt) and, in order to ensure feed to the plants at this rate going forward, waste mining has been increased to 44-45mt from the previous guidance of 35-38mt.

In accordance with the closure plans for Thabazimbi, mining ceased at the end of September 2015 but some processing of previously mined material through the plant will continue until 2016.

Export sales of 9.8mt were achieved, an increase of 9%, due to improved rail and port operating performance.

Sales were 16% lower on the previous quarter as two derailments occurred on the Sishen-Saldanha line reducing railings to port by approximately1.6mt. The annual Transnet maintenance shutdown which is usually scheduled for August was therefore postponed to early October. Export sales are nevertheless still expected to be more than 43mt for the full year.

Total finished product stock was at 4.7mt as at 30 September 2015 compared with 6.5mt at year end.

The financial information on which the above forecast is based has not been reviewed and reported on by the company's external auditors.

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