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Anglo American

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Anglo American plc
20 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AN
England

Tel +44 (0)20 7968 8888
Fax +44 (0)20 7968 8500
Registered number 3564138

www.angloamerican.co.uk

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Annual Report 2009

 A strategy for 
 A strategy for 
 unlocking value
 unlocking value

 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report 2009

Our mission

Anglo American aims to be the 
leading global mining company 
– through world class assets in 
the most attractive commodities, 
operational excellence and a 
resolute commitment to safe 
and sustainable mining.

Find out more
Within this report we have included 
references to find out more information  
on certain sections, either within the  
report itself or online. 

For more information within  
this report

For more information online

Cover photo
Mantos Blancos in the Atacama 
Desert in Chile has been in 
operation for nearly 50 years. 
In 2009, the mine produced 
more than 90 kt of copper.

This page
Load haul trucks in the open pit 
at Los Bronces in Chile. The mine, 
which lies at 3,000-3,500 metres 
above sea level, and has extensive 
reserves, produced more than 
238 kt of copper in 2009.

02  Group overview
04  Highlights
06  Chairman’s statement
08  Chief executive’s statement

12  The investment of choice 
16  Key performance indicators (KPIs)
18  Performance against KPIs
28  Resources
30  Group financial performance
34  Platinum
38  Diamonds
42  Copper
46  Nickel
50 
54  Metallurgical Coal
58  Thermal Coal
62  Other Mining and Industrial
64  Principal risks and uncertainties

Iron Ore and Manganese

68  The Board
70  Executive management
71  Directors’ report
75  Corporate governance
80  Remuneration report
91 

 Independent remuneration  
report review
 Statement of directors’  
responsibilities

92 

Independent auditors’ report

94  Responsibility statements
95 
96  Principal statements
 100  Notes to the financial statements

148  Introduction
149  Platinum
152  Copper
155  Nickel
156  Niobium and Phosphate products
157  Zinc
159  Iron Ore
161  Manganese
162  Coal

 Exchange rates and commodity prices

171  Production statistics
178 
179  Key financial data
181  Summary by business operation
182  Reconciliation of earnings by segment
183  Reconciliation of reported earnings
184  The business – an overview
187  Shareholder information
188  Other Anglo American publications

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

01

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About Anglo American

Our mission

Group overview

Rio de Janeiro

São Paulo

Santiago

For more information, see pages 34-63

For more information, visit  
www.angloamerican.co.uk

Key

 Corporate and representative offices
  Platinum
  Diamonds
  Copper
  Nickel
  Iron Ore and Manganese
  Metallurgical Coal
  Thermal Coal
  Other Mining and Industrial

In addition to its operations, 
Anglo American’s exploration  
activities and projects cover  
many parts of the globe. 

Since 2002...

2002 Anglo Base Metals 
acquires the Disputada 
copper operations in 
Chile from Exxon Mobil.

2006 Restructuring of Kumba Resources to 
separately list Kumba Iron Ore (with Anglo 
American holding 64%) and Exxaro, which 
became South Africa’s largest black economic 
empowered (BEE) natural resource company.

2007 Demerger of Mondi sees Anglo 
American’s former paper and packaging 
business become a dual-listed company 
in London and Johannesburg.

2003 Anglo American 
acquires a major stake 
in Kumba Resources.

2006 Shareholding 
in AngloGold Ashanti 
reduced from 51% to 42%.

2007 Cynthia Carroll 
appointed chief executive 
in March.

02

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

London

Luxembourg

Beijing

New Delhi

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São Paulo

Johannesburg

Brisbane

Precious

Platinum

 Base

Copper

Bulk

Iron Ore and Manganese

Thermal Coal

Business profile
•	

The world’s leading primary producer 
of platinum, accounting for around 
40% of newly mined platinum output
Operations based in South Africa

•	

Business profile
•	

Six operations in Chile account for 
the majority of current copper output
Significant future growth from 
approved expansion at Los Bronces

•	

Business profile
•	

Comprises operations in South Africa, 
Brazil and Australia
Minas Rio project to begin production 
of high grade pellet feed in 2012

•	

Product details
•	

•	

Primarily used in autocatalysts 
and jewellery
Also employed in chemical, electrical, 
electronic, glass and petroleum 
industries and medical applications

Product details
•	

•	

Used mainly in wire and cable, brass, 
tubing and pipes
Copper’s thermal conductivity also 
makes it suitable for use in heat 
transfer applications such as air 
conditioning and refrigeration

Product details
•	

•	

Key component in steel, the most 
widely used of all metals
Global steel consumption forecast 
to grow in excess of 5% pa over 
the next 3 years

Business profile
•	

•	

Thermal Coal operations managed  
out of South Africa
Coal is exported from South Africa, 
South America and Australia  
throughout the Med-Atlantic and  
Indo-Pacific markets

Product details
•	

About 40% of all electricity generated 
globally is powered by thermal coal
About 5.8 billion tonnes of hard coal 
are produced globally each year

•	

Diamonds

Nickel

Metallurgical Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Business profile
•	
•	

Anglo American owns 45% of De Beers
De Beers produces about 40% of the 
world’s diamonds by value and is the 
world’s largest supplier and marketer 
of rough gem diamonds

Product details
•	

The most important diamond jewellery 
market is the United States, followed 
by China and Japan
Some stones are used for industrial 
purposes such as cutting and drilling

•	

Business profile
•	
•	

Major operations in Brazil and Venezuela
Barro Alto project in Brazil is expected 
to more than double nickel production 
by 2012

Business profile
•	

Metallurgical Coal operations managed 
out of Australia
Project pipeline includes more than 
20 mining prospects

•	

Product details
•	

•	

About 60% of all nickel is used in 
the production of stainless steel
Around 25% is used to make other 
types of steel and for super-alloys, 
which can withstand extreme 
temperatures

Product details
•	

Key raw material for 70% of the 
world’s steel industry
Demand driven by economic, industrial 
and steel growth

•	

Business profile
•	

Assets include: Tarmac, the Group’s 
portfolio of zinc assets, Scaw Metals, 
Copebrás, Catalão, Peace River 
Coal  and the Group’s share in the 
Carbones del Guasare coal assets
Accounted for approximately 
13% of 2009 Group EBITDA
Preparatory work for the separation 
of these businesses has commenced

•	

•	

2007 Purchase of a 49% 
stake in the Minas Rio iron 
ore project in Brazil.

2007 Acquisition of the 
Michiquillay copper project 
in northern Peru.

2008 Anglo American 
acquires control of the Minas 
Rio iron ore project.

2009 Major restructuring of 
the Group to further focus on 
core commodities and improve 
operational delivery.

2007 Cynthia Carroll 

appointed chief executive 

in March.

2007 Disposal of remaining 
29% holding in Highveld 
Steel and Vanadium.

2008 Acquisition of a 70% 
interest in the Foxleigh coal 
mine in Australia.

2009 Anglo American sells 
its remaining shareholding 
in AngloGold Ashanti.

2009 Anglo American 
achieves record safety 
performance.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

03

 
 
About Anglo American

Highlights

A strategy for 
unlocking value

For more information, see page 12

 > Delivering operational efficiencies

 >

Asset optimisation and procurement delivered more than 
$1.6 billion of benefits in 2009 ($1.4 billion from core 
operations), exceeding target

 >

Asset optimisation and procurement target of $2 billion now 
to be delivered from core businesses alone by 2011

 >

Anglo Platinum – significant restructuring achieved, flat cash 
operating costs target met, 3 high cost shafts on care and 
maintenance, labour productivity up 21% in 2 years

 >

Significant cash cost reduction of $712 million (5%) and 
productivity improvements achieved across the Group – 
headcount reduced by 23,400

 >

Creating a more effective, focused business
 >

Major Group reorganisation completed, creating new 
generation of leadership within a leaner, more effective 
structure

 >

Board strengthened and refreshed – new chairman and  
3 new non-executive directors to bring further mining, 
commercial and financial expertise

 >

Divestment programme under way – running businesses to 
maximise value; sales of Tarmac’s European aggregates and 
Polish concrete products businesses agreed with expected 
proceeds of approximately $400 million; Zinc sale process 
initiated with significant buyer interest

 >

Clear strategy driving targeted, high quality 
growth of selected commodities
 >

$17 billion of approved projects in most attractive commodities 
to drive organic production growth of more than one third 
by 2013 – copper to grow by 33%; iron ore by 82%; nickel 
by 139%

 >

Development of four key strategic projects on track – Minas 
Rio, Los Bronces, Barro Alto and Kolomela (Sishen South)

 >

New growth projects: Quellaveco (copper) and Grosvenor 
(metallurgical coal) – first stage approvals expected in 2010

04

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Operating profit
(2008: $10.1 bn)

$5.0 bn

Underlying earnings 
(2008: $5.2 bn)

$2.6 bn

Underlying earnings per share
(2008: $4.36)

$2.14

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Capital expenditure
$ bn

Dividends per share
Cents

Underlying earnings per share
$

Interim

Final

Special

Excludes discontinued operations

5.1

4.6

4.1

3.7

3.3

86

75

67

62

44

38

33
28

33

4.40
4.18

4.36

3.73
3.42

2.58
2.30

2.14

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08

09

2009 operating profit by business unit
$ million

Precious

Base

Bulk

Other Mining and Industrial

Platinum
Diamonds

Copper
Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese
Metallurgical Coal
Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

2,010

1,489

Operating profit includes share of associates’ operating 
profit (before share of associates’ tax, finance charges 
and minority interests) and is before special items and 
remeasurements, unless otherwise stated. See notes 
2 and 3 to the financial statements for operating profit 
on a total Group basis. For definition of special items and 
remeasurements, see note 7 to the financial statements. 
See note 12 to the financial statements for basis of 
calculation of underlying earnings.

Operations considered core to the Group are Platinum, 
Diamonds, Copper, Nickel, Iron Ore and Manganese, 
Metallurgical Coal and Thermal Coal.

Unless otherwise stated, ‘tonnes’ are metric tons, 
‘Mt’ denotes million tonnes, ‘kt’ denotes thousand 
tonnes and ‘koz’ denotes thousand ounces. 

Unless otherwise stated, ‘$’ and ‘dollars’ denote  
US dollars and ‘cents’ denotes US cents.

721

451

506

32

64

2

For more information on our business 
unit performance, see pages 34 to 63

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

05

 
 
About Anglo American

Chairman’s statement 

Delivering on  
our commitments

We are committed 
to key projects 
to maximise our 
long term returns.

Sir John Parker
Chairman, appointed August 2009

Career in brief

1964   Joins the ship design team 

2002   Appointed chairman of National 

at Harland & Wolff as a naval  
architect and engineer

Grid Transco when the Lattice 
Group and National Grid merge.

 Becomes chairman of RMC Group, 
Aggregates and Cement. He is 
also knighted for services to 
the defence and shipbuilding 
industries

2004   Appointed Chair of the Court  
of the Bank of England

2005   Appointed chairman of P&O, 

leading the sale to Dubai’s  
DP World

2009   Joins Anglo American as chairman

1978   Joins the board of British 
Shipbuilders Corporation

1983   Returns to Harland & Wolff as 
chairman and chief executive,  
leading a transfer from the  
public to the private sector

1986   Joins British Coal Corporation  
as a non-executive director

1993   Joins Babcock International  

as CEO (becoming chairman  
the following year) 

1997   Becomes a non-executive director 
of British Gas, which leads to him 
becoming chairman of the Lattice 
Group when it demerges from 
BG Group

06

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
A world class combination 
of resources and people
In this, my first year as chairman of 
Anglo American, I am pleased to report on a 
very creditable overall performance during 
an extremely volatile year in our markets. 
Your company is in very good shape to meet 
the challenges ahead: we have a formidable 
portfolio of top quality assets and projects, 
we are a more fit for purpose and lean 
organisation, our business is adequately 
funded, our Board has been refreshed and 
we are enthusiastically executing our clear 
strategy for delivering value. 

In my first few months, I have travelled extensively 
around the Group. I have been impressed not 
only by Anglo American’s asset quality but also 
by the professionalism of its people. We have 
a top class team, with an unparalleled record 
of innovation and leadership in exploration, in 
engineering, and in mining operations.

A clear strategy for delivering value
In 2009, we increasingly reaped the benefit 
from initiatives we put in place to create greater 
shareholder value. An important element is our 
asset optimisation programme, which aims to 
unlock value from existing assets and achieve 
operational excellence through ongoing cost 
and productivity improvements.

Another significant initiative is a streamlined 
supply chain in order to capitalise on the scale of 
the Group and to deliver cost savings by forming 
strategic global partnerships with key suppliers.

Furthermore, a far-reaching and bold restructuring 
of the Group has enabled it to become a more 
effective organisation. The new operating model 
is designed to make Anglo American nimble, 
lean and fit to execute our business strategy.

All these actions in combination have led to 
a new sense of purpose for our Group. We are 
now very clear on our strategic priorities. We 
are focused on those commodities we consider 
will give Anglo American the best mix for the 
future, we know where we are headed, and 
we are well positioned for the next commodity 
upcycle and beyond.

Safety
No company can ever be ranked as truly great 
if it has an unsatisfactory safety record. As your 
new chairman, I would like to state categorically 
that safety will have my unremitting attention 
as it has always been my number one agenda 
item. My philosophy is that the people who 
come to work for you each day have the right 
to return home safe to their families each night.

It is encouraging to report that Anglo American 
is making further inroads in improving its safety 
performance. In 2009, there was another 
significant decline in the number of people 
who lost their lives on company business, 
accompanied by a similar downward trend in 
lost-time injuries. Over the past three years, 
under Cynthia Carroll’s leadership, the number 
of fatalities has been reduced by nearly 60% 
– a most encouraging development – but we 
remain intent on a zero-injuries objective.

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Sustainable development
Operating our businesses in a socially and 
environmentally responsible way, and earning 
and deserving trust, are fundamental to our 
licence to operate and to delivering long term 
value to our investors.

Our commitment to excellence in this field is 
not a function of the economic cycle. Indeed, 
in difficult economic times the responsibility 
on us to demonstrate that we are a consistent, 
supportive partner for sustainable development 
is all the greater.

We continued to integrate sustainable 
development into our business processes in 
2009. We launched two major policies: the 
Anglo Environment Way, and the Anglo Social 
Way, which establish demanding environmental 
and social management standards. We assessed 
our social performance against the standards in 
the Social Way at the end of 2009, identifying 
many examples of best practice but also some 
gaps which we aim to close in 2010.

We also launched a new version of our 
Good Citizenship Business Principles – our 
corporate code of conduct. Alongside a greater 
focus on environmental issues, this emphasises 
an increased commitment to our already 
extensive programmes on HIV/AIDS treatment 
as well as to diversity and family life.

It also strengthens our stance against corruption: 
in 2009 we developed a comprehensive 
Business Integrity Policy, accompanied by 
detailed anti-corruption Performance Standards. 
This will be rolled out through the business 
in 2010.

Climate change took centre stage at the end 
of 2009. Although the Copenhagen Accord fell 
short of expectations, we remain committed – 
as both a major consumer of energy and a major 
coal producer – to minimise our own carbon 
emissions, play a proactive role in the ongoing 
international debate, and work to develop our 
technological response. An example of this is 
our investment in methane capture in Australia, 
where we have helped develop two mine gas 
power stations, which together will reduce 
carbon dioxide emissions by around 2.3 Mtpa.

More broadly, Anglo American continues 
to support leading international initiatives 
to promote responsible corporate activity. 
We remain committed to the United Nations 
Global Compact and the Extractives Industry 
Transparency Initiative, and have been pleased 
to see the latter steadily gain traction. We 
continue to support the Investment Climate 
Facility for Africa, to which we have contributed 
$1.5 million to date. We are also actively 
engaged in discussions around the review of the 
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 
and continue to play an active role in support 
of the Voluntary Principles on Security and 
Human Rights.

Outlook
The world economy has recovered after the 
severe recession of late 2008 and early 2009. 
Unprecedented policy stimulus and, more 
recently, a turn in the inventory cycle have 
contributed to the upturn. In the major advanced 
economies there are some significant headwinds 
that will probably restrain growth in 2010 and 
2011. Financial systems are fragile, households 
and companies are rebuilding balance sheets, 
and policymakers are under pressure to withdraw 
extreme stimulus measures. Prospects are much 
brighter in the major emerging economies. China 
and India are growing strongly as increases in 
infrastructure spending have offset the weakness 
of export markets. While policymakers will 
probably seek to curb overheating risks, longer 
term economic fundamentals remain sound. 
Economic growth in the emerging economies 
will continue to outpace that in the advanced 
economies over the next decade.

Refreshing the Board
I believe it is the Board’s job to set the drumbeat 
for the business by owning the strategy, 
empowering management to execute it, and 
hold them accountable for delivery. Thus, the 
Board needs to be fit for purpose, with the right 
range of skill sets to be capable of tackling any 
issue that comes through the boardroom door.

It is against that background that I welcome 
Sir Philip Hampton, with his wealth of 
financial, strategic and boardroom experience; 
Jack Thompson, a lifelong successful mining 
executive; and Ray O’Rourke, who has spent 
a lifetime of achievement in large scale 
complex construction projects.

I would also like to take this opportunity to 
thank Sir Rob Margetts, Chris Fay and Fred 
Phaswana for the valuable contributions they 
have made over the years to the success of 
Anglo American. I also wish to pay tribute 
to Karel Van Miert, who passed away in June 
last year. He is greatly missed.

My final words go to my predecessor,  
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart. He achieved so  
much in his nearly seven years as chairman 
to embed sustainability and good corporate 
governance, both in our own business and in  
the global arena.

On behalf of the Board, I wish all of those 
stepping down a long and active retirement. 
I also wish to thank all our employees and 
pay tribute to their dedication and their 
loyalty to Anglo American.

Dividend
The resumption of the dividend at the earliest 
possible time remains a key priority for the 
Board. Assuming that the commodity price 
environment and outlook continue to improve 
and the business performance remains robust, 
the Board would expect to be able to announce 
the resumption of a dividend in respect of the 
current financial year.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

07

Sir John Parker

Chairman

 
 
 
About Anglo American

Chief executive’s statement

Aligning the  
organisation  
with our strategy

Cynthia Carroll

Group Finance Director 
René Médori 
(UK)

Group Director  
of Mining and Technology
Brian Beamish (UK)

Group Director of Business  
Performance and Projects
David Weston (UK)

Group Director of  
HR and Communications
Mervyn Walker (UK)

Group Director Strategy and 
Business Development
Peter Whitcutt (UK)

New Executive Committee

Chief Executive
Cynthia Carroll

Anglo Platinum
CEO 
Neville Nicolau 
(South Africa)

Copper
CEO  
John MacKenzie 
(Chile)

Nickel
CEO 
Walter De Simoni 
(Brazil)

Kumba Iron Ore
CEO 
Chris Griffith 
(South Africa)

Iron Ore Brazil
CEO 
Stephan Weber 
(Brazil)

Metallurgical Coal
CEO  
Seamus French  
(Australia)

Thermal Coal
CEO 
Norman Mbazima 
(South Africa)

Other Mining  
and Industrial
Group Director 
Duncan Wanblad 
(UK)

Corporate Finance | Finance and Performance Management | Tax | Treasury | Investor Relations | Information Management | Legal | Internal Audit | Company Secretarial 
Global Shared Services | Procurement

Technical Services | Exploration | Research and Development | Business Support – Platinum, Copper and Nickel

Asset Optimisation | Project Management | Commercial Co-ordination | Safety and Sustainable Development | Energy | Business Support – Iron Ore, Metallurgical Coal and Thermal Coal

Human Resources | Organisational Transformation | Communications | Government Relations

Group Strategy | Business Development

08

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aligning the  

organisation  

with our strategy

Delivering operational 
efficiencies

Cash cost reduction in 2009

$712 million

Asset optimisation and procurement target to be 
delivered by 2011 from core operations alone

$2 billion

Anglo American is 
now a more focused 
and performance 
oriented international 
mining company.

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Financial performance
2009 was another extraordinary year for the 
mining industry and one of great change and 
significant delivery for Anglo American. The 
early part of the year saw a continuation of the 
very considerable global economic uncertainty 
that engulfed the world in late 2008, though I 
am pleased to report that the decisive measures 
we put in place to position the Group through 
the downturn were certainly effective. As the 
year progressed, varying degrees of confidence 
returned to the world markets and the prices 
of many commodities increased steadily in line 
with demand recovery, continuing to be driven 
principally by the emerging economies of China 
and India.

Against what has been an unpredictable 
economic background, Anglo American delivered 
a solid operating performance, with operating 
profit of $5.0 billion and underlying earnings of 
$2.6 billion, with strong performances across 
our businesses.

Profit attributable to equity shareholders 
at $2.4 billion was 55% lower, reflecting 
our trading performance, and includes the 
$1.1 billion gain on the disposal of our residual 
shares in AngloGold Ashanti and the $1.5 billion 
(after tax and minority interest) impairment 
of Amapá.

Delivering value through 
operational excellence
Anglo American is now a more focused and 
performance oriented international mining 
company. We have a clear strategy in place 
and are driving harder than ever in pursuit of 
our ambition of being the investment, partner 
and employer of choice in the mining industry.

In 2009, we made significant progress on several 
fronts, delivering on and exceeding our targets 
– achieving a step change in safety performance, 
restructuring the Group and laying the foundation 
for significant cultural change, while continuing 
our highly successful cost and efficiency 
initiatives, taking Anglo American into a new, 
more dynamic era of value delivery.

In October, we announced a major corporate 
reorganisation to ensure delivery of a clear 
corporate strategy, to create a more streamlined 
and efficient management structure and further 
focus the Group on its core mining businesses. 
Through our redesign of the Group’s structure, 
we have created seven focused commodity 
businesses, with their management teams 
located in the area of core geographic focus for 
each commodity, responsible for operational 
performance and project delivery. The rationalised 
corporate centre will be responsible for providing 
strategic support to the businesses and will be 
focused on delivering synergies, technology and 
business performance. We have worked quickly 
to implement these new structures and we expect 
full implementation by the end of the first quarter 
of 2010, with associated annualised cost savings 
of approximately $120 million. Taken together with 
our overall Group restructuring and efficiency 
initiatives, this has resulted in a reduction of 
our total headcount of 23,400* during 2009.

Two areas of synergy where we are continuing 
to deliver clear and substantial value are in 
our asset optimisation and global procurement 
programmes. We are now well advanced 
towards delivering our stated combined target 
of $2 billion of uplift in 2011, generating 
more than $1.6 billion in 2009, ahead of 
expectations. Based on our excellent progress 
to date, we now expect to achieve our $2 billion 
asset optimisation and procurement targets from 
our core businesses alone on the same timeline.

Cost control continues to be a major focus for 
Anglo American. Anglo Platinum has a clear 
strategy to move the cost position of its 
operations to the first and second quartile 
while, in 2009, it achieved flat cash operating 
unit costs and significant further productivity 
improvements. Furthermore, following a full 
restructuring of the operations at Rustenburg 
and Amandelbult to enable greater operational 
control and flexibility, the company has removed 
140 koz (annualised) of high cost production by 
placing three shafts on care and maintenance. 
We have delivered cost reductions across the 
Group, most notably at our Diamonds and 
Metallurgical Coal businesses.

*  Headcount reduction includes contractors and 100%  

of De Beers.

Asset optimisation(1)
Sustainable operating profit improvements

Procurement(2)
Cost savings (opex and capex)

Total Group (excl. Tarmac)

Core businesses

Total Group (excl. Tarmac)

Core businesses

FY 09 target

Revised FY 2011 target

FY 09 target

Revised FY 2011 target

FY 2009
$863 m

.......... . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......

Revised FY 2011
target $1,000 m

Core
$749 m

FY 2009 target
$700 m

H1 2009
$335 m

Core
$279 m

$m

1,000

800

600

400

200

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F

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0
2

Y
F

1
1
0
2

Y
F

Notes:
1. Excludes one-off benefits of $209 million and Tarmac $86 million
2. Excludes Tarmac $16 million

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

$m

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

.

.............................. . . . .

Core
$445 m

FY 2009 target
$330 m

FY 2009
$510 m

H1 2009
$131 m

Core
$99 m

9
0
0
2
1
H

9
0
0
2

Y
F

0
1
0
2

Y
F

.

.

.

.

. . . . . . . . ..

.
Revised FY 2011 
target $1,000 m

1
1
0
2

Y
F

09

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
About Anglo American

Chief executive’s statement 
continued 

Health
We have been dedicated to the issue of  
HIV and AIDS since the 1990s – 94% of 
permanent workers have been tested for 
HIV since the programme began – and in 
2008 we extended our policy commitment 
to include the dependants of all our employees. 
Our pioneering work was recognised in 2009 
by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, 
Tuberculosis and Malaria, awarding the Business 
Excellence Award for Best Workplace Programme 
to our South African coal business for their 
ground breaking work.

Outlook
The medium and long term outlook for the 
mining industry remains strong. Demand for 
commodities is expected to remain robust with 
the continuing shift in the pattern of economic 
growth towards fast-growing emerging 
economies. In order to sustain its growth 
potential, we anticipate that China will continue 
to upgrade and develop its infrastructure, while 
the longer term potential of India and Brazil 
is expected to provide further support. These 
economies also have the greatest scope for 
strong consumer spending growth, the principal 
long term demand driver for platinum group 
metals and diamonds.

In 2009, huge policy stimulus and a turn 
in the inventory cycle drove the rebound in 
industrial activity. In 2010, the positive effects 
of these factors are likely to start to fade. 
The economic headwinds are most noticeable 
in the advanced economies, where continuing 
balance sheet repair will constrain demand 
prospects. However, the outlook for the 
emerging economies is much brighter. China and 
India are likely to grow strongly, though 
the potential for setbacks remains as a weak 
external environment combines with 
intensifying domestic inflation pressures.

Cynthia Carroll

Chief executive

Anglo American has provided strong support 
to the recapitalisations of both Anglo Platinum 
and De Beers, positioning them to take full 
advantage of economic recovery and the 
delivery of their long term growth prospects 
as respective industry leaders.

We also made excellent progress during 2009 
disposing of other interests. As we reported at 
the half year, Anglo American disposed of its 
residual shareholding in AngloGold Ashanti in 
the first quarter and in Hulamin and Tongaat 
Hulett in July and August respectively, 
generating total proceeds of $2.4 billion.

During the first quarter of 2010, Anglo American 
agreed the sale of Tarmac’s aggregates 
businesses in France, Germany, Poland and the 
Czech Republic and its Polish concrete products 
business, with expected total proceeds of 
approximately $400 million.

Driving targeted, high  
quality growth
Anglo American has a clear strategy of deploying 
capital in those commodities that deliver 
long term, through-the-cycle returns for our 
shareholders, which have strong fundamentals 
and have the most attractive risk-return 
profiles. We have developed a portfolio of 
world class, low cost, long life operating assets 
and growth projects focused on those most 
structurally attractive commodities.

Our decision to continue the development of 
several of our key strategic growth projects 
during the economic downturn positions us to 
capitalise on the next phase of global economic 
growth and to deliver our projected organic 
production growth of over one third by 2013.

Four major projects – the Minas Rio iron ore 
project and the Barro Alto nickel project, both 
in Brazil, the Los Bronces copper expansion 
project in Chile and the Kolomela (previously 
Sishen South) iron ore project in South Africa  
– are all well placed on their respective industry 
cost curves, have long resource lives, further 
expansion potential and are on track to enter 
production, some from next year onwards, in 
what we expect to be a growing commodity 
demand environment.

We will be driving forward these and other 
projects during 2010, investing $4.2 billion 
in projects out of a total planned capital 
expenditure investment of $6.0 billion for 
the year. We are also modernising our project 
management processes and standards to 
ensure they not only capture lessons from 
previous projects but that they provide us with 
world class tools for the future allocation of 
capital and control of major projects.

Safety
We have continued to deliver further reductions 
in lost time injuries and fatalities by taking a 
more focused, risk based approach and driving 
implementation and compliance with the Fatal 
Risk Standards for the top five safety risks 
across the business. 

Anglo American’s safety record when I joined 
the Group was unacceptable. Our lost time 
injury frequency rate (LTIFR) is now 27% lower 
than in 2008 and shows a 52% like-for-like 
improvement since 2006. We are also encouraged 
by the continuing reduction in fatalities and, 
while still unacceptable until we reach zero, 
these are now 32% fewer than 2008 and nearly 
60% fewer than 2006. Regrettably, however, 
19 people lost their lives while on company 
business in 2009. The majority of our sites 
operate without any fatalities – 92% during 
2009, and we have many examples of 
exceptional safety performance. At Kumba Iron 
Ore, for example, Thabazimbi has achieved two 
years LTI-free; our base metals businesses were 
fatality free for the first time since 2005 and 
Iron Ore Brazil delivered a 98% improvement in 
its LTIFR. In January 2010, Anglo Platinum also 
achieved a significant milestone of operating 
for four consecutive months without a fatal 
incident – a first for the company.

Sustainable development
Our sustainable development agenda 
progressed on several fronts during the year, 
including ensuring that our foundations for 
effective water management are aligned and 
in place across all of our operations. These 
systems, processes and tools are essential 
for the delivery of our Group’s water strategy 
and to identify opportunities for managing 
and utilising water more effectively in the 
communities and catchment areas where 
we operate.

We launched the Anglo Environment Way 
(AEW) in March 2009, which sets out a 
consistent approach to responsible 
environmental management, supporting our 
vision for minimising harm to the environment 
by designing, operating and closing all of our 
operations in an environmentally responsible 
manner. Our Mine Closure Toolbox, a world 
leading approach, supports delivery against 
the AEW standards and is currently being used 
in more than 30 operations in South America, 
South Africa, Namibia and Europe. 

There were 13 biodiversity peer reviews 
conducted during 2009, four in conjunction 
with Flora and Fauna International as part of 
our global strategic partnership. Given the 
increasingly energy intensive nature of our 
operations, our efforts to improve energy 
efficiency continue to be a major focus.

10

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

1

2

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3

1   Diamond sorters in the new 
Debswana sorting facility in 
Gaborone, Botswana.

2   Two of Sishen Mine’s custom-built 
254 t capacity haul trucks being 
assembled on site. The new model 
truck was developed jointly over 
a five year period by Kumba and 
Komatsu.

3   Relobohile Tsiame (left) and 

Mbonelwa Mafikwana are mining 
operators at Thermal Coal’s 
Goedehoop colliery in South Africa.

In 2009, we achieved a year on year 
reduction of 27% in the lost time injury 
frequency rate at our operations. 

LTIFR
(2008: 1.04)

0.76

Percentage of employees 
undertaking voluntary counselling 
and testing for HIV/AIDS
(2008: 77%)

82%

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

11

 
 
  
Operating and financial review

The investment of choice

Clear strategic 
priorities

1

12

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009
Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

1   A field officer receiving camp 
supplies at the Los Sulfatos 
exploration site, close to the 
Los Bronces copper mine in Chile, 
at an altitude of between 4,000 and 
4,500 metres above sea level.

2   At Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena 
open pit in South Africa, a water 
cannon suppresses dust during 
ore loading operations.

2

Anglo American is one of the world’s largest 
diversified mining groups, producing precious, 
base and bulk commodities and operating 
predominantly in southern Africa, Australia, 
Brazil and Chile. 

Anglo American’s ambition is ‘to be the leading 
global mining company’ – the investment, 
partner and employer of choice.

The most attractive commodities
In order to realise its ambition of being the 
investment of choice, Anglo American has a 
clear strategy of deploying its capital in those 
commodities that deliver superior long term, 
through-the-cycle returns for its shareholders.

The Company has identified copper, diamonds, 
iron ore, metallurgical coal, nickel, platinum 
and thermal coal as having the most attractive 
fundamentals.

In many of these commodities, Anglo American 
has a leading position, such as in platinum and 
diamonds, where the Group is the clear world 
leader, and iron ore and metallurgical coal, in 
which it is expanding its market share.

Anglo American is also focused on those 
commodities most leveraged to demand growth 
in the emerging economies, in particular China, 
Brazil and India.

China, which continues to be the great driver of 
growth in mining and metals, still has relatively 
low per capita consumption levels, as well 
as a structural deficit in such commodities, 
particularly iron ore, copper and the platinum 
group metals – while in 2009 the country 
became a net importer of both thermal and 
metallurgical coal for the first time. Meanwhile, 
India, the world’s second most populous nation, 
is likely to have a growth rate approaching 
double digits in 2010 as manufacturing 
industries and infrastructure investment 
become major parts of its expanding economy, 
thus boosting demand for natural resources.

A world class asset portfolio
Anglo American has a world class asset 
portfolio with an extensive resource base 
that is complemented by brownfield expansions 
and a strong pipeline of approved projects.

 >

It owns many Tier 1* assets, being among the 
largest and highest quality producing mines of 
their respective commodities, characterised 
by economies of scale, expandable resource 
bases and attractive industry cost positions.

 >

Anglo American’s extensive resource base 
is expected to continue to deliver attractive 
growth options from mine life extensions, 
brownfield expansions and greenfield projects. 
Across its core mining portfolio, the Group’s 
mines have sufficient resources to support 
current production levels for at least 20 years.

 >

Many of Anglo American’s operations produce 
high quality products. For example, Sishen 
produces one of the best quality iron ore 
lump products globally. Minas Rio’s high iron 
content (>68%) and low levels of impurities 
mean that it will produce the highest quality 
pellet feed ore in the market. Anglo American 
also has a strong presence in all major 
seaborne metallurgical coal products, with 
more than 60% of production being premium 
hard coking coal.

 >

Furthermore, Anglo American’s attractive cost 
curve position allows for more stable production 
and sustainable margins, thus enhancing 
Anglo American’s profitability through the 
cycle in its core commodity markets.

O
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*  A Tier 1 asset is defined as a large, expandable,  

long life (>20 years) mine with favourable mineralogy  
and geographic location and in the lower half of the  
cost curve.

China’s share of world production and consumption
(2009E–2013E Aggregate)

Bulk commodities1

Production share

Consumption share

Consumption rank

Iron ore

Manganese3

Metallurgical coal

Thermal coal

0%

0%

55%

42%

1%

4%

5%

6%

#1

#1

#5

#5

Exchange traded commodities2

Production share

Consumption share

Consumption rank

Platinum3

Copper

Nickel

Zinc

0%

20%

6%

5%

29%

28%

25%

35%

#1

#1

#1

#1

Notes:
1. Iron ore represents share of world traded market (predominantly seaborne); thermal and metallurgical coal represent

share of internationally traded market; manganese represents share of seaborne export market

2. Nickel, copper and zinc represent share of world mined product markets
3. Platinum and manganese data for 2008
Source: AME, Johnson Matthey (platinum) and International Institute (manganese) for production and consumption data

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

The investment of choice 
continued

At the Minas Rio project’s port 
of Açu on the Atlantic coast, a 
300 tonne Cantitraveller crane 
is engaged in incrementally 
launching the port jetty which, 
on completion, will be 2.9 km in 
length, including 400 m on land.

Anglo American has a leading  
position in attractive commodities.

14

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Unlocking further value  
from the portfolio
In 2009, further initiatives were put in train to 
drive shareholder value. An important element 
is the Group’s asset optimisation programme 
which aims to unlock value from existing assets 
and achieve project delivery excellence through 
ongoing cost and productivity improvements.

Another significant initiative has been the 
formation of a streamlined supply chain in 
order to capitalise on the scale of the Group 
and to deliver cost savings by forming strategic 
global partnerships with key suppliers. Already 
in 2009, the Group’s asset optimisation and 
procurement programmes have delivered more 
than $1.6 billion ($1.4 billion from core 
operations) of benefits, ahead of expectations. 
The $2 billion asset optimisation and procurement 
targets are expected to be reached from core 
operations alone by 2011.

To ensure delivery of the sustainable growth 
required from Anglo American’s portfolio and to 
achieve the efficiencies and performance required 
to outperform its competitors, a far-reaching 
restructuring of the Group was announced at 
the end of 2009. This has enabled it to become 
a more effective, efficient and agile organisation, 
with increased clarity over decision making and 
greater speed of implementation.

The new structure creates a focus on operational 
performance and project delivery through seven 
business units focused on the core commodities 
in the portfolio and located in the areas of key 
geographic focus for each commodity. These 
are: Anglo Platinum (South Africa), Iron Ore 
Brazil, Kumba Iron Ore (South Africa), Copper 
(Chile), Nickel (Brazil), Metallurgical Coal 
(Australia) and Thermal Coal (South Africa).

The reorganisation has resulted in a lean 
corporate centre focused on activities that 
increase shareholder value beyond that which 
the commodity business units could achieve 
alone. These include providing overall strategic 
direction and governance, establishing and 
maintaining common processes and standards, 
and helping to transfer best practice, capturing 
economies of scale and facilitating synergies 
in key value driving functions, such as 
procurement, asset optimisation, project 
management and logistics.

Towards the end of 2009, Anglo American 
announced its intention to divest of the 
following assets: international steel products 
manufacturer Scaw Metals, Brazilian phosphates 
producer Copebrás and ferroniobium producer 
Catalão, as well as the Group’s portfolio of zinc 
assets. Together with Tarmac, already identified 
for divestment, these assets accounted for 
approximately 13% of 2009 Group EBITDA. 
The proceeds of these divestments, which 
will be timed to maximise value, will help to 
strengthen the balance sheet and to deliver 
the Group’s world class projects. 

O
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Anglo American project pipeline 
to lift organic growth output by 
over a third by 2013
Indexed production growth (2009 = 100)

140

130

120

110

100

90

80

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Current operations
Barro Alto

Los Bronces expansion

Minas Rio phase 1

Kolomela

Source: Anglo American

Life of mine per commodity
Years, minimum to maximum

Platinum

10 to 60

Copper

Nickel

Metallurgical
coal
Thermal
coal

5 to 39

6 to 27

2 to 29

3 to 31

Iron ore

6 to 28

Range (years)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

In 2009, four major bond transactions raising a 
total of $5.9 billion refinanced the Group’s short 
term debt position. Simultaneously, capital 
expenditure for 2009 was cut by more than 
half, though not at the expense of the Group’s 
most important growth projects.

Further progress continues to be made to focus 
the Group on its core mining portfolio. During 
2009, Anglo American disposed of investments 
considered as not being core to the Company’s 
strategy for the future, including its residual 
16.2% shareholding in AngloGold Ashanti for 
$1.8 billion, realising a total of $2.4 billion.

During the first quarter of 2010, Anglo American 
agreed the sale of Tarmac’s aggregates 
businesses in France, Germany, Poland and the 
Czech Republic and its Polish concrete products 
business, with expected total proceeds of 
approximately $400 million.

Developing four world class 
projects
Anglo American’s $17 billion pipeline of 
approved projects spans the most structurally 
attractive commodities of platinum, iron ore, 
copper and nickel. The decision to preserve the 
development of its four key near term strategic 
growth projects – the Minas Rio and Kolomela 
(formerly Sishen South) iron ore projects 
in Brazil and South Africa respectively, the 
Barro Alto nickel development in Brazil and the 
Los Bronces copper expansion in Chile – during 
the economic downturn positions the Group to 
capitalise on the next phase of global economic 
growth. The four projects are all well placed 
on their respective industry cost curves, have 
long lives, and are on track to enter production 
from 2011 onwards, in what is expected to be 
a growing commodity demand environment. 

Anglo American’s Los Bronces copper expansion 
project is on schedule, with first production 
planned in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 
output expected to increase from the fourth 
quarter of 2012 to an average of 490 ktpa 
over the first three years of full production 
(an average of over 400 ktpa over the first 
10 years). At peak production levels, Los Bronces 
is expected to be the fifth largest copper mine 
in the world, with reserves that support a mine 
life of 30 years. Resource and mineralisation 
studies carried out by Anglo American’s 
technical teams support further potential 
expansion. Two very significant high quality 
discoveries have been made at Los Sulfatos 
and San Enrique Monolito, close to Los Bronces, 
which together have increased the Group’s 
copper resources (excluding reserves) by 
approximately 50%.

The Barro Alto nickel project is also on schedule 
towards start-up in early 2011, with the overall 
development almost 80% complete at the year 
end. This project, which has further potential 
from an extensive resource base, leverages an 
existing operation and proven technology and 

will produce an average 36 ktpa of nickel in full 
production with a cost position in the lower half 
of the curve.

Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela project, previously 
known as the Sishen South project, is on track 
and progressing well towards first production 
during the first half of 2012. Kolomela is situated 
80 km to the south of Kumba’s world class Sishen 
mine and, when full production is achieved in 
2013, will produce 9 Mtpa of high quality iron 
ore, with further potential for expansion.

The acquisition of the Minas Rio iron ore project 
represented a unique opportunity to gain control 
of a multi-billion tonne resource in the highly 
attractive seaborne iron ore market, with the 
benefit of an integrated logistics system. 
Anglo American obtained a series of important 
licences for the first phase of the project during 
2009, most notably the first part of the 
Installation Licence for the mine and beneficiation 
plant, awarded in December, following the 
earlier award of the federal permit for land 
clearance at the mine. The second part of the 
Installation Licence is expected to be approved 
during the early part of 2010. Construction of 
the port at Açu is well advanced and the 
earthworks for the beneficiation plant and 
pipeline are progressing towards first production 
in the second half of 2012, with ramp up to 
annual iron ore production of 26.5 Mtpa in 2013.

The size of the Minas Rio orebody and the 
project’s dedicated logistics infrastructure 
means that it has considerable expansion 
potential, with studies under way for the 
expansion of the project to up to 80 Mtpa. 
Anglo American acquired the Minas Rio project 
in two transactions in 2007 and 2008 and at 
the end of 2007 declared a resource of 476 Mt 
(Measured and Indicated) and an additional 
770 Mt of Inferred resource. After considerable 
geological work, this total resource has increased 
fourfold since 2007 to 5.0 billion tonnes, 
including 843 Mt of Inferred resource.

Anglo American’s forecast attributable share 
of the post-acquisition capital expenditure for 
the first phase of the project has increased by 
$1.1 billion, from $2.7 billion to $3.8 billion, 
owing to scoping changes at the mine, pipeline 
and port, as well as foreign exchange movements.

These four major expansion projects are the 
key components in driving the Group’s organic 
production growth by more than one third by 
2013. By that time, the Group’s production of 
copper will have increased by 33%, iron ore 
by 82% and nickel by 139%.

In addition, Anglo American expects to make 
first stage approval decisions in relation to the 
development of two further high quality growth 
projects during 2010 – the 225 ktpa Quellaveco 
copper project in Peru and the 4.3 Mtpa Grosvenor 
metallurgical coal project in Australia.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

15

 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Key performance indicators (KPIs) 

Anglo American uses KPIs to 
help measure its performance. 
The KPIs are aligned to the 
three key strategic aims of 
the Group

Anglo American’s strategy is to become 
the leading global mining company. During 
2008, three key aims that should underpin 
this ambition were identified:

>	 investment	of	choice;

>	 partner	of	choice;	and	

>	 employer	of	choice.

In implementing its strategy, Anglo American 
measures performance with reference 
to the KPIs set out in the adjacent table. 
These KPIs are aligned to its key aims and 
are employed across the Group. The KPIs 
encompass both financial and non-financial 
indicators as well as quantitative and 
qualitative measures. While these KPIs 
are helpful in measuring the Group’s 
performance, it is recognised that they 
are not exhaustive and many additional 
performance measures are also used to 
monitor progress.

Strategic aims

Strategic focus

KPI

Description

Results and target (if applicable)

Investment of choice
Anglo American seeks to outperform its competitors 
in delivering value to shareholders. Everything that 
the Group hopes to achieve for all other stakeholders 
– particularly host governments, communities and 
employees – must be built on a platform of sector 
leading financial performance.

Asset optimisation  
and financial  
performance

Total shareholder 

return (TSR)

Share price growth plus dividends reinvested over the 

Please refer to the Remuneration report on 

performance period. A performance period of three years 

pages 80 to 90

is used and TSR is calculated annually

New capital 
investments

Sustainable 
development

Partner of choice
Anglo American has a history of successful 
collaboration with its stakeholders, including 
governments, communities, and non-governmental 
organisations (NGOs). The Group understands that 
it can only thrive if it is welcomed and respected in 
the countries and communities in which it operates.

Employer of choice
Becoming the employer of choice for Anglo American 
begins with an aim to provide a safe and supportive 
working environment for everyone who works 
for the organisation. The Group’s commitment to 
zero harm remains its primary focus. The organisation 
offers a range of career paths for both technical and 
professional people. With its global footprint and 
growth aspirations, Anglo American can offer both 
an exciting and a fulfilling employment proposition.

Safety

People

16

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

*Reflects managed operations

Return on capital 

employed (ROCE)

Total operating profit before impairments for the year 

divided by the average total capital less other investments 

2008:	36.8%

2009:	14.6%

and adjusted for impairments

Asset optimisation (AO)

Sustainable operating profit benefit from optimised 

performance of the asset base of the core businesses

2009:	$749 million

Target:	$1 billion by 2011

One Anglo Supply Chain 

Cost savings to the Group resulting from centralised 

(OASC)

procurement from core businesses

2009:	$445 million

Target:	$1 billion by 2011

Underlying earnings 

Underlying earnings are net profit attributable to equity 

2008:	$4.36

2009:	$2.14

per share

Capital projects 

and investment

shareholders, adjusted for the effect of special items and 

remeasurements and any related tax and minority interests

Optimise the pipeline of projects and ensure that new capital 

is only committed to projects that deliver the best value to 

the Group on a risk adjusted net present value basis

Energy efficiency*

Improvements in energy efficiency are measured  

Total water use*

Total water use includes only water used for primary 

from a 2004 baseline

activities

CO2 emission intensity*

Reduction in CO2 emissions per unit of production is 

measured from a 2004 baseline

A summary of the Group’s capital projects 

and investments is on pages 20 to 21

2008:	105 million GJ total energy used

2009:	105 million GJ total energy used

Target:	A 15% improvement by 2014

2008: 124.8 million m3

2009: 125.3 million m3

Target:	Business units are currently setting 

operational targets

2008: 19.7 Mt CO2 equivalent

2009: 19.0 Mt CO2 equivalent

Target: A 10% reduction by 2014

Corporate social investment

Social investment as defined by the London Benchmarking 

2008: Spend – $76.2 million, 1.11% of profit  

Group includes donations, gifts in kind and staff time for 

administering community programmes and volunteering  

in Company time

before tax

before tax

2009: Spend – $82.5 million, 2.23% of profit  

Enterprise development

Number of companies supported and number of jobs 

sustained by companies supported by Anglo American 

enterprise development initiatives

2008: Number of businesses supported 3,012; 

number of jobs sustained 13,431

2009: Number of businesses supported 3,720; 

number of jobs sustained 12,982

Target:	Number of businesses supported 3,500; 

number of jobs sustained 18,000

2008: 28 fatalities, 0.015 FIFR

2009: 19 fatalities, 0.010 FIFR

2010	target: zero incidents

2008: 1.04

2009: 0.76

2010	target: zero incidents 

The ultimate goal of zero harm remains

Work related fatal injury 

frequency rate (FIFR)

FIFR is calculated as the number of fatal injuries to 

employees or contractors per 200,000 hours worked

Lost time injury frequency 

The number of lost time injuries (LTIs) per 200,000 

rate (LTIFR)

hours worked. An LTI is an occupational injury which 

renders the person unable to perform his/her duties 

for one full shift or more the day after the injury was 

incurred, whether a scheduled workday or not

Voluntary labour  

turnover

Number of permanent employee resignations as  

a percentage of total permanent employees

2008: 3.9%

2009: 6.8%

Gender diversity

Percentage of women and female managers employed 

2008:	12% females, 17% female managers

2009:	12% females, 19% female managers

by the Group

Voluntary counselling 

and testing (VCT) for  

HIV/AIDS

Percentage of employees undertaking voluntary 

annual HIV tests with compulsory counselling support

2008: 77%

2009: 82%

2010	target:	100% VCT in high disease burden 

countries (100% is the long term goal)

Investment of choice

Anglo American seeks to outperform its competitors 

in delivering value to shareholders. Everything that 

the Group hopes to achieve for all other stakeholders 

– particularly host governments, communities and 

employees – must be built on a platform of sector 

leading financial performance.

Asset optimisation  

and financial  

performance

New capital 

investments

Sustainable 

development

Partner of choice

Anglo American has a history of successful 

collaboration with its stakeholders, including 

governments, communities, and non-governmental 

organisations (NGOs). The Group understands that 

it can only thrive if it is welcomed and respected in 

the countries and communities in which it operates.

Employer of choice

Safety

Becoming the employer of choice for Anglo American 

begins with an aim to provide a safe and supportive 

working environment for everyone who works 

for the organisation. The Group’s commitment to 

zero harm remains its primary focus. The organisation 

offers a range of career paths for both technical and 

professional people. With its global footprint and 

growth aspirations, Anglo American can offer both 

an exciting and a fulfilling employment proposition.

People

*Reflects managed operations

Strategic aims

Strategic focus

KPI

Description

Results and target (if applicable)

Total shareholder 
return (TSR)

Return on capital 
employed (ROCE)

Share price growth plus dividends reinvested over the 
performance period. A performance period of three years 
is used and TSR is calculated annually

Please refer to the Remuneration report on 
pages 80 to 90

Total operating profit before impairments for the year 
divided by the average total capital less other investments 
and adjusted for impairments

2008:	36.8%
2009:	14.6%

Asset optimisation (AO)

Sustainable operating profit benefit from optimised 
performance of the asset base of the core businesses

2009:	$749 million
Target:	$1 billion by 2011

One Anglo Supply Chain 
(OASC)

Cost savings to the Group resulting from centralised 
procurement from core businesses

2009:	$445 million
Target:	$1 billion by 2011

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Underlying earnings 
per share

Capital projects 
and investment

Energy efficiency*

Total water use*

Underlying earnings are net profit attributable to equity 
shareholders, adjusted for the effect of special items and 
remeasurements and any related tax and minority interests

2008:	$4.36
2009:	$2.14

Optimise the pipeline of projects and ensure that new capital 
is only committed to projects that deliver the best value to 
the Group on a risk adjusted net present value basis

A summary of the Group’s capital projects 
and investments is on pages 20 to 21

Improvements in energy efficiency are measured  
from a 2004 baseline

Total water use includes only water used for primary 
activities

2008:	105 million GJ total energy used
2009:	105 million GJ total energy used
Target:	A 15% improvement by 2014

2008: 124.8 million m3
2009: 125.3 million m3
Target:	Business units are currently setting 
operational targets

2008: 19.7 Mt CO2 equivalent
2009: 19.0 Mt CO2 equivalent
Target: A 10% reduction by 2014

CO2 emission intensity*

Reduction in CO2 emissions per unit of production is 
measured from a 2004 baseline

Corporate social investment

Social investment as defined by the London Benchmarking 
Group includes donations, gifts in kind and staff time for 
administering community programmes and volunteering  
in Company time

2008: Spend – $76.2 million, 1.11% of profit  
before tax
2009: Spend – $82.5 million, 2.23% of profit  
before tax

Enterprise development

Number of companies supported and number of jobs 
sustained by companies supported by Anglo American 
enterprise development initiatives

Work related fatal injury 
frequency rate (FIFR)

FIFR is calculated as the number of fatal injuries to 
employees or contractors per 200,000 hours worked

Lost time injury frequency 
rate (LTIFR)

The number of lost time injuries (LTIs) per 200,000 
hours worked. An LTI is an occupational injury which 
renders the person unable to perform his/her duties 
for one full shift or more the day after the injury was 
incurred, whether a scheduled workday or not

2008: Number of businesses supported 3,012; 
number of jobs sustained 13,431
2009: Number of businesses supported 3,720; 
number of jobs sustained 12,982
Target:	Number of businesses supported 3,500; 
number of jobs sustained 18,000

2008: 28 fatalities, 0.015 FIFR
2009: 19 fatalities, 0.010 FIFR
2010	target: zero incidents

2008: 1.04
2009: 0.76
2010	target: zero incidents 
The ultimate goal of zero harm remains

Voluntary labour  
turnover

Gender diversity

Voluntary counselling 
and testing (VCT) for  
HIV/AIDS

Number of permanent employee resignations as  
a percentage of total permanent employees

2008: 3.9%
2009: 6.8%

Percentage of women and female managers employed 
by the Group

2008:	12% females, 17% female managers
2009:	12% females, 19% female managers

Percentage of employees undertaking voluntary 
annual HIV tests with compulsory counselling support

2008: 77%
2009: 82%
2010	target:	100% VCT in high disease burden 
countries (100% is the long term goal)

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

17

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Performance against KPIs

KPIs are employed  
across the Group  
to assess how well  
the strategic aims  
are being met

Investment of choice

Financial performance
The Group’s financial performance in the year 
and the KPIs used to measure it are discussed 
on pages 30 to 33.

Asset optimisation
The Company’s structured approach to optimise 
business operations, known as asset optimisation 
(AO), is now a well established process across 
the Group and is yielding significant value.

A clear framework financial reporting policy has 
been developed and deployed Group-wide to 
ensure that AO targets and value delivery are 
measured, monitored and audited consistently. 
Anglo American’s Internal Audit team provides 
independent assurance on the AO value reported.

During the first half of 2008, Anglo American 
announced a Group-wide delivery target for 
the AO programme of $1 billion operating 
profit from sustainable projects by the end 
of 2011. Following the reorganisation of the 
Group’s assets announced in the fourth quarter 
of 2009, this target has been retained and 
has now been set as a stretch target for the 
Group’s identified core asset portfolio alone.

In terms of the Group’s core assets, $749 million 
of operating profit had been delivered from 
sustainable projects by the end of 2009. A 
further amount of $201 million was delivered 
during the year from one-off projects that had 
been identified as a result of the AO programme.

The total value of $950 million from the core 
businesses was derived from both revenue 
enhancing (46%) and direct cost reduction 
activities (54%).

In respect of the Other Mining and Industrial asset 
portfolio (excluding Tarmac), $114 million of 
benefit from sustainable projects and $9 million of 
one-off benefits had been delivered by end-2009.

Cathode washing at the San Francisco 
cathode plant in Los Bronces.

Asset optimisation in action

Copper Los Bronces – SELE (Selective Electrode position Enhancement) 
aims to improve the efficiency of the electrowinning plant through the use 
of innovative technology. The project has increased current density in the 
electrowinning operation, yielding an additional 3.8 kt of copper in 2009  
at a value of $17 million.

18

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

AO sustainable operating profit benefit 
contributions by business unit:

Business	unit

Anglo Platinum

Copper

Nickel

Kumba Iron Ore

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Total	core	assets

Other Mining and Industrial*

Total

*Excluding Tarmac

$m

233

157

1

128

171

59

749

114

863

A portfolio in excess of 500 projects has now 
been developed. These projects are prioritised 
for resourcing and implementation on a value 
adding basis and currently 90% of the value 
delivered is contained in the top 10 projects 
per business unit.

 >

Projects that are delivering significant value
Platinum Smelter Capacity Increase aims 
to improve installed smelting capacity and 
reduce unit smelting cost. A number of 
different actions, from a comprehensive 
programme, have been instituted and benefits 
of $82 million have already been delivered.

 >

The Dawson coal loss improvement project 
in Australia is an example of AO in action. 
The project involves reducing the amount of 
coal lost during mining by applying innovative 
blasting techniques and best practice during 
the mining operation to improve recovery. 
The return on every dollar invested in exposing 
and mining the coal is therefore optimised. 
Coal loss has been substantially reduced since 
the project commenced, delivering in excess 
of $42 million during 2009.

 >

Copper Los Bronces – Changes made to 
the equipment configuration in the milling 
discharge pebble circuits aim to significantly 
increase circuit availability, thus eliminating 
a bottleneck and, as a result, increasing 
throughput by 115 kt of ore per month. The 
additional throughput resulted in a benefit of 
$38 million during 2009.

 >

Kumba Iron Ore – Improving the overall 
equipment effectiveness of the truck and 
shovels fleet through a series of deliberate 
actions, including changes to work patterns 
and improved maintenance procedures, 
yielded benefits of $8 million in 2009.

Supply Chain: Cost savings from 
centralised procurement
In February 2008, the Group set out a programme 
aimed at transforming Anglo American’s 
procurement and supply chain operations globally, 
with the ambitious, though achievable, target to 
become the industry leader and global benchmark 
for supply chain value creation. At the heart of 
this strategy is working more closely together 
as a single, integrated organisation.

Supply Chain aims to create $1 billion of 
additional value by 2011 through more 
effective management of purchased materials 
and services; working with cross-functional 
teams; implementing best practice policies; 
developing processes that can be consistently 
applied across the Group; and improving 
internal capability through better teamwork 
and individual competencies.

In 2009, $445 million from core operations 
($510 million total Group excluding Tarmac) of 
supply chain benefits were delivered against 
a target of $330 million. The progress made 
implementing initiatives across the Group over 
the past year has been the result of effective 
collaboration between global strategic sourcing 
teams, cross-functional representatives from 
asset optimisation and engineering, and 
mine site personnel across all business unit 
operations. Collaboration between the business 
unit and central teams that make up Supply 
Chain has been fundamental in the successful 
implementation of initiatives.

Mobilisation of the centralised operating 
model has meant approximately 80% of 
Anglo American’s annual addressable spend 
figure is now managed through 21 materials and 
services categories by strategic sourcing teams. 
These teams are responsible for developing the 
most effective value creating strategy for Anglo 
American globally, driving global sourcing savings 
opportunities and supporting local business unit 
initiatives. This centralised procurement model 
has proved to be a strong contributor towards 
the savings delivered by Supply Chain.

Initiatives have ranged from tactical – delivering 
consolidation and efficiency improvements, to 
strategic – focused on longer term value creating 
partnerships with suppliers. Rationalising the 
Group’s supply base has helped in developing 
better relationships with selected suppliers. 
This has yielded practical advantages such as 
Anglo American’s demands of suppliers that 
they become more transparent, and reducing 
the number of contracts to be administered. 
With their global approach, strategic sourcing 
teams have been able to develop a deeper 
understanding of the materials and services 
purchased by the Group; this has identified cost 
levers and opportunities for waste avoidance 
and total cost of ownership improvements.

Improvements to supply chain processes and 
systems have also been delivered, aimed at 
engaging suppliers more effectively through:

 >

 through adoption of common 

Standardisation:
policies, practices and methodologies to 
create a simpler way of doing business with 
Anglo American.

 >

 by enhancing the Group’s 

Efficiency:
sourcing processes, from tendering through 
to transaction and payments.

 >

Transparency:
 making clearer the link 
between supplier performance and the 
award of new business.

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Fuels and lubricants

With Anglo American spending more than 
$800 million each year in the fuels and lubricants 
(F&L) category, improvement opportunities and 
value initiatives are a high priority for Supply 
Chain. Instead of going out to tender globally 
or regionally, however, the F&L category team 
turned to aligning with particular suppliers on 
a global basis. Most of the value identified came 
not from price reduction, but in the technical 
expertise that potential suppliers could bring 
to Group operations.

From a list of about 10 suppliers, some 80% 
of the Group’s current spend is now with two 
companies, Shell and BP. These two global 
suppliers demonstrated the ability to offer the 
added value that was needed at the operations. 
After months of negotiations with the companies, 
global framework agreements were set up, 
giving Anglo American preferred supplier 
status to them.

Barrels of high quality lubricant at a 
blending plant are prepared for delivery.
(Photo courtesy of Shell)

As preferred suppliers, the companies are able 
to have their supply agreement terms extended 
if they achieve the value targets agreed in 
the global framework agreements. Under the 
agreements, Shell and BP are now allocating 
more technical resources to the Group’s 
operations and are providing Anglo American 
with technical expertise. They are working with 
Anglo American mine teams to ensure optimal 
lubricants and lubrication practices are used 
in order to extend equipment life. Fuel additives 
are now being employed to increase the energy 
efficiency of fuels, which reduces the amount 
of fuel used to do the same work.

In turn, Shell and BP have given Anglo American 
‘customer of choice’ status, meaning that they 
will accord the Company the highest level of 
recognition given to customers of similar size 
with global agreements in place. This means 
enhanced security of supply, and improvements 
in commercial arrangements, innovation and 
global collaboration at the business units being 
supplied by these companies.

A project team dedicated to delivering 
standardised policies, processes and systems to 
improve management of contracts and efficiency 
of transactions has made excellent progress. 
In September 2009, a web-based solution was 
implemented for Supply Chain to engage suppliers 
and conduct sourcing events online. This 
solution provides the link between sourcing, 
contract and business systems for the Group 
and is a key element in improving efficiency.

Supply Chain Sustainable Development (SCSD) 
is a core aspect of the way in which the Group 
works and is aligned to Anglo American’s ambition 
of being a partner of choice. The aim of SCSD 
is to buy from suppliers that follow the sound 
principles and practices outlined in the Group’s 
SCSD policy and code. The benefits include 
mitigation of risk for customers, suppliers and 

the communities close to Group operations 
while also supporting Anglo American’s safety 
target of zero harm.

Sustainable Development (SD) criteria are 
now part of the Group’s supplier assessment 
process. On-site audits have been completed 
at supplier factories across China, South Africa, 
Brazil and Australia, while improvement plans 
have been developed to address issues 
identified as an SD risk.

2009 has set a high benchmark for value 
delivery. Initiatives implemented during the 
year have delivered immediate benefits, while 
others have been instrumental in establishing 
longer term partnerships that will support the 
Group’s overall target of creating $1 billion of 
additional annual value from core operations 
alone by 2011.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

19

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Performance against KPIs
continued

Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela project, previously 
known as Sishen South, is progressing well 
towards first production in the first half of 
2012. Kolomela is situated 80 km to the south 
of Kumba’s world class Sishen mine and, when 
full production is achieved in early 2013, will 
produce 9 Mtpa of high quality iron ore, with 
further potential for expansion. Across Anglo 
American’s iron ore interests in Brazil and 
South Africa, the Group has the potential to 
increase iron ore production to in excess of 
150 Mtpa within 10 years.

In Australia, the $726 million Lake Lindsay 
coking and thermal coal project reached 
implementation phase and will be optimised 
ahead of achieving full production in 2012. 
A decision is expected in relation to the first 
stage approval of the 4.3 Mtpa Grosvenor 
metallurgical coal project in Australia in 2010, 
the first step in potentially creating a large 
scale operational cluster around the existing 
Moranbah North operation.

Mining commenced during the third quarter 
of 2009 at the $512 million Zibulo (formerly 
Zondagsfontein) thermal coal project, which 
includes a 50:50 joint venture plant with 
BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa. Full 
production of 6.6 Mtpa of thermal coal is 
expected from 2012. The Mafube project 
was completed on schedule and marginally 
below budget in the third quarter of 2009. 
The MacWest and Landau Navigation West 
projects reached full production of 2.7 Mtpa 
and 1.2 Mtpa respectively in the first half of 
the year. In Colombia, full production capacity 
of 32 Mtpa of thermal coal was achieved for the 
$42 million expansion at Cerrejón during 2009. 
Feasibility studies to expand the operation to 
around 40 Mtpa by 2014 continue.

In late 2009, the shareholders of Debswana 
(the Government of the Republic of Botswana 
and De Beers), approved a major extension 
project at Jwaneng, the world’s flagship diamond 
mine. The project, also known as Cut-8, will 
ensure profitable and continuous production 
at the mine until at least 2025 and is the 
largest ever single capital commitment in the 
private sector in Botswana. Debswana will 
provide $500 million of the $3 billion project 
investment over the next 15 years.

At Anglo Platinum, the major restructuring of 
the Rustenburg and Amandelbult section into 
smaller new mining entities during 2009 has 
provided the flexibility in its production system 
to react to short term market changes in demand 
for platinum, while retaining options to expand 
production should demand for platinum increase. 
The $922 million Mogalakwena North project, 
expected to deliver 350-400 kozpa refined 
platinum in the first quartile of the cost curve, 
is progressing on schedule and within budget 
with ramp up to full production continuing from 
the second quarter of 2010. The $224 million 
Dishaba (formerly Amandelbult) East Upper 
UG2 expansion project is on track to raise the 
mine’s platinum output by 100 kozpa by 2012. 
Over the longer term, a range of major projects, 
including Styldrift Merensky phase 1, will provide 
Anglo Platinum with organic growth options in 
excess of 650 kozpa of refined platinum.

The Minas Rio iron ore project in Brazil is a 
multi billion tonne resource, with the benefit 
of an integrated logistics system, that will 
supply the highly attractive seaborne iron ore 
market. Anglo American obtained a series of 
important licences for the first phase of the 
project during 2009, most notably the first 
part of the Installation Licence for the mine 
and beneficiation plant, awarded in December, 
following the earlier award of the federal permit 
for land clearance at the mine. The second part 
of the Installation Licence is expected to be 
approved during the early part of 2010. The 
construction of the port at Açu is well advanced 
and the earthworks for the beneficiation 
plant and pipeline are progressing towards 
first production in the second half of 2012, 
with ramp up to annual iron ore production 
of 26.5 Mtpa in 2013.

The large size of the Minas Rio orebody and 
the project’s dedicated logistics infrastructure 
means that it has considerable expansion 
potential, with studies under way for the 
expansion of the project to up to 80 Mtpa. 
Anglo American acquired the Minas Rio project 
in two transactions in 2007 and 2008 and at 
the end of 2007 declared a resource of 476 Mt 
(Measured and Indicated) and an additional 
770 Mt of Inferred resource. After considerable 
geological work, this resource has increased 
fourfold since 2007 to 5.0 billion tonnes 
including 843 Mt of Inferred resource. The 
anticipated final product Fe grade over the life 
of the mine is particularly high compared to 
other products on the market, expected to be 
above 68%, and benefits from extremely low 
alumina, silica and phosphorus contaminants.

New capital investments
Anglo American’s $17 billion pipeline of 
approved projects spans its core commodities 
and is expected to deliver organic production 
growth of more than one third by 2013.

The Company’s decision to preserve the 
development of its key near term strategic 
growth projects during the economic downturn 
positions the Group to capitalise on the next 
phase of global economic growth. For the longer 
term, the Group has an array of projects under 
active consideration at the pre-feasibility or 
feasibility stages. This pipeline of projects 
stretches well into the future, ensuring the 
Group maintains a high degree of flexibility 
with regards to its organic growth potential.

Anglo American’s Los Bronces copper mine is 
well advanced with its expansion project with 
first production scheduled for the fourth quarter 
of 2011 and is expected to increase from the 
fourth quarter of 2012 to an average exceeding 
490 ktpa over the first three years of full 
production (an average of more than 400 ktpa 
over the first 10 years). At peak production 
levels, Los Bronces is expected to be the fifth 
largest copper mine in the world, with reserves 
that support a mine life of 30 years. Resource 
and mineralisation studies carried out by Anglo 
American’s technical teams support further 
potential expansion. Anglo American has 
also announced two very significant and high 
quality new discoveries at Los Sulfatos and 
San Enrique Monolito close to the Los Bronces 
mine in Chile. These two new prospects 
together increase the Group’s copper resources 
(excluding reserves) by approximately 50%. 
The phased expansion of the Collahuasi copper 
mine continues with the first phase expansion 
to 150 ktpd due for completion early in 2011, 
while significant potential for subsequent 
phased expansions continues to be evaluated. 
Outside Chile, several unapproved projects 
provide significant scope for future organic 
growth. In Peru, Anglo American expects to 
make a decision regarding the approval and 
development of the 225 ktpa Quellaveco 
copper project during 2010. An exploration and 
a conceptual study are also now under way at 
the 155 ktpa Michiquillay project. In Alaska, 
the pre-feasibility study for the Pebble copper 
project, in which the Group has a 50% stake, 
is ongoing.

The Barro Alto nickel project in Brazil is on track 
towards start-up in early 2011, with overall 
development almost 80% complete at the year 
end. This project, which has further potential 
from an extensive resource base, leverages an 
existing operation and proven technology and 
will produce an average 36 ktpa of nickel in 
full production with a position in the lower 
half of the cost curve. The Jacaré and Morro 
Sem Bone projects, also in Brazil, provide 
Anglo American with significant nickel production 
expansion options from 2015 onwards.

20

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

(1)  Capital expenditure shown on 100% basis in nominal terms.  

Anglo Platinum projects reflect approved capital expenditure.

(2) Represents 100% of average incremental or replacement 

production, at full production, unless otherwise stated.

(3) Debswana will provide $500 million of the $3 billion project 

investment over the next 15 years ($225 million attributable).

(4) Pebble will produce molybdenum and gold by-products, Michiquillay 

will produce molybdenum, gold and silver by-products and other 

projects will produce molybdenum and silver by-products.

Selected major projects

Completed in 2009

Sector

Project

Country

Completion	date

Iron	Ore	and	Manganese

Sishen expansion

Metallurgical	Coal

Lake Lindsay

Thermal	Coal

Mafube

Goedehoop Fines

MacWest

Navigation West

Cerrejón

South Africa

Q4 2009

Australia

Q1 2009

South Africa

Q3 2009

South Africa

Q4 2008

South Africa

Q1 2009

South Africa

Q2 2009

Colombia

Q1 2009

Capex	
$	m(1)

657

726

230

20

49

32

Production	volume(2)	

13.0 Mtpa iron ore

4.0 Mtpa

5.4 Mtpa

0.4 Mtpa

2.7 Mtpa

1.2 Mtpa

130

3.0 Mtpa (2nd stage)

Approved

Sector

Platinum

Project

Country

First	
production		
date

Full	
production		
date

Capex	
$	m(1)

Production	volume(2)	

MC Plant Capacity Expansion – phase 1

South Africa

Q3 2009

Q1 2010

 80

11 ktpa waterval converter matte

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Mogalakwena North

South Africa

Q4 2007

2012

Mainstream inert grind projects

South Africa

Q4 2009

Bokoni (Lebowa Brakfontein Merensky)

South Africa

Q1 2009

Base metals refinery expansion

South Africa

Q4 2011

Dishaba (Amandelbult) East Upper UG2

South Africa

Q3 2007

Thembelani 2 Shaft (Paardekraal)

South Africa

Q3 2011

Twickenham

South Africa

Q4 2011

Styldrift Merensky phase 1

South Africa

Q2 2017

Diamonds

Copper

Unki Mine

Jwaneng – Cut-8

Los Bronces expansion

Collahuasi 150 ktpd

Nickel

Barro Alto

Iron	Ore	and	Manganese

Minas Rio phase 1

Zimbabwe

Q3 2010

Botswana

2010

Chile

Chile

Brazil

Brazil

Q4 2011

Q1 2011

Q1 2011

H2 2012

Thermal	Coal

Zibulo (previously Zondagsfontein)

South Africa

Q3 2009

Kolomela (previously Sishen South)

South Africa

Q2 2012

Future unapproved

Q3 2010

Q1 2011

Q1 2012

Q4 2012

Q2 2015

Q4 2018

Q2 2018

Q4 2013

2024

922

188

179

279

224

316

800

350-400 kozpa refined platinum

Improve process recoveries

Replace 108 kozpa refined platinum

11 ktpa nickel

100 kozpa refined platinum

Replace 120 kozpa refined platinum

180 kozpa refined platinum

1,621

245 kozpa refined platinum

457

65 kozpa refined platinum

3,000(3)

95 million carats

Q4 2012

2,300-2,500

200 ktpa copper(4)(5)

Q2 2011

92

Expansion to 150 ktpd capacity

Q3 2012

1,800-1,900

36 ktpa nickel

Q3 2013

Q1 2013

Q4 2012

3,796(6)

26.5 Mtpa iron ore pellet feed (wet basis) 

1,022

9.0 Mtpa iron ore

512

6.6 Mtpa thermal

Sector

Copper

Nickel

Project

Quellaveco

Collahuasi expansion phase 1

Michiquillay

Pebble

Jacaré phase 1

Morro Sem Bone

Iron	Ore	and	Manganese

Sishen Expansion Project phase 1B

Sishen Expansion Project 2

Sishen Concentrate

Minas Rio expansion

Metallurgical	Coal

Grosvenor

Thermal	Coal

Heidelberg underground

Elders opencast

Elders underground

New Largo

Cerrejón P40

Country

Peru

Chile

Peru

United States

Brazil

Brazil

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Brazil

Australia

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Colombia

First	
production		
date

Full	
production		
date

2014

2012

2017

TBD

2015

2015

2011

2017

2017

TBD

2013

2013

2013

2013

2012

2012

2015

2012

2018

TBD

2016

2016

2012

2019

2018

TBD

2016

2017

2013

2017

2016

2014

Production	volume(2)	

225 ktpa copper(4)

510 ktpa copper(4)(7)

155 ktpa copper(4)(8)

350 ktpa copper(4)

34 ktpa nickel

32 ktpa nickel

0.7 Mtpa iron ore

10.0 Mtpa iron ore 

2.0 Mtpa iron ore pellets

Up to 53 Mtpa iron ore pellet feed (wet basis)

4.3 Mtpa metallurgical

4.2 Mtpa thermal

6.4 Mtpa thermal

3.2 Mtpa thermal

14.7 Mtpa thermal

8.0 Mtpa thermal

(1)  Capital expenditure shown on 100% basis in nominal terms.  
Anglo Platinum projects reflect approved capital expenditure.

(2) Represents 100% of average incremental or replacement 
production, at full production, unless otherwise stated.

(3) Debswana will provide $500 million of the $3 billion project 

investment over the next 15 years ($225 million attributable).

(4) Pebble will produce molybdenum and gold by-products, Michiquillay 
will produce molybdenum, gold and silver by-products and other 
projects will produce molybdenum and silver by-products.

(5) Production represents average over first 10 years of the project. 
Production over the first three years of the project will average 
278 ktpa.

(7) Total production of mine when project has ramped up to full 
production. Further phased expansions have the potential to 
increase production to 1 Mtpa.

(6) Capital expenditure, post acquisition of Anglo American’s 

(8) Expansion potential to 300 ktpa.

shareholding in Minas Rio, for 100% of the mine and pipeline, and 
49% share of the port. The aggregate cost of 100% of the mine, 
pipeline and port – and capital expenditure incurred both before and 
after Anglo American’s shareholding in Minas Rio – has increased 
from $3.6 billion to $5 billion.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

21

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Performance against KPIs
continued

Energy consumption
GJ (million)

Year

05

06

07

08

09

203

197

92

96

107

105

103

2

105 0

0 50

100

150

200 250

300

Group excluding divested businesses
Divested businesses

CO2e emissions
Tonnes (million)

Year

05

06

07

08

09

16.5

15.9

20.1

16.3

19.4

5.1

19.1

0.6

19.0

0

0

6

12

18

24 30

36

Group excluding divested businesses
Divested businesses

Partner of choice

Sustainable development
Anglo American’s sustainable development 
performance is fundamental to its investment, 
partner and employer of choice agenda.

The Company is committed to operating safely, 
sustainably and responsibly and embeds this 
into every part of the business. It fulfils this 
commitment by respecting the environment 
through effective stewardship of land and 
resources; supporting the development of 
communities where it operates and ensuring 
the safety of employees, contractors and 
local communities.

Behaving in this way is essential for earning 
and maintaining trust with stakeholders 
– governments, communities, customers, 
suppliers and employees – and creates value 
which is fundamental to Anglo American’s 
ability to deliver long term sustainable returns 
to shareholders.

A revised version of Anglo American’s 
Good Citizenship Business Principles was 
launched at the end of the year. These apply to 
every business and to every employee and are 
integral to the way Anglo American operates. 
They include a greater focus on environmental 
issues such as water conservation, climate 
change and biodiversity, a reinforced stance 
against corruption, an increased commitment 
on HIV/AIDS treatment, the importance of 
family life and work life balance, and the 
promotion of diversity.

The Business Principles are embedded in 
policies, projects and commitments and reflect 
the Company’s determination to live by its core 
values. In addition, the Company has strong 
governance, systems and risk management 
processes in place to implement its commitment 
to sustainable development. During 2009, 
considerable progress was made on embedding 
global standards for environment, safety, health 
and social issues that are designed to drive 
performance improvement.

Energy
Anglo American’s overall objective is to secure 
affordable, reliable and sustainable supplies 
of energy. In 2009, the Group undertook a 
detailed review of its exposure to energy 
security risks and costs, after related concerns 
arose the previous year, particularly in South 
Africa and Brazil. In response to these key 
risks, Anglo American will continue to optimise 
energy consumption efficiencies, develop 
projects which offer cost effective  
and sustainable sources of energy, while 
ensuring availability of emergency power 
supplies for the safety of the workforce 
as well as critical operational needs.

Energy consumption
During 2009, Anglo American consumed 
105 million gigajoules (GJ) of energy (2008: 
103 million GJ(1)). This 2.0 million GJ increase is 
almost wholly attributable to Anglo American’s 
Iron Ore Brazil business reporting on its energy 
use for the first time since acquisition.

Energy efficiency
Improving energy efficiency has an economic, 
security of supply and environmental context 
and is a core element of the Company’s climate 
change strategy. In 2004, Anglo American set 
a target to reduce its energy intensity by 15% 
by 2014, based on a 2004 baseline. 

The majority of Anglo American’s electrical 
power consumption is coal fired, which is 
why it is seeking efficiency gains in electrical 
power usage through asset optimisation and 
continuous improvement programmes.

Climate change
Anglo American recognises its responsibility 
to take meaningful action towards mitigating 
the effects of climate change, and to help 
protect its employees and assets, as well as 
the communities and environments linked to 
its operations, against its potential impacts. 

There are a number of strategic principles 
that underpin Anglo American’s approach 
to climate change. These include a focus on 
energy efficiency through asset optimisation, 
carbon reducing ‘synergy’ projects, low carbon 
technologies and adaptation to climate change. 
Climate change also represents a commercial 
opportunity and, guided by these principles, the 
Company is looking to leverage its knowledge 
and assets into generating additional value 
for stakeholders.

Carbon dioxide emissions
Over the decade to 2014, the Group is aiming 
for a 10% reduction in emissions per unit of 
production. During 2009, Anglo American 
emitted 19.0 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalents 
(CO2e) (2008: 19.1 Mt)(2).

Carbon abatement
Anglo American’s goal to reduce CO2 emissions 
extends beyond improving energy consumption 
efficiencies to implementing carbon abatement 
projects, in particular those that have synergies 
with operational activities. 

Such projects include Anglo American’s 
coal-seam methane-fired power stations at 
Moranbah North and Capcoal in Queensland, 
Australia. Powered by mine waste gas, these 
facilities currently generate a combined 
77 megawatts (MW) of power – equalling 
a reduction of approximately 2.3 Mt of CO2e 
annually, which is the equivalent of planting 
3.6 million trees or taking 580,000 cars off 
the road. Similar opportunities for the Group’s 
South African coal operations are limited 

22

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Water consumption
Million m3

Year

05

06

07

08

09

513

456

116

126

128

123

123

2

125

0

0 100

200

300

400 500 600

700

Group excluding divested businesses
Divested businesses

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owing to the significantly lower inherent 
methane content of Highveld coal seams. The 
Company, however, has started on a smaller 
scale methane flaring project at New Denmark 
colliery, which is expected to reduce its CO2e 
emissions by an estimated 100 ktpa.

Low carbon technology
Advancing low carbon technologies, which 
affect Anglo American’s operational and 
product related CO2 emissions performance, is 
critical to the Group’s success in the long term. 
In this regard, the Company participates in a 
number of downstream related carbon research 
and advocacy initiatives. 

Adaptation
Anglo American is keenly aware of the risks 
climate change pose to the business, as well as its 
potential to undermine corporate socio-economic 
development efforts. The Company’s focus will 
be on developing regional climate change impact 
models to provide a better understanding of 
business and societal exposure to climate 
change and associated adaptation requirements. 
The Group also has an enormous opportunity 
to combine carbon reduction initiatives with its 
socio-economic development activities, thus 
achieving dual benefits. 

Exposure to climate policy
The Group’s most immediate focus is on 
Australia, which during the second half of 
2008 released its green and white papers 
on an emissions trading scheme entitled the 
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). 
It will come into force in 2011 if the federal 
government is able to pass legislation through 
the Senate, but the likelihood of this is currently 
uncertain. If the legislation is passed it could 
have significant financial implications for all 
Australian coal companies. Anglo American is 
holding discussions with the government on the 
design of the CPRS, as well as the possibility of 
co-ordinated research and development 
opportunities and clean coal technologies. 
Metallurgical Coal has established a team to 
ensure that the business is prepared for the 
introduction of the scheme and to identify 
further opportunities to implement carbon 
reduction measures.

Water
Security of water supply is of vital importance 
to the Company and the communities and 
countries in which it operates. The threat posed 
by climate change is also requiring the Group 
to look at new approaches to managing water 
at its operations, many of them located in some 
of the most water stressed regions of the world.

Water consumption
In 2009, Anglo American consumed 125.3 million 
cubic metres (m3) of water for primary activities. 
While this represents a relatively small year- 
on-year increase (2008: 122.7(3) million m3), 
it includes 3.8 million m3 of water from the 
Brazilian iron ore operations that have begun 
reporting for the first time since acquisition, as 
well as an additional 5.7 million m3 of harvested 
rainfall that Anglo Platinum had not previously 
reported in its consumption figures. On a 
like-for-like basis, Anglo American achieved a 
6% water saving between 2008 and 2009.

Although the Group’s overall water use has 
remained largely unchanged despite acquisitions, 
Anglo American aims to improve its performance 
through the continued implementation of its 
WaterWays programme.

The WaterWays programme has provided 
the Group with a water vision and framework 
that outlines Anglo American’s approach to 
managing water. These are supported by 
a water performance standard, which was 
formally launched in 2009 as part of the global 
Anglo Environment Way roll-out. A common 
set of water reporting definitions has been 
implemented, and models for determining the 
true value of water, and understanding water 
balances, have been developed. 

The water balance journey model is an operational 
tool for understanding water balances and the 
quality of water management systems. The 
information is used in conjunction with the 
outcomes of social and environmental impact 
assessments and the Socio-Economic Assessment 
Toolbox (SEAT, the Group’s principal social 
impact assessment and management tool for 
existing operations) to identify improvement 
opportunities and to understand how any 
changes may affect operations and other 
parties that share common water resources.

The ‘true value of water’ model is designed to 
help operations calculate their own unique value 
of water. The model takes into account the actual 
unit cost of water, as well as an extended set of 
environmental and socio-economic considerations. 
Testing will continue during 2010, after which it 
is envisaged that this ‘true’ value of water will 
be used to support decision making related to 
water efficiency/reduction initiatives and the 
design of new projects.

A Group water guideline, due for release in 
early 2010, will link in to the water performance 
standard and provide clarity on the various 
elements of water management at an operational 
level. The inclusion of measures to adapt to the 
potential impacts of climate change will also be 
required in this process.

(1) Including Namakwa Sands and Tarmac Iberia, which were divested 
in 2008, total energy consumed during 2008 was 105 million GJ.

(2) Including Namakwa Sands and Tarmac Iberia, which were divested 

in 2008, total CO2e emissions were 19.7 Mt.

(3) 124.8 million m3 was reported in 2008, which includes Namakwa 
Sands and Tarmac Iberia, whose numbers were included up until 
the point of divestment. Not including these, water used for 
primary activities during 2008 was 122.7 million m3.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

23

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Performance against KPIs
continued

2009 Global social 
investment expenditure
$ m

1.1

15.5

3.4

25.1

0.2

2.4

34.8

Health/HIV
Education and youth
Environment
Community development
Arts, culture and heritage
Housing
Other

2009 Global social investment 
expenditure by region
$ m

0.1

0.3

16.7

0.9

1.8

1.8

60.9

South Africa
Rest of Africa
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
The Americas
Australia/Asia
Other

Social and community
Anglo American’s ability to manage community 
issues to a high standard continues to be an 
important factor in delivering on its growth 
projects. The Company continues to win 
numerous awards for its community development 
programmes and is maintaining its investment 
in raising standards across the Group.

During 2009, the Company’s new social 
management standards were approved and 
were published in the Anglo Social Way. The 
Social Way completes the suite of four ‘Way’ 
documents (including the Safety, Occupational 
Health and Environment Ways) to form a 
comprehensive suite of sustainable development 
standards. The Social Way sets out demanding 
minimum standards across more than 20 
dimensions of social performance. Through 
implementation of the Social Way, Anglo 
American will meet or exceed a number of best 
practice benchmarks, including the International 
Finance Corporation’s environmental and social 
Performance Standards and the recommendations 
for companies arising from the UN Special 
Representative on Business and Human Rights’ 
work. A self-assessment process was completed 
across all current mining operations at the end 
of 2009, a process that will be repeated for 
exploration and development projects during 
2010. At the end of 2009, the performance 
against the Social Way requirements was 
assessed as: 10% significant gaps to close; 
21% minor gaps to close; 42% fully compliant; 
17% good practice; and 10% best practice. 
During 2010, the objective is to eliminate all 
non-compliances.

The Company continues to invest heavily in 
training and education on social performance 
issues, both for community relations staff and 
for other senior managers. During 2009, the 
number of managers trained in the use of SEAT 
exceeded 500. The Company also supported 
the establishment of a new postgraduate 
diploma for site based practitioners at the 
University of Cape Town’s Graduate School 
of Business. In partnership with the University 
of Cambridge and the University of Queensland, 
a unique senior management programme was 
developed that was delivered to 36 senior staff 
from Anglo American and an NGO partner 
during 2009.

Implementation of the second version of SEAT 
has continued, with several sites completing 
their reports during 2010. The Company 
remains on track to finalise the roll-out of 
SEAT2 in 2011.

Corporate social investment
Anglo American and its managed subsidiaries 
and joint ventures contributed $82.5 million 
(2.23% of pre-tax profit) to charitable causes 
and community development initiatives in 2009 
compared with $76.2 million (1.11% of pre-tax 
profit) in 2008. These figures include cash 
donations, gifts in kind and staff time spent 
delivering community benefit programmes.

In 2009, the geographical distribution of social 
investment was 76% in Africa, 20% in the 
Americas, 3% in the UK and Europe and 1% 
in Australia, Asia and other countries.

The majority of the Company’s social 
investment is undertaken at site level and is 
informed by stakeholder inputs through the 
implementation of the SEAT process.

National foundations or funds have been 
established to support community development 
and other charitable causes in Brazil, Chile, 
Namibia and South Africa. A new foundation 
will also be established in Peru in 2010. In 
South Africa, the Anglo American Chairman’s 
Fund has implemented a new strategy and is 
refocusing its giving to projects with national 
impact, including large projects and innovative 
demonstration projects. Contributions to the 
Chairman’s Fund totalled $9.5 million in 2009.

Anglo American has also established the 
Anglo American Group Foundation, which 
distributes grants to charities around the 
world where Anglo American has a presence. 
The purpose of the Foundation is to develop 
sustainable livelihoods through the projects 
that it supports, with particular areas of 
interest being education, health, HIV/AIDS, 
local community, international development 
and the environment.

Enterprise development
A cornerstone of Anglo American’s approach 
to delivering sustainable development is to 
build the capacities and life chances of the 
communities where the Company operates. 
Experience shows that one of the most effective 
and durable ways of achieving this is through 
targeted enterprise development programmes. 

Enterprise development can involve potential 
suppliers and companies outside the mining 
value chain. Anglo American established a small 
and medium enterprise (SME) development 
and empowerment initiative, known as 
Anglo Zimele, in South Africa 20 years ago 
to empower black entrepreneurs through the 
creation and transformation of SMEs.

24

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
Representatives from Anglo American and the 
NGO, CARE Brazil, meet with a local community 
close to the Barro Alto mine to discuss a rural 
development programme.

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Barro Alto Project Social Programme

The programme is a long term one, but early 
results are already encouraging. To date, 
more than 260 entrepreneurs have been 
trained both in rural and urban areas through 
CARE’s support programmes and hundreds 
of schoolchildren have been given additional 
help with reading skills and supported to take 
part in cultural activities.

In addition to this partnership, Anglo American 
is also working with other NGOs in helping the 
municipality to build public sector capacity using 
a methodology known as ‘School of Government’, 
and also to share a strategic plan for meeting the 
United Nations Millennium Development Goals 
together with the community.

Located in rural Goiás state in Brazil, the 
Barro Alto nickel project is one of Anglo 
American’s four strategic growth projects.

The development of the project poses both 
challenges to the local community as the local 
population and economy grows rapidly, but also 
unprecedented opportunities to build lasting 
capacity for self-sustainability.

Supporting the development of host 
communities has been a key priority for the 
Barro Alto team. A comprehensive package of 
assistance to the town of Barro Alto is being 
implemented. Much of the support focuses on 
improving the infrastructure of the town, so that 
it becomes a safe and attractive community. 
Anglo American has made major investments 
in: upgrading roads; building a technical training 
institute; improving water and sanitation; schools 
and providing a new hospital.

To complement these infrastructure 
improvements, Anglo American has worked 
with government and NGOs, including the 
Company’s global partner CARE, to deliver 
refresher training for teachers, micro-credit 
loans, capacity building for the local municipality 
and support to hundreds of local entrepreneurs.

Anglo Zimele is divided into three separate funds 
– the Supply Chain Fund, the Anglo Khula Mining 
Fund and the Small Business Start-up Fund. 
The funds operate on a commercial basis, albeit 
with the social purpose of creating sustainable 
and economically viable enterprises by providing 
equity/loans, mentoring and access to value 
enhancing opportunities.

Anglo Zimele management services provides 
hands on support to all three funds and delivers 
strategic input in areas such as corporate 
governance, management, legal, accounting, 
company secretarial, public relations, safety, 
health and the environment.

In 2009, the 509 businesses in Anglo American’s 
various enterprise development initiatives in 
South Africa were collectively responsible for 
employing 9,570 staff members. Turnover 
for the year reached R1.6 billion ($186 million) 
– a 23% growth from R1.3 billion ($157 million) 
in 2008. Anglo Zimele, invested R318 million 
($38 million) in these businesses.

Inspired by Anglo Zimele, Anglo American’s 
Emerge programme was launched in 2006 to 
contribute to economic development and the 
well-being of communities near the Company’s 
operations in Chile.

The Emerge programme has developed a 
two tiered approach: it helps medium sized 
enterprises to grow their businesses by 
offering training, technical support, financial 
assistance and mentoring; and it has entered 
into an alliance with Fondo Esperanza, an 
institution that grants micro-credit and 
business education to small businesses.

More than 100 medium sized business 
entrepreneurs have already completed the 
Emerge programme and obtained their certificate 
from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, and over 
4,000 small business entrepreneurs are taking 
part in the programme. Anglo American’s goal 
is to support 7,000 entrepreneurs by 2010.

Anglo American’s Barro Alto project in Brazil 
has completed the first year of a three year 
social improvement plan with NGO, CARE 
Brazil. The partnership, established in October 
2008, was developed with the aim of enhancing 
local economic flows, improving the quality 
of public education and strengthening social 
capital in the communities surrounding the 
operation in the state of Goiás.

Through CARE Brazil, local residents have been 
encouraged to take part in a free entrepreneurial 
management course in an effort to develop 
business ideas and opportunities in the region. 
The first group of small business owners has 
now completed the course and CARE has 
supported 249 businesses and associations 
in the area, ranging from agribusiness and the 
production of milk and honey, to the sale of 
bread and providing access to internet radio 
in rural areas (see case study opposite).

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

25

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Performance against KPIs
continued

Lost time injury frequency 
rate (LTIFR) and fatal injury
frequency rate (FIFR)*

LTIFR

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

FIFR

0.03

0.025

0.02

0.015

0.01

0.005

0

Year

05

06

07

08

09

LTIFR

FIFR

*See KPI table on page 17 for definitions 

of LTIFR and FIFR

Note: The basis for reporting LTIs became more
inclusive in 2003, when Anglo American began
to include restricted work cases as LTIs. This
was fully implemented by 2006.

Anglo American voluntary 
labour turnover
%

Year

05

06

07

08

09

4.9

5.4

4.3

3.9

6.8

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Anglo American diversity
% Female

Year

05

06

07

08

09

12.5
13.0

14.2

15.2

15.3

10.6

12.0

12.0

17.0

19.0

0

5

10

15

20

% Female managers

% Females

Employer of choice

Safety
Safety remains Anglo American’s number one 
priority. Everyone who works at Anglo American 
has the right to return home injury free and 
the Company’s role is to make this a consistent 
reality. The Group’s vision is to eliminate fatal 
and other injuries in the workplace, thus 
achieving zero harm.

Certain mining activities are of significantly 
higher risk than others, while many on-site 
employees work under challenging conditions. 
Anglo American has worked consistently to 
understand these risks, learn from previous 
incidents and implement risk mitigating 
strategies, including systems, processes, 
infrastructure and behaviour.

During 2009, 19 people lost their lives on 
Company business(1). While any loss of life 
is unacceptable, this nevertheless represents 
an encouraging 32% improvement on 2008 
(28)(2). The Group’s fatal injury frequency rate 
(FIFR) also showed a 33% improvement from 
0.015 in 2008 to 0.010 in 2009.

In 2009, there were longer periods of safe 
operation throughout the Group. The Copper, 
Nickel, Metallurgical Coal, Kumba Iron Ore and 
Exploration business units remained fatality 
free, fatalities at the Thermal Coal business 
dropped by 50% year-on-year, and Anglo 
Platinum recorded its first ever fatality free four 
months from October 2009 to January 2010.

Despite reductions in the total number of 
all leading causes of deaths, transportation 
(six; 32%) and falls of ground (five; 26%) 
were once again the primary causes of most 
fatal injuries. Both these high risk areas are 
receiving priority attention.

During the year, Anglo American conducted a 
global transportation safety audit at 13 mines 
across all business units in order to gain a 
detailed understanding of the related challenges. 
The findings and recommendations from the 
audit have provided a clear understanding and 
definition of the nature and scale of the attendant 
risks. A task force is being established with the 
aim of achieving lasting improvements to the 
overall management of transport risks.

Anglo Platinum has identified falls of ground 
management as a major strategic focus and 
a system has been developed to integrate 
and refine existing efforts to eliminate falls 
of ground. The system is supported by a 
‘no rock will fall uncontrolled’ policy and 
consists of six pillars designed to cater for 
the different aspects and phases of risks 
associated with falls of ground.

Anglo American’s 2009 lost time injury 
frequency rate (LTIFR) of 0.76 has continued its 
downward trend, showing a 27% year-on-year 
improvement (2008: 1.04). The most frequent 
risks associated with LTIs vary from operation 

to operation, and are addressed through 
operational safety improvement plans.

The Anglo Safety Way details the Company’s 
safety vision, principles, policy, and safety 
management system standards. It is 
complemented by a concise set of safety 
golden rules and fatal risk standards and outlines 
what is expected of the Group’s leadership and 
its operations. Each site implements operation-
specific safety improvement plans with progress 
tracked via, inter alia, the Group safety and 
sustainable development assurance programme. 
During 2009, some 2,300 people received 
training on the Company’s award winning 
safety risk management programme, bringing 
the total since inception to 3,600.

Anglo American will continue to drive further 
standardisation and consistency of systems, 
processes and procedures with the aim of 
consolidating them all into a single integrated 
global safety, health and environment 
management system by the end of 2010. 
To check the effectiveness of management 
controls put in place to reduce safety risks, 
the Group sustainable development risk 
and assurance team will conduct audits 
throughout 2010 across all business units 
on falls of ground, contractor management, 
and electricity isolation.

(1) In addition to the 19 recorded fatalities, a further incident 

was recorded at Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine, and is pending 
final classification.

(2) In 2008, Anglo American reported 27 fatal incidents and indicated 
that one security-related fatality was still pending investigation 
at the time of going to print. That incident has since been formally 
recorded, bringing the 2008 total to 28 and the FIFR to 0.015. 

People
In an early response to the global economic 
downturn, the Group conducted a global review 
of its operations in late 2008 and initiated a 
substantial rationalisation programme with 
the anticipated reduction of 19,000 employees 
through to the end of 2009.

In addition, in early 2009, the Group 
commenced an extensive operating model 
review to optimise the effectiveness and 
efficiency of its organisational structure to 
deliver its strategic objectives.

The operational headcount reductions, 
together with the organisational restructures 
and the decision to divest a number of assets, 
constituted a primary focus for the Group’s 
Human Resource activities during the year.

Organisational development
The operating model review was completed in 
October 2009 and resulted in an organisational 
simplification and delayering across the 
Group, with the divisional co-ordinating 
level across Base Metals, Coal and Ferrous 
Metals being removed. This has resulted in 
a leaner organisation with shorter lines of 
communication and clearer accountabilities. 
Profit accountable business units are 
complemented by a lean corporate centre 
focused on essential governance activities 

26

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The system is based on intensive monitoring 
of the working environment by all levels of 
employee and the reporting of incidents. 
All incidents will be followed up and the 
control measure that has failed reinstated. 
The objective is to ensure that exposure to 
health hazards does not exceed the target 
level. The definition of an incident ranges from 
employee observations, through to medical and 
occupational hygiene measurements. This is 
part of a wider approach to occupational health 
risk management so that consistent standards 
for hazard management are rolled out and 
audited across the Group. 

HIV/AIDS
Anglo American continues to be a leader on 
the HIV/AIDS front. During 2009, the Global 
Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis 
(TB) and Malaria recognised Anglo Thermal 
Coal’s South African mines with a business 
excellence award for the best workplace  
HIV/AIDS programme.

The thrust of the Company’s HIV/AIDS response 
continues to be early diagnosis and early access to 
treatment, coupled with intensive HIV-prevention 
campaigns and, in many instances, compulsory 
individual HIV counselling. Anglo American 
exceeded its target of 80% of employees 
undergoing voluntary HIV testing in southern 
Africa during 2009, a significant achievement.

The challenges remain in converting early 
diagnosis to early treatment uptake, ensuring 
long term adherence to anti-retroviral therapy, 
preventing new HIV infections and encouraging 
employees to bring their spouses or partners to 
participate in the Company’s HIV/AIDS prevention, 
care and treatment programmes. At the end of 
2009, more than 3,000 employees were receiving 
anti-retroviral therapy and nearly all of them 
were able to continue with their normal work.

The escalating TB epidemic in South Africa, as 
a direct consequence of the high burden of HIV 
disease in the country, is a source of ongoing 
concern at all Anglo American operations there. 
The Group’s TB control programmes, based on 
similar principles to the HIV/AIDS programmes, 
are being stepped up to ensure that this 
emerging threat is actively managed and 
properly controlled.

and the capture of synergies across the Group 
through collaborative working and best practice 
sharing in the areas of asset optimisation, 
project management, procurement and supply 
chain and shared services.

As part of the operating model review, an 
overall 25% reduction in overhead support 
headcount was targeted at the corporate 
centre and in the business units. By the end 
of December, almost 60% of the targeted 
reduction had already been achieved.

Maintaining progress towards the ambition of 
becoming the employer of choice by ‘living’ and 
being seen by employees to ‘live the values’ 
was critical. Continuing to motivate and engage 
the Company’s people throughout the change 
programmes, with a positive and motivational 
environment for those who remained was a key 
objective. Further progress on transformation 
was another key requirement.

Accordingly, extensive employee consultation, 
regular communication and individual support were 
a consistent feature throughout the restructuring 
and employee downsizing programmes.

The vast majority of the targeted reductions 
were progressed through voluntary severance, 
but where additional reductions beyond those 
achieved through voluntary means was necessary, 
a thorough, fair and transparent assessment 
and selection process was undertaken.

The organisational delayering that was announced 
towards the end of October impacted directly 
upon more than 300 employees within the 
divisional layers and the Group functions, mainly 
based in Johannesburg and London, with extensive 
redeployment and outplacement support 
provided for those adversely affected. 

Talent management
During 2009, the talent audit and Group-wide 
collaborative development processes continued 
in parallel with change activities and refreshed 
assessment tools and processes, which played 
an important role in preparing employees 
for new responsibilities and in informing 
decisions around staffing the new organisation. 
Upgrading and retaining key talent remained a 
major focus during the change initiatives.

Reward and performance
The Group’s comprehensive reward strategies 
have assisted in attracting and retaining 
talented and skilled employees in specific 
sectors of the specialist labour market 
that has remained competitive despite the 
economic downturn. The Group-wide reward 
and evaluation framework has also enabled 
the calibration and integration of new roles 
and facilitated the departure of employees 
through the recent downsizing and restructuring 
programmes, largely through a successful 
voluntary separation process.

Fixed costs have been tightly controlled through 
the exercise of general pay restraint appropriate 
to the economic climate prevailing across different 
geographies. As a result of the restructuring 
activities, the Group delayed the introduction 
of a new performance measurement and 
management system during 2009; this will 
now be tailored to the new organisation 
structure and implemented in 2010.

Transformation
2009 marked a year of continued steady progress 
in terms of transformation. The composition of 
the management ranks within South Africa with 
respect to the historically disadvantaged sector 
grew to 46% (2008: 45%).

The number of women in management rose 
to 19% (2008: 17%). The Group continues 
to grow in strength and diversity as it supports 
initiatives such ‘Women in Mining’ and the 
overall proportion of females increased to 
13% (against 10% Mining Charter target, 
which was raised from 8% in 2005).

Anglo American as a Group has achieved good 
success with respect to the Mining Charter. 
Targets were achieved in seven of the eight 
pillars of the Mining Charter except in the area 
of beneficiation where this was not clearly 
defined by the Department of Mineral Resources 
in terms of measurement.

Health
Health in Anglo American has a broad focus 
and, depending on the country of operation, 
ranges from complete medical care (hospitals 
and medical insurance) through to engineering 
and design of the workplace. At all operations 
there are wellness programmes aimed at 
keeping people healthy and improving health.

Occupational health
Anglo American’s occupational health 
programmes cover all employees and are 
aimed at preventing occupational disease 
through prevention of exposure at source. 
This involves input from a number of experts, 
including occupational hygienists, engineers 
and medical doctors. Despite a declining 
trend in occupational disease statistics, 
Anglo American continues to report cases of 
noise induced hearing loss and occupational 
lung disease each year. A new approach is thus 
required. As occupational disease mostly has a 
long latent period, the use of current statistics 
to measure the effectiveness of the prevention 
control strategy is questionable. For this reason, 
a new system of monitoring based on the 
effectiveness and availability of controls 
is being introduced. 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

27

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Resources

The resources Anglo American 
considers critical to achieving 
its strategic aims include: 
• Knowledge and expertise 
•  Proved and probable reserves

Full details of the Group’s 
Ore Reserves and Mineral 
Resources estimates are 
found on pages 148 to 170

Mining and Technology has developed and 
implemented a comprehensive and industry 
leading structural inspection and maintenance 
management programme (SIMM) to ensure 
employee safety and prevent asset value 
destruction. SIMM accurately assesses the 
condition of critical structures (including 
shaft steelwork) and recommends appropriate 
intervention strategies. This is of particular 
importance to long life assets.

The novel metallurgical process developed for 
the Skorpion Zinc refinery in Namibia is just 
one example in Anglo American‘s long history 
of taking new ideas and developing them into 
working solutions. Currently, Anglo Research is 
developing a process for atmospheric leaching 
of nickel laterite ores. The concept has been 
refined, tested at laboratory scale and piloted 
at mini-plant scale. A fully integrated pilot 
plant is currently under construction and will 
be in operation towards the end of 2010. 
A demonstration plant will be developed based 
on the outcome of a successful pilot campaign.

The state-of-the-art Anglo American developed 
Spectrem airborne electromagnetic system is 
being deployed in Australia following a series 
of successful surveys in Canada and Alaska.

Mining and Technology continues to improve 
other technologies aimed at ensuring the safety 
of vertical transport through the development 
of significantly improved digital electronic 
and detection algorithms in order to identify 
defects in steel wire ropes, and through the 
adaptation of leading edge non-destructive 
testing technologies for shaft winding systems. 
An underground rail inspection system has 
also been developed and implemented, aimed 
at improving the safety and efficiency of 
such facilities.

The Mining and Technology developed best 
practice guideline for shaft design, based on 
the experience and expertise built up over 
decades in Group design offices and operations, 
is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of 
future shafts and at optimising their life 
cycle cost and effectiveness. The document 
will assist designers by means of guidelines, 
specifications, examples and checklists.

The focus on optimising Anglo American’s 
project structures and processes is continuing 
with the implementation of the Group Asset 
Development Standard and associated 
guidelines and tools.

Knowledge and expertise

Technology capability
Anglo American’s strong in-house technology 
capability continues to provide world class 
solutions to the Group and its operations 
globally. Mining and Technology is the custodian 
of specialised engineering skills employed 
throughout the Group, while Anglo Research 
identifies and develops emerging technologies. 
Anglo American’s technology strategy is 
regularly reviewed to meet the Group’s 
changing needs, with the focus on safety, 
sustainable development, asset optimisation, 
the development of value adding technologies 
and on nurturing technical talent.

Mining and Technology has developed the 
Anglo Fatal Risk Standards and Guidelines and 
provides technical support to Group operations 
to ensure their optimal application and 
implementation. Anglo Major Risk Standards 
and Guidelines are currently being finalised to 
address high consequence, low probability risks 
for diverse areas such as shafts, flooding and 
structures. The quality of the organisation’s 
technical support is exemplified by Mining and 
Technology becoming a leader in the field of 
roll-over protection structures (ROPS) through 
numerical crash simulation and physical testing, 
and it has developed the first ROPS standard 
for light vehicles employed in mining 
operations globally.

Mining and Technology plays an integral role 
in sustainable development related work 
within the Group, having developed the Anglo 
Environmental Way with its associated guidelines 
and performance standards. The technical team 
played a key role in the formation of a partnership 
with the NGO, Fauna and Flora International, 
and in its participation in Anglo American’s 
Biodiversity Action Plan Peer Review programme, 
which serves to assist operations to identify key 
biodiversity risks and opportunities. In addition, 
Mining and Technology developed the Mine 
Closure Toolbox, which focuses on the long term 
planning and management of environmental and 
closure liabilities, thus influencing and guiding 
the way operations are designed, planned and 
managed. The toolbox is being implemented at 
more than 30 operations across the globe.

The organisation is equipped with a world class 
measurement and testing laboratory as well as 
highly skilled engineers to support the Group 
on failure analysis and vibration issues, which 
include structural and human vibration matters. 
The measured data is used, inter alia, for the 
prediction or anticipation of failures of critical 
machines, for process optimisations and to 
measure and address exposure limits to prevent 
operator fatigue, which contributes to safer 
and more effective operations. Input is also 
provided to original equipment manufacturers 
in order to address certain design issues, thus 
enhancing the final product.

28

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Exploration
Anglo American continued its exploration 
activities in a range of frontier areas to more 
mature greenfield locations globally as well as 
in brownfield environments in close proximity to 
the Group’s existing operations. The Company’s 
exploration geoscientists are also involved in 
the identification and evaluation of properties for 
potential acquisition or alliance opportunities.

Anglo American teams continued to advance 
exploration on recent discoveries, sole funded 
projects and alliances with other companies. 
Through 2009, the Group, excluding De Beers, 
spent $172 million (2008: $212 million) on 
exploration in 21 countries. De Beers’ own 
exploration expenditure amounted to $48 million 
(2008: $96 million).

Anglo Platinum exploration costs of $17 million 
were incurred during 2009, with a specific focus 
on supplying geological information and 
mitigating resource risk on current operations. 
Although partly curtailed owing to the current 
economic downturn, exploration activities 
included considerable surface diamond drilling. 
3D seismic surveys continue to provide 
exceptional detail on the structural deformation 
of the orebodies, which is not discernible from 
borehole data alone. Aeromagnetic surveys, 
geophysical logging and borehole radar are also 
used to supplement geological knowledge. 
Foreign exploration continued in 2009, with 
projects in Brazil, Canada, Russia and Zimbabwe. 
Exploration operations in China were shut down 
during 2009, while options to dispose of the 
organisation’s interest in the Canadian projects 
were being reviewed at year end. Extensive 
exploration continues on the Great Dyke in 
Zimbabwe to supply resource information 
especially in the Unki area.

Copper exploration across the Group totalled 
$43 million with focused exploration around 
its Chilean copper mines. Advanced project 
work further evaluated the West Wall and 
Michiquillay copper projects in Chile and Peru 
respectively. Near mine exploration efforts 
centred on the San Enrique-Monolito and 
Los Sulfatos copper projects in Chile as well 
as other near mine opportunities.

Nickel exploration of $22 million was 
incurred strengthening the project pipeline, 
with continued work around a nickel-copper 
discovery in Finland, while advanced project 
works further evaluated the Jacaré project in 
Brazil and West Raglan in Canada.

Iron Ore exploration expenditure was principally 
at the Minas Rio project in Brazil and the Kumba 
Iron Ore projects in South Africa. In Brazil, 
programmes tested iron ore targets close to the 
principal resources as well as evaluation targets 
within the project’s infrastructure corridor.

In South Africa, pre-feasibility resource 
evaluation drilling of the Zandrivierspoort 
project in the Limpopo Province was completed 
and exploration activities for the Kolomela 

In the open pit of Thermal Coal’s  New Vaal 
colliery in South Africa, a dragline removes 
overburden to expose the near-surface 
coal deposits.

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An integrated geospatial solution

Mining and metals professionals strive to 
shorten project schedules and lower operating 
costs through improved access to mission-
critical information. Effectively managing and 
controlling the costs of a 20 Mtpa coal mining 
operation requires statistical evaluation of 
multiple databases.

Thermal Coal’s New Vaal colliery required a 
system to link spatial information to various 
databases to allow analysis of possible outcomes 
based on changing variables. Because most of 
this information is inextricably linked to the 
Survey Department, an integrated geospatial 
solution that encompassed the entire mining 

cycle was created by a team comprising mine 
and Mining and Technology experts as well as 
a software solutions provider. An information 
repository and manipulation tool with a primary 
focus on linking production data with spatial 
referencing was identified and tested. Thereafter, 
fixed and dynamic reporting was integrated with 
a web publisher to web-enable the solution.

The tool will be expanded to other functional 
areas in due course. The integrated geospatial 
solution will ultimately enable management 
to have immediate access through the web to 
multiple databases and imagery which would 
otherwise have been inaccessible.

(formerly Sishen South) project in the Northern 
Cape Province were concluded, with mine 
construction commencing in 2009. A number 
of brownfield targets between the Sishen and 
Kolomela mines were explored as part of the 
Falcon/Sibelo project. Pre-feasibility drilling and 
exploration activities on the Phoenix project at 
the Thabazimbi Mine in the North West Province 
commenced at the end of the third quarter of 
2009. Greenfield exploration activities on the 
project in Guinea ceased in early 2009 and the 
project was terminated.

Coal exploration expenditure of $35 million 
was concentrated on evaluating, assessing 
and extending resources for export thermal 
and coking coal, domestic thermal coal and 
coal bed methane (CBM).

In South Africa, further exploration was 
undertaken on the South Rand, Standerton 
East and Kriel East projects, with new project 
drilling commencing on the Elders Underground 
Extension and Vaal Basin projects. Feasibility 
related drilling was carried out on the New 
Largo resource, planned to supply Eskom’s 
Kusile power station. Exploration drilling was 
also intensified in Thermal Coal’s Limpopo area 
for coking coal, as well as in the Waterberg 
Coal project area. The Lephalale CBM resource 
continued to be evaluated utilising results 

from gas yield testing and regional exploration 
drilling. The project is currently generating 
approximately 140 kW of electricity from a 
fuel cell pilot project, which represents a clean 
energy technology initiative between Thermal 
Coal and Anglo Platinum. CBM exploration 
activities in Botswana continued to evaluate the 
prospectivity of the Eastern Karoo Basin through 
a reconnaissance drilling programme which has 
identified areas for future exploration.

In Australia, exploration targeted coking coal 
and export thermal coal in the Drayton South 
(Saddlers Creek), Moranbah South, Grosvenor, 
Rolfe and Carlo Creek Projects.

In Canada, Peace River Coal remained focused 
on defining hard coking coal in the Roman 
Mountain project adjacent to the existing 
Trend colliery. Additional resource definition 
exploration was carried out on the Belsax 
project south east of the colliery.

Zinc exploration expenditure of $10 million 
related to exploration conducted on a recent 
discovery in Namibia as well as works adjacent 
to operations in Ireland and advanced project 
works at the Gamsberg East zinc project in 
South Africa.

Other activity included exploration around the 
Brazilian phosphate mines.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

29

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Group financial performance

Group operating profit was 
$4,957 million, with operating 
profit from core operations of 
$4,451 million

Financial review of Group results
Group operating profit was $4,957 million, 
with operating profit from core operations 
of $4,451 million, 51% lower than 2008. 
This decline in operating profit was driven 
by significant decreases in realised prices of 
all commodities, with the exception of copper. 
Price decreases included a 38% reduction in 
the platinum basket, an average 40% reduction 
in benchmark export iron ore, a 30% decline in 
average nickel and a more than 20% decline in 
export metallurgical coal.

Copper operating profit was 6% higher than 
for 2008, with record production and a 2% 
increase in the realised price of copper, partially 
due to favourable final settlements of sales into 
a rising market. Nickel profits declined due to a 
combination of the lower price, with destocking 
in the stainless steel sector and a 25% inflation 
rate in Venezuela. Platinum was impacted by 
significantly lower average prices compared 
with 2008. Kumba Iron Ore maintained a strong 
operating profit margin despite a 40% decline 
in average benchmark export iron ore prices, 
achieved through increased volumes, principally 
sold to China. Samancor’s profit declined 
due to the decrease in global steel demand. 
Metallurgical Coal and Thermal Coal profits 
were impacted by the decline in export demand 
and prices, partially offset by cost reduction 
programmes. Diamonds saw Diamond Trading 
Company (DTC) revenues fall by $2.7 billion and, 
through production holidays and restructuring, 
De Beers cut its production and operating costs 
by $900 million. However, despite these 
measures operating profit fell by 87%.

Other Mining and Industrial’s operating profit 
increased in the zinc and niobium businesses, 
with growth in sales volumes. This was more 
than offset by lower profits from Tarmac due 
to the housing market decline in Europe and 
significant volume decline for Scaw Metals’ 

products. Other Mining and Industrial’s 
operating profit in 2009 relative to 2008 was 
lower following the sale of Tongaat Hulett and 
Hulamin in the third quarter of 2009 and also 
the sale of Namakwa Sands in October 2008.

Group underlying earnings were $2,569 million, 
51% lower than 2008, which reflected the 
operational results discussed above. The net 
finance costs charge, before remeasurements 
of $273 million, was $179 million lower than 
2008. The effective tax rate, before special 
items and remeasurements and including 
attributable share of associates’ tax, reduced 
in the year from 33.4% to 33.1%.

Group underlying earnings per share were $2.14 
compared with $4.36 in 2008, a 51% reduction.

The Group’s results are influenced by a variety 
of currencies owing to the geographic diversity 
of the Group. In 2009, there was a negative 
exchange variance in underlying earnings of 
$68 million. The Group’s results benefited from 
the weaker Australian dollar, Chilean peso and 
Brazilian real. Despite the average rand rate in 
2009 being 2% weaker than 2008, there was 
a negative rand exchange impact on underlying 
earnings. This reflected a significantly stronger 
rand in the second half of the year when 
operating activities increased with stronger 
demand. There was a negative impact on 
underlying earnings from a significant decline 
in prices amounting to $2,290 million, reflecting 
lower prices across almost all commodities. 

Special items and remeasurements
Operating special items and remeasurements, 
including associates, amounted to a charge of 
$1,840 million. Included in operating special 
items, including associates, were impairments 
totalling $2,130 million. This included an 
impairment charge against the Amapá iron ore 
system. Amapá was acquired in 2008 as an 
operating asset as part of the acquisition of 

Underlying earnings

$ million

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders  
of the Company
Operating special items including associates
Operating remeasurements including associates
Net profit on disposals including associates
Financing special items including associates
Financing remeasurements including associates:

Exchange loss/(gain) on De Beers preference shares
Unrealised net losses/(gains) on non-hedge derivatives related to net debt
Other financing remeasurements
Tax special items including associates
Tax remeasurements
Tax on special items and remeasurements including associates
Minority interests on special items and remeasurements  
including associates
Underlying earnings
Underlying earnings per share ($)

Year ended 
31 Dec 2009

Year ended 
31 Dec 2008

2,425
2,574
(734)
(1,632)
7

21
94
13
152
(469)
180

(62)
2,569
2.14

5,215
477
880
(1,027)
–

(28)
(8)
–
–
153
(264)

(161)
5,237
4.36

30

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

the Minas Rio project. During 2009, Amapá 
experienced significant operational challenges 
across its mine, plant and logistics chain, 
producing 2.7 Mt compared with the design 
capacity of 6.5 Mtpa. Management’s focus has 
been, and remains, on seeking to markedly 
improve performance from the existing operations, 
rather than investing to expand the operation. 
The Amapá system is currently believed to have 
capacity to increase production to 5 Mtpa without 
significant further capital expenditure. Due to 
the focus on improving operational performance 
and preserving cash, limited exploration drilling 
was undertaken in 2009 and the anticipated 
growth potential of surrounding licence areas 
remains untested. Given these operational 
difficulties and delays in increasing production, 
the Group recorded an impairment charge 
of $1.5 billion (after tax and minority interest) 
against the carrying value of the asset.

In January 2008, the Venezuelan Ministry of 
Basic Industries and Mining (MIBAM) published 
a resolution cancelling 13 of Minera Loma de 
Níquel’s (MLdN) 16 exploration and exploitation 
concessions due to MLdN’s alleged failure to 
fulfil certain conditions of the concessions. 
The current mining and metallurgical facilities 
are located on the three concessions that 
have not been cancelled. MLdN believes that 
it has complied with the conditions of these 
concessions and has lodged administrative 
appeals against the notices of termination and 
is waiting for a response from MIBAM. MLdN 
may in the future undertake further appeals, 
including with Venezuela’s Supreme Court, 
if the MIBAM’s ruling does not adequately 
protect its interests.

An impairment and associated adjustments of 
$114 million have been recorded due to increased 
uncertainty over the renewal of the three 
concessions that have not been cancelled but 
that expire in 2012 and over the restoration of 
the 13 concessions that were cancelled.

At 31 December 2009, Anglo American’s interest 
in the book value of MLdN, including its mineral 
rights, was $285 million (as included in the 
Group’s balance sheet). In the 12 months to 
December 2009, MLdN’s production and 
contribution to Group operating profit were 
respectively 10,400 tonnes of nickel in ferronickel 
and a $7 million loss. The average price of nickel 
in 2009 was 667 c/lb. As of 17 February 2010, 
the price of nickel was 910 c/lb.

Due to the nature of the assets, the effects 
of the strengthening Canadian dollar and the 
impact of the global recession on pricing and 
production levels, De Beers recorded an 
impairment of $595 million (attributable share: 
$267 million) in respect of its Canadian asset 
portfolio and has written off $101 million 
(attributable share: $45 million) of Canadian 
deferred tax assets.

Also included in special items and 
remeasurements were one-off redundancy 
costs at the corporate centre of $47 million, 

Summary income statement

$ million

Operating profit before special items and remeasurements
Operating special items
Operating remeasurements
Operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures
Net profit on disposals
Share of net income from associates(1)
Total profit from operations and associates
Net finance costs before remeasurements
Financing remeasurements
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the financial year
Minority interests
Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders
Basic earnings per share ($)
Group operating profit including associates before special items 
and remeasurements(2)

(1) Operating profit from associates before special items and remeasurements

Operating special items and remeasurements

Net profit on disposals

Net finance costs (before special items and remeasurements)

Financing special items

Financing remeasurements

Income tax expense (after special items and remeasurements)

Minority interests (after special items and remeasurements)

Share of net income from associates

O
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Year ended 
31 Dec 2009

Year ended 
31 Dec 2008

4,377
(2,275)
638
2,740
1,612
84
4,436
(273)
(134)
4,029
(1,117)
2,912
(487)
2,425
2.02

7,981
(352)
(779)
6,850
1,009
1,113
8,972
(452)
51
8,571
(2,451)
6,120
(905)
5,215
4.34

4,957

10,085

580

(203)

20

(28)

(7)

6

(286)

2

84

2,104

(226)

18

(147)

–

(15)

(606)

(15)

1,113

(2) Operating profit before special items and remeasurements from subsidiaries and joint ventures was $4,377 million and attributable share from 

associates was $580 million.

 For special items and remeasurements, see note 7 to the Financial statements.

Special items and remeasurements

$ million

Operating  
special items
Operating 
remeasurements
Operating special items 
and remeasurements

Year ended 31 Dec 2009

Year ended 31 Dec 2008

Excluding 
associates

Associates

Total

Excluding 
associates

Associates

Total

(2,275)

(299)

(2,574)

(352)

(125)

(477)

638

96

734

(779)

(101)

(880)

(1,637)

(203)

(1,840)

(1,131)

(226)

(1,357)

Operating profit by business unit

$ million

Platinum
Diamonds
Copper
Nickel
Iron Ore and Manganese
Metallurgical Coal
Thermal Coal
Exploration
Corporate activities and unallocated costs
Operating profit including associates before special  
items and remeasurements – core operations
Other Mining and Industrial
Operating profit including associates before special  
items and remeasurements

Underlying earnings – core operations (1)
(1) See note 3 to the Financial statements.

Year ended 
31 Dec 2009

Year ended 
31 Dec 2008

32
64
2,010
2
1,489
451
721
(172)
(146)

4,451
506

2,169
508
1,892
123
2,554
1,110
1,078
(212)
(219)

9,003
1,082

4,957

10,085

2,166

4,503

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

31

 
 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Group financial performance
continued 

Taxation

$ million (unless  
otherwise stated)

Profit before tax
Tax
Profit for the  
financial year
Effective tax  
rate including 
associates (%)

Year ended 31 Dec 2009

Year ended 31 Dec 2008

Before special 
items and 
remeasure-
ments

Associates’ 
tax and 
minority 
interests

Including 
associates

Before special 
items and 
remeasure-
ments

Associates’ 
tax and 
minority 
interests

4,422
(1,305)

234
(235)

4,656
(1,540)

8,832
(2,545)

654
(623)

Including 
associates

9,486
(3,168)

3,117

(1)

3,116

6,287

31

6,318

and within Anglo Platinum, Metallurgical Coal 
and Thermal Coal of $136 million. There were 
operating remeasurement gains of $734 million, 
which principally related to net gains on non-hedge 
capital expenditure derivatives held by Iron Ore 
Brazil and Los Bronces, and an unrealised gain 
on an embedded derivative at MLdN.

Net profit on disposals of $1,632 million, 
including associates, comprised a profit on 
the disposal of the residual shareholdings 
in AngloGold Ashanti of $1,139 million, 
$247 million on Anglo Platinum’s disposal 
of its 50% share in Booysendal and $69 million 
relating to the disposal of 51% of Anglo Platinum’s 
100% share in Lebowa Platinum Mines.

Financing remeasurements including associates 
were made up of an unrealised net loss of 
$94 million on non-hedge derivatives and 
a $21 million foreign exchange loss on 
retranslating De Beers US dollar preference 
shares held by a rand denominated entity.

Tax remeasurements amounted to a gain 
of $469 million related to foreign currency 
translation of deferred tax balances.

Net finance costs
Net finance costs, excluding a net remeasurement 
loss of $134 million (2008: gain of $51 million), 
decreased to $273 million (2008: $452 million). 
This was due to a $70 million reduction in the 
total interest expense and a $184 million 
reduction in other financing losses (principally 
exchange losses), partially offset by a $75 million 
reduction in total investment income. 

Taxation
IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements 
requires income from associates to be presented 
net of tax on the face of the income statement. 
Associates’ tax is therefore not included within 
the Group’s income tax expense. Associates’ 
tax included within ‘Share of net income from 
associates’ for the year ended 31 December 
2009 was $286 million (2008: $606 million). 
Excluding special items and remeasurements, this 
amounted to $235 million (2008: $623 million).

The effective rate of tax before special items and 
remeasurements, including attributable share of 
associates’ tax for the year ended 31 December 
2009, was 33.1%. This was broadly in line with 

32

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

33.1

33.4

the equivalent effective rate of 33.4% for the 
year ended 31 December 2008. In future 
periods, it is expected that the effective tax 
rate, including associates’ tax, will remain 
above the United Kingdom statutory tax rate. 

Balance sheet
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of 
the Company was $26,121 million compared 
with $20,221 million at 31 December 2008. 
This increase reflected additional tangible 
assets of $5,653 million with capital 
investment, principally in the Group’s core 
commodity assets. Cash at the end of 2009 
was $498 million higher than 2008, which 
included a $316 million benefit of a weak dollar 
on non-US cash holdings. A weaker dollar, 
higher commodity prices than at 31 December 
2008 as well as a stronger trading performance 
in the later stages of 2009 compared with the 
prior year have contributed to a $929 million 
increase to inventories and current receivables.

This was offset by an increase in short, 
medium and long term borrowings, which were 
$320 million greater than 2008, reflecting 
refinancing in 2009 and the impact of a stronger 
rand on rand denominated debt. Deferred 
tax liabilities also increased in the year by 
$637 million. Investments in associates were 
$300 million lower as a result of De Beers 
impairing its Canadian assets, a demand 
driven decline in earnings at Samancor and 
the disposal of Tongaat Hulett and Hulamin.

Cash flow
Net cash inflows from operating activities were 
$4,087 million compared with $8,065 million in 
2008. EBITDA was $6,930 million, a decrease 
of 42% from $11,847 million in 2008.

Proceeds from the sale of financial asset 
investments totalled $2,041 million, including 
net cash inflows on the sale of the Group’s 
residual interest in the shares of AngloGold 
Ashanti and proceeds received on the sale 
of preference shares as part of the disposal 
of the Booysendal joint venture.

Purchases of tangible assets amounted to 
$4,607 million, a decrease of $539 million. 
This spend was focused on the four key near 
term strategic growth projects (Los Bronces, 
Barro Alto, Minas Rio and Kolomela). The overall 

reduction reflected the planned reduction on 
capital investment outside these key projects.

Net cash used in financing activities was 
$1,605 million compared with net cash inflows 
in 2008 of $3,542 million. During the year, 
the Group used cash to repay $6,624 million 
of short term borrowings and the payment 
of $741 million of interest. This was partially 
offset by the proceeds from four bond issuances 
completed in the year totalling $5,892 million. 

Liquidity and funding
Net debt, excluding hedges, was $10,995 million, 
a decrease of $48 million from 31 December 2008. 
Cash and cash equivalents, excluding the impact 
of exchange, increased by $259 million. This 
reflected operating cash flows, the sale of 
financial asset investments and investment in 
associates, purchase of tangible assets and 
movement in financing activities as detailed in 
the cash flow section.

Net debt at 31 December 2009 comprised 
$14,317 million of debt, partly offset by 
$3,319 million of cash and cash equivalents 
(net of bank overdrafts) and $3 million current 
financial asset investments. As a result of 
refinancing activities outlined below the debt 
aging profile changed, with 90% of the total debt 
being due after more than one year, compared 
with 52% at 31 December 2008. Net debt 
to total capital(1) at 31 December 2009 
was 30.8%, compared with 37.8% at 
31 December 2008.

In 2009, Anglo American conducted four major 
bond transactions, raising a total of $5.9 billion, 
which refinanced the Group’s short term debt 
position. In April, $2 billion was raised in a dual 
tranche issuance, with $1.25 billion maturing 
in 2014 and $0.75 billion in 2019. In May, 
a convertible bond was issued, maturing in 
2014, which raised $1.7 billion. In September 
and December, two separate Eurobonds were 
issued, each raising —750 million ($1.1 billion), 
maturing in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

At 31 December 2009, Anglo American 
had undrawn bank facilities of $9.5 billion, 
cash deposits of $3.3 billion and commercial 
paper maturing throughout 2010 of $67 million. 
Anglo American’s only significant facilities 
maturing in 2010 are a £300 million 
($500 million) Eurobond which matures in 
December 2010 as well as the Amapá facilities 
of $538 million. In addition the Group has 
undrawn rand facilities equivalent to $1.9 billion 
with 364 day maturities which roll automatically 
on a daily basis, unless notice is served.

(1) Net debt to total capital is calculated as net debt divided by total 
capital less investments in associates. Total capital is net assets 
excluding net debt.

The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking 
account of reasonably possible changes in 
trading performance and the refinancing of 
the facilities above, show that the Group 
will be able to operate within the level of its 
current facilities for the foreseeable future. 

Dividends
The resumption of the dividend at the earliest 
possible time remains a key priority for the 
Board. Assuming that the commodity price 
environment and outlook continue to improve 
and the business performance remains robust, 
the Board would expect to be able to announce 
the resumption of a dividend in respect of the 
current financial year.

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
ROCE in 2009 was 14.6% compared with 
36.8% in 2008. The decrease was mainly 
due to the operating results discussed in this 
financial review of Group results and in the 
business unit overviews on pages 34 to 63.

Group corporate cost allocation
As a result of the Group announcement on 
22 October 2009 to streamline its management 
structure and remove a layer of global 
management, certain activities previously 
performed within the divisions are now to be 
undertaken at the corporate centre, certain 
will be undertaken in the new business units 
and the remainder will no longer be performed. 
At the same time, it has been decided that the 
figure presented externally as Group corporate 
costs will only comprise costs associated with 
parental or direct shareholder related activities 
and that costs associated with activities which 
are value adding to the business units will 
be reported within the business units. As a 
result, a proportion of corporate costs which 
are believed to be value adding to the business 
units will be allocated to each business unit. 
The Group corporate costs, as included within 
the notes to the accounts, can be reconciled to 
the historical basis for presentation as in the 
table below.

Corporate costs (on a consistent basis with 
those reported in the 2008 Annual Report) 
of $272 million (2008: $345 million) were 
incurred in 2009, a reduction of $73 million. 
The reduction was due in part to the 
strengthening dollar but principally resulted 
from stringent cost reduction measures 
across the corporate offices.

Group corporate costs

$ million

Corporate costs as previously reported
Costs previously reported within divisional results
Corporate costs allocated to business units
Corporate costs as reported under new structure

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Analysis of depreciation and amortisation  
by segment (subsidiaries and joint ventures)

$ million

Platinum
Copper
Nickel
Iron Ore and Manganese
Metallurgical Coal
Thermal Coal
Other Mining  
and Industrial
Exploration
Corporate activities 
and unallocated costs

Year ended 
31 Dec 2009

Year ended 
31 Dec 2008

636
244
26
81
249
107

360
–

507
212
27
52
205
78

404
–

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1,725

24
1,509

Analysis of capital expenditure on a cash  
flow basis by segment (subsidiaries and  
joint ventures)(1)

$ million

Year ended 
31 Dec 2009

Year ended 
31 Dec 2008

Platinum
Copper
Nickel
Iron Ore and Manganese
Metallurgical Coal
Thermal Coal
Other Mining  
and Industrial
Exploration
Corporate activities 
and unallocated costs

1,150
1,068
554
1,044
96
400

268
–

1,563
808
530
783
467
365

603
1

26
5,146
(1) Cash capital expenditure excludes cash flow on related derivatives.

27
4,607

2009

272
76
(202)
146

2008

345
102
(228)
219

33

 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Platinum

Neville Nicolau  
CEO Platinum

No 1

primary producer  
of platinum in  
the world

9

wholly owned  
mining operations 
in South Africa, with 
three smelters and 
two refineries

2.5 m

platinum ounces 
production target  
for 2010

Financial highlights: Platinum 
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Operating profit
EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

2009

2008

32
677
12,141
1,150

1%
31%

2,169
2,675
9,045
1,563

22%
27%

Platinum demand
(koz)

2009

610

1,160

2,340

1,890

2008

555

1,685

1,365

2,580

Autocatalyst: net*  

Jewellery

Industrial†

Investment

Source: Anglo Platinum

* Autocatalyst net represents gross autocatalyst demand less recovered autocatalyst volumes
† Industrial includes chemical, electrical, glass, petroleum refining and other industrial demand

34

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
Operating profit 
(2008: $2,169 m)

$32 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 22%)

1%

EBITDA 
(2008: $2,675 m)

$677 m

Business overview
Anglo Platinum, based in South Africa, is the 
world’s leading primary producer of platinum, 
accounting for around 40% of global output. 
It mines, processes and refines the entire range 
of platinum group metals (PGMs): platinum, 
palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and 
osmium. In addition to the PGMs, base metals 
such as nickel, copper and cobalt sulphate 
are important secondary products and are 
significant contributors to earnings.

Anglo Platinum’s operations exploit the world’s 
richest reserve of PGMs, known as the Bushveld 
Complex, which contains PGM-bearing Merensky, 
UG2 and Platreef ores. The company’s access to 
an excellent portfolio of ore reserves ensures 
that it is well placed to be the world’s major 
platinum producer for many years to come. 

Anglo Platinum wholly owns nine mining 
operations currently in production, a tailings 
re-treatment facility, three smelters, a base 
metals refinery and a precious metals refinery. 
It also has 100% ownership of the Unki project 
in Zimbabwe. Each of its mines operates its own 
concentrator facilities, with smelting and refining 
of the output being undertaken at Rustenburg 
Platinum Mines’ metallurgical facilities. 

A restructuring of mining operations into 
more efficient, stand-alone units involved the 
splitting of the largest mines into smaller new 
mining entities so as to ensure a sustainable 
reduction in the unit cost of production and 
to extract maximum value from the assets 
employed. Rustenburg Section was divided 
into five new mines – Khomanani, Bathopele, 
Siphumelele, Thembelani and Khuseleka – 
while Amandelbult Section was split into the 
Tumela and Dishaba mines. Three high cost 
shafts, namely Siphumelele 3 and 2 shafts 
(formerly known as Bleskop and Brakspruit) 
and Khuseleka 2 shaft (formerly known as 
Boschfontein), were also placed on care and 
maintenance. The company’s 100% owned 
mining operations now consist of the five mines 
at Rustenburg Section and the two mines at 
Amandelbult Section, as well as Mogalakwena 
and Twickenham mines. Union Mine is 85% 
held, with a black economic empowerment 
(BEE) partner, the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela 
traditional community holding the remainder. 

Anglo Platinum also has 50:50 joint ventures 
with: a BEE consortium, led by African Rainbow 
Minerals, at Modikwa platinum mine; BEE 
partner Royal Bafokeng Resources over the 
combined Bafokeng-Rasimone platinum mine 
(BRPM) and Styldrift properties; and XK Platinum 
Partnership in respect of the Mototolo mine. 
In addition, Anglo Platinum has 50:50 pooling 
and sharing agreements with Aquarius Platinum 
covering the shallow reserves of the Kroondal 
and Marikana mines and portions of the 
reserves at Anglo Platinum’s Thembelani 
and Khuseleka mines. 

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During 2009, Anglo Platinum successfully 
completed three BEE transactions:

Mvela: All of the conditions precedent in respect 
of the disposal of Anglo Platinum’s 50% interest 
in the Booysendal project and of its 22.4% 
interest in Northam Platinum Limited to Mvela, 
for a total consideration of R3.7 billion, were 
fulfilled, with the final part of the transaction 
becoming effective in June 2009.

Anooraq: All of the conditions precedent to the 
acquisition by Anooraq of an effective 51% 
interest in Lebowa Platinum Mine and 1% 
interest in the Ga Phasha, Boikgantsho and 
Kwanda projects have been fulfilled and the 
transaction became effective on 30 June 2009. 
The transaction facilitated Anooraq’s strategy 
of becoming a major historically disadvantaged 
South African (HDSA) managed and controlled 
PGM producer and illustrates Anglo Platinum’s 
commitment to broad based BEE as a strategic 
transformation initiative. Anooraq now controls 
the third largest PGM resource base in South 
Africa, with a combination of high quality 
exploration, development and production 
mineral properties.

Royal Bafokeng Resources (RBR): The 
transaction whereby RBR obtained a majority 
interest in the Bafokeng-Rasimone Platinum 
Mine Joint Venture became unconditional and, 
therefore, effective 7 December 2009.

Industry overview
PGMs have a wide range of industrial and high 
technology applications. Demand for platinum 
is driven by its use in autocatalysts to control 
emissions from both petrol and diesel engine 
vehicles, and in jewellery. These uses are 
responsible for 70% of net total platinum 
consumption. Platinum, however, also has an 
enormous range of lesser known applications, 
predominantly in the chemical, electrical, 
medical, glass and petroleum industries.

The platinum jewellery market requires constant 
promotion and development. Anglo Platinum 
is the major supporter of the Platinum Guild 
International (PGI), which plays a key role 
in encouraging demand for platinum and in 
establishing new platinum jewellery markets. 
China has been the leading platinum jewellery 
market since 2000, followed by Europe, Japan 
and North America.

Industrial applications for platinum are driven 
by technology and, especially in the case of 
autocatalysts, by legislation. With the rapid 
spread of exhaust emissions legislation, 
more than 94% of new vehicles now have 
autocatalysts fitted. The intensifying stringency 
of emissions legislation will drive growth in 
PGM demand.

Palladium’s principal application is in 
autocatalysts (around 45% of net demand). 
It is also used in electronic components, in 
dental alloys and, more recently, as an emerging 
jewellery metal in markets such as China. 
Palladium demand is expected to rebound in 
2010, together with supply that is expected to 
increase from recycling of spent autocatalysts. 

Rhodium is an important metal in autocatalytic 
activity, which accounts for nearly 80% of net 
demand. With the global economic slowdown 
depressing production of new vehicles, demand 
for rhodium declined in 2009. Declining demand 
in the autocatalyst sector, coupled with increased 
supplies from South Africa, are likely to keep the 
market in surplus in the short to medium term.

Strategy and growth
Anglo Platinum’s objective is to maintain its 
position as the leading primary producer of 
platinum. In order to do this, the company 
aims to be a highly cost effective producer, 
to develop the market for PGMs and to expand 
production into that growth opportunity.

In the second half of 2008 and in 2009, in 
response to the unprecedented rapid decline 
in PGM prices caused chiefly by rapidly slowing 
vehicle sales in North America, Europe and 
Japan, the company implemented a number 
of initiatives to reduce costs and improve 
operational productivity and also undertook 
a critical examination of capital expenditure. 
Project capital spend is now directly related to 
Anglo Platinum’s long term ounce requirements 
and the reduction in the rate of spend resulted 
in a number of projects being delayed, including 
Tumela (Amandelbult) 4 Shaft, Twickenham 
Platinum Mine and the Styldrift Merensky phase 1 
project. However, the Thembelani 2 Shaft 
(formerly Paardekraal 2), Dishaba (formerly 
Amandelbult) East Upper UG2 and Khuseleka 1 
Shaft (formerly Townlands Ore Replacement) 
projects are all progressing without delay.

Anglo Platinum is involved in developing 
mining activity for PGMs on the Great Dyke 
of Zimbabwe, the second largest known 
repository of platinum after the Bushveld 
Complex. Development and exploration work 
is focused on new projects in the area, including 
Unki, as well as establishing extensions to the 
resource base for future projects.

In February 2010, Anglo Platinum announced 
a rights offer of R12.5 billion (approximately 
$1.6 billion) which will be used to repay long 
term debt, therefore securing future financial 
and operational flexibility and creating capacity 
for growth. Anglo American announced its 
intention to subscribe in full to its entitlement 
to the rights offer.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

35

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Platinum
continued   

Financial overview
Anglo Platinum generated an operating profit 
of $32 million, a 99% decrease compared 
with 2008. Key contributory factors included 
a 38% reduction in the dollar price realised on 
the basket of metals sold, offset by higher sales 
volumes and proceeds received from a business 
interruption insurance claim at Amandelbult.

The average dollar price achieved for platinum 
was $1,199 per ounce for the year, a 24% 
decrease compared with $1,570 in 2008. 
The average prices achieved for palladium 
and rhodium sales for the year were $257 per 
ounce (2008: $355) and $1,509 per ounce 
(2008: $5,174) respectively. The average 
price achieved on nickel sales for 2009 was 
$6.54 per pound (2008: $9.79). The overall 
basket price achieved for the year of 
$1,715 per platinum ounce sold compared 
with $2,764 achieved in 2008.

Markets

Average market prices ($/oz)

2009

2008

Platinum

Palladium

Rhodium

1,211

1,585

266

355

1,592

6,564

The unprecedented volatility in platinum 
demand and price experienced in 2008 was 
followed by a period of consolidation in 2009. 
The inherent strength in the structure of the 
platinum business saw the platinum market 
return to balance during 2009, as jewellery and 
investment demand increased, reacting to lower 
price levels in the first half of the year, and as 
investor sentiment improved. These increases 
offset lower demand for use in autocatalysts 
and from the industrial sector.

Developments in 2009 again highlight the 
importance of Anglo Platinum’s continued 
commitment to market development which 
supports the maintenance of existing, and 
the development of new, industrial (including 
autocatalyst) applications, and the maintenance 
of healthy jewellery markets. Market development 
for by-product metals, most specifically 
palladium and rhodium, maximises the 
contribution to the total revenue from the 
basket of metals sold.

Autocatalysts
Demand for PGMs in the autocatalyst 
industry declined in 2009 due to lower levels 
of automobile production. The reduction in 
metal purchased by auto manufacturers was 
exacerbated, in the first half of the year, 
by their need to decrease vehicle inventory 
levels, therefore restricting production and 
selling from available stock. Some rebuilding 
of these inventories, together with widespread 
government incentive schemes, saw a firming 
in PGM demand in the second half of 2009. 
Incentive schemes resulted in an increase in 

the sale of smaller gasoline vehicles and a 
consequent reduction in diesel vehicle demand 
in Europe.

Industrial
Demand for platinum in the industrial sector 
reduced in line with the global economic decline 
in 2009. Low utilisation rates in the chemical 
and petroleum sectors further reduced demand 
for new metal as companies reduced inventory 
levels. Glass demand was negatively affected 
by excess capacity and a return of metal from 
decommissioned plants.

Jewellery
As expected, demand for platinum jewellery 
fabrication responded quickly and strongly to 
the lower platinum prices in the latter part of 
2008 and the first half of 2009. The increased 
demand was most notable in the unsaturated 
Chinese market. Total demand for jewellery in 
2009 was 70% higher than in 2008.

Investment
Investor inflow into the platinum and palladium 
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) continued 
strongly throughout the year. Platinum holdings 
increased by just over 380 koz to 680 koz and 
palladium by just over 500 koz to 1,170 koz in 
2009. The expected launch of the US based 
ETFs supported firm investment demand 
towards the end of 2009.

Anglo Platinum makes use of its extensive 
knowledge of the PGM market to form the 
basis of its operating strategy, thereby 
enhancing the company’s ability to forecast 
the market’s needs and, consequently, the 
level of production required to ensure long 
term market sustainability.

Operating performance
Anglo Platinum achieved a significant milestone 
in January 2010 when it recorded four consecutive 
months without a fatal incident at its operations, 
including the entire fourth quarter of 2009. 
Anglo Platinum’s continued focus on safety 
also resulted in a further 21% improvement in 
its lost time injury frequency rate to 1.37, from 
1.74 in 2008. Despite these improvements, 
sadly 13 employees lost their lives at Anglo 
Platinum’s managed operations during the year.

The major restructuring of mining operations 
announced early in 2009 was completed by 
the end of the year. The two largest operations, 
Rustenburg and Amandelbult, were split into 
more efficient stand-alone units, of five and 
two mines respectively. This new structure 
ensures a sustainable reduction in the unit cost 
of production and underpins the commitment 
to extracting maximum value from the assets. 
As part of the restructuring process, the source 
of ounces across the portfolio was optimised, 
including placing three high cost shafts on to care 
and maintenance indefinitely: Siphumelele 3 shaft 

and Siphumelele 2 shaft in April and August 
respectively; and Khuseleka 2 shaft at Khuseleka 
Mine in August. Union and Mogalakwena remain 
untouched by these changes. 

Production
Refined platinum production for the year was 
3% higher at 2.45 million ounces, in line with 
the company’s 2009 target. Equivalent refined 
platinum production (equivalent ounces are 
mined ounces expressed as refined ounces) was 
2.46 million ounces. Sales of refined platinum 
for the year were 2.57 million ounces compared 
with 2.22 million ounces in 2008, an increase 
of 16%. This increase was due to unsold metal 
at the end of 2008 being available for sale in 
2009 and the achievement of higher refined 
production volumes.

Costs
Costs were tightly controlled during 2009. 
The focus on cost management, inbound supply 
chain projects and asset optimisation initiatives 
began to bear fruit and resulted in the cash 
operating cost per equivalent refined platinum 
ounce remaining flat at R11,236. This was 
achieved despite upward inflationary pressure 
caused by wage and electricity tariff increases 
in excess of consumer price inflation.

Cost increases were curbed through improved 
productivity and numerous cost management 
initiatives, including:

 >

Placing the high cost Siphumelele 3 (Bleskop), 
Siphumelele 2 (Brakspruit) and Khuseleka 2 
(Boschfontein) shafts on to care and 
maintenance;

 >

Early renegotiation with suppliers for reduced 
prices on key input commodities such as 
diesel, steel, tyres and reagents; 

 >

Changing Mogalakwena’s mining production 
levels without sacrificing concentrator 
throughput;

 >

Completing the restructuring processes at 
the Rustenburg and Amandelbult mines; and

 >

Reducing overhead costs at the corporate 
and regional offices.

Anglo Platinum reduced its head office and 
regional office headcount by 724 people in 2009, 
bringing the total reduction since July 2008 to 
1,150. Overall headcount was reduced by 
15,752 during the year, and by 18,786 since 
October 2008. Productivity levels increased by 
13% compared with 2008, to 6.33 m2 per total 
operating employee on average per month.

Projects
Capital expenditure for 2009, excluding capitalised 
interest, was 26% lower at $1,150 million, of 
which $708 million was spent on projects and 
$442 million on stay-in-business capital.

Total expected capital expenditure for 2010 
has been reduced to approximately $1 billion, 
excluding capitalised interest.

36

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

The 65 kozpa Unki platinum project in Zimbabwe 
is progressing towards the commissioning of 
its concentrator in the fourth quarter of 2010. 
The development of the underground declines is 
64% complete and the supporting infrastructure 
is 80% complete.

Outlook
Anglo Platinum expects the platinum market in 
2010 to return to a position of deficit as a result 
of a moderate increase in supply but a significant 
recovery in demand. South African production is 
expected to remain constrained as producers adapt 
to a safer working environment and because 
lower rand metal prices resulted in production 
in 2009 being restricted at high cost operations 
across the industry.

Vehicle sales in 2010 are expected to be similar to 
those seen in 2009, though production is likely to 
increase as fewer sales from stock are expected 
in 2010. Higher sales of larger sedan vehicles 
are expected as diesel fleet purchases recover. 

While demand for industrial products is 
expected to recover slowly, platinum demand 
is expected to be enhanced by a substantial 
element of restocking.

Another good year is expected from the 
investment segment, particularly following 
the launch of the US ETF.

Jewellery demand is expected to decrease in 
2010 in the absence of the extra demand that 
rebuilt supply chain inventory levels in 2009. 
While the higher price may discourage new 
jewellery demand in mature markets, the 
Chinese jewellery market continues to react 
positively to gradual price increases and remains 
the largest market for platinum jewellery.

The platinum price in 2010 is expected to 
remain above $1,500 per ounce on average as 
improvements in the global economic recovery 
and restocking are likely to further increase 
the expected demand recovery in 2010.

Firm investment demand for palladium and 
the strong reliance by gasoline engines, more 
typical in smaller engines and in the growing 
Chinese market, are likely to see the price 
of metal strengthen. Rhodium remains in 
demand for its particular catalytic properties, 
but suffered a reduction in demand owing to 
thrifting at the very high prices during 2008.

Given the prevailing market conditions, the 
company has targeted 2010 production of 
2.5 million ounces of refined platinum and to 
produce this volume at a unit cost marginally 
above R11,000 per platinum ounce, the same 
level as in the preceding two years.

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Hydropower equipment (HPE) 
raise rig drill at Twickenham Mine. 
HPE forms part of Anglo Platinum’s 
mechanisation programme which 
is leading to higher quality raise 
development than through using 
conventional drilling and blasting, 
and faster rates of development, 
as well as safety benefits as fewer 
employees are needed in the critical 
drilling areas. 

Monthly average basket price

Rand basket price per Pt ounce

US$ basket price per Pt ounce

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

Year

2007

H1 
2008

H2 
2008

H1 
2009

H2 
2009

US$

Rand

Source: Anglo Platinum

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

37

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Diamonds

Gareth Penny 
MD De Beers

No 1

name in the world 
diamond industry

17

mining operations 
in three southern 
African countries  
and in Canada

15

years – mine 
life extension 
at Jwaneng, the 
world’s flagship 
diamond mine

Forecast demand by region
(%)

Financial highlights: Diamonds 
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

2008

40%

26%

Share of associate’s operating profit
EBITDA
Group’s associate investment in De Beers(1)

7%

Share of Group operating profit

8%

2016

35%

20%

11%

16%

2009

2008

64
215
1,353

508
665
1,623

1%

5%

(1) Excludes shareholder loans of $367 million and preference shares of $88 million (2008: $118 million and  

11%

$88 million respectively).

9%

8%

9%

USA

Gulf

China

Japan

India

Taiwan

Hong Kong

Italy

Rest of world

Source: De Beers

De Beers annual operating costs 2003-09
($ m)

Demand by region
(%)

2008

2016 F

1,142

1,013

1,035

983

866

817

402

18%

4%
2%
2%

7%

11%

40%

14%

2%

2%
2%

11%

9%

35%

8%

8%

9%

16%

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Year

Source: De Beers

Source: De Beers

USA

Gulf

China

Japan

India

Taiwan

Hong Kong

Italy

Rest of world

38

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
Share of associate’s operating profit 
(2008: $508 m)

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 5%)

$64 m

1%

EBITDA 
(2008: $665 m)

$215 m

Business overview
Anglo American’s diamond interests are 
represented by its 45% shareholding in De Beers. 
The other shareholders in De Beers are Central 
Holdings (owned by the Oppenheimer family) 
with an effective 40% and the Government of 
the Republic of Botswana (GRB) with 15%.

De Beers is the world’s leading diamond 
business and with its joint venture partners 
operates in more than 20 countries across 
five continents, employing over 15,000 people. 
De Beers produces around 40% of the world’s 
rough diamonds by value from its mines in 
Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. 

De Beers holds a 50% interest in Debswana 
Diamond Company and in Namdeb Diamond 
Corporation, owned jointly with the GRB and 
the Government of the Republic of Namibia 
(GRN) respectively, and a 70% shareholding 
in De Beers Marine Namibia. 

In addition, De Beers has a 74% shareholding 
in South African based De Beers Consolidated 
Mines Limited, with a broad based black 
economic empowerment consortium (the 
Ponahalo group) holding the balance. 

De Beers owns 100% of The Diamond Trading 
Company (DTC), the sales and rough diamonds 
distribution arm of De Beers. It also has a 
50% interest with the GRB in Diamond Trading 
Company Botswana and a 50% ownership, 
along with the GRN’s matching shareholding, 
in Namibia Diamond Trading Company. 

De Beers and Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton 
have established a high-end retail jewellery 
joint venture, through De Beers Diamond 
Jewellers, with stores in the most fashionable 
areas of some of the world’s great cities, 
including New York, Los Angeles, London, 
Paris, Tokyo and Dubai. 

De Beers, through Element Six, is the world’s 
leading supplier of industrial diamond 
supermaterials. Element Six operates 
internationally, with 10 manufacturing sites 
worldwide and a comprehensive global sales 
network. It is the leading player in the markets 
in which it operates. 

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In consequence, diamond production was 
reduced by 49%, or 23.5 million carats, in 
comparison with 2008. This reduction was 
achieved through a series of production 
holidays and extended maintenance shifts at 
the company’s mines in Botswana, South Africa 
and Canada through the first half of the year. 

De Beers continued to drive demand in 
2009 through its highly regarded marketing 
campaigns in the US and Asia. In the US, 
De Beers developed its latest Big Idea concept, 
creating a new model in which it launched the 
Everlon Diamond Knot Collection, along with 
a full scale integrated marketing campaign. 
For the first time with such a programme, 
funding is also being undertaken with a select 
set of participating sightholders and retailers.

In February 2010, the shareholders of De Beers 
agreed, as part of the De Beers group’s 
refinancing, that additional equity was required 
by De Beers. The shareholders of De Beers have 
accordingly all agreed to subscribe, in proportion 
to their current shareholding, for $1 billion of 
additional equity in De Beers. The Group’s share 
of such additional equity, in line with its equity 
holding in De Beers, amounts to $450 million.

Industry overview
Up to two-thirds of the world’s diamonds 
by value originate from southern and central 
Africa, while significant sources have been 
discovered in Russia, Australia and Canada. 
Most diamonds come from the mining of 
kimberlite deposits. Another important source 
of gem diamonds, however, has been secondary 
alluvial deposits formed by the weathering 
of primary kimberlites and the subsequent 
deposition of released diamonds in rivers and 
beach gravels.

Rough or uncut diamonds are broadly classified 
either as gem or industrial quality diamonds, 
with gem being overwhelmingly (>99%) 
the larger of the two markets by value. The 
primary world market for gem diamonds is in 
retail jewellery, where aspects such as size, 
colour, shape and clarity have a large impact 
on valuation. De Beers, through the DTC, 
and its partners in Botswana, South Africa 
and Namibia, supplies its clients – known as 
‘Sightholders’ – with parcels of rough diamonds 
that are specifically aligned to their respective 
cutting and polishing needs.

Strategy and growth
During 2009, De Beers, in order to withstand 
the most severe and prolonged downturn in the 
diamond industry for decades, took bold action 
to remain profitable at a far lower level of sales, 
and to place itself in a robust position to benefit 
from the eventual recovery. The strategy 
focused on lowering production levels to match 
sharply reduced sightholder demand, identifying 
cost savings and operating efficiencies across 
the business, and seeking ways to stimulate 
consumer demand.

De Beers ownership structure

45%

40%

Anglo American Group

Central Holdings Group

100%

DB Investments (Lux)

De Beers sa (Lux)

Government of the 
Republic of Botswana

15%

50%

De Beers Diamond Jewellers

100%

Element Six

50%

50%

74%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Debswana
Diamond
Company

Namdeb
Diamond
Corporation

De Beers
Consolidated
Mines

De Beers
Canada

De Beers
UK

De Beers
Group Services
(RSA)

Diamdel
operations

50%

50%

DTC Botswana

Namibia DTC

DTC

Forevermark

DTC
South Africa

De Beers and shareholders
Owned and controlled subsidiaries and divisions
Joint ventures and independently managed subsidiaries 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

39

 
 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Diamonds
continued 

Rough demand and 
market sentiment 
began to improve 
during the year.

Financial overview
Anglo American’s share of operating profit from 
De Beers decreased by 87% to $64 million.

DTC sales totalled $3.23 billion, significantly 
below the previous year (2008: $5.93 billion) 
owing to the impact of the global economic 
downturn. The DTC employed a flexible 
approach in response to the volatile levels of 
client demand for rough diamonds during the 
year. This agility enabled the DTC to continue 
making sales, albeit at a reduced level, 
throughout the year and to steadily increase 
levels of supply as rough demand and market 
sentiment began to improve during the year.

Markets
In line with most products in the luxury sector, 
the diamond industry was severely affected 
in 2009 by the global recession. The impact 
of high stock levels throughout the diamond 
pipeline constricted liquidity in the cutting 
centres and lower consumer demand led to 
lower demand for rough diamonds from the DTC 
Sightholders. The market was hit most acutely 
in the first quarter and, as the year progressed, 
industry sentiment improved, which allowed 
the DTC to increase prices and sales volumes 
throughout the second half of the year.

Debswana’s flagship Jwaneng 
mine. A recently announced 
expansion project will extend the 
mine’s life to at least 2025 and 
will create access to an estimated 
95 million carats of diamonds.

40

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

At the retail level, the 2009 holiday period took 
place amidst continued economic weakness, 
with American consumers continuing to spend 
less than previous years. The luxury goods and 
high-end jewellery sector appeared to perform 
slightly above expectations, outperforming 
other categories. In the emerging markets of 
India and China, demand for diamond jewellery 
remained positive in the face of a weaker 
economic climate.

In accordance with the strategy to stimulate 
demand, the Forevermark programme continued 
to expand in China, Hong Kong, Japan and 
Macau. The brand is now available in 245 stores 
across Asia and achieved over $100 million in 
retail sales in its first 12 months.

In the US, De Beers partnered with Sightholders 
and retailers to roll out an integrated marketing 
campaign for the holiday shopping season. The 
Everlon Diamond Knot Collection was marketed by 
leading major retailers and over 300 independent 
outlets in the US. Although sales figures have 
yet to be released, anecdotal reports from 
participating retailers and Sightholders described 
the campaign as being one of the few successes 
in an otherwise difficult marketplace.

Operating performance
At the beginning of 2009 and in response to 
reduced demand from DTC Sightholders, De Beers 
reduced production across its portfolio of mines. 
Through production holidays and extended 
maintenance shifts, output was significantly 
reduced in the first quarter, resulting in a 91% 
reduction in carats produced compared with the 
same period in 2008. As Sightholder demand 
increased gradually in the second quarter, which 
continued throughout the rest of the year, 
De Beers increased production to 18.0 million 
carats in the second half (2008: 23.9 million 
carats), an increase of 173% compared with the 
first six months and a reduction of 49% year on 
year. For 2009 as a whole, De Beers produced 
24.6 million carats (2008: 48.1 million carats). 
Production from Debswana totalled 17.7 million 
carats (2008: 32.3 million carats), Namdeb 
produced 0.9 million carats from land and sea 
operations (2008: 2.1 million carats), while 
the output from South African operations 
also decreased to 4.8 million carats (2008: 
12.0 million carats). The Canadian mines produced 
1.1 million carats (2008: 1.6 million carats). 

De Beers tackled costs aggressively, achieving 
a $1.1 billion reduction in operating and capital 
expenditure, a 45% reduction in production 
and operating costs and a 23% reduction in 
its global workforce.

The effects of the strengthening Canadian 
dollar, the impact of global recession on pricing 
and production levels at Snap Lake have led to 
a non-cash impairment charge of $595 million 
(attributable: $267 million) against the value 
of De Beers’ Canadian assets and written 
off $101 million (attributable: $45 million) 
of deferred tax assets.

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Projects
At the end of 2009, Debswana announced 
a major expansion project at Jwaneng, the 
world’s flagship diamond mine in Botswana. 
This project, also known as Cut-8, will extend 
the mine life to 2025. Debswana will invest 
$500 million in capital expenditure, while the 
estimated project investment is likely to total 
$3 billion over the next 15 years. At its peak, 
the project will create more than 1,000 jobs 
and create access to a further 95 million carats, 
which could be worth in excess of $15 billion 
over the life of the mine.

Outlook
De Beers will continue to take a cautious 
approach to production, sales and cost 
management in 2010, whilst anticipating 
a steady recovery of the industry.

As the world economy recovers, the global 
market for polished diamonds has stabilised and 
is also recovering. De Beers is encouraged by 
initial stronger levels of demand compared with 
those it witnessed at the same stage in 2009, 
and history has shown that demand generally 
rebounds strongly in post-recessionary periods 
as manufacturers and retailers look to rebuild 
their inventories. De Beers remains cautious as 
the global consumer demand for luxury goods is 
yet to fully recover to pre-crisis levels and will 
continue, therefore, to take a prudent approach 
to production during 2010. While production is 
planned to increase above 2009 levels, it is not 
expected to return to historical highs for the 
foreseeable future. De Beers will continue to 
focus on cost and capital management, further 
increasing efficiencies and reducing costs.

China and India are the two priority growth 
markets for diamonds and are expected to 
collectively account for one-third of global 
demand by the middle of the decade. De Beers 
launched the Forevermark programme in both 
the Chinese and Indian markets to support 
its partners in driving demand for diamonds. 
In the US, consumers were particularly hard 
hit by the economic downturn. However, the 
fourth quarter Everlon marketing initiative was 
received well and trends indicate the downturn 
has bottomed out, with growth over the 
Christmas season providing encouragement for 
the world’s largest diamond consumer market.

De Beers’ exploration maintained 
a high discovery rate in 2009, 
adding 45 kimberlites, up from 
the 37 discoveries in 2008.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

41

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Copper

John MacKenzie  
CEO Copper

670

kt – record 
attributable copper 
production in 2009

6

copper operations 
(five wholly owned) 
in Chile

400

ktpa copper  
from an expanded 
Los Bronces

Financial highlights: Copper 
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Operating profit
EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

2009

2008

2,010
2,254
4,763
1,068

41%
12%

1,892
2,104
3,148
808

19%
10%

Group potential copper production*
(kt)

Refined copper consumption per capita (first use)
(kg/capita by US$ GDP (PPP)/capita)

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Year

18
16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

09

10

11

12

13

F

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Existing and approved
Major unapproved growth pipeline
Forecast conceptual production 10+ year outlook

F
Source: Anglo American

*From the Copper business unit

Source: Anglo American analysis

Germany

USA

Japan

S Korea

China

42

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
Operating profit 
(2008: $1,892 m)

$2,010 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 19%)

41%

EBITDA 
(2008: $2,104 m)

$2,254 m

Business overview
Copper has interests in six operations in 
Chile. These operations comprise the wholly 
owned Los Bronces, El Soldado, Mantos 
Blancos and Mantoverde mines, the Chagres 
smelter and a 44% interest in the Collahuasi 
mine. The mines also produce associated 
by-products such as molybdenum and silver. 
In addition, the business unit has controlling 
interests in two projects in Peru (Quellaveco 
and Michiquillay) and a 50% interest in the 
Pebble project in Alaska.

Industry overview
The majority of copper produced is used by 
the wire and cable markets on account of the 
metal’s electrical conductivity and corrosion 
resistance. Applications that make use of 
copper’s electrical conductivity, such as wires 
(including wiring used in buildings), cables 
and electrical connectors, make up around 
60% of total demand. About 20% of demand 
comes principally from the construction 
industry which uses copper to produce plumbing 
pipe and roof sheeting, owing to the metal’s 
corrosion resistance qualities. Copper’s 
thermal conductivity also makes it suitable 
for use in heat transfer applications such as air 
conditioning and refrigeration, which constitute 
some 10% of total demand. Other applications 
include structural and aesthetic uses.

Copper is an attractive industry, with moderate 
concentration of customers and suppliers, 
relatively high barriers to entry and a track record 
of good average profitability over the long term. 
The approximate global market share of the five 
largest copper producers is 38%. Producers are 
price-takers and there are relatively few 
opportunities for product differentiation. No 
fundamental technological shifts are expected 
in the short to medium term, with access to 
quality orebodies continuing to be the key 
distinguishing factor. Forecast long term demand 
is underpinned by robust growth in copper’s 
electrical uses, particularly wire and cable in 
construction, automobiles and electricity 
infrastructure. The key growth area will continue 
to be the developing world, led by China and 
India with their massive industrialisation and 
urbanisation programmes, and where per capita 
copper consumption remains substantially lower 
than that of the advanced economies of the US, 
Japan and Europe.

Copper’s tightening fundamentals are also 
defined by perennial constraints on the supply 
side, driven by continuing declines in ore 
grades at both maturing existing operations 
and new projects in the pipeline, a lack of 
capital investment and under-exploration in 
the industry and political and environmental 
challenges in new copper areas. The industry 
is capital intensive and is likely to become more 
so as high grade surface deposits are exhausted 
and deeper and/or lower grade deposits are 
developed, requiring greater economies of scale 

in order to be commercially viable. Scarcity of 
water in some geographies is also enforcing the 
construction of capital- and energy-intensive 
desalination plants.

China has increased its share of first use refined 
metal consumption from 12% in 2000 to an 
estimated 35% in 2009.

Copper prices increased very strongly through 
2009 – even as refined metal inventories 
trended higher and global demand looked weak. 
However, speculative and investment funds 
moved aggressively into commodities, thereby 
propelling prices higher and this was further 
supported by a cautious but growing confidence 
in the second half of the year that the global 
economy was showing signs of recovery. 
Strong Chinese imports also played a powerful 
role, while the numerous incidents of industrial 
action and technical difficulties leading to 
output losses also helped support the price.

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Strategy and growth
Copper’s strategy is to find or acquire, develop 
and operate long life, low cost mines in a 
socially and environmentally responsible 
manner, with a strong focus on efficient 
resource allocation, continuous improvement 
and capital and operating excellence.

The business is constantly developing and 
evaluating growth options from a combination 
of sources, including greenfield and brownfield 
projects, acquisitions, exploration, technology 
development and asset optimisation programmes. 
Significant future growth will come from 
approved expansions at Los Bronces, while 
studies are at an advanced stage into further 
growth potential at Quellaveco in Peru and 
Collahuasi in Chile. In addition, work continues 
on evaluating the potential and development 
options for the resources acquired in 2007 at 
Michiquillay in Peru and Pebble in Alaska.

In August 2009, Anglo American announced 
the discoveries of two high quality copper 
prospects at Los Sulfatos and San Enrique 
Monolito in Chile. These two prospects 
together increase the Group’s copper resources 
(excluding reserves) by approximately 50%.

Development work at the Los Bronces 
expansion project. The expansion is due 
to come on stream in late 2011, with 
production increasing to an average of 
over 400 ktpa of copper during the first 
10 years of its expected 30 year life.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

43

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Copper
continued 

Record total  
copper production  
of 669.8 kt was 
achieved in 2009.

Financial overview
Copper generated an operating profit of  
$2,010 million, an increase of 6%, underpinned 
principally by record production and lower 
operating costs, as well as the benefit of a 
marginally higher realised copper price and the 
weaker Chilean peso. This was partly offset by 
the impact of a lower molybdenum price.

Markets

Average market price (c/lb)

Copper

2009

234

2008

315

Copper prices rose steadily during the year, 
reflecting improving global economic conditions, 
and ended the year at a high of 333 c/lb. This 
price increase was driven initially by speculative 
and investment fund inflows and Chinese stock 
building, before gaining further ground in the 
second half as a number of operating incidents 
and industrial action impacted global supply.

Despite the price increase from 132 c/lb at 
the end of 2008, the average price for the year 
was 26% lower than in 2008, although 2% 
higher on a realised price basis, partially due to 
the favourable final settlements of sales prices 
into a rising market.

Operating performance

Attributable production (tonnes)

2009

2008

Copper

669,800 639,800

Record total copper production of 669.8 kt 
was achieved in the year, an increase of 5%, 
driven by annual production records at both 
Los Bronces and Collahuasi. Los Bronces 
production was affected in the first half by 
lower sulphide grades and recoveries, before 
improved operating efficiencies and ore grades 
in the second half lifted full year production 
to a record high. At Collahuasi, despite 
production having been impacted for 44 days 
following the failure of a conveyor electrical 
control centre, attributable production rose by 
15% to 235.8 kt.

Operating costs benefited from improved 
operational efficiencies and price reductions 
achieved for key consumable items such as 
sulphuric acid, diesel and power. Lower freight 
costs were offset by higher concentrate 
treatment and refining charges.

Projects
Construction of the Los Bronces expansion 
project is progressing according to schedule, 
with its target date for commissioning in late 
2011. Engineering design was substantially 
completed by the end of 2009 and construction 
work on the various sites is on schedule. 
A significant milestone, the opening of the 
Los Bronces section of the conveyor tunnel 
from the mine through to the grinding plant at 
Confluencia, was achieved in November 2009. 
Production at Los Bronces is scheduled to 
increase to 490 ktpa over the first three years 
of full production (an average of over 400 ktpa 
over the first 10 years). At peak production 
levels, Los Bronces is expected to be the fifth 
largest producing copper mine in the world, 
with highly attractive cash operating costs and 
reserves that support a mine life of 30 years. 
Resource and mineralisation studies carried out 
by Anglo American’s technical teams support 
further potential expansion.

At Collahuasi, an expansion project is under 
way to increase sulphide processing capacity 
to 150 kt per day by early 2011, while the 
significant potential for subsequent phased 
expansions continues to be evaluated.

At Mantoverde, pre-feasibility studies are 
currently under way for a sulphide ore life 
extension.

In Peru, good progress was made in the year 
on a revised feasibility study for the 225 ktpa 
Quellaveco project. This study is targeted for 
completion during 2010.

The focus at the Michiquillay project, also in 
Peru, has been on building relationships with 
the local communities and, in this respect, land 
access negotiations were completed in June 2009. 
The geological exploration programme that 
began in July had completed 16,000 metres 
of drilling by the end of the year. Drilling was 
suspended in late 2009 pending resolution 
of issues currently under discussion with local 
communities. Baseline environmental and 
hydrological studies also commenced during the 
second half of the year. Conceptual engineering 
studies have been completed and a decision to 
award the pre-feasibility engineering studies 
will be taken during 2010. 

Activities at the Pebble project in Alaska 
advanced on all fronts during 2009. In 2010, 
the project team will work towards finalising 
the engineering design, completing the 
environmental baseline document and carry 
out additional exploration drilling within the 
claim area.

44

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Outlook
Increased throughput is not expected to 
fully compensate for lower ore grades putting 
pressure on production levels in 2010 prior 
to the commissioning of the Los Bronces 
expansion project, which together with targeted 
throughput improvements at Collahuasi 
and El Soldado, will deliver a step increase 
in attributable copper production in 2011. 
While a continued strong copper price through 
2010 would put pressure on the Chilean peso 
and labour costs, further cost and operating 
efficiency benefits are expected to be delivered 
through the Group’s global supply chain and 
asset optimisation initiatives.

Demand for copper from China is expected 
to continue growing at a healthy rate, while 
demand in North America and Europe is also 
showing signs of recovery. On the supply side, 
production is anticipated to continue to be 
constrained by industrial action, declining grades, 
increasing social and environmental demands 
and other political risks. Notwithstanding 
Chinese government measures to restrict short 
term credit and the high level of restocking in 
2009 giving rise to potential price volatility in 
2010, the strong long term fundamentals for 
copper remain in place.

Stacker/reclaimer in action 
at the Mantoverde mine, which 
produced over 60 kt of copper 
cathode in the year.

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Estimated global copper mine production
(Excludes possible projects) (Mt copper)

20

15

10

5

0

Year

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Base case production capability

Highly probable BF*

Highly probable GF†

Probable BF

Probable GF

Source: Copyright Brook Hunt, a Wood Mackenzie company: Metals Market Service – Long Term Outlook Copper December 2009

*BF: Brownfield  †GF: Greenfield

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

45

 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Nickel

Walter De Simoni  
CEO Nickel

19.9

kt total nickel 
production 
(excluding  
Anglo Platinum)

2

ferronickel 
operations and  
one approved 
ferronickel project

36

ktpa average  
nickel output  
of Barro Alto  
from 2012

Financial highlights: Nickel 
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Operating profit
EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

2009

2008

2
28
1,787
554

0.04%
5%

123
150
1,401
530

1%
4%

Group potential nickel production*
(kt)

Estimated global primary nickel consumption
(kt)

160

120

80

40

0

Year

12% [CAGR]

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

2003-2009
CAGR 0.6%

18.5%

(0.2)%

(4.2)%

(3.8)%

2009-2020 F
CAGR 4.8%

9.0%

2.7%

2.4%

2.1%

09

10

11

12

13

F

Year

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Existing and approved
Major unapproved growth pipeline
Forecast conceptual production 10+ year outlook

F
Source: Anglo American
*Including nickel production from Anglo Platinum

Asia excl. China

Europe

Rest of world

China

Source: Copyright Brook Hunt, a Wood Mackenzie company: Metals Market Service – Long Term Outlook Nickel December 2009

46

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
Operating profit 
(2008: $123 m)

$2 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 1%)

0.04%

EBITDA 
(2008: $150 m)

$28 m

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Strategy and growth
Nickel’s strategy is in line with the Group’s 
overall strategy of finding or acquiring, 
developing and operating world class, low 
cost mines in a socially and environmentally 
responsible manner, with an increasing focus 
on safety and asset optimisation.

Although prone to its own price volatility and 
metal cycle movements generally, nickel’s 
medium and long term demand fundamentals 
are being driven by the ongoing development of 
the so-called BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India 
and China).

The restructuring of the Anglo American Group 
has brought with it the opportunity to have a 
new management team dedicated to the nickel 
business. With this team now in place, there is 
a sharpened focus on optimisation initiatives 
at the operations as well as on the successful 
execution of the Barro Alto project. Beyond 
Barro Alto, the business unit has significant 
optionality to develop the Jacaré and Morro 
Sem Bone projects, which would make Anglo 
American a growing player in the nickel market 
and one that is well positioned on the lower 
half of the industry cost curve.

Business overview
Nickel comprises two ferronickel operations: 
Codemin in Brazil and Loma de Níquel in 
Venezuela as well as the world class Barro 
Alto ferronickel project in Brazil. In addition, 
within the business unit’s portfolio, there 
are two promising projects, both in Brazil, at 
the unapproved stage: Jacaré and Morro Sem 
Bone. These have the potential to significantly 
strengthen Anglo American’s position in the 
worldwide nickel market, adding at least 
66 ktpa to the Group’s present annual total 
nickel production (including Anglo Platinum’s 
nickel output) of 39.4 kt.

Industry overview
Nickel is the fifth most common element found 
on earth. It is found in about 20 countries, 
with known reserves estimated to last around 
100 years at the present mining rate. The metal 
occurs as two main deposits: sulphides that are 
found underground, and laterites that can be 
mined by open pit methods.

Nickel is a hard, ductile metal with high 
resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Nickel’s 
main use is as an alloying metal, along with 
chromium and other metals, in the production 
of stainless and heat resisting steel. About 
60% of nickel is used to manufacture stainless 
steel and 25% in other steel and non-ferrous 
alloys. In a more recent development, the 
Chinese stainless steel industry, which has 
been absorbing growing volumes of nickel 
pig iron (NPI), is looking to a potential annual 
offtake of 100 kt of nickel in NPI form. Primary 
nickel is used in the form of pure nickel metal, 
ferronickel, nickel oxide and other chemicals. 
Nickel is also recycled in many of its applications 
and large volumes of scrap nickel are used to 
supply the steel industry.

Over the past decade, nickel usage has grown 
as developing nations have increased the pace 
of their industrialisation and urbanisation 
programmes. Demand has risen from about 1.1 Mt 
in 1999 to about 1.3 Mt in 2009, a compound 
average growth rate of 2% per annum. 

This growth, however, has not been uniform, 
with short-lived peaks typically being followed 
by extended periods of relative weakness. The 
nickel market experienced its highest offtake 
in recent years in 2006 when demand reached 
in the order of 1.4 Mt; thereafter, demand 
declined every year up to and including 2009 
when it was an estimated 1.3 Mt. A recovery 
in the nickel market is expected in 2010 and 
forecasts are that consumption could reach 
approximately 1.4 Mt.

On the production side, primary refined nickel 
output in recent years has been broadly in line 
with the strong growth of the world economy, 
with around 1.4 Mt of the metal being produced 
in 2007. The economic crisis in 2008 led to 
a production decline to just below 1.4 Mt, 
with output falling further in 2009 to an 
estimated 1.3 Mt.

In spite of the overall fall in world production in 
2009, China, Norway and the European Union 
achieved modest increases in output, though 
declines were experienced in Russia, Australia 
and New Caledonia.

The supply/demand balance has been affected 
by the very high levels of Chinese imports 
during the year and also by strikes at Vale-Inco 
in Canada. Despite continuing strike action, 
demand from the stainless steel sector has 
started to weaken and London Metal Exchange 
(LME) stocks had risen significantly to a forecast 
level of around nine weeks’ consumption by the 
end of 2009.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

47

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Nickel
continued

The Barro Alto 
project in Brazil was 
nearly 80% complete 
at the year end and 
is on schedule.

Financial overview
Nickel generated an operating profit of 
$2 million, strongly impacted by the 30% 
decrease in average nickel prices for the year 
and Venezuelan inflation of approximately 
25%. Sales volumes of 23,635 tonnes were 
32% higher, mainly due to the drawing down 
of stockpiles at Loma de Níquel and Codemin 
following the weakening in the nickel market 
in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Markets

Average market price (c/lb)

Nickel

2009

667

2008

953

Nickel demand increased during the second 
half of the year, mainly due to higher Chinese 
stainless steel output and imports, after 
being negatively affected in the first half 
by price-led substitution, destocking in the 
stainless steel sector and weak global economic 
conditions. The nickel price reached a low of 
427 c/lb during March, increased to 956 c/lb 
in August and ended the year at 838 c/lb.

Metal pour in the 
ferronickel smelter 
at Codemin, which 
produced 9,500 tonnes 
of nickel in 2009.

48

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Operating performance

Attributable production (tonnes)(1)

2009

2008

Nickel

19,900 20,000

(1) Excludes Anglo Platinum nickel production.

Nickel production decreased marginally to 
19,900 tonnes owing to lower production 
at Loma de Níquel, partially offset by higher 
production at Codemin.

Loma de Níquel produced 10,400 tonnes 
of nickel, a decrease of 5%. Production was 
impacted in January by the non-renewal of 
the environmental permit to dispose of slag 
from the smelting process while studies 
were finalised to find disposal alternatives, 
an estimated impact of 1,100 tonnes. In May, 
a metal run-out from the EF2 furnace resulted 
in its closure for the rest of the year, with a loss 
of approximately 4,500 tonnes of production 
during 2009. Reconstruction of the furnace was 
completed in January 2010 and full production 
is expected during the second quarter. While 
only 50% of smelting capacity was available 
between June and December, production 
achieved 59% of budget through optimisation 
of the remaining plant processes.

Operating costs were kept under tight control 
despite Venezuelan inflation and the artificially 
pegged exchange rate. Port congestion difficulties 
faced in the first half were overcome through 
the use of an alternative port and shipping route.

In January 2008, the Venezuelan Ministry of 
Basic Industries and Mining (MIBAM) published 
a resolution cancelling 13 of Minera Loma de 
Níquel’s (MLdN) 16 exploration and exploitation 
concessions due to MLdN’s alleged failure to 
fulfil certain conditions of the concessions. 
The current mining and metallurgical facilities 
are located on the three concessions that have 
not been cancelled. MLdN believes that it has 
complied with the conditions of these concessions 
and has lodged administrative appeals against 
the notices of termination and is waiting for a 
response from MIBAM. MLdN may in the future 
undertake further appeals, including with 
Venezuela’s Supreme Court, if the MIBAM’s 
ruling does not adequately protect its interests.

An impairment and associated adjustments 
of $114 million have been recorded due to 
increased uncertainty over the renewal of the 
three concessions that have not been cancelled 
but that expire in 2012 and over the restoration 
of the 13 concessions that were cancelled.

At 31 December 2009, Anglo American’s 
interest in the book value of MLdN, including 
its mineral rights, was $285 million (as included 
in the Group’s balance sheet). In the 12 months 
to December 2009, MLdN’s production and 
contribution to Group operating profits were 
respectively 10,400 tonnes of nickel in 
ferronickel and a $7 million loss. The average 
price of nickel in 2009 was 667 c/lb. As of 
17 February 2010, the price of nickel was  
910 c/lb. 

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Codemin’s production increased by 4% to 
9,500 tonnes, primarily as a result of improved 
equipment availability. Cash operating 
costs were reduced by 11%, aided by higher 
production and lower fuel oil prices.

Projects
The Barro Alto project was nearly 80% complete 
at the year end and is on schedule towards 
producing its first metal in early 2011 and full 
production in the second half of 2012. This 
project makes use of an existing operation and 
proven technology and will produce an average 
36 ktpa of nickel in full production (41 ktpa 
over the first five years), with a cost position 
in the lower half of the curve. Further asset 
optimisation initiatives are under way which 
are expected to improve its cost positioning 
further. When Barro Alto reaches full production 
in 2012, Anglo American’s nickel production 
(excluding nickel production from Anglo 
Platinum) will reach 61 ktpa, while additional 
potentially world class projects in the pipeline 
could increase production to 120 ktpa, with 
further upside potential, leveraging the Group’s 
considerable nickel laterite technical expertise. 
Barro Alto has an approved life of mine of more 
than 25 years from its extensive resource base.

The unapproved Jacaré and Morro Sem Bone 
projects submitted their PAE (Economic 
Exploitation Plan) to the Brazilian mining 
authorities during 2009.

Outlook
In 2010, Loma de Níquel’s production is 
expected to substantially increase following 
the start-up of the rebuilt EF2 furnace and the 
implementation of various process improvements. 
Production at Codemin is expected to decrease 
to approximately 8,400 tonnes (12%) due to its 
planned furnace relining.

The long term outlook for nickel is for robust 
growth, underpinned by stainless steel uses 
for applications where corrosion resistance, 
hygiene and strength are required, such as in the 
automotive and construction industries, nickel 
alloys for the energy and electronic (batteries) 
Global nickel mine production
sectors and the broader industrialisation of the 
(Excludes possible projects) (Kt)
emerging economies, led by China.

Construction work on the ferronickel 
plant at the Barro Alto project, which 
is due to produce its first metal 
in 2011, ramping up to an annual 
production of 41 kt over the first five 
years of a forecast 25 year life.

Estimated global nickel refinery production capability
(Excludes possible projects) (kt nickel)

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

03 05

07

09

11

13

15

17

20

Year

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Mine production capability
Probable projects

Highly probable projects

Mine production capability

Highly probable projects

Probable projects

Source: Copyright Brook Hunt, a Wood Mackenzie company

Source: Copyright Brook Hunt, a Wood Mackenzie company: Metals Market Service – Long Term Outlook Nickel December 2009

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

49

 
 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Iron Ore and Manganese

Chris Griffith 
CEO Kumba Iron Ore

Stephan Weber  
CEO Iron Ore Brazil

42

Mt – iron ore 
output at Kumba 
in 2009

>80%

Proportion of  
iron ore for export  
at Kumba

5.0

Mt – Measured,  
Indicated and  
Inferred resources  
for Minas Rio  
phase 1

Financial highlights: Iron Ore and Manganese 
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Operating profit

Kumba Iron Ore
Iron Ore Brazil
Samancor

EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

2009

2008

1,489
1,487
(141)
143
1,593
10,370
1,044

2,554
1,583
(9)
980
2,625
10,457
783

30%
27%

25%
32%

Group potential iron ore production
(Mt)

Estimated global seaborne iron ore demand by product
(Mt)

150

120

90

60

30

0

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

2009-2013 F
[CAGR]

20.2%

20.5%

5.7%

7.4%

Year

09

10

11

12

13

F

Year

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

Existing and approved
Major unapproved growth pipeline
Forecast conceptual production 10+ year outlook

F
Source: Anglo American

Fines

Lump

Pellets

Pellet feed

Source: Anglo American

50

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
Operating profit 
(2008: $2,554 m)

$1,489 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 25%)

30%

EBITDA 
(2008: $2,625 m)

$1,593 m

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Strategy and growth
The core strategy of the business is to grow 
Anglo American’s position in iron ore and to 
supply premium, high quality iron ore products 
in the face of the declining quality of global iron 
ore supplies. Anglo American has a unique iron 
ore resource footprint, with large, high quality 
resource bases in South Africa and Brazil.

Kumba produces a leading quality lump and 
is well positioned to supply the high growth 
Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets. It is 
also geographically well positioned to supply 
European steel markets in the light of an 
expected decline in lump supplies from other 
sources. Minas Rio will capture a significant 
part of the high growth pellet feed market with 
its premium product featuring high iron content 
and low impurities.

Significant future growth will come from the 
expansion projects at Minas Rio and Kolomela 
(previously Sishen South). Minas Rio phase 1 
will produce 26.5 Mtpa, with first production 
scheduled for the second half of 2012, and has 
the potential to be expanded to up to 80 Mtpa. 
Resources have increased from 1.2 billion 
tonnes in 2007 to 5.0 billion tonnes (Measured, 
Indicated and Inferred) in 2009, with further 
resource potential. Studies for the expansion of 
the project have continued to be evaluated 
during 2009. The Kolomela project is expected 
to produce 9 Mtpa of iron ore, with initial 
production scheduled for the first half of 
2012 and ramping up to full capacity in 2013.

The manganese strategy is to focus on 
upstream resources businesses, despite 
their low-cost alloy smelters having been 
significant contributors to profit in recent years. 
In addition, alloy smelters add value to the 
overall manganese business as they enable 
Samancor to access markets with an optimal 
mix of ore and alloy, to optimise production to 
best suit market conditions and provide ongoing 
information on the performance of their ores in 
the smelting process.

Business overview
Iron Ore includes a 62.76% shareholding in 
Kumba Iron Ore in South Africa. Iron Ore Brazil 
has a 100% interest in the Minas Rio iron ore 
project, a 49% shareholding in LLX Minas 
Rio, which owns the port of Açu (currently 
under construction) from which iron ore from 
the Minas Rio project will be exported, and a 
70% interest in the Amapá iron ore system.

Kumba, listed on the Johannesburg Stock 
Exchange, operates two mines – Sishen in the 
Northern Cape, which produced 39.3 Mt of iron 
ore in 2009, and Thabazimbi in Limpopo, which 
had a production of 2.6 Mt in 2009. Kumba is 
a leading supplier of seaborne iron ore, and 
exported more than 80% of its total iron ore 
sales volumes in 2009, with 75% of these 
exports destined for China and the remainder 
to Europe, Japan and South Korea.

The Minas Rio iron ore project is located in the 
states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro and 
will include open pit mines and a beneficiation 
plant in Minas Gerais producing high grade 
pellet feed. The completion of phase 1 will 
see transportation of ore through a slurry 
pipeline more than 500 kilometres to the port 
of Açu in Rio de Janeiro state. Amapá, located 
in Amapá state in northern Brazil, is in the 
process of ramping up its pellet feed and sinter 
feed production and expects to produce 4.0 Mt 
in 2010. Amapá production could increase to 
6.5 Mtpa with further capital investment.

Manganese comprises a 40% shareholding 
in Samancor Holdings, which owns Hotazel 
Manganese Mines and Metalloys, both situated 
in South Africa, and a 40% shareholding 
in each of the Australian-based operations 
Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) 
and Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company 
(TEMCO), with BHP Billiton owning 60% and 
having management control. Samancor is the 
world’s largest producer of seaborne manganese 
ore and is among the top three global producers 
of manganese alloy. Its operations produce a 
combination of ores, alloys and metal from sites 
in South Africa and Australia. In July 2009, 
Samancor sold 26% of Hotazel Manganese 
Mines in a series of transactions designed to 
comply with South Africa’s black economic 
empowerment requirements.

Industry overview
Steel is the most widely used of all metals. 
In 2009, despite the world economic slowdown, 
world crude steel production reached 1.2 billion 
tonnes, a decrease of only 8% on 2008, as 
China, the world’s principal steelmaker, ratcheted 
up crude steel production on the back of the 
Chinese government’s substantial fiscal 
stimulus package. Chinese crude steel output 
for 2009 was 567.8 Mt, an increase of 67.5 Mt 
or 13.5% year on year.

In response to returning demand, steel 
producers across the industry began bringing 
dormant production capacity online, with 
multiple blast furnace restarts being reported 
in the second half of the year. Global steel 
capacity utilisation reflected these trends, 
rising from a low of 58.3% in December 2008 
to 71.5% in December 2009 – though still 
significantly below the peaks of over 90% 
recorded in early 2008.

In 2009, total seaborne iron ore supply 
increased by 3% from 797 Mt to 819 Mt, largely 
driven by strong Chinese steel production, with 
Chinese imports showing a 41% year-on-year 
rise to 628 Mt. In the early part of the year, 
Chinese domestic steel production dropped off 
drastically for a time when spot prices were 
insufficient to support the high cost, low quality 
output, but recovered in the second half of the 
year on the back of higher iron ore prices.

Spot iron ore fines prices recovered from 
their lows of late 2008 and early 2009. 
Prices reached their highest 2009 levels 
in December 2009 of $112/t (for cost and 
freight (CFR) 63.5% Fe delivered China), 
thus applying upward pressure on the 
pending 2010 benchmark price negotiations.

As 96% of manganese ore is smelted to 
produce manganese ferroalloys (such as 
ferromanganese and silicomanganese), which 
are used in steel alloying applications, the 
performance of the manganese alloy industry 
is the key determinant of ore demand. The early 
part of 2009 was characterised by significant 
demand contraction with underlying demand 
trends masked by stocking and destocking 
activities across the value chain. Market 
conditions progressively recovered during 
the third quarter and continued to improve as 
global steel production maintained an upward 
trend. Manganese ore and alloy prices declined 
significantly during the first half of the year, but 
increased progressively in the third and fourth 
quarter owing to improved market conditions, 
allied with the restocking phase. Manganese 
alloy prices, however, will be influenced by 
supply responses resulting from latent capacity 
in the industry, and both ore and alloy prices 
will be influenced by steel production trends 
and the stocking and destocking cycles.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

51

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Iron Ore and Manganese
continued

Financial overview
Iron Ore and Manganese generated an operating 
profit of $1,489 million, some 42% lower than 
2008. This was as a result of lower iron ore 
prices, partly offset by higher iron ore sales 
volumes, and lower manganese ore and alloy 
volumes and prices.

Markets
World crude steel production continued to 
increase during the second half of 2009 
compared with both the first half of 2009 
and the second half of 2008, with most major 
steel producing countries posting an increase 
in output. World crude steel production of 
1.2 billion tonnes was, however, markedly 
lower than the 1.3 billion tonnes produced 
in 2008. Steel production in China in 2009 
increased by 13.5% to 568 Mt. China’s 
economic growth continues to be robust on the 
back of strong domestic focused consumption 
and infrastructure-based stimulus spending. 
The increase in steel production, coupled with 
lower Chinese domestic iron ore production, 
resulted in record seaborne iron ore imports 
into China. In the second half of 2009, the 
European, Japanese and South Korean markets 
saw a tentative recovery, with an improvement 
in iron ore demand following some production 
increases and restocking by the steel industry. 

The manganese ore and alloy market reflected 
the decline in world crude steel production. 
The market was characterised by uncertainty in 
ore and alloy demand, masked by stocking and 
destocking activities and, consequently, prices 
for ore and alloy declined significantly during 
the year. Supply cutbacks swept the manganese 
sector in an effort to match the reduced levels 
of demand, which were maintained into the 
third quarter of 2009. Demand began to 
improve during the second half of the year, 
when producers responded to the improved 
order levels by announcing furnace restarts.

Operating performance
Kumba Iron Ore’s strong financial performance 
for the year was underpinned by a solid operational 
performance. The company reported operating 
profit of $1,487 million, a decrease of 6%, 
mainly as a result of lower average export sales 
prices, mostly offset by higher export sales 
volumes. Despite lower benchmark iron ore 
export prices, which decreased on average by 
40% for the 2009-10 iron ore year, Kumba 
maintained a strong operating profit margin of 
53%. Total sales volumes increased by 21% 
from 33.0 Mt to 40.0 Mt. Export sales volumes 
from Sishen Mine increased by 37% from 
24.9 Mt to 34.2 Mt as volumes ramped up from 
the jig plant (Sishen expansion), the successful 
introduction of a new blended fines product and 
an increase in demand from China. Total domestic 
sales volumes decreased by 28%, or 2.3 Mt, 
owing to lower demand from ArcelorMittal SA.

Total production at Sishen Mine increased by 
16% from 34.0 Mt to 39.4 Mt, principally as 
a result of the continued ramp up of the jig 
plant which achieved production of 10.4 Mt 
in 2009 and remains on schedule to achieve 
approximately 13 Mt during 2010.

The Amapá iron ore system produced 2.7 Mt 
during the year, compared with 1.2 Mt in 2008 
(of which 712 kt was produced after the Group’s 
acquisition in August 2008). The production 
rate ramped up during the second half of the 
year and, in the fourth quarter, monthly average 
production was 314 kt.

Amapá was acquired in 2008 as an operating 
asset as part of the acquisition of the Minas Rio 
project. During 2009, Amapá experienced 
significant operational challenges across its 
mine, plant and logistics chain, producing 
2.7 Mt compared with the design capacity 
of 6.5 Mtpa. Management’s focus has been, 
and remains, on seeking to markedly improve 
performance from the existing operations, 
rather than investing to expand the operation. 
The Amapá system is currently believed to 
have capacity to increase production to 5 Mtpa 
without significant further capital expenditure. 
Due to the focus on improving operational 
performance and preserving cash, limited 
exploration drilling has been undertaken in 
2009 and the anticipated growth potential of 
surrounding licence areas remains untested. 
Given these operational difficulties and delays 
in increasing production, the Group has recorded 
an impairment charge of $1.5 billion (after tax 
and minority interest) against the carrying 
value of the asset.

Samancor achieved an operating profit of 
$143 million, an 85% decrease, due to lower 
manganese ore and alloy sales volumes and 
prices following the decline in global steel 
demand.

Projects
The development of the 9 Mtpa Kolomela 
mine continues and remains on budget and on 
schedule to deliver first production during the 
first half of 2012, ramping up to full capacity 
in 2013. Mining operations commenced 
during the year, with the first blast carried 
out on 17 September 2009. To date, 4 Mt of 
material has been moved. Since the start of 
construction activities on the project in 2008, 
capital expenditure has totalled $367 million, 
of which $290 million was incurred during 2009. 

The pace of construction and project expenditure 
at Minas Rio is, in large part, dependent upon 
receiving a number of environmental licences and 
other permits. A total of 21 licences and permits 
were granted in the year, key among these were 
the first part of the Mine and Beneficiation Plant 
Installation Licence (granted in December), the 
federal permit for land clearance at the mine and 
the approvals of specific permits for the port 
road modifications. The second part of the 
Installation Licence is expected to be approved 
during the early part of 2010. Anglo American 
continues to work with local, state and federal 
authorities and landowners to ensure that the 
timing of licence and permit receipts and land 
acquisitions does not further impact the overall 
timing of the project. 

Project development on the plant and pipeline 
in 2009 has been focused on the areas of 
earthworks and civil works. Filtration plant 
ground improvement works were commenced.
At the port, offshore works have continued 
with the construction of the main trestle, now 
2.5 km in length, and dredging works, while the 
temporary jetty for breakwater construction is 
nearing completion. Onshore, the quarry for 
production of the breakwater rock is operational 
and the quarry-to-port road modifications and 
construction are progressing. First iron ore 
production is scheduled for the second half of 
2012, with a planned annual capacity in the 
first phase of 26.5 Mtpa of iron ore pellet feed.

Anglo American’s forecast attributable share 
of the post-acquisition capital expenditure for 
the first phase of the project has increased by 
$1.1 billion, from $2.7 billion to $3.8 billion 
owing to scoping changes at the mine, pipeline 
and port, as well as foreign exchange movements.

Studies for the expansion of the Minas Rio 
project continued during 2009. The latest 
resource statement resulting from geological 
work, provides a total resource volume 
(Measured, Indicated and Inferred) of 5.0 billion 
tonnes, with further upside potential supporting 
the envisaged expansion of the project.

52

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Outlook
Analyst forecasts indicate that global steel 
consumption should grow in excess of 5% per 
annum over the next three years, which would 
lead to increasing iron ore demand. Chinese 
demand for iron ore is expected to grow by at 
least 5% during 2010. With recovery beyond 
China expected during 2010, the supply 
pressures on seaborne iron ore continue to 
increase. Overall, the global seaborne iron 
ore market remains structurally tight. 

Kumba expects to further increase production 
volumes during 2010. Export sales volumes 
into China are expected to normalise at around 
60% of the geographical sales mix. Although 
global steel demand is expected to return to 
growth in 2010, this is likely to be moderate 
and the sustainability of the increase in demand 
from developed countries remains uncertain. 
Domestic sales volumes remain dependent upon 
ArcelorMittal SA’s offtake requirements, which 
declined in 2009.

The market for manganese ore and alloys 
is dependent upon the carbon steel industry. 
Improvements in demand and prices will be 
underpinned by strengthening steel production 
trends, the rate of furnace restarts and the 
level of Chinese exports.

The product screening facility under 
construction at Kumba Iron Ore’s 
Kolomela project. The mine is on 
schedule to start production in the 
first half of 2012, ramping up to full 
capacity of 9 Mtpa in 2013.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

53

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Metallurgical Coal 

Seamus French 
CEO Metallurgical Coal

26.7

Mt – Metallurgical 
Coal attributable 
production in 2009

6

mines in Australia 
(all majority owned)

14%

increase in coal 
production in 
2010 following 
asset optimisation 
and productivity 
improvements

Financial highlights: Metallurgical Coal
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

2009

2008

Operating profit
Australia
Projects and corporate

EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

451
474
(23)
706
3,407
96

9%
9%

1,110
1,144
(34)
1,319
2,669
467

11%
8%

Metallurgical Coal potential attributable 
production* (Mt)

Estimated seaborne metallurgical coal demand
(Mt)

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Year

09

10

11

12

13

F

Year

04

05

06

07

08

09

Existing and approved
Major unapproved growth pipeline
Forecast conceptual production 10+ year outlook

F
Source: Anglo American

* Includes metallurgical and thermal coal from Australia.

China

India

USA

EU 15

Japan

Rest of world

Source: AME

54

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
Operating profit 
(2008: $1,110 m)

$451 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 11%)

9%

EBITDA 
(2008: $1,319 m)

$706 m

Business overview
Metallurgical Coal is Australia’s fourth biggest 
producer of coal and its number three exporter 
of metallurgical coal. 

The company’s operations are based relatively 
close to the country’s east coast, from where 
it serves a range of customers throughout 
Asia and as far as Europe and South America.

Metallurgical Coal operates six mines, one 
wholly owned and five in which it has a 
controlling interest. Five of the mines are 
located in Queensland’s Bowen Basin: 
Moranbah North (metallurgical coal), Capcoal 
(metallurgical and thermal coal), Foxleigh 
(metallurgical coal), Dawson (metallurgical 
and thermal coal) and Callide (thermal coal). 
Drayton mine (thermal coal) is in the Hunter 
Valley in New South Wales. 

All of the mines are in well established locations 
and have direct access to rail and port facilities 
at Dalrymple Bay, Gladstone or Newcastle.

Moranbah North is an underground longwall 
mining operation with a mining lease covering 
100 square kilometres. Coal is mined from 
the Goonyella Middle Seam, approximately 
200 metres below the surface. The mine 
produced 2.6 Mt (attributable) of high fluidity, 
hard coking coal for steel manufacturers in 
2009. Metallurgical Coal recently commissioned 
a coal seam methane power station at 
Moranbah North that will reduce its carbon 
dioxide (CO2) emissions by around 1.3 Mtpa.

Capcoal operates two longwall underground 
mines and an open cut mine. Together, these 
mines produce around 4.6 Mt (attributable) 
annually of prime quality hard coking coal, 
pulverised coal injection (PCI) and thermal coal. 
Capcoal supplies methane-rich seam gas to 
Energy Developments Limited’s waste coal  
mine gas power station, eliminating 1 Mt of  
CO2 emissions per annum. 

Foxleigh is an open cut operation with an 
annual output exceeding 1.6 Mt (attributable) 
of high quality PCI coal. Its operations will be 
debottlenecked to increase production to 
2.2 Mtpa over the next three years.

Dawson is an open cut operation that produced 
7.4 Mt in total (3.8 Mt attributable) of hard and 
soft coking coal and thermal coal in 2009.

Metallurgical Coal owns an effective 23% 
interest in the Jellinbah mine in Queensland 
which produces metallurgical coal. 

In 2009, excluding Jellinbah, Metallurgical 
Coal’s mines produced 12.6 Mt (attributable) 
of metallurgical coal, all of which was exported, 
and 14.1 Mt (attributable) of thermal coal, of 
which 42% was exported.

Metallurgical Coal’s resource base totals some 
3.4 billion tonnes of coal. These include high 
quality greenfield metallurgical coal reserves 
that are close to existing infrastructure.

Strategy and growth
Metallurgical Coal’s strategy is to be a large, 
low cost, reliable exporter of quality coal to 
steel producers worldwide from Queensland’s 
well established Bowen Basin. 

Operational excellence is driven through a 
structured programme of asset optimisation 
that benchmarks performance for key activities 
to drive performance across the business to 
best practice standards.

Growth is driven both from optimising output 
from existing mines and from the ongoing 
development of a project pipeline underpinned 
by a comprehensive exploration and 
planning process.

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Key to securing Metallurgical Coal’s future is 
the development of long term relationships with 
major customers in order to cultivate a stable 
market for its products. These relationships 
proved their worth during a period of uncertain 
demand in early 2009 when Metallurgical Coal’s 
product continued to be ordered in preference to 
that of a number of other producers.

Anglo American is committed to reducing 
the Group’s carbon emissions by supporting 
world leading technologies. As an example 
of this, Metallurgical Coal recently became a 
cornerstone investor in Australian based MBD 
Energy, acquiring a 29% shareholding in the 
business. MBD Energy will soon commence 
trials of its leading-edge carbon capture and 
conversion technology, using algal synthesisers 
at three of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas 
emitting, coal fired power plants. 

Industry overview
Metallurgical coal is a key raw material for 
70% of the world’s steel industry.

Each year, the world produces over 5 billion 
tonnes of hard coal, most of which is used in 
the country of origin. A small volume is traded 
across land borders such as those between the 
US and Canada or between the countries of the 
former Soviet Union. The international seaborne 
metallurgical coal market comprises some 
200 Mt of metallurgical coal. 

Produced in a relatively limited number of 
countries, metallurgical coal is primarily used 
in the steelmaking industry and includes hard 
coking coal, semi-soft coking coal and PCI 
coal. The chemical composition of the coal 
is fundamental to the steel producers’ raw 
material mix and product quality. The market 
for metallurgical coal has a bigger proportion of 
longer term, annually priced contracts, though 
increasingly, some steel companies are using 
short term contracts to meet the balance of 
their requirements. Demand in the sector is 
fundamentally driven by economic, industrial 
and steel demand growth. Price negotiations 
between Australian suppliers and Japanese steel 
producers have traditionally, though not always, 
set the trend that influences settlements 
throughout the market. Metallurgical Coal is a 
significant supplier to virtually all the world’s 
major steel producing groups.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

55

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Metallurgical Coal
continued

The second half 
of the year saw a 
significant increase  
in demand.

Financial overview
Metallurgical Coal delivered an operating profit 
of $451 million, a 59% decrease, primarily due 
to lower prices as a result of weaker demand 
conditions, partially offset by lower mining costs.

Operating performance

Attributable production  
(thousand tonnes)

2009

2008

Export metallurgical

12,623

13,145

Thermal

14,052

14,696

Markets

Anglo American weighted average 
achieved FOB prices ($/tonne)

2009

2008

Export metallurgical

141.04

187.36

Export thermal

Domestic thermal

73.82

83.22

26.75

20.75

Attributable sales volumes  
(thousand tonnes)

2009

2008

Export metallurgical

11,542

13,147

Export thermal

Domestic thermal

6,239

8,604

5,780

9,682

Following a year of tight market conditions 
and record prices in 2008, demand for coal 
was severely constrained in the first quarter 
as steelmaker inventories were wound down, 
particularly impacting the PCI coal market. 
Benchmark metallurgical coal prices retreated 
from their c.$300 per tonne peak in 2008 
by up to 60%, reducing the average selling 
price for the year by 22%. 

Metallurgical coal markets improved in the 
second quarter owing to significant buying 
from China, initially of hard coking coal and 
subsequently a wider range of metallurgical 
coals, including PCI, thereby underpinning 
traditional benchmark prices at levels second 
only to those seen in 2008. The second half of 
the year saw a significant increase in demand 
from traditional customers in Japan, South 
Korea, India and Europe as steel industry 
production units ramped up.

Estimated global crude steel production
(Mt)

Metallurgical coal production of 12.6 Mt was 
4% lower than in 2008 in response to weaker 
demand from steel customers. However, the 
business was well positioned to weather the 
volatile market due to its diversified product 
positioning across all market segments and 
its strong long term relationships with key 
customers, enabling market share to be 
gained during the period. Total attributable 
coal production was 26.7 Mt, a 4% decrease.

In response to the market downturn in late 
2008, Metallurgical Coal acted swiftly to 
restructure its operations and reduce its cost 
base while continuing development of key 
strategic projects. Marginal activities were 
closed, headcount was reduced by 20%, a 
new streamlined organisational model was 
implemented and significant reductions were 
made in maintenance and supply costs. These 
initiatives resulted in significantly lower unit 
costs, by more than $10 per tonne, compared 
with the cost base in the second half of 2008, 
and a 24% productivity increase over 2008.

In recent years, logistics constraints in the 
rail to port chain have hindered business 
performance. The co-ordinated three year 
programme to expand system capacity at 
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal has proceeded 
well, with the port expansion complete, the 
track expansion to be completed by March 2010 
and the last of the rolling stock to be delivered 
by mid-2010. This action has improved 
capacity in the logistics system. Metallurgical 
Coal continues to manage the port queuing 
challenges by building flexibility into its 
logistics planning.

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Year

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

China

India

USA

EU 15

Japan

Rest of world

Source: AME

56

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
The initiatives taken across the business, 
including through asset optimisation and a 50% 
reduction in required stay in business capital, 
resulted in a more competitive cost position for 
the business and position it well to capitalise on 
the more buoyant market conditions expected 
in 2010.

Projects
Production from the brownfield expansion 
projects at Dawson and Capcoal (Lake Lindsay) 
mines will continue to increase over the next 
two to three years as equipment productivity 
is raised to benchmark standards.

Significant greenfield projects continue to be 
studied at Grosvenor, Moranbah South and 
Dartbrook to meet expectations for growing 
demand for both metallurgical and thermal 
coal over the next decade.

It is expected that a first stage approval decision 
in relation to the approval and development of 
the 4.3 Mtpa Grosvenor metallurgical coal 
project in Australia will be taken during 2010.

Outlook
The positive trend seen from the steel industry 
in both China and the traditional markets 
during the second half of 2009 is expected to 
continue in 2010, with a return to 2008 steel 
production levels providing positive momentum 
for metallurgical coal prices.

Capcoal – Exploration and Development – 
Surveyor Nigel Atkinson and trainee surveyor 
Shannon Coppard review plans. Great 
care is exercised in early stage exploration 
programmes to ensure that areas of cultural 
significance are not disturbed. 

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Life of Mine and Reserves and Resources

Moranbah
North

Dawson

Callide

Capcoal

29

26

21

21

Year

00

10

20

30

Reserves*

336 Mt

Resources*

1,537 Mt

297 Mt

1,765 Mt

Source: Anglo American

* Includes Australian export thermal, coking coal, domestic power and metallurgical coal reserves. The figures reported represent 100% 
of the Saleable Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources; the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately on 
pages 162 and 163. Coal Reserves are additional to Coal Resources.

Proved

Probable

Measured

Indicated

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

57

 
 
 
  
 
Operating and financial review

Thermal Coal 

Norman Mbazima 
CEO Thermal Coal

69.3

Mt 2009 production 
from Thermal Coal

9

wholly owned mines 
in South Africa

512

$ m – cost of Zibulo 
project due to come  
fully on stream in 2012

Financial highlights: Thermal Coal
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

2009

2008

Operating profit
South Africa
South America
Projects and corporate

EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

721
442
305
(26)
875
1,707
400

15%
4%

1,078
736
375
(33)
1,200
1,018
365

11%
3%

Thermal coal potential attributable 
production (Mt)

Estimated seaborne thermal coal demand
(Mt)

100

80

60

40

20

0

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Year

09

10

11

12

13

F

Year

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

Existing and approved
Major unapproved growth pipeline
Forecast conceptual production 10+ year outlook

F
Source: Anglo American

China

India

USA

EU 15

Japan

Rest of world

Source: AME

58

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
Operating profit 
(2008: $1,078 m)

$721 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 11%)

15%

EBITDA 
(2008: $1,200 m)

$875 m

Business overview
In South Africa, Thermal Coal owns and 
operates nine mines and has a 50% interest 
in the Mafube colliery and Phola washing plant. 
Five of the mines together supply 22 Mtpa of 
thermal coal to both export and local markets. 
New Vaal, New Denmark and Kriel collieries are 
domestic product operations supplying 32 Mtpa 
of thermal coal to Eskom, the state-owned 
power utility. Isibonelo mine produces 5 Mtpa 
of thermal coal for Sasol Synthetic Fuels, the 
coal to liquids producer, under a 20 year 
supply contract. 

Anglo Inyosi Coal, a broad-based black 
economic empowerment (BBBEE) company 
valued at approximately $1 billion, is 73% 
held by Anglo American, with the remaining 
27% held by Inyosi, a BEE consortium led by 
the Pamodzi and Lithemba consortia (66%), 
with the Women’s Development Bank and a 
community trust holding the remaining equity. 
Anglo Inyosi Coal, in turn, holds Kriel colliery, 
the new Zibulo multi-product project (previously 
known as the Zondagsfontein project) and the 
greenfield projects of Elders, New Largo and 
Heidelberg. The outstanding conditions precedent 
to the Anglo Inyosi Coal transaction are expected 
to be fulfilled in the first half of 2010, following 
which the transaction will complete.

Thermal Coal’s South African operations 
currently route all export thermal coal through 
the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), in 
which it has a 27% shareholding, to customers 
throughout the Med-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific 
regions. Within South Africa, 61% of total sales 
are made to Eskom on long term (i.e. life of 
mine) cost-plus contracts. A further 9% is sold 
to Sasol and 3% to industrial sector consumers. 
The remaining 27% is exported through RBCT.

In South America, Anglo American has a 33.3% 
shareholding in Cerrejón, a 32 Mtpa capacity 
(10.7 Mtpa attributable) opencast operation in 
Colombia. Cerrejón owns and operates its own 
rail and deep water port facilities and sells into 
the export thermal and PCI coal markets.

Industry overview
Coal is the most abundant source of fossil fuel 
energy in the world, considerably exceeding 
known reserves of oil and gas. The bulk of 
coal produced worldwide is thermal coal, 
which is used as a fuel for power generation 
and other industries, notably the cement sector. 
The seaborne thermal coal market comprises 
nearly 700 Mt and is supplied from a large 
number of countries, with coal producers 
operating in a highly competitive global 
marketplace. 

Thermal coal usage is driven by the demand 
for electricity and is influenced by the price 
of competing fuels, such as oil and gas and, 
increasingly, the cost of carbon. Global thermal 
coal demand is also affected by the availability 
of alternative generating technologies, including 
gas, nuclear, hydroelectricity and renewables. 
The market for export thermal coal is further 
impacted by the varying degrees of privatisation 
and deregulation in electricity markets, with 
customers focused on securing the lowest 
cost fuel supply in order to produce power 
at a competitive price. This has resulted in a 
move away from longer term contracts towards 
shorter term contracts priced against various 
coal price indices, which has given rise to the 
development of an increasingly active financial 
market for hedging and derivative instruments. 
The extent to which these pricing instruments 
are used, however, varies from region to region.

Strategy and growth
Thermal Coal’s strategy is focused on serving 
the power generation and industrial sectors from 
large, low cost coal basins. The business unit has 
a diverse, high quality asset portfolio in South 
Africa and South America and aims to be a long 
term, reliable supplier. It also strives to be an 
industry leader in the pursuit of cleaner coal 
solutions to the world’s energy needs. 

Thermal Coal is focused on expanding its strong 
standing in the export market, while maintaining 
a significant position in the domestic market 
in South Africa. This strategy will be delivered 
through its extensive portfolio of expansion 
projects, supported by targeted acquisitions. 
In addition, it has substantially completed a 
major programme of investment, which includes 
expansions at Cerrejón and the development 
of Zibulo. The business unit is in the process 
of completing its pre-feasibility study on 
New Largo, which has been identified by Eskom 
as a primary coal supplier to its Kusile power 
station which is under construction. Kusile’s 
first units are scheduled to be operating in 
2013 and Thermal Coal is confident that it will 
be able to deliver coal on time. 

India is an ever growing market for South 
African-sourced coal, with 2009 showing 
a pronounced swing from the Med-Atlantic 
to the Asia-Pacific market. For the year as a 
whole, 29% of South Africa’s coal exports, 
and a similar proportion of Thermal Coal’s own 
exports, through the RBCT were destined for 
India. Thermal Coal is evaluating opportunities 
to increase its exports to India by producing 
lower quality products suitable for the Indian 
market to supplement the higher grade product 
currently being sold to the country.

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At Cerrejón, the growth strategy encompasses 
multiple options based on the capital investment 
for expansion that will be required by the port 
and logistics chain and thereafter for pit expansion 
and reserve access. Expansions such as the 
P40 (targeting 40 Mtpa) and P500 (targeting 
50-60 Mtpa) projects are currently under 
consideration by the operation’s shareholders. 

Although Thermal Coal continues to develop 
operations in its existing geographies, it is also 
continually evaluating potential opportunities 
in new regions. Following the establishment 
of an office in Gaborone to manage its coal 
bed methane (CBM) exploration programme 
in Botswana in 2008, the business unit spent 
$20 million in 2009 on exploration and new 
business development activities, investigating 
thermal and coking coal and CBM resources 
mainly in southern Africa.

Thermal Coal continues to pursue business 
development opportunities on a range of 
projects that offer potential exposure to the 
broader energy markets, while building on the 
business’s core capability in coal, namely CBM 
exploration in South Africa and Botswana. 
Although these projects remain at an early 
stage and have demanding economics, they 
ensure that Thermal Coal is equipped with 
a diverse range of options to meet changing 
market demands over the long term. 

Internationally traded thermal coal export 
production by company (2009) (%)

8.7%
4.4%
2.9%
4.7%

79.3%

World estimated 2009 seaborne thermal coal = 673.1 Mt

Anglo American
BHP Billiton

Rio Tinto
Xstrata

Other

Notes:
1. Anglo American market share shown relative to diversified 
  majors peer group
2. 2009 forecast based on equity holdings and production 

estimates as at January 2010

Source: AME

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

59

 
 
 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Thermal Coal 
continued

Underlying demand 
remains relatively 
strong, supported 
by economic growth 
in the Asia-Pacific 
region.

Financial overview
Thermal Coal generated an operating profit of 
$721 million, a 33% decrease, predominantly 
as a result of lower thermal coal prices, mitigated 
in part by the benefits of tighter cost discipline 
across the business.

Markets

Anglo American weighted average 
achieved FOB prices ($/tonne)

RSA export thermal

RSA domestic thermal
South American export 
thermal

2009

2008

64.46

18.48

84.54

20.41

72.98

81.33

was 41%, compared with 18% in 2008, with 
29% going to India. In the absence of European 
demand, this ability to deploy coal eastwards 
gave support to both South African export 
volumes and prices. With the Pacific market 
driving the API4 price as 2009 progressed, 
the flow of coal away from the Atlantic 
became increasingly evident. Colombian and 
US exports were generally not as competitive 
in the Asian markets as in the Atlantic market 
due to comparatively higher freight costs 
during the year.

Operating performance

South Africa

Attributable sales volumes  
(thousand tonnes)

2009

2008

Attributable production  
(thousand tonnes)

RSA export thermal

15,857

15,916

RSA thermal

RSA domestic thermal
South American export 
thermal

10,854

11,568

6,251

7,046

RSA Eskom

2009

2008

22,186 22,287

36,225

36,158

Operating profit from South African sourced 
coal decreased by 40% to $442 million, mainly 
due to the 24% decrease in export prices, 
coupled with lower sales volumes and rand 
strength. Domestic sales prices were 2% 
lower. Despite the economic downturn, annual 
production remained steady at some 59 Mt, 
driven mainly by higher output at Mafube as 
it reached full capacity during 2009, offset 
by lower production at New Denmark, where 
major geological challenges suspended the 
longwall operations. A new longwall has been 
commissioned during the first quarter of 2010 
and is ramping up.

2009 saw considerable price and market trend 
changes compared with 2008. The average 
2009 FOB index price for South African thermal 
coal exports (API4) was $65 per tonne, 
compared with $120 per tonne in 2008.

Driven by a suppressed industrial sector, 
European power demand in 2009 decreased 
significantly. The softer oil price and an 
abundance of cheap gas contributed to lower 
demand for imported coal, resulting in increased 
stockpiles. In contrast, the Pacific market 
continued to see growth, with increasing 
demand for imported thermal coal. As China 
was able to accommodate large volumes of 
Indonesian and Australian exports, India turned 
to South Africa to meet its escalating demand 
for thermal coal. The proportion of South 
African coal exports shipped to Asia in 2009 

Life of Mine and Thermal Coal Reserves and Resources

Reserves*

1,366 Mt

Resources*

2,094 Mt

New Denmark

31

Cerrejón

Mafube

New Vaal

Isibonelo

Zibulo

23

20

18

17

17

Year

0

5

10

15

20 25 30

35

Source: Anglo American

417 Mt

1,126 Mt

Proved

Probable

Measured

Indicated

* Saleable tonnes including Colombian export thermal and South African export thermal, other metallurgical, domestic power and 

Synfuel coal reserves. The figures reported represent 100% of the Saleable Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources; the percentage 
attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately on pages 165-168. Coal Reserves are additional to Coal Resources.

60

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

  
 
Miners discuss plant 
operations at Greenside 
colliery, which mined 
3.3 Mt of thermal coal 
in 2009, predominantly 
destined for the 
export market.

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Attributable production  
(thousand tonnes)
South American  
export thermal

2009

2008

10,190

10,410

Operating profit from Cerrejón decreased by 
19% to $305 million, driven primarily by less 
favourable market conditions as average sales 
prices decreased by 8% and total sales volumes 
by 4%. The impact of the $98 million decrease 
in turnover was partly offset by reduced input 
costs arising from lower fuel prices and price 
associated royalties, as well as cost control 
measures. Although significant improvements 
in 2009 coal recovery rates continued to 
reflect positively in all aspects of the operation, 
saleable production was reduced in response to 
Cerrejón’s perception of a weaker market.

Projects
In South Africa, the $512 million, 6.6 Mtpa 
Zibulo project is under construction, including 
the building of a 50:50 joint venture coal 
washing plant with BHP Billiton Energy Coal 
South Africa. The project is on schedule, with 
first coal produced during the third quarter of 
2009 and it will continue to ramp up during 
the course of 2010, reaching full production 
in 2012.

In Colombia, the $130 million expansion 
at Cerrejón to 32 Mtpa was completed and 
full production was achieved early in 2009. 
Feasibility studies are under way to expand 
the operation to around 40 Mtpa.

Outlook
Underlying demand remains relatively strong, 
supported by economic growth in the Asia-Pacific 
region, in particular from India and China, the 
steady increase in the oil price and the cold 
European and Asian winter. A significant portion 
of 2010 sales is exposed to market pricing. 
Potential exists for market prices to increase 
during the first quarter and for the remainder 
of 2010, with current forward prices trending 
significantly above those seen in 2009.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

61

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Other Mining and Industrial

Duncan Wanblad 
Group Director Other Mining and Industrial

 150.4

kt of zinc from 
Skorpion – a record 
production year

350

kt Group total  
zinc production  
in 2009

1.4

Mt – output of steel 
products at Scaw  
Metals in 2009

Financial highlights: Other Mining and Industrial
$ million (unless otherwise stated)

2009

2008

Operating profit

Tarmac
Zinc
Scaw Metals
Copebrás
Catalão
Coal – Americas
Other

EBITDA
Net operating assets
Capital expenditure

Share of Group operating profit
Share of Group net operating assets

506
101
175
131
(40)
106
(8)
41
878
5,029
268

10%
13%

1,082
229
136
274
217
78
29
119
1,513
5,231
603

11%
16%

62

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Operating profit 
(2008: $1,082 m)

$506 m

Share of Group operating profit 
(2008: 11%)

10%

EBITDA 
(2008: $1,513 m)

$878 m

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Copebrás
Copebrás delivered an operating loss of 
$40 million, due principally to reduced fertiliser 
prices, partially offset by a 30% increase 
in sales volumes to 1.06 Mt following good 
weather conditions in the second half and the 
depressed fertiliser prices, leading farmers 
to either restock or increase consumption.

Catalão
Catalão generated an operating profit of 
$106 million, 36% higher than the previous 
year, with sales volumes of 5.2 kt, a 12% 
increase, resulting from increased capacity 
at the tailings operation.

Coal – Americas

Canada
Peace River Coal generated an operating profit 
of $13 million for the year, having successfully 
completed its $102 million transition to owner 
operated mining, resulting in a 16% improvement 
in mined waste volumes, part of which constituted 
overburden waste pre-stripping for 2010 and 
2011. Metallurgical coal sales increased by 
14%, though lower average realised prices, 
arising from generally weaker market conditions, 
offset the tonnage increase. Drilling, definitional 
modelling and environmental approval work 
were substantially progressed on the Roman 
Mountain project, which targets the construction 
of the 4 Mtpa brownfield operation adjacent to 
the existing Trend Mine.

Venezuela
Carbones del Guasare (CdG) was subject to 
further economic uncertainty and delivered an 
operating loss of $21 million in 2009. Sales 
and production volumes of 0.7 Mt were 30% 
lower than 2008 and significantly below the 
performance potential of the mine.

Tarmac
Tarmac generated an operating profit of 
$101 million, a 56% decrease, reflecting a 
$1.5 billion, or 35%, decrease in turnover 
resulting from both a fall in demand and the 
weaker sterling exchange rate, mitigated by 
significant cost reductions. Volumes showed 
a further significant decline in the year, with 
overall demand 20% lower, although Tarmac’s 
leading market positions were maintained. 
Capacity was mothballed and production 
curtailed to align with falling demand, which 
resulted in considerable reductions in fixed 
costs. In addition, improvements in operating 
efficiency and a programme of overhead 
reductions were deepened and accelerated, 
helping to maintain the EBITDA margin at 11%. 
Total fixed and support costs were reduced by 
$464 million, or 29%. Despite the substantial 
decline in turnover, Tarmac generated net cash 
inflow from operating activities after capital 
expenditure of $88 million, compared with 
$97 million in 2008.

2009 saw a deepening of the difficult market 
conditions faced by the construction industry 
in the UK. Driven by the wider economic issues, 
industrial and commercial construction spending 
decreased significantly. Continental Europe did 
not suffer as severely as the UK in 2008, but 
in 2009 saw declines in construction activity 
comparable with those in the UK.

Significantly lower demand in the housing and 
commercial sectors resulted in UK volumes 
declining by 24%, including asphalt volumes, 
which had shown more resilience in 2008 than 
other products. On a like-for-like basis, UK 
operating profits decreased by 71%.

On a like-for-like basis, Tarmac International’s 
underlying operating profits were 52% lower, 
with worsening market conditions in France, 
Poland and the Czech Republic offsetting 
resilience in Germany and cost savings of 
$9 million.

Total cost savings of $82 million were achieved 
by Tarmac in 2009, including headcount 
reductions of more than 1,200 made across 
Tarmac during the year, representing a reduction 
of 11%.

During the first quarter of 2010, Anglo American 
agreed the sale of Tarmac’s aggregates 
businesses in France, Germany, Poland and the 
Czech Republic and its Polish concrete products 
business, with expected total proceeds of 
approximately $400 million.

Zinc

Average market price (c/lb)

2009

2008

Zinc

Lead

75

78

85

95

Attributable production (tonnes)

2009

2008

Zinc

Lead

350,400 340,500

68,300

62,900

Zinc generated a 29% increase in operating 
profit to $175 million, despite lower zinc and 
lead prices during the year, largely as a result 
of improved production and sales, as well as 
lower costs. Production at Skorpion increased 
by 3% to 150.4 kt, a record production year, 
where nameplate production was exceeded. 
While electricity constraints, cathode crane 
failure and cell repairs were again experienced, 
the combined impact was negated by various 
asset optimisation initiatives. Tight cost control 
and record production resulted in mine operating 
unit costs being 9% lower than 2008. 

At Lisheen, zinc production increased by 3% 
to 171.8 kt due to higher grades and tonnage 
mined, while lead output increased by 21% 
due to higher grades, improved recoveries and 
tonnes mined. Asset optimisation initiatives 
in the mine and mill resulted in a record 
production year.

At Black Mountain, tonnes milled increased 
by 7% as a result of increased ore production 
from the Deeps mine. Zinc production was 
1% higher at 28.2 kt, while lead production 
increased by 5% to 49.1 kt with the higher 
tonnes milled being offset by lower feed grades. 
Zinc and lead metallurgical recoveries, however, 
improved by 1% and 3% respectively.

Scaw Metals
Despite the tough operating conditions in the 
steel industry during the year, Scaw Metals 
generated an operating profit of $131 million. 
The 52% decrease in operating profit was due 
to the difficult economic environment across 
all operations, with reduced demand in some 
key markets resulting in downward pressure 
on prices. Lower steel prices and the impact 
of high input and consumable costs resulted in 
pressure on margins. However, the integrated 
nature of Scaw Metals enabled the rolling 
mills to continue to supply the downstream 
businesses with product, at a time when most 
major steel mills were curtailing capacity and 
running at losses. In addition, the careful 
management of working capital and capital 
expenditure resulted in strong cash generation. 
Total production of steel products was 1,411 kt, 
with the South African operations producing 
693 kt and the balance of 718 kt from the 
international operations.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

63

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Principal risks and uncertainties

Understanding its key risks 
and developing appropriate 
responses to those risks is 
crucial to Anglo American’s 
success

Anglo American is exposed to a variety of risks 
and uncertainties which can have a financial, 
operational or reputational impact on the Group 
and which may also impact the achievement 
of social, economic and environmental 
objectives. The principal risks and uncertainties 
facing the Group have been categorised into 
headline risk areas. The Group’s approach to 
risk management is set out in the corporate 
governance section on pages 75 to 79.

Key headline risks

Commodity prices
Commodity prices are determined primarily by 
international markets and global supply and 
demand. Fluctuations in commodity prices give 
rise to commodity price risk across the Group. 
Historically, such prices have been subject 
to substantial variation as illustrated by the 
volatility of prices in key commodities over 
the last two years shown below.

The impact of such volatility can result in 
material and adverse movement in the Group’s 
operating results, asset values, revenues and 
cash flows. If the global economic environment 
remains weak for the medium to long term, the 
ability of the Group to deliver growth in future 
years may be adversely affected.

Falling commodity prices could prevent the 
Group from carrying out certain transactions 
that are important to the Group’s business 
which may have an adverse effect on the 
Group’s financial condition. An example would 
be the inability to find buyers for businesses or 
assets the Group may wish to sell.

Leveraging the diversified nature of the Group, 
the general policy is not to engage in commodity 
price hedging. The Group manages this risk 
through constant monitoring of the markets 

Average commodity prices and currency sensitivity analysis in respect of currency  
and commodity prices

Average price(1)

2008

Commodity
Platinum(2)
Metallurgical Coal(3)
Thermal Coal(3)
Copper(4)
Nickel(4)
Iron Ore(5)
Palladium(2)
ZAR/USD
AUD/USD
CLP/USD
GBP/USD
(1) ‘oz’ denotes ounces, ‘t’ denotes tonnes, ‘c’ denotes US cents, ‘lb’ denotes pounds.

$1,585/oz
$190/t
$79/t
315 c/Ib
953 c/Ib
$88/t
$355/oz
8.27
1.17
524
0.54

2009

$1,211/oz
$142/t
$68/t
234 c/lb
667 c/lb
$65/t
$266/oz
8.41
1.26
559
0.64

10%
sensitivity
US$ million(6)

137
103
147
222
39
80
17
293
110
29
32

(2) Source: Johnson Matthey plc.

(3) Group average realised FOB price of metallurgical coal and thermal coal.

(4) Being the average LME price.

(5) Average price represents average iron ore export price achieved.

(6) Excludes the effect of any hedging activities. Stated after tax at marginal rate. Sensitivities are the average of the positive and negative and 
reflect the impact of a 10% change in the average prices received and exchange rates during 2009. Increases in commodity prices increase 
underlying earnings and vice versa. A strengthening of the South African rand, pound sterling, Australian dollar and Chilean peso relative to 
the US dollar reduces underlying earnings and vice versa.

64

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

in which it operates and continuous review of 
capital expenditure programmes to ensure they 
reflect market conditions. A continuous focus 
on operating expenditure is also an important 
method of mitigating this risk.

Liquidity and counterparty risk
The Group is exposed to liquidity risk 
arising from the need to finance its ongoing 
operations and growth. If the Group is unable 
to obtain sufficient credit due to capital market 
conditions, the Group may not be able to raise 
sufficient funds to develop new projects, 
fund acquisitions or meet the Group’s ongoing 
financing needs and, as a result, revenues, 
operating results, cash flows or financial 
position may be adversely affected.

The Group is also exposed to counterparty 
risk from customers or holders of cash that 
could result in financial losses should those 
counterparties become unable to meet their 
obligations to the Group. Cash deposits and 
other financial instruments, including trade 
receivables due from third parties, give rise 
to counterparty credit risk.

The Group has an experienced Treasury team 
who are responsible for managing the funding 
requirements of the Group and managing 
liquidity risk. Treasury also has a role to play 
in managing counterparty risk, particularly 
with banks where Anglo American places cash 
deposits. The Treasury operations of joint 
ventures and associates, including De Beers, 
are independently managed and may expose 
the Group to liquidity and other financial risks.

Currency risk
Because of the global nature of its business, 
the Group is exposed to currency risk where 
transactions are not conducted in US dollars 
or where assets and liabilities are not US dollar 
denominated. Fluctuations in the exchange 
rates of the most important currencies 
influencing operating costs and asset valuations 
(the South African rand, Chilean peso, Brazilian 
real, Australian dollar, euro and pound sterling) 
may adversely affect financial results to a 
material extent. Foreign exchange hedging 
is limited to debt instruments and capital 
expenditure on major projects.

Inflation
As the Group is unable to control the market 
price at which the commodities it produces are 
sold (except for any forward sales or derivative 
contracts), it is possible that significantly higher 
future inflation in the countries in which Anglo 
American operates may result in an increase in 
future operational costs without a concurrent 
depreciation of the local currency against the 
dollar or an increase in the dollar price of the 
applicable commodities. Cost inflation in the 
mining sector is more apparent during periods 
of high commodity prices as demand can exceed 
supply. In addition, any lag in the reduction of 

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input costs against falls in commodity prices 
will have a negative impact on profit margins 
and financial results.

face fines and penalties, statutory liability for 
environmental remediation and other financial 
consequences which may be significant.

The Group manages costs very closely and 
during 2009 has reduced costs through a 
combination of headcount reduction, asset 
optimisation and supply chain initiatives.

Health and safety
Mining is a hazardous industry and is therefore 
highly regulated by safety, health and 
environmental laws. The failure to maintain 
the required high levels of safety management 
can result in harm to the Group’s employees 
and communities near the mines and damage 
to the environment. This could result in fines 
and penalties, liability to employees and third 
parties for injury, impairment of the Group’s 
reputation, industrial action or inability to 
recruit and retain skilled employees. Failure 
to provide a safe working environment may 
result in government authorities forcing closure 
of mines on either a temporary or permanent 
basis or refusing mining right applications. 
Changes in laws, regulations or community 
expectations can result in increased compliance 
and remediation costs.

Occupational health risks to employees and 
contractors include noise induced hearing loss, 
occupational lung diseases and tuberculosis. 
The Group provides occupational health 
services and continues to implement measures 
to monitor and limit the incidence and severity 
of such diseases. Anglo American sets a very 
high priority on safety and health matters,  
investing considerable resources in seeking to 
improve the safety performance of the Group’s 
operations. The Group is constantly reviewing 
practices to improve safety performance and 
works closely with unions and governments, 
striving to produce a safer mining industry.

The Group recognises that the HIV/AIDS 
epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa is a significant 
threat to economic growth and development in 
that region. There is a risk that the recruitment 
and retention of skilled people required to meet 
growth aspirations may be adversely affected. 
Anglo American provides anti-retroviral therapy 
to employees with HIV/AIDS and also undertakes 
education and awareness programmes to help 
prevent employees and their families becoming 
infected or spreading infection.

Environment
Certain of the Group’s operations do create 
environmental risk in the form of dust, noise 
or leakage of polluting substances from site 
operations and uncontrolled breaches of tailings 
dam facilities. Failure to manage environmental 
risks may result in harm to the Group’s 
employees, the communities near the Group’s 
operations and the environment, government 
authorities forcing closure of mines on a 
temporary or permanent basis or refusing future 
mining right applications. The Group could 

The Group is a large user of energy and one 
of the key commodities it produces is coal. 
Regulatory measures aimed at reducing emissions 
of climate changing gases may affect energy 
prices, demand for carbon intensive products such 
as coal and reduced margins on sales of coal.

Policy developments at an international, 
regional, national and sub-national level, 
including those related to the 1997 Kyoto 
Protocol and subsequent international 
agreements and emissions trading schemes 
such as the Emissions Trading System of the 
European Union, could adversely affect the 
profitability of the Group.

Assessment of the impact of climate change 
regulation is uncertain. The impact of climate 
change on the Group’s operations is also 
uncertain and will depend on circumstances at 
individual sites. Potential impacts could include 
increased rainfall, flooding, water shortages 
and higher average temperatures. These may 
increase costs, reduce production levels or 
impact the results of operations.

The Group implements a number of initiatives to 
monitor and limit the impact its operations have 
on the environment. It also continually seeks 
to reduce energy input levels into its operations 
and the asset optimisation programme includes 
a number of energy saving initiatives.

Political, legal and regulatory
The Group’s businesses may be affected by 
political or regulatory developments in any 
of the countries and jurisdictions in which 
the Group operates, including changes to 
fiscal regimes or other regulatory regimes 
which may result in restrictions on the export 
of currency, expropriation of assets, imposition 
of royalties and requirements for local 
ownership or beneficiation. Political instability 
can also result in civil unrest, nullification 
of existing agreements or mining leases and 
permits. Any of these threats may adversely 
affect the Group’s operations or the results of 
those operations. The Group has no control over 
changes in local market interest rates or political 
acts which may deprive the Group of the 
economic benefits of ownership of its assets.

In January 2008, Minera Loma de Níquel 
(MLdN) was notified of the intention of the 
Venezuelan Ministry of Basic Industries and 
Mining (MIBAM) to cancel 13 of its exploration 
and exploitation concessions due to MLdN’s 
alleged failure to fulfil certain conditions of the 
concessions. Further details are provided in the 
Nickel business unit overview section.

The Group recognises that its licence to operate 
through mining rights is dependent on a 
number of factors, including compliance with 
regulations. For example in South Africa, the 
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development 

Act 2002 (MPRD) provides for conversion of 
existing mining rights (referred to as ‘Old Order 
Rights’) to ‘New Order Rights’, subject to the 
implementation of certain conditions. Failure to 
fulfil the specific terms of any of its licences, 
permits or other authorisations may result in 
withdrawal of mining rights, with resultant 
impact on financial performance.

The Group actively monitors regulatory and 
political developments on a continuous basis.

Supplier risk
The inability to obtain strategic consumables, 
raw materials, mining and processing equipment 
in a timely manner could have an adverse 
impact on results of operations and the Group’s 
financial condition. During strong commodity 
cycles, increased demand can be experienced 
for such supplies, resulting in periods when 
supplies are not always available to meet 
demand or cost increases above normal 
inflation rates materialise. Any interruption 
to the Group’s supplies or increase in costs 
adversely affects the Group’s financial position 
and future performance. Anglo American 
has limited influence over manufacturers and 
suppliers, but takes a proactive approach to 
developing relationships with critical suppliers 
and improving the effectiveness of the Group’s 
purchasing leverage through the One Anglo 
Supply Chain initiative.

Reserves and resources
The Group’s mineral resources and ore reserves 
are subject to a number of assumptions, 
particularly the price of commodities, production 
costs and recovery rates. Fluctuations in these 
variables may have an impact on the long term 
financial condition and prospects of the Group.

The Group’s policy on reporting of ore reserves 
and mineral resources is expanded on pages 
148 to 170.

Exploration
Exploration and development are speculative 
activities with no guarantee of success, but 
they are necessary for future growth. Failure to 
discover new reserves of sufficient magnitude 
could adversely affect future results and the 
Group’s financial condition.

Anglo American invests considerable sums 
each year in focused exploration programmes 
to enable resource discovery and development 
to reserves.

Event risk
Damage to or breakdown of a physical asset, 
including risk of fire, explosion or natural 
catastrophe, can result in a loss of assets 
and subsequent financial losses. The Group’s 
operations are exposed to natural risks such 
as earthquakes, extreme weather conditions, 
as well as the failure of mining pit slopes 
and tailings dam walls, fire, explosion and 
machinery breakdown.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

65

 
 
 
Operating and financial review

Principal risks and uncertainties
continued 

Specialist consultants are engaged to analyse 
such event risks on a rotational basis and 
provide recommendations for management 
action to prevent or limit the effects of such 
a loss. In addition, the Group seeks to purchase 
insurance to protect against the financial 
consequences of catastrophic event, subject 
to the availability and cost of such insurance.

Employees
The ability to recruit, develop and retain 
appropriate skills for the Group is made 
challenging by global competition for skilled 
labour. The failure to retain skilled employees 
or to recruit new staff may lead to increased 
costs, interruptions to existing operations 
and delay in new projects.

A number of strategies are implemented 
to mitigate this risk, including attention to 
an appropriate suite of reward and benefit 
structures for existing employees and ongoing 
refinement of Anglo American as an attractive 
employee proposition.

Employees in the key countries where Anglo 
American operates are unionised and the risk 
of strike or other industrial relations disputes 
may have an adverse effect on the results of 
operations. Anglo American mitigates this risk 
through a process of constructive dialogue with 
trade unions and the maintenance of effective 
working relationships.

Contractors
Mining contractors are used at a number of the 
Group’s operations to mine and deliver ore to 
processing plants, for example. In periods of 
high commodity prices, demand for contractors 
may exceed supply, resulting in increased 
costs or lack of availability of key contractors. 
Disruption of operations or increased costs can 
occur should there be disputes with contractors 
or unavailability of certain skills.

Business integrity
Many countries where the Group’s operations 
are located have increased their emphasis 
on enforcement of laws to which the Group 
is subject, including safety, environmental, 
antitrust and anti-corruption. The Group 
has provided clear standards of conduct to 
promote full compliance with laws; however, 
non-compliance with these standards may 
lead to prosecution and other litigation and 
adverse effects on the Company’s profits, 
licences and reputation.

Operational performance and project 
delivery
Failure to meet production targets can result 
in increased unit costs, which are pronounced 
at operations with higher levels of fixed costs. 
Variable unit costs may also exceed forecasts, 
adversely affecting performance and the 
results of operations.

Failure to meet project delivery times and costs 
could have a negative effect on operational 
performance and lead to increased costs or 
reductions in revenue and profitability.

Increasing regulatory, environmental, land 
access and social approvals can result in 
significant increases in construction costs  
and/or significant delays in construction.  
These increases could materially and  
adversely affect the economics of a project, 
the Group’s asset values, costs, revenues, 
earnings and cash flows.

A number of strategies have been implemented 
to mitigate these risks, including management 
oversight of operating performance and project 
delivery through regular executive management 
briefings, increased effectiveness of procurement 
activities through the One Anglo Supply Chain 
and other business improvement initiatives 
to reduce unit costs and improve delivery of 
capital projects.

Acquisitions
The Group has undertaken a number of 
acquisitions in the recent past. With any such 
transaction there is the risk that any benefits 
or synergies identified at the time of acquisition 
may not be achieved as a result of changing or 
incorrect assumptions or materially different 
market conditions or deficiencies in the due 
diligence process, resulting in adverse effects 
on financial performance, production volumes 
or product quality. Furthermore, the Group could 
find itself liable for past acts or omissions of the 
acquired business without any adequate right 
of redress.

Rigorous guidelines are applied to the 
evaluation and execution of all acquisitions 
that require the approval of the Investment 
Committee and Group Management Committee 
and, subject to size, the Board.

Infrastructure
Inadequate supporting facilities, services and 
installations (water, power, transportation, etc.) 
may affect the sustainability and growth of the 
business, leading to a loss of competitiveness, 
market share and reputation. The potential 
disruption of the ongoing generation and 
supply of power is a risk faced by the Group 
in a number of countries in which it operates, 
including South Africa. Anglo American’s 
approach to addressing this risk is to work 
jointly on developing sustainable solutions to 
these problems with suppliers of infrastructure 
services and facilities.

Anglo American relies upon effective rail 
and port facilities for its products and will be 
expected to provide shipment of product in 
some circumstances to customers’ premises. 
Failure of rail or port facilities may result in 
delays and increased costs as well as lost 
revenue and reputation with customers. Failure 
to procure shipping costs at market rates may 
reduce profit margins, thus reducing profit levels.

66

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

The Group seeks to work closely with suppliers of 
rail and port infrastructure to mitigate the risk of 
failure and establish contingency arrangements. 
Services are provided to customers who require 
product to be delivered to them and purchase of 
shipping capacity is aligned to the needs of 
Group companies.

Community relations
The Group operates in several countries  
where ownership of rights in respect of land 
and resources is uncertain and where disputes 
in relation to ownership or other community 
matters may arise. These disputes are not always 
predictable and may cause disruption to projects 
or operations. The Group’s operations can have 
an impact on local communities, including the 
need, from time to time, to relocate communities 
or infrastructure networks such as railways and 
utility services. Failure to manage relationships 
with local communities, government and 
non-governmental organisations may disrupt 
operations and adversely affect the Group’s 
reputation, as well as its ability to bring projects 
into production.

The Group has developed comprehensive 
processes to enable its business units to 
effectively manage relationships with 
communities and actively seeks engagement 
with all affected communities impacted by 
the Group’s operations.

Joint venture relationships
Some of the Group’s operations are controlled 
and managed by joint venture partners, 
associates or by other companies. Management 
of non-controlled assets may not comply with 
the Group’s standards, for example, on safety, 
health and environment. This may lead to higher 
costs, lower production and have a negative 
bearing on operational results, asset values 
or the Group’s reputation.

Anglo American seeks to mitigate this risk 
by way of a thorough evaluation process 
before committing to any joint venture and 
implementation of ongoing governance 
processes in existing joint ventures.

Critical accounting judgements and key 
sources of estimation and uncertainty
In the course of preparing financial statements, 
management necessarily makes judgements 
and estimates that can have a significant impact 
on the financial statements. The most critical 
of these relate to estimation of the useful 
economic lives of assets and ore reserves, 
impairment of assets, restoration, rehabilitation 
and environmental costs and retirement 
benefits. These are detailed on page 67. The 
use of inaccurate assumptions in calculations 
for any of these estimates could result in a 
significant impact on financial results.

Useful economic lives of assets and ore 
reserves estimates
The Group’s mining properties, classified 
within tangible assets, are depreciated over 
the respective life of the mine using the unit 
of production (UOP) method based on proven 
and probable reserves. When determining ore 
reserves, assumptions that were valid at the 
time of estimation may change when new 
information becomes available. Any changes 
could affect prospective depreciation rates 
and asset carrying values.

The calculation of the UOP rate of amortisation 
could be impacted to the extent that actual 
production in the future is different from current 
forecast production based on proven and 
probable mineral reserves.

Factors which could impact useful economic lives 
of assets and ore reserve estimates include:

 >

 >

 >

 >
 >

 >

changes to proven and probable mineral 
reserves;
the grade of mineral reserves varying 
significantly from time to time;
differences between actual commodity 
prices and commodity price assumptions 
used in the estimation of mineral reserves;
renewal of mining licences;
unforeseen operational issues at mine 
sites; and
adverse changes in capital, operating, mining, 
processing and reclamation costs, discount 
rates and foreign exchange rates used to 
determine mineral reserves.

The majority of other tangible assets are 
depreciated on a straight line basis over their 
useful economic lives. Management reviews 
the appropriateness of assets’ useful economic 
lives at least annually and any changes could 
affect prospective depreciation rates and asset 
carrying values.

Impairment of assets
The Group reviews the carrying amounts of 
its tangible and intangible assets to determine 
whether there is any indication that those 
assets are impaired. In making the assessment 
for impairment, assets that do not generate 
independent cash flows are allocated to an 
appropriate cash generating unit (CGU). The 
recoverable amount of an asset, or CGU, is 
measured as the higher of fair value less costs 
to sell and value in use.

Management necessarily applies its judgement 
in allocating assets that do not generate 
independent cash flows to appropriate CGUs, 
and also in estimating the timing and value 
of underlying cash flows within the value in 
use calculation. Factors which could impact 
underlying cash flows include:

 >

Commodity prices and exchange rates;

 >

Timelines of granting of licences and permits;

 >

Capital and operating expenditure; and

 >

Available reserves and resources.

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Basis of disclosure
This operating and financial review (OFR) 
describes the main trends and factors 
underlying the development, performance and 
position of Anglo American plc (the Group) 
during the year ended 31 December 2009, 
as well as those likely to affect the future 
development, performance and position. It 
has been prepared in line with the guidance 
provided in the reporting statement on the 
operating and finance review issued by the UK 
Accounting Standards Board in January 2006.

Forward looking statements
This OFR contains certain forward looking 
statements with respect to the financial 
condition, results, operations and businesses 
of the Group. These statements and forecasts 
involve risk and uncertainty because they 
relate to events and depend on circumstances 
that occur in the future. There are a number 
of factors that could cause actual results 
or developments to differ materially from 
those expressed or implied by these forward 
looking statements.

Subsequent changes to the CGU allocation or to 
the timing of or assumptions used to determine 
cash flows could impact the carrying value of 
the respective assets.

Restoration, rehabilitation  
and environmental costs
Provision is made, based on net present values, 
for restoration, rehabilitation and environmental 
costs as soon as the obligation arises. Costs 
incurred at the start of each project are capitalised 
and charged to the income statement over the 
life of the project through depreciation of the 
asset and the unwinding of the discount on the 
provision. Costs for restoration of subsequent 
site damage are provided at net present value 
and charged against profits as extraction 
progresses. Environmental costs are estimated 
using either the work of external consultants 
or internal experts. Management uses its 
judgement and experience to provide for and 
amortise these estimated costs over the life 
of the mine.

Retirement benefits
The expected costs of providing pensions and 
post retirement benefits under defined benefit 
arrangements relating to employee service 
during the period are charged to the income 
statement. Any actuarial gains and losses, 
which can arise from differences between 
expected and actual outcomes or changes 
in actuarial assumptions, are recognised 
immediately in the Consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income.

Assumptions in respect of the expected 
costs are set after consultation with qualified 
actuaries. While management believes the 
assumptions used are appropriate, a change 
in the assumptions used would impact the 
earnings of the Group going forward.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

67

 
 
 
Governance

The Board

E  Executive director 
N Non-executive director

1

7

2

8

9

1. Sir John Parker N
FREng DSc (Eng), ScD (Hon), DSc (Hon),  
D.Univ (Hon), FRINA
67, joined the Board as a non-executive 
director on 9 July 2009 and became chairman 
of Anglo American plc on 1 August 2009. 
He succeeded Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, who 
retired from the Board after seven years as 
chairman. Sir John is also chairman of the 
Nomination Committee and is a member of the 
S&SD Committee. He is chairman of National 
Grid plc, a non-executive director of Carnival 
Corporation, EADS and deputy chairman of 
DP World. He is a former joint chairman of 
the Mondi Group and recently stepped down 
as senior non-executive director (Chair) of 
the Court of the Bank of England. Sir John is 
a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, 
Chancellor of the University of Southampton 
and a Visiting Fellow of the University of 
Oxford. He is a recipient of honorary doctorates 
from a number of universities in the UK and 
Ireland. Sir John is being proposed for election 
at the AGM on 22 April 2010.

2. Cynthia Carroll E
MSc, MBA
53, was appointed chief executive on  
1 March 2007, having joined the Board on  
15 January 2007. Cynthia Carroll chairs the 
Group Management Committee (GMC) and 
the Executive Committee (ExCo) and sits 
on the S&SD Committee. She is the former 
president and chief executive officer of 
Alcan’s Primary Metals Group and a former 
director of AngloGold Ashanti Limited and the 
Sara Lee Corporation. She is a non-executive 
director of BP plc, Anglo Platinum Limited and 
De Beers. Cynthia Carroll is being proposed 
for re-election at the AGM on 22 April 2010.

3. René Médori E
Doctorate in Economics
52, was appointed to the Board on 1 June 2005, 
becoming finance director on 1 September 2005. 
René Médori is a member of GMC and ExCo and 
chairman of the Investment Committee. He is 
a former finance director of The BOC Group plc 
and is a non-executive director of Scottish 
and Southern Energy plc, De Beers and 
Anglo Platinum Limited.

4. David Challen CBE N
MA, MBA
66, joined the Board on 9 September 2002 
and was appointed as the senior independent  
non-executive director in April 2008. He 
is chairman of the Audit Committee and a 
member of the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees. David Challen is currently vice- 
chairman of Citigroup European Investment 
Bank, senior non-executive director of Smiths 
Group plc and a non-executive director of the 
Classical Opera Company. Previously he was 
chairman of J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited, 
where he spent most of his professional career. 
He is currently deputy chairman of the UK’s 
Takeover Panel.

5. Sir C K Chow N
DEng (Hon), CEng, FREng, HonFHKIE, FIChemE
59, was appointed to the Board on 15 April 
2008 and is a member of the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees. He is currently 
chief executive officer of the MTR Corporation 
in Hong Kong, a position he has held since 
December 2003. He was formerly chief 
executive of Brambles Industries and GKN PLC. 
Prior to joining GKN PLC he worked for the 
BOC Group PLC for 20 years, becoming chief 
executive of its Gases Division and joining 
its board in 1993. He is the non-executive 
chairman of Standard Chartered Bank  
(Hong Kong) Limited.

68

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

3

4

5

6

10

11

12

13

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12. Jack Thompson N
BSc, PhD
59, joined the Board on 16 November 2009 
and is a member of the S&SD Committee. He is 
currently a non-executive director of Centerra 
Gold Inc., Century Aluminum Co., Molycorp 
Minerals LLC and Tidewater Inc. He was 
previously chairman and CEO of Homestake 
Mining Co., vice chairman of Barrick Gold Corp. 
and has served on the boards of Phelps Dodge 
Corp., Rinker Group Ltd and Stillwater Mining. 
Jack Thompson is being proposed for election 
at the AGM on 22 April 2010.

13. Peter Woicke N
MBA
67, joined the Board on 1 January 2006 and 
is a member of the Nomination, Remuneration 
and S&SD Committees. From 1999 to January 
2005 he was chief executive officer of the 
International Finance Corporation (IFC). He 
was also a managing director of the World 
Bank. Prior to joining the IFC, Peter Woicke held 
numerous positions over nearly 30 years with 
J.P. Morgan. He is currently chair of the trustees 
of the Ashesi University Foundation, a member 
of the Saudi Aramco board and a member of the 
Institute for Human Rights and Business board.

6. Dr Chris Fay CBE N
BSc, PhD, FREng, FRSE, FICE, FEI
64, joined the Board on 19 April 1999.  
He is chairman of the S&SD Committee and  
a member of the Audit Committee. He is a 
non-executive chairman of Brightside Group plc, 
Iofina plc and Stena International S.àr.l. Chris Fay 
is a former non-executive director of BAA plc 
and a former chairman of Shell UK and of the 
British government’s Advisory Committee on 
Business and the Environment. After serving 
three three-year terms on the Board, Chris Fay 
will be stepping down at the conclusion of the 
AGM on 22 April 2010.

7. Sir Philip Hampton N
MA, ACA, MBA
56, joined the Board on 9 November 2009. 
He is a member of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees. Sir Philip is chairman of The Royal 
Bank of Scotland and has recently stepped down 
as chairman of J Sainsbury plc, a position he 
had held since 2004. Previously, he was group 
finance director of Lloyds TSB Group plc, BT 
Group plc, BG Group plc, British Gas plc, British 
Steel plc, an executive director of Lazards and 
a non-executive director of RMC Group plc. 
Sir Philip is the former chairman of UK Financial 
Investments Limited, the company established 
to manage the British government’s shareholding  
in banks subscribing to its recapitalisation fund, 
and has also been a non-executive director of 
Belgacom SA. Sir Philip is being proposed for 
election at the AGM on 22 April 2010.

8. Sir Rob Margetts CBE N
BA, FREng
63, joined the Board on 18 March 1999 and 
is chairman of the Remuneration Committee. 
He is chairman of Legal & General Group Plc, 
Ensus Limited, Ordnance Survey and the Energy 
Technologies Institute. He is also a director of 
Falck Renewables and Neochimiki SA. He was 
formerly chairman of The BOC Group plc and 
vice-chairman of ICI PLC. Sir Rob was also 
chairman of the UK Natural Environment 

Research Council and a member of the UK 
Council for Science and Technology. After 
serving three three-year terms on the Board, 
Sir Rob will be stepping down at the conclusion 
of the AGM on 22 April 2010.

9. Nicky Oppenheimer N
MA
64, joined the Board on 18 March 1999. 
Nicky Oppenheimer joined the Group in 
1968 and subsequently became an executive 
director and a deputy chairman of Anglo American 
Corporation of South Africa Limited. He became 
deputy chairman of De Beers Consolidated in 
1985 and has been chairman of De Beers since 
1998. Mr Oppenheimer is being proposed 
for re-election at the AGM on 22 April 2010.

10. Ray O’Rourke N
FICE
63, joined the Board on 11 December 2009. 
Ray O’Rourke founded the O’Rourke Group 
in 1977, having begun his career at Kier and 
J Murphy & Sons. In 2001, the O’Rourke Group 
acquired John Laing, to form Laing O’Rourke, now 
Europe’s largest privately owned construction 
company, of which Ray O’Rourke is chairman and 
chief executive. Mr O’Rourke is being proposed 
for election at the AGM on 22 April 2010.

11. Dr Mamphela Ramphele N
PhD, BComm, MB Ch B
62, joined the Board on 25 April 2006. She 
is a member of the Nomination and S&SD 
Committees. Mamphela Ramphele is the 
executive chair of Letsema Circle, a specialist 
transformation advisory company and the 
chair of the Technology & Innovation Agency 
of South Africa. She is a non-executive director 
of Mediclinic and Business Partners S.A., a 
trustee of the Nelson Mandela and Rockefeller 
Foundations, and an adviser to the Veolia 
Institute. She was formerly co-chair of the 
Global Commission on International Migration, 
a World Bank managing director and  
vice-chancellor at the University of Cape Town.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

69

Governance

Executive management

The Company has two principal 
committees. The Group Management 
Committee (GMC) is responsible for 
formulating strategy (for discussion 
and approval by the Board), monitoring 
performance and managing the Group’s 
portfolio. The Executive Committee 
(ExCo) is responsible for developing 
and implementing Group-wide policies 
and programmes and for the adoption 
of best practice standards across 
the Group.

1

6

11

2

7

3

4

5

8

9

10

12

13

14

GMC and ExCo members

ExCo members

1. Cynthia Carroll
See page 68 for biographical details.

2. René Médori
See page 68 for biographical details.

3. Brian Beamish
BSc (Mechanical Engineering)
53, is Group director mining and technology. 
He held the position of chief executive of Base 
Metals between 2007 and 2009 and has more 
than 30 years of mining industry experience 
in various commodities and geographies. He 
spent 20 years at Anglo Platinum, including 
four years as executive director, operations 
between 1996 and 1999.

4. Mervyn Walker
MA (Oxon)
50, is Group director of human resources 
and communications. He is a solicitor by 
training and joined Anglo American in 2008 
from Mondi, where he was group HR and 
legal director. Mervyn Walker spent 19 years 
at British Airways, where he held a series 
of senior roles, including HR director, legal 
director, director of purchasing and director of 
UK airports. He is also non-executive chairman 
of pension schemes for AMEC plc. 

5. David Weston
MBA, BSc (Eng)
51, is Group director business performance 
and projects. He spent 25 years with Shell and 
was president, Shell Canada Products before 
joining the Anglo American Group in 2006 as 
chief executive of Industrial Minerals (Tarmac). 
David Weston served as the Group’s technical 
director between April and October 2009. He 
is also a non-executive director at International 
Power plc.

6. Walter De Simoni
BSc (Mining Eng)
54, is CEO of Nickel. Walter De Simoni joined 
the Anglo American Group in 1978. He was 
appointed president of Anglo Base Metals Brazil 
in 2005. He became Anglo American Brazil CEO 
in 2006 and CEO of Nickel in October 2009.

7. Seamus French
B Eng (Chemical)
47, is CEO of Metallurgical Coal and joined the 
Group as regional CEO of Anglo Coal Australia 
in 2007. He was previously on the BHP Billiton 
Executive Committee as global vice-president 
business excellence from 2005.

8. Chris Griffith
B Eng (Mining) Hons, Pr Eng
44, is CEO of Kumba Iron Ore. He has been 
with Anglo American for almost two decades. 
He was Anglo Platinum’s head of operations 
for joint ventures before being appointed 
CEO of Kumba Iron Ore in 2008.

9. John MacKenzie
M.Sc Eng, MBL
41, is CEO of Copper. He joined the Anglo 
American Gold and Uranium Division in January 
1990 and was promoted to vice-president of 
Anglo Coal, South American Operations in 
1999. In 2004, he became general manager 
of Base Metals’ Minera Loma de Níquel 
operation in Venezuela. John MacKenzie was 
appointed CEO of Base Metals’ Zinc operations 
in November 2006, becoming CEO of Copper 
in October 2009.

10. Norman Mbazima
FCCA
51, is CEO of Thermal Coal. He joined the 
Anglo American Group in April, 2001, where he 
began his career at Konkola Copper Mines PLC. 
He was previously global chief financial officer 
for Anglo Coal and became executive director 
of finance at Anglo Platinum in June 2006, and 
later stepped in as joint acting chief executive. 
Norman Mbazima was appointed CEO of 
Scaw Metals in May 2008 and was appointed 
CEO of Thermal Coal in October 2009. 

11. Neville Nicolau
BT (Mining Engineering), MBA
50, is CEO Platinum. He joined the Anglo 
American Group in January 1979, subsequently 
working in the Gold and Uranium Division at 
different managerial levels in all the major 
operating areas in South Africa. In 2000-2001, 
he was the technical director of AngloGold’s 
South American operations, based in Brazil. 
He became chief operating officer (Africa) 
of AngloGold Ashanti in May 2004 and was 
appointed CEO of Anglo Platinum in June 2008. 

12. Duncan Wanblad
BSc (Eng) Mech, GDE (Eng Management)
43, is Group director Other Mining and 
Industrial. He joined Johannesburg Consolidated 
Investment Company Limited in 1990. Duncan 
Wanblad was appointed to the board of Anglo 
Platinum and various of its subsidiaries in 2004 
– becoming the executive director in charge of 
projects and engineering. He was appointed 
joint acting chief executive of Anglo Platinum in 
August 2007, before taking over as CEO copper 
operations of Anglo American in May 2008.

13. Stephan Weber
M.Sc
48, is CEO of Iron Ore Brazil. He worked for 
Rio Tinto from 2002 to 2008, serving on its 
Iron Ore Executive Committee from 2006 to 
2008. Stephan Weber joined Anglo American in 
January 2009 as chief technical officer within 
Anglo Ferrous Metals and was appointed CEO of 
of Iron Ore Brazil in October 2009.

14. Peter Whitcutt
BCom (Hons), CA (SA), MBA
44, is Group director strategy and business 
development. He joined Anglo American in 
1990 within the Corporate Finance division. 
Peter Whitcutt worked on the merger of 
Minorco, the listing of Anglo American in 
1999 and the subsequent unwinding of 
the cross-holding with De Beers. He was 
appointed chief financial officer of Base Metals 
in August 2008 and to his present position in 
October 2009.

70

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Directors’ report

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The directors have pleasure in submitting the 
statutory financial statements of the Group for 
the year ended 31 December 2009.

Principal activities  
and business review
Anglo American plc is one of the world’s largest 
mining companies, is headquartered in the UK 
and listed on the London and Johannesburg 
stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of 
mining businesses spans precious commodities 
– in which it is a global leader in both platinum 
and diamonds; base metals – copper and nickel; 
and bulk commodities – iron ore, metallurgical 
and thermal coal. The Company’s mining 
operations and extensive pipeline of growth 
projects are located in southern Africa, South 
America, Australia, North America and Asia. 

More detailed information about the Group’s 
businesses, activities and financial performance 
is incorporated into this report by reference 
and can be found in the Chairman’s and 
Chief executive’s statements on pages 6 to 11 
and the Operating and financial review on pages 
12 to 67. The Corporate governance statement 
is on pages 75 to 79 and is incorporated in this 
Directors’ report by reference. 

Going concern
The financial position of the Group, its cash 
flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities 
are set out in the Group financial performance 
review on pages 30 to 33. In addition, detail 
is given on the Group’s policy on managing 
counterparty and liquidity risk in the Principal 
Risks and Uncertainties section on pages  
64 to 67, with details of the Company’s policy 
on capital risk management being set out 
in note 24 to the financial statements. The 
Group’s gross debt at 31 December 2009 was 
$14.3 billion, representing a gearing level of 
around 30.8%. Details of borrowings and 
facilities are set out in notes 23 and 24 and 
net debt is set out in note 30.

Over the last 12 months, the Group has taken 
a series of measures to strengthen the balance 
sheet and provide financial flexibility, principally:

• 

 issued a two tranche bond in the US market 
totalling $2.0 billion;

• 

 issued a $1.7 billion convertible bond;

• 

 issued two Eurobonds, totalling $2.2 billion; 
and

• 

 generated $2.4 billion of cash proceeds from the 
sale of the remaining investments in AngloGold 
Ashanti, Tongaat Hulett and Hulamin.

At 31 December 2009, Anglo American had 
undrawn bank facilities of $9.5 billion, cash 
deposits of $3.3 billion and commercial paper 
maturing throughout 2010 of $67 million. 
Anglo American’s only significant debt facility 
for the period to 31 March 2011 is a £300 million 
(approximately $500 million) Eurobond maturing 

in December 2010, as well as the facilities of 
$538 million relating to Amapá. In addition,  
the Group has undrawn rand facilities equivalent 
to $1.9 billion with 364 day maturities which 
roll forward automatically on a daily basis, 
unless notice is served. The directors have 
considered the Group’s cash flow forecasts for 
the period to the end of March 2011. The Board 
is satisfied that the Group’s forecasts and 
projections, taking account of reasonably 
possible changes in trading performance and 
the intended refinancing of maturing facilities, 
show that the Group will be able to operate 
within the level of its current facilities for the 
foreseeable future. For this reason the Group 
continues to adopt the going concern basis (as 
interpreted by the Guidance on Going Concern 
and liquidity risk: Guidance for directors of UK 
companies 2009, published in October 2009) 
in preparing its financial statements.

Dividends
The Company did not declare an interim or 
recommend a final dividend for 2009.

Share capital
The Company’s authorised and issued share 
capital as at 31 December 2009, together with 
details of share allotments and purchases of 
own shares during the year, is set out in note 
28 on pages 130 to 136. 

The Company was authorised by shareholders 
at the AGM held on 15 April 2009 to purchase 
its own shares in the market up to a maximum 
of 14.99% of the issued share capital. This 
authority will expire at the 2010 AGM and in 
accordance with usual practice a resolution to 
renew it for another year will be proposed.

Material shareholdings
Details of interests of 3% or more in the 
ordinary share capital of the Company are 
shown within the Shareholder information 
section of the Notice of Meeting booklet. 

Directors
Biographical details of the directors currently 
serving on the Board are given on pages 68 
and 69. Details of directors’ interests in shares 
and share options of the Company can be found 
in the Remuneration report on pages 80 to 90. 

Sir John Parker was appointed to the Board on 
9 July 2009 and succeeded Sir Mark Moody-
Stuart as chairman on 1 August 2009. Sir Philip 
Hampton, Jack Thompson and Ray O’Rourke 
joined the Board on 9 and 16 November and 
11 December 2009 respectively. All four 
directors will be proposed for election at the 
AGM on 22 April 2010. Sir Rob Margetts and 
Chris Fay will retire from the Board at the 
conclusion of the AGM on 22 April 2010. Fred 
Phaswana resigned from the board on 1 January 
2010. Karel Van Miert sadly passed away on 
22 June 2009.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

71

Governance

Directors’ report
continued

Sustainable development
The Report to Society 2009 will be available 
from the Company in April 2010. This report 
focuses on the safety, sustainable development, 
health and environmental performance of the 
Group’s managed operations, its performance 
with regard to the Company’s Good Citizenship: 
Our Business Principles, and the operational 
dimensions of its social programmes.

Employment and other policies
The Group’s key operating businesses are 
empowered to manage, within the context of 
the different legislative and social demands of 
the diverse countries in which those businesses 
operate, and subject to the standards embodied 
in Anglo American’s Good Citizenship: Our 
Business Principles. In 2009, after an extensive 
review, the Business Principles were updated.

Payment of suppliers
Anglo American plc is a holding company and, 
as such, has no material trade creditors. 

Businesses across the Group are responsible for 
agreeing the terms under which transactions 
with their suppliers are conducted, reflecting 
local and industry norms and group purchasing 
arrangements which may have been made 
with a supplier. The Group values its suppliers 
and recognises the benefits to be derived from 
maintaining good relationships with them. 
Anglo American acknowledges the importance 
of paying invoices, especially those of small 
businesses, promptly.

Value of land
Land is mainly carried in the financial 
statements at cost. It is not practicable to 
estimate the market value of land and mineral 
rights, since these depend on product prices 
over the next 20 years or more, which will vary 
with market conditions.

Post-balance sheet events
Post-balance sheet events are set out in note 
40 to the financial statements on page 144.

Audit information
The directors confirm that, so far as they are 
aware, there is no relevant audit information 
of which the auditors are unaware and that all 
directors have taken all reasonable steps to 
make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the auditors 
are aware of that information.

Within all the Group’s businesses, the safe and 
effective performance of employees and the 
maintenance of positive employee relations 
are of fundamental importance. Managers are 
charged with ensuring that the following key 
principles are upheld:

• 

 adherence to national legal standards on 
employment and workplace rights at all times; 

• 

adoption of fair labour practices; 

• 

prohibition of child labour; 

• 

 prohibition of inhumane treatment of 
employees and any form of forced labour, 
physical punishment or other abuse; 

• 

 continual promotion of safe and healthy 
working practices; 

• 

 promotion of workplace equality and 
elimination of all forms of unfair 
discrimination; 

• 

 provision of opportunities for employees 
to enhance their work-related skills and 
capabilities; 

• 

 recognition of the right of our employees to 
freedom of association; and 

• 

 adoption of fair and appropriate procedures 
for determining terms and conditions of 
employment.

Further, the Group is committed to treating 
employees at all levels with respect and 
consideration, to investing in their development 
and to ensuring that their careers are not 
constrained by discrimination or arbitrary barriers. 

The Business Principles are supplemented by 
four “Anglo Way” documents, covering the 
safety, environmental, occupational health and 
social aspects of sustainable development. 
These set out more specific standards for each 
of these subject areas. In 2009, a Business 
Integrity policy and manual were also launched 
to help reinforce the Company’s longstanding 
stance of banning the payment or receipt of 
bribes and other improper inducements. 

Copies of the Good Citizenship: Our Business 
Principles and the Anglo Way documents  
are available from the Company and may  
be accessed on the Company’s website  
www.angloamerican.co.uk 

72

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

As in previous years, numerous employee 
communication presentations and workshops 
took place at Group level, including a series of 70 
workshops worldwide to embed the Group’s six 
core values, the training of over 500 managers 
on the implementation of the Socio-Economic 
Assessment Toolbox and three management 
development programmes. The Group has a well-
used enterprise information portal, theSource, 
which seeks to ensure that employees are 
regularly updated on developments within the 
Group, and feedback is encouraged. 

In addition, the Company regularly publishes 
Optima (available on the Company’s website) 
and AngloWorld, which contain items of news, 
current affairs and information relevant to 
Group employees.

Charitable donations
During the year, Anglo American, its 
subsidiaries and the Anglo American Group 
Foundation made donations for charitable 
purposes or wider social investments 
amounting to $82.5 million (2.23% of pre- 
tax profit of subsidiaries and joint ventures). 
Charitable donations of $1.8 million were made 
in the UK, consisting of payments in respect  
of education, sport and youth $0.8 million 
(45.5%); community development $0.3 million 
(15.2%); health and HIV/AIDS $0.15 million 
(8.6%); environment $0.05 million (3.6%); 
arts, culture and heritage $0.3 million (15.6%), 
and other charitable causes $0.2 million (11.5%). 
These figures were compiled with reference 
to the London Benchmarking Group model 
for defining and measuring social investment 
spending. A fuller analysis of the Group’s 
social investment activities can be found in 
the Report to Society 2009.

Political donations
No political donations were made during 2009. 
Anglo American has an established policy of 
not making donations to, or incurring expenses 
for the benefit of, any political party in any part 
of the world, including any political party or 
political organisation as defined in the Political 
Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on 22 April 2010.  
A separate booklet enclosed with this report 
contains the notice convening the meeting 
together with a description of the business to 
be conducted.

Additional information  
for shareholders
Set out below is a summary of certain 
provisions of the Company’s current Articles 
of Association (the Articles) and applicable 
English law concerning companies (the 
Companies Act 2006 (the Companies Act)) 
required as a result of the implementation of 
the Takeovers Directive in English law. This is 
a summary only and the relevant provisions 
of the Articles or the Companies Act should 
be consulted if further information is required. 
Certain amendments to the Articles will be 
proposed at the AGM to be held on 22 April 
2010. Details are set out in the enclosed notice 
of the AGM. Copies of the Company’s Articles 
marked up to show the proposed amendments, 
are available by application to the Company 
Secretary at the Registered Office.

Dividends and distributions
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, 
the Company may by ordinary resolution from 
time to time declare dividends not exceeding 
the amount recommended by the Board. The 
Board may pay interim dividends whenever 
the financial position of the Company, in the 
opinion of the Board, justifies such payment. 

The Board may withhold payment of all or 
any part of any dividends or other monies 
payable in respect of the Company’s shares 
from a person with a 0.25% interest or more 
(as defined in the Articles) if such a person 
has been served with a notice after failing 
to provide the Company with information 
concerning interests in those shares required to 
be provided under the Companies Act.

Rights and obligations attaching  
to shares
The rights and obligations attaching to the 
ordinary and preference shares are set out in 
the Articles. The Articles may only be changed 
by the shareholders by special resolution.

Voting
Subject to the Articles generally and to any 
special rights or restrictions as to voting 
attached by or in accordance with the Articles 
to any class of shares, on a show of hands 
every member who is present in person at a 
general meeting shall have one vote and, on a 
poll, every member who is present in person or 
by proxy shall have one vote for every share 
of which he/she is the holder. It is, and has 
been for some years, the Company’s practice to 
hold a poll on every resolution at shareholder 
meetings. 

Where shares are held by trustees/nominees 
in respect of the Group’s employee share plans 
and the voting rights attached to such shares 
are not directly exercisable by the employees, 
it is the Company’s practice that such rights are 
not exercised by the relevant trustee/nominee. 

Under the Companies Act, members are 
entitled to appoint a proxy, who need not be 
a member of the Company, to exercise all or 
any of their rights to attend and to speak and 
vote on their behalf at a general meeting or 
class meeting. A member may appoint more 
than one proxy in relation to a general meeting 
or class meeting provided that each proxy is 
appointed to exercise the rights attached to a 
different share or shares held by that member. 
A member that is a corporation may appoint 
one or more individuals to act on its behalf 
at a General Meeting or class meetings as a 
corporate representative. The debate around 
s323 of the Companies Act has been resolved 
so that where a shareholder appoints more 
than one corporate representative in respect 
of its shareholding, but in respect of different 
shares, those corporate representatives can act 
independently of each other, and validly vote in 
different ways.

Restrictions on voting
No member shall, unless the directors 
otherwise determine, be entitled in respect 
of any share held by him/her to vote either 
personally or by proxy at a shareholders’ 
meeting or to exercise any other right conferred 
by membership in relation to shareholders’ 
meetings if any call or other sum presently 
payable by him/her to the Company in respect 
of that share remains unpaid. In addition, no 
member shall be entitled to vote if he/she 
has been served with a notice after failing 
to provide the Company with information 
concerning interests in those shares required to 
be provided under the Companies Act.

Issue of shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 
relating to authority and pre-emption rights 
and of any resolution of the Company in a UK 
General Meeting, all unissued shares of the 
Company shall be at the disposal of the directors 
and they may allot (with or without conferring 
a right of renunciation), grant options over or 
otherwise dispose of them to such persons, 
at such times and on such terms as they 
think proper.

Shares in uncertificated form
Directors may determine that any class of shares 
may be held in uncertificated form and title to 
such shares may be transferred by means of a 
relevant system or that shares of any class should 
cease to be held and transferred. Subject to the 
provisions of the Companies Act, the CREST 
Regulations and every other statute, statutory 
instrument, regulation or order for the time being 
in force concerning companies and affecting the 
Company (together, the Statutes), the directors 
may determine that any class of shares held on 
the branch register of members of the Company 
resident in South Africa or any other overseas 
branch register of the members of the Company 
may be held in uncertificated form in accordance 
with any system outside the UK which enables 
title to such shares to be evidenced and transferred 
without a written instrument and which is a 
relevant system. The provisions of the Articles 
shall not apply to shares of any class which are in 
uncertificated form to the extent that the Articles 
are inconsistent with the holding of shares of that 
class in uncertificated form, the transfer of title to 
shares of that class by means of a relevant system 
or any provision of the CREST Regulations.

Deadlines for exercising voting rights
Votes are exercisable at a General Meeting of 
the Company in respect of which the business 
being voted upon is being heard. Votes may be 
exercised in person, by proxy, or in relation to 
corporate members, by corporate representative. 
The Articles provide a deadline for submission 
of proxy forms of not than less than 48 hours 
before the time appointed for the holding of the 
meeting or adjourned meeting.

Variation of rights
Subject to statute, the Articles specify that 
rights attached to any class of shares may be 
varied with the written consent of the holders 
of not less than three-quarters in nominal value 
of the issued shares of that class, or with the 
sanction of an extraordinary resolution passed 
at a separate General Meeting of the holders of 
those shares. At every such separate General 
Meeting the quorum shall be two persons 
holding or representing by proxy at least one-
third in nominal value of the issued shares of 
the class (calculated excluding any shares held 
as treasury shares). The rights conferred upon 
the holders of any shares shall not, unless 
otherwise expressly provided in the rights 
attaching to those shares, be deemed to be 
varied by the creation or issue of further shares 
ranking pari passu with them.

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73

Significant agreements: Change of 
control
At 31 December 2009, Anglo American had  
committed bilateral and syndicated borrowing 
facilities totalling $14.6 billion with a number 
of relationship banks which contain change 
of control clauses. The rand 20 billion South 
African Medium Term Note Programme and  
$5.9 billion of the Group’s bond issues 
also contain change of control provisions. 
In aggregate, this financing is considered 
significant to the Group and in the event  
of a takeover (change of control) of the 
Company, these contracts may be cancelled, 
become immediately payable or be subject  
to acceleration.

Purchases of own shares
At the AGM held on 15 April 2009, authority 
was given for the Company to purchase, in the 
market, up to 197.3 million Ordinary Shares of 
5486/91 US cents each. The Company did not 
purchase any of its own shares during 2009.

Indemnities
To the extent permitted by law and the Articles 
the Company has made qualifying third party 
indemnity provisions for the benefit of its 
directors during the year and which remain in 
force at the date of this report. Copies of these 
indemnities are open for inspection at the 
Company’s registered office.

By order of the Board 

Nicholas Jordan  
Company Secretary  
18 February 2010

Governance

Directors’ report
continued

Powers of directors
Subject to the Articles, the Companies Act and 
any directions given by special resolution, the 
business of the Company will be managed by 
the Board who may exercise all the powers of 
the Company. 

The Board may exercise all the powers of the 
Company to borrow money and to mortgage 
or charge any of its undertaking, property 
and uncalled capital and to issue debentures 
and other securities, whether outright or as 
collateral security for any debt, liability or 
obligation of the Company or of any third party. 

The Company may by ordinary resolution 
declare dividends but no dividend shall be 
payable in excess of the amount recommended 
by the directors. Subject to the provisions of 
the Articles and to the rights attaching to any 
shares, any dividends or other monies payable 
on or in respect of a share may be paid in such 
currency as the directors may determine. The 
directors may deduct from any dividend payable 
to any member all sums of money (if any) 
presently payable by him/her to the Company 
on account of calls or otherwise in relation 
to shares of the Company. The directors may 
retain any dividends payable on shares on 
which the Company has a lien, and may apply 
the same in or towards satisfaction of the 
debts, liabilities or engagements in respect of 
which the lien exists.

Appointment and replacement of 
directors
The directors may from time to time appoint 
one or more directors. 

The Board may appoint any person to be 
a director (so long as the total number of 
directors does not exceed the limit prescribed 
in the Articles). Any such director shall hold 
office only until the next AGM and shall then be 
eligible for election.

At each AGM all those directors who have been 
in office for three years or more since their 
election or last re-election shall retire from 
office. In addition, a director may at any AGM 
retire from office and stand for re-election. 
In accordance with the Combined Code, any 
director who has served more than three three-
year terms is subject to annual re-election. 

Transfer of shares
All transfers of shares which are in certificated 
form may be effected by transfer in writing in 
any usual or common form or in any other form 
acceptable to the directors and may be under 
hand only. The instrument of transfer shall be 
signed by or on behalf of the transferor and 
(except in the case of fully-paid shares) by or 
on behalf of the transferee. The transferor shall 
remain the holder of the shares concerned until 
the name of the transferee is entered in the 
register. All transfers of shares which are in 
uncertificated form may be effected by means 
of the CREST system. 

The directors may decline to recognise any 
instrument of transfer relating to shares in 
certificated form unless it: 

(a) is in respect of only one class of share; and 

(b) is lodged at the transfer office (duly stamped 
if required) accompanied by the relevant share 
certificate(s) and such other evidence as the 
directors may reasonably require to show the 
right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, 
if the instrument of transfer is executed by some 
other person on his/her behalf, the authority of 
that person so to do). 

The directors may, in the case of shares in 
certificated form, in their absolute discretion and 
without assigning any reason therefor, refuse 
to register any transfer of shares (not being 
fully-paid shares) provided that, where any such 
shares are admitted to the Official List of the 
London Stock Exchange, such discretion may 
not be exercised in such a way as to prevent 
dealings in the shares of that class from taking 
place on an open and proper basis. The directors 
may also refuse to register an allotment or 
transfer of shares (whether fully paid or not) in 
favour of more than four persons jointly. 

If the directors refuse to register an allotment 
or transfer, they shall send within two months 
after the date on which the letter of allotment 
or transfer was lodged with the Company, to 
the allottee or transferee, notice of the refusal. 

A shareholder does not need to obtain 
the approval of the Company, or of other 
shareholders of shares in the Company, for a 
transfer of shares to take place.

Directors
Directors shall not be less than 10 nor more 
than 18 in number. A director is not required 
to hold any shares of the Company by way of 
qualification. The Company may by ordinary 
resolution increase or reduce the maximum or 
minimum number of directors.

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Corporate governance

Combined Code compliance
Anglo American is committed to the highest 
standards of corporate governance – the way in 
which the Company is directed and controlled – 
and complied fully with the Combined Code on 
Corporate Governance June 2008 (the Code) 
throughout the year under review.

Role of the Board
The Board of directors has a duty to 
promote the success of the Company 
for its shareholders. Its role includes the 
establishment, review and monitoring of 
strategic objectives, approval of major 
acquisitions, disposals and capital expenditure 
and overseeing the Group’s systems of internal 
control, governance and risk management. A 
schedule of matters reserved for the Board’s 
decision details key aspects of the Company’s 
affairs that the Board does not delegate 
(including, among other things, approval 
of business plans and budgets, material 
expenditure and alterations to share capital). 

Board composition and  
directors’ independence
The Board is chaired by Sir John Parker who 
succeeded Sir Mark Moody-Stuart in August 
2009. The chairman is responsible for leading 
the Board and for its effectiveness. Cynthia 
Carroll is the chief executive and is responsible 
for the execution of strategy and the day-to-
day management of the Group, supported by 
the Group Management Committee (GMC) 
and the Executive Committee (ExCo), both of 
which she chairs. The Company has adopted 
the Statement of Division of Responsibilities 
between the Chairman and the Chief Executive 
promulgated by the Institute of Chartered 
Secretaries and Administrators. The functions 
and membership of GMC and ExCo are set 
out on page 70. David Challen has been the 
senior independent non-executive director since 
2008. The senior independent non-executive 
director is available to shareholders as an 
alternative to the chairman or chief executive 
and in this capacity met with representatives 
of major shareholders of the Group in 2009. 
The Board has a strong independent element 
and currently comprises, in addition to the 
chairman, two executive and 10 non-executive 
directors, nine of whom are independent 
according to the definition contained in the 
Code. The independent directors are indicated 
within the table opposite, and full biographical 
details for each director are given on pages 68 
and 69. The letters of appointment of the non-
executive directors and the executives’ service 
contracts are available for inspection at the 
registered office of the Company. 

The Company is conscious of the need to 
maintain an appropriate mix of skills and 
experience on the Board, and to progressively 
refresh its composition over time, and, in this 
connection, four new independent non-executive 
directors were appointed to the board during 
2009. Sir John Parker was appointed as 
chairman of the Group and Sir Philip Hampton, 
Jack Thompson and Ray O’Rourke joined the 
board in the latter part of 2009. 

Since January 2009 two independent non-
executive directors have left the board. Sadly, 
Karel Van Miert passed away in June 2009 
and Fred Phaswana resigned from the board 
on 1 January 2010. Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, 
a non-independent non-executive director 
has also left the Board. The Committee 
memberships were substantially refreshed 
in 2009 incorporating changes that resulted 
in a fully independent Nomination Committee.

Cynthia Carroll and Nicky Oppenheimer will be 
proposed for re-election at the AGM on 22 April 
2010. Sir John Parker, Sir Philip Hampton, Jack 
Thompson and Ray O’Rourke will be proposed 
for election at the AGM. Cynthia Carroll is the 
chief executive of Anglo American plc, chairs 
the ExCo and GMC and is a member of the 
S&SD Committee. Nicky Oppenheimer has been 
on the Board since 1999 and brings a wealth 
of knowledge of the Group and is considered to 
be an effective and committed member of the 
Board. Sir John Parker is the newly appointed 
chairman of Anglo American plc, chairman of 
the Nomination Committee and sits on the 
S&SD Committee. Sir John is recognised as 
a highly experienced and independent 

chairman, has chaired four FTSE 100 companies 
and brings leadership experience across a range 
of industries in many countries, including in 
South Africa. Jack Thompson is an independent 
non-executive director and member of the 
S&SD Committee. He brings experience gained 
at all levels of the mining industry and has 
received wide recognition as a mining engineer. 
Jack Thompson also has extensive boardroom 
experience in executive and non-executive roles. 
Sir Philip Hampton and Ray O’Rourke are both 
independent non-executive directors. Sir Philip 
brings financial, strategic and boardroom 
experience across a number of industries 
and Ray O’Rourke has a proven track record 
in delivering complex and large scale projects 
around the world, mobilising large numbers of 
people with great success and applying leading 
project management practices. 

None of the non-executive directors has served 
concurrently with an executive director for 
more than five years. 

Of the directors who were unable to attend 
one of the Board meetings each during 2009, 
Sir Rob Margetts was unable to attend due to a 
clash of meetings as a result of the Company’s 
Board meeting being convened at short notice, 
David Challen was unable to attend due to 
illness and Chris Fay was in transit from the 
US to the UK (again, the relevant meeting was 
convened at short notice). Nicky Oppenheimer 
was obliged to attend a court hearing and Fred 
Phaswana was obliged to attend a Standard 
Bank board meeting as its new chairman and 
had already given notice of his resignation from 
the Anglo American plc Board at that time.

Board and Committee meetings – frequency and attendance

Independent in 
terms of code

Board
(seven
meetings)

Audit
(three 
meetings)

S&SD
(five 
meetings)

Remuneration
(three
meetings)

Nomination 
(five

meetings) 

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

Sir John Parker(1)
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart(1)
Cynthia Carroll
René Médori
David Challen
Sir C K Chow
Chris Fay
Sir Philip Hampton(1)
Sir Rob Margetts
Karel Van Miert(2)
Nicky Oppenheimer
Ray O’Rourke
Fred Phaswana
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson(1)
Peter Woicke

n/a
n/a
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

All
All
All
All
6
All
6
All
6
All
6
n/a
6
All
All
All

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
All
n/a
All
n/a
n/a
All
n/a
n/a
2
n/a
n/a
All

All
All
4
n/a
n/a
n/a
All
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
All
n/a
4

(1)   Meetings attended prior to retirement or since appointment.

(2)  Deceased June 2009.

(3)  Missed one meeting prior to leaving the Committee. 

(4)  Attended one out of two Nomination Committee meetings held prior to leaving the Committee. 

n/a
All
n/a
n/a
2
All

0(3)

n/a
All
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
All

All
All
n/a
n/a
All
All
n/a
n/a
All
All

1(4)

n/a
All
All
n/a
All

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

75

 
Governance

Corporate governance
continued

Conflicts of interest
During the year, a full survey of the Board 
members’ interests and appointments was 
carried out and the Board was fully briefed on 
the Companies Act 2006 provisions in relation 
to conflicts of interest. Appropriate conflict 
management procedures are in place. Anglo 
American policy dictates that if a director 
becomes aware that they have a direct or 
indirect interest in an existing or proposed 
transaction with Anglo American, they should 
notify the Board at the next Board meeting 
or by a written declaration. Directors have a 
continuing duty to update any changes in these 
interests. There were no such notifications of 
interests in proposed transactions during the 
year. In accordance with the Company’s Articles 
and relevant legislation, an unconflicted 
quorum of the Board can authorise potential 
conflicts and such authorisations can be limited 
in scope and are reviewed on an annual basis. 
During the year under review, the conflict 
management procedures were adhered to 
and operated effectively. 

Directors’ training 
Anglo American’s directors have a wide range 
of expertise as well as significant experience 
in strategic, financial, commercial and mining 
activities. Upon appointment, directors are 
provided with recent Board materials and a 
reference manual containing information on 
legal obligations and other matters of which 
they should be aware. Guidance is provided 
on Market Conduct under the FSA, the 
Company’s Articles, the Combined Code on 
Corporate Governance and the Model Code. 
The manual also includes items such as Board 
and Committee terms of reference, relevant 
company information and guidance on where 
to obtain independent advice. The manual 
is updated periodically when appropriate. 
Training and briefings are also available to all 
directors on appointment and subsequently, 
as necessary, taking into account existing 
qualifications and experience. Directors also 
have access to management, and to the advice 
of the company secretary. Furthermore, all 
directors are entitled to seek independent 
professional advice concerning the affairs of 
Anglo American at its expense, although no 
such advice was sought during 2009. 

Presentations are made to the Board by business 
management on the activities of operations. 
Directors undertake regular visits to operations 
and projects and, in 2009, operations and 
projects in Alaska, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, 
China, Australia, India and Botswana were 
visited. In addition, during the year, directors 
attended courses/seminars on IFRS, other 
financial matters and directors’ forums. 

Board effectiveness
A formal evaluation of the performance of the 
Board, its committees and individual directors 
was carried out by Dr Long of Boardroom 
Review in late 2008 and presented to the 
Board. For the first time the scope of the 
evaluation was widened to include the views 
of senior executives below board level. The 
aim is to ensure continuous improvement in 
the functioning of the Board. Arising from 
this review, the Board has agreed to certain 
changes and ongoing development in the 
following areas:

• 

Strategy planning

• 

Communications with major shareholders

• 

Talent management and succession planning

• 

Committee composition

• 

 Submission of information to the Board and 
scheduling of meetings

As in past years, the evaluation process 
also included a review, chaired by the senior 
independent non-executive director (without 
the chairman present), of the performance of 
the chairman. It is the Board’s current intention 
to continue to engage an external reviewer for 
the Board effectiveness evaluation process 
from time to time. In light of the many changes 
to the Board during the year it was decided that 
an external review would not be carried out 
in 2009. In the meantime, the chairman has 
held individual briefings with each director to 
ensure that the necessary Board and committee 
processes are functioning properly. Since his 
appointment, Sir John has introduced a rolling 
agenda for the Board and instigated regular 
informal meetings of the non-executives 
prior to each Board meeting. These informal 
meetings give the Board the opportunity, 
inter alia, to discuss the performance of the 
management and to air subjects outside the 
confines of the boardroom in an informal but 
nevertheless constructive manner.

Committees of the Board
Subject to those matters reserved for its decision, 
the Board delegates certain responsibilities 
to a number of standing committees – the 
Remuneration, S&SD, Nomination and Audit 
Committees. The terms of reference for each 
of these committees and a schedule of matters 
reserved for the Board’s decision are published 
on the Company’s website.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for 
establishing and developing the Group’s general 
policy on executive and senior management 
remuneration and determining specific 
remuneration packages for executive directors. 

The directors’ Remuneration report, setting 
out Anglo American’s policy on executive 
remuneration, is set out on pages 80 to 90 of 
this Annual Report. A resolution to approve the 
Remuneration report will be proposed at the 
forthcoming AGM. The Committee met three 
times during 2009. 

The Remuneration Committee presently 
comprises: Sir Rob Margetts (chairman), David 
Challen, Sir CK Chow, Peter Woicke and Sir 
Philip Hampton, all of whom are independent 
non-executive directors. 

Safety and Sustainable Development 
(S&SD) Committee
The S&SD Committee is responsible for 
developing framework policies and guidelines for 
the management of sustainable development 
issues, including safety, health and environment 
matters, and ensuring their progressive 
implementation throughout the Group. 

The S&SD Committee normally meets three 
or four times each year, including a visit to an 
operation, and business unit heads are invited 
to attend committee meetings. Each business 
unit head makes a safety and sustainable 
development presentation to the Committee. 
The Committee met five times during 2009. 
The Report to Society 2009, to be published 
in April, will focus on the safety, sustainable 
development, health and environmental 
performance of the Group’s managed operations, 
their performance with regard to the Company’s 
Good Citizenship principles and the operational 
dimensions of their social programmes. 

The S&SD Committee presently comprises: 
Chris Fay (chairman), Cynthia Carroll, Sir John 
Parker, Mamphela Ramphele, Jack Thompson 
and Peter Woicke. 

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee makes 
recommendations to the Board on the 
appointment of new executive and non-
executive directors, including making 
recommendations as to the composition of 
the Board and its committees and the balance 
between executive and non-executive directors. 
The Nomination Committee meets as and when 
required and engages external consultants to 
identify appropriate candidates. During 2009, 
the services of Spencer Stuart were used by 
the Committee. 

The Board, via the Nomination Committee, 
has taken steps to ensure that the Human 
Resources function of the Group regularly 
reviews and updates the succession plans of 
directors and senior managers. The Committee 
met five times during 2009. 

The Nomination Committee currently comprises 
Sir John Parker (chairman), David Challen, 
Mamphela Ramphele, Peter Woicke and  
Sir CK Chow. 

76

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Audit Committee
The primary role of the Audit Committee is 
to ensure the integrity of financial reporting 
and the audit process, and that a sound risk 
management and internal control system is 
maintained. In pursuing these objectives, the 
Audit Committee oversees relations with the 
external auditors and reviews the effectiveness 
of the internal audit function. The Committee 
also monitors developments in corporate 
governance to ensure the Group continues to 
apply high and appropriate standards. 

Composition
The Audit Committee presently comprises:  
David Challen (chairman), Chris Fay and Sir Philip 
Hampton, all of whom are independent non-
executive directors. The Board, in consultation 
with the Audit Committee chairman, makes 
appointments to the Committee. The Board has 
determined that the Committee members have 
the skills and experience necessary to contribute 
meaningfully to the Committee’s deliberations.  
In addition, the chairman has requisite experience 
in accounting and financial management. 

The Committee met three times during 2009, 
and on two of those occasions the members 
held discussions with the external audit 
partners and the head of internal audit in the 
absence of management. 

In fulfilling its responsibility of monitoring the 
integrity of financial reports to shareholders, 
the Audit Committee has reviewed accounting 
principles, policies and practices adopted in 
the preparation of public financial information 
and has examined documentation relating to 
the Annual Report, Half Year Financial Report, 
preliminary announcements and related public 
reports. The clarity of disclosures included 
in the financial statements was reviewed by 
the Audit Committee, as was the basis for 
significant estimates and judgements.  
In assessing the accounting treatment of  
major transactions open to different 
approaches, the Committee considered written 
reports by management and the external 
auditors. The Committee’s recommendations 
are submitted to the Board for approval. 

The chief financial officers of all operations 
have provided confirmation, on a six-monthly 
basis, that financial and accounting control 
frameworks operate satisfactorily. The 
Committee considered summaries of the 
significant risk and control issues arising from 
these reports. The Committee also received 
regular internal audit reports on the results of 
audits at various operations. During 2009, the 
Audit Committee approved the internal audit 
and risk management plans for 2010 and the 
process by which the new audit engagement 
partner received induction to the business 
prior to taking up his role in 2010. The Audit 
Committee held meetings with the External 
Auditors without the presence of management 

on two occasions and the chairman of the 
Audit Committee held regular meetings with 
the audit engagement partner during the 
year. Further information on risk management 
processes is provided in the internal control 
disclosure statement on page 78. 

External audit 
Anglo American’s policy on auditors’ 
independence, which came into effect on  
1 January 2003, is consistent with the ethical 
standards published by the Auditing Practices 
Board in December 2004 and revised in April 
2008 and October 2009. 

A key factor that may impair auditors’ 
independence is a lack of control over non-audit 
services provided by the external auditors. In 
essence, the external auditors’ independence is 
deemed to be impaired if the auditors provide a 
service which: 

• 

 results in auditing of own work by the 
auditors; 

• 

 results in the auditors acting as a manager  
or employee of the Group; 

• 

 puts the auditors in the role of advocate  
for the Group; or 

• 

 creates a mutuality of interest between  
the auditors and the Group. 

Anglo American addresses this issue through 
three primary measures, namely: 

• 

 disclosure of the extent and nature of  
non-audit services; 

• 

 the prohibition of selected services; and 

• 

 prior approval by the Audit Committee 
chairman of non-audit services where the 
cost of the proposed assignment is likely  
to exceed $50,000. 

The definition of prohibited non-audit services 
corresponds with the European Commission’s 
recommendations on auditors’ independence  
and with the Ethical Standards issued by the 
Audit Practices Board in the UK. 

Other safeguards encapsulated in the policy include: 

• 

 the external auditors are required to adhere  
to a rotation policy based on best practice and 
professional standards in the United Kingdom. 
The standard period for rotation of the audit 
engagement partner is five years and, for any 
key audit partner, seven years. A new audit 
engagement partner has been appointed from 
2010 in accordance with this requirement.

• 

 any partner designated as a key audit partner 
of Anglo American shall not be employed 
by Anglo American in a key management 
position unless a period of at least two years 
has elapsed since the conclusion of the last 
relevant audit. 

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

• 

 the external auditors are required to assess 
periodically, in their professional judgement, 
whether they are independent of the Group.

• 

 the Audit Committee ensures that the scope 
of the auditors’ work is sufficient and that the 
auditors are fairly remunerated. 

• 

 the Audit Committee has primary responsibility 
for making recommendations to the Board on 
the appointment, re-appointment and removal 
of the external auditors. 

• 

 the Audit Committee has the authority 
to engage independent counsel and other 
advisers as they determine necessary in order 
to resolve issues on auditor independence. 

The Audit Committee has satisfied itself that 
the United Kingdom professional and regulatory 
requirements for audit partner rotation and 
employment of former employees of the 
external auditors have been complied with. 

The Audit Committee considered information 
pertaining to the balance between fees for 
audit and non-audit work for the Group in 2009 
and concluded that the nature and extent of 
non-audit fees do not present a threat to the 
external auditors’ independence. 

Furthermore, after reviewing a report from the 
external auditors on all their relationships with 
Anglo American that might reasonably have a 
bearing on the external auditors’ independence 
and the audit engagement partner and staff’s 
objectivity, and the related safeguards and 
procedures, the Committee has concluded that the 
external auditors’ independence was not impaired. 

The Audit Committee approved the external 
auditors’ terms of engagement, scope of 
work, the process for the 2009 interim 
review, the annual audit and the applicable 
levels of materiality. Based on written reports 
submitted, the Committee reviewed, with the 
external auditors, the findings of their work and 
confirmed that all significant matters had been 
satisfactorily resolved. 

The appointment of Deloitte LLP as the Group’s 
external auditors (incumbents since the listing 
in 1999) is kept under annual review, and if 
satisfactory, the Committee will recommend 
the re-appointment of the audit firm. The 
appointment of Deloitte LLP followed a detailed 
evaluation of the predecessor audit firms 
following the listing and, rather than adopting a 
policy on tendering frequency, an annual review 
of the effectiveness of the external audit is 
supplemented by a periodic, comprehensive 
reassessment by the Committee.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

77

Governance

Corporate governance
continued

The Committee’s assessment of the external 
auditors’ performance and independence 
underpins its recommendation to the Board to 
propose to shareholders the re-appointment 
of Deloitte LLP as auditors until the conclusion 
of the AGM in 2011. Resolutions to authorise 
the Board to re-appoint and determine their 
remuneration will be proposed at the AGM on 
22 April 2010.

Internal audit
The Group has an internal audit department 
that reports centrally with responsibility for 
reviewing and providing assurance on the 
adequacy of the internal control environment 
across all of Anglo American’s operations. 
The head of internal audit is responsible for 
reporting and following up on the findings of 
this internal audit work to local management 
and the Audit Committee on a regular basis. 
Internal audit teams operated in all of the 
Group’s principal divisions in the period under 
review, reporting findings to local senior 
management. The internal audit function’s 
mandates and annual audit coverage plans 
were approved by the Audit Committee. 

The internal audit activities are performed 
either by teams of appropriate, qualified 
and experienced employees, or through the 
engagement of external practitioners upon 
specified and agreed terms. A summary of audit 
results and risk-management information was 
presented to the Committee and Group senior 
management at regular intervals throughout 
the year. The Group’s head of internal audit 
reports to the Audit Committee on the internal 
audit function’s performance against the agreed 
internal audit plan. 

Assurance regarding the accuracy and 
reliability of mineral resources and ore reserves 
disclosures is provided through a combination 
of internal technically proficient staff and 
independent third parties. 

During 2009, over 300 audit projects were 
completed covering a variety of financial, 
operational, strategic and compliance related 
business processes across all business 
units and functions. In addition, the internal 
audit department responded to a number of 
management requests to investigate alleged 
breaches of our business principles. 

Effectiveness of internal control 
and risk management 
The GMC, as mandated by the Board, maintains 
a Group-wide system of internal control to 
manage significant Group risks. This system, 
which has been operating throughout the year 
and to the date of this report, supports the 
Board in discharging its responsibility for 
ensuring that the wide range of risks associated 
with the Group’s diverse international operations 
is effectively managed in support of the creation 

and preservation of shareholder wealth. Where 
appropriate, necessary action has been or is being 
taken to remedy any failings or weaknesses 
identified from review of the effectiveness of 
the internal control system, including the 
lessons learned from the acquisition and 
development of the Amapá system. 

Internal control
The system of internal control, which is 
embedded in all key operations, provides 
reasonable rather than absolute assurance 
that the Group’s business objectives will be 
achieved within the risk tolerance levels defined 
by the Board. Regular management reporting, 
which provides a balanced assessment of key 
risks and controls, is an important component 
of Board assurance. In addition, certain Board 
committees focus on specific risks such as 
safety and capital investment and provide 
assurance to the Board on those matters. The 
chief financial officers provide confirmation, 
on a six-monthly basis, that financial and 
accounting control frameworks have operated 
satisfactorily. The Board also receives 
assurance from the Audit Committee, which 
derives its information, in part, from regular 
internal audit reports on risk and internal 
control throughout the Group and external audit 
reporting. The Group’s internal audit function 
has a formal collaboration process in place 
with the external auditors to ensure efficient 
coverage of internal controls. The Anglo 
American internal audit function is responsible 
for providing independent assurance to 
executive management and the Board on the 
effectiveness of the risk management process 
throughout the Group. 

Anglo American seeks to have a sound system 
of internal control, based on the Group’s policies 
and guidelines, in all material associates and 
joint ventures. In those companies that are 
independently managed, as well as joint 
ventures, the directors who are represented 
on these organisations’ boards seek assurance 
that significant risks are being managed. 

Risk management
The Board’s policy on risk management 
encompasses all significant business risks to 
the Group, including, financial, operational 
and compliance risk, which could undermine 
the achievement of business objectives. This 
system of risk management is designed so 
that the different businesses are able to tailor 
and adapt their risk management processes 
to suit their specific circumstances. This 
flexible approach has the commitment of the 
Group’s senior management. There is clear 
accountability for risk management, which 
is a key performance area of line managers 
throughout the Group. The requisite risk and 
control capability is assured through Board 
challenge and appropriate management 
selection and skills development. Managers 

are supported in giving effect to their risk 
responsibilities through policies and guidelines 
on risk and control management. Support 
through facilitated risk assessments is provided 
by a central team responsible for ensuring 
a robust process is implemented for risk 
management. During 2009, over 100 separate 
risk assessment workshops were conducted 
reviewing risk in business unit strategies, 
risks to achieving mine plans, risks in capital 
projects and risks to key change programmes. 
The results of these risk assessments were 
reported to senior management and the Audit 
Committee. The process of risk management 
is designed to identify internal and external 
threats to the business and to assist 
management in prioritising their response to 
those risks. Continuous monitoring of risk and 
control processes, across headline risk areas 
and other business-specific risk areas, provides 
the basis for regular and exception reporting to 
business management and boards, ExCo, the 
Audit Committee and the Board. 

Some of the headline risk areas, which have 
been elaborated upon in the financial review, 
set out on pages 64 to 67 are:

• 

commodity price risk;

• 

political risk;

• 

legal and regulatory risk;

• 

counterparty risk; and

• 

 infrastructure and operational 
performance risks.

The risk assessment and reporting criteria 
are designed to provide the Board with a 
consistent, Group-wide perspective of the 
key risks. The reports to the Board, which are 
submitted at least every six months, include 
an assessment of the likelihood and impact of 
risks materialising, as well as risk mitigation 
initiatives and their effectiveness. 

In conducting its annual review of the 
effectiveness of risk management, the 
Board considers the key findings from the 
ongoing monitoring and reporting processes, 
management assertions and independent 
assurance reports. The Board also takes 
account of material changes and trends in 
the risk profile and considers whether the 
control system, including reporting, adequately 
supports the Board in achieving its risk 
management objectives. 

During the course of the year the Board 
considered the Group’s responsiveness to 
changes within its business environment.  
The Board is satisfied that there is an ongoing 
process, which has been operational during 
the year, and up to the date of approval of the 
Annual Report, for identifying, evaluating and 
managing the significant risks faced by the 
Group. This includes social, environmental and 
ethical risks as highlighted in the Disclosure 

78

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Guidelines on Socially Responsible Investment 
issued by the Association of British Insurers. 
A detailed report on social, environmental and 
ethical issues is included in the Company’s 
Report to Society 2009. 

Accountability and audit
The Board is required to present a balanced 
and understandable assessment of Anglo 
American’s financial position and prospects. 
Such assessment is provided in the Chairman’s 
and Chief executive’s statements and the 
Operating and financial review of this Annual 
Report. The respective responsibilities of the 
directors and external auditors are set out on 
pages 92, 94 and 95. As referred to in the 
Directors’ report, the directors have expressed 
their view that Anglo American’s business is a 
going concern. 

Whistleblowing programme
The Group has had in place for a number of 
years a whistleblowing programme in all its 
managed operations. The programme, which 
is monitored by the Audit Committee, is 
designed to enable employees, customers, 
suppliers, managers or other stakeholders, on 
a confidential basis, to raise concerns in cases 
where conduct is deemed to be contrary to our 
values. It may include: 

• 

 actions that may result in danger to the 
health and/or safety of people or damage to 
the environment; 

• 

 unethical practice in accounting, internal 
accounting controls, financial reporting and 
auditing matters; 

• 

 criminal offences, including money 
laundering, fraud, bribery and corruption; 

• 

 failure to comply with any legal obligation; 

• 

 miscarriage of justice; 

• 

 any conduct contrary to the ethical principles 
embraced in our Business Principles or any 
similar policy; 

• 

 any other legal or ethical concern; and 

• 

 concealment of any of the above. 

The programme makes available a selection 
of telephonic, e-mail, web-based and surface 
mail communication channels to any person in 
the world who has information about unethical 
practice in Anglo American and its managed 
operations. The multilingual communication 
facilities are operated by independent service 
providers who remove all indications from 
information received as to the identity of the 
callers before submission to designated persons 
in the Group. 

During 2009, 313 reports were received 
via the global ‘Speakup’ facility, covering a 
broad spectrum of concerns, including ethical, 
criminal, supplier relationships, health and 

safety, and human resource-type issues. 
Reports received were kept strictly confidential 
and were referred to appropriate line managers 
within the Group for resolution. Where 
appropriate, action was taken to address the 
issues raised. The reports are analysed and 
monitored to ensure the process is effective.

Executive management

Group Management Committee (GMC)
GMC replaced the ExCo in terms of authority 
in 2009 and is responsible for formulating 
strategy (for discussion and agreement by the 
Board), monitoring performance and managing 
the Group’s portfolio. The current members of 
GMC are; Cynthia Carroll (chair), René Médori, 
Brian Beamish, Mervyn Walker and David Weston.

Executive Committee (ExCo)
ExCo is responsible for the implementation 
of policies and programmes, the adoption 
of best practice standards and senior talent 
management across the Group. ExCo meets at 
least every two months on a formal basis for 
a two-day session and when required in the 
intervening periods. 

The current members of ExCo are; Cynthia 
Carroll (chair), René Médori, Brian Beamish, 
Walter De Simoni, Seamus French, Chris 
Griffith, John MacKenzie, Norman Mbazima, 
Neville Nicolau, Mervyn Walker, Duncan 
Wanblad, Stephan Weber, David Weston and 
Peter Whitcutt. Along with the chief executive 
and finance director, the members of ExCo are 
selected from the heads of business units and 
corporate functions.

Investment Committee
The role of the Investment Committee, which 
is a sub-committee of GMC, is to manage the 
process of capital allocation by ensuring that 
investments and divestments increase 
shareholder value and meet Anglo American’s 
financial criteria. The Committee makes 
recommendations to GMC and/or the Board on 
these matters. The Committee meets as required.

The Investment Committee presently 
comprises: René Médori (chairman), Brian 
Beamish, Gareth Mostyn and David Weston. 

Relations with shareholders
The Company maintains an active dialogue 
with its key financial audiences, including 
institutional shareholders, sell-side analysts 
and potential shareholders. The Investor 
Relations Department manages the ongoing 
dialogue with these audiences and regular 
presentations take place at the time of interim 
and final results as well as during the rest of 
the year. An active programme with potential 
shareholders is also maintained. 

Any concerns raised by a shareholder in 
relation to the Company and its affairs are 
communicated to the Board as a whole.  
The Board is briefed on a regular basis by the 
Investor Relations Department and analysts’ 
reports are circulated to the directors. Feedback 
from meetings held between executive 
management, or the Investor Relations 
Department, and institutional shareholders is 
also communicated to the Board. 

During the year there were regular 
presentations and meetings with institutional 
investors in the UK, South Africa, continental 
Europe and the US to communicate the 
strategy and performance of Anglo American. 
Executive directors, as well as key corporate 
officers including business unit heads, host 
such presentations, including seminars for 
investors and analysts, and ‘one-on-one’ 
meetings. Executive management also 
presents at industry conferences on a regular 
basis throughout the year, which are mainly 
organised by investment banks for their 
institutional investor base. The chairman, 
senior independent non-executive director 
and other non-executive directors are also 
available to shareholders to discuss any 
matter they wish to raise. The Company’s 
website www.angloamerican.co.uk provides 
the latest news and historical financial 
information, details about forthcoming events 
for shareholders and analysts, and other 
information on Anglo American. 

Shareholders will have the opportunity at the 
forthcoming AGM, notice of which is contained 
in the booklet enclosed herewith, to put 
questions to the Board, including the chairmen 
of the various committees. Facilities have been 
put in place to enable shareholders on the UK 
register to receive Company communications 
electronically rather than by mail and, for those 
unable to attend the meeting, to cast their 
votes by electronic means, including those 
shareholders whose shares are held in the 
CREST system. 

As a result of the implementation of the 
electronic communications provisions in 
the Companies Act 2006, the Company 
has substantially reduced the cost of the 
annual report production and distribution. 
The Company successfully extended this 
approach in 2009 to incorporate South African 
investors holding shares in dematerialised form. 
Shareholders may elect to receive notification 
by email of the availability of the annual report 
on the Company’s website instead of receiving 
paper copies. 

In accordance with best practice, voting on 
each resolution to be proposed at the AGM will 
be conducted on a poll rather than by a show of 
hands. The results of the poll will be announced 
to the press and on the Company’s website.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

79

Governance

Remuneration report

1. Remuneration Committee
This report sets out the Company’s remuneration 
policy and practice for executive and non-
executive directors and provides details of their 
remuneration and share interests for the year 
ended 31 December 2009.

1.1  Role of the Remuneration 

Committee and Terms of Reference
The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) 
is responsible for considering and making 
recommendations to the Board on:

• 

 the Company’s general policy on executive 
and senior management remuneration;

• 

 the specific remuneration packages for executive 
directors of the Company, including basic salary, 
performance-based short-term and long-term 
incentives, pensions and other benefits; and

• 

 the design and operation of the Company’s 
share incentive schemes.

The full Terms of Reference of the Committee 
can be found on the Anglo American website 
(www.angloamerican.co.uk) and copies are 
available on request. 

The Committee met three times during 2009 
and dealt with ad hoc items between formal 
meetings by ‘round robin’ resolutions.

1.2 Membership of the Committee 
The Committee comprised the following  
non-executive directors during the year  
ended 31 December 2009: 

• 

Sir Rob Margetts (Chairman)

• 

David Challen

• 

 Sir C K Chow (appointed with effect from  
15 April 2009)

• 

 Chris Fay (resigned with effect from  
15 April 2009)

• 

 Sir Philip Hampton (appointed with effect 
from 2 December 2009)

• 

 Sir Mark Moody-Stuart (resigned with effect 
from 1 August 2009)

• 

 Peter Woicke (appointed with effect from  
15 April 2009)

The Company’s chief executive attends the 
Committee meetings by invitation and assists 
the Committee in its deliberations, except 
when issues relating to her own compensation 
are discussed. No directors are involved in 
deciding their own remuneration. In 2009, the 
Committee was advised by the Company’s 
Human Resources and Finance functions and, 
specifically, Mervyn Walker and Chris Corrin. It 
also took external advice as shown in Figure 1.

Certain overseas operations within the Group 
are also provided with audit related services 
from PwC’s and Deloitte’s worldwide member 
firms and non-audit related services from 
Mercer’s worldwide member firms.

A summary of the letter from Mercer containing 
the conclusions of their review of the Committee’s 
executive remuneration processes for 2009 can 
be found on page 91, while the full letter can be 
found on the Company’s website.

2.  Remuneration policy 
on executive director 
remuneration

The Company’s remuneration policy is 
formulated to attract and retain high-calibre 
executives and to motivate them to develop 
and implement the Company’s business 
strategy in order to optimise long-term 
shareholder value creation. The Committee 
intends that this policy will continue to apply 
for 2010 and subsequent years, subject to 
ongoing review as appropriate. The policy is 
framed around the following key principles:

Figure 1: External advice provided to the Remuneration Committee

Advisers 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
(PwC)

Appointed by the Company, with the agreement of the  
Committee, to provide specialist valuation services

Monks Partnership  
(a subsidiary of PwC)
Linklaters LLP  
(Linklaters)

Mercer Limited
(Mercer)

Deloitte LLP 
(Deloitte)

Appointed by the Company, with the agreement of the  
Committee, to provide market remuneration data
Appointed by the Company, with the agreement of the  
Committee, to provide legal advice on long-term incentives  
and directors’ service contracts
Engaged by the Committee to review the Committee’s  
processes on an annual basis, in order to provide  
shareholders with assurance that the remuneration  
processes the Committee has followed are in line with  
stated policy and that the Committee has operated within  
its Terms of Reference

80

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

• 

 total rewards will be set at levels that are 
sufficiently competitive to enable the recruitment 
and retention of high-calibre executives;

• 

 total incentive-based rewards will be earned 
through the achievement of demanding 
performance conditions consistent with 
shareholder interests;

• 

 incentive plans, performance measures and 
targets will be structured to operate soundly 
throughout the business cycle;

• 

 the design of long-term incentives will be 
prudent and will not expose shareholders to 
unreasonable financial risk;

• 

 in considering the market positioning of 
reward elements, account will be taken of 
the performance of the Company and of the 
individual executive director; and

• 

 reward practice will conform to best practice 
standards as far as reasonably practicable. 

Representatives of the Company’s principal 
investors are consulted on material changes to 
remuneration policy.

3.   Elements of executive director 

remuneration

3.1 Remuneration mix
Each executive director’s total remuneration 
consists of salary, annual bonus, long-term 
incentives and benefits. An appropriate balance is 
maintained between fixed and performance-related 
remuneration and between elements linked to 
short-term financial performance and those linked 
to longer-term shareholder value creation.

Assuming on-target performance, the Committee’s 
policy is that at least 50% (60% for Cynthia 
Carroll) of each executive director’s remuneration 
is performance-related. In 2009, 69% of both 
the chief executive’s and the finance director’s 
remuneration on an expected-value basis was 
performance-related (see illustrative charts).

Other services provided to the Company

Investment advisers, actuaries and auditors for 
various pension schemes; advisers on internal  
audit projects; taxation, payroll and executive 
compensation advice

Legal advice on certain corporate matters 

Investment advisers and actuaries for various  
pension schemes

In their capacity as Group auditors, Deloitte  
undertakes an audit of sections 10 and 11 of the  
remuneration report annually. However, they  
provide no advice to the Committee

 
CEO – Expected values

3

1

2

1 Fixed 31%
2 Performance-related annual bonus 40%
3 Performance-related long-term incentives 29%

FD – Expected values

3

1

2

1 Fixed 31%
2 Performance-related annual bonus 40%
3 Performance-related long-term incentives 29%

Vesting of Enhancement Shares

3

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75%

1

33%

2

0%

RPI
+0%

RPI
+3%

RPI
+6%

RPI
+9%

RPI
+12%

RPI
+15%

RPI
+18%

Real EPS growth over three years

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The Bonus Share Plan (BSP) and the Long Term 
Incentive Plan (LTIP) are designed to align 
the longer-term interests of shareholders and 
executives and to underpin the Company’s 
performance culture. The Committee monitors the 
relevance and appropriateness of the performance 
measures and targets applicable to both plans. 
Further details of the BSP and the LTIP are set out 
below and on pages 82 and 83.

3.2 Basic salary
The basic salary of the executive directors is 
reviewed annually and is targeted at the market 
median of companies of comparable size, market 
sector, business complexity and international 
scope. This is adjusted either way based on 
experience and other relevant factors. The market 
for executives of main-board calibre, in large 
international mining companies in particular, has 
continued to be very competitive in recent years 
and it is therefore deemed sensible to position 
basic salary for executive directors at no lower 
than the median point. Company performance, 
individual performance and changes in 
responsibilities are also taken into consideration 
in setting salary levels each year.

3.3 Bonus Share Plan (BSP)
The BSP was first operated in 2004 and all 
executive directors are normally eligible to 
participate in it.

The BSP requires executive directors to invest 
a significant proportion of their remuneration 
in shares, thereby more closely aligning 
their interests with those of shareholders, 
and encourages management at all levels 
to build up a meaningful personal stake in 
the Company. Awards under the BSP are not 
pensionable, are made annually and consist of 
three elements:

• 

a performance-related cash element;

• 

 Bonus Shares as a conditional award, 
normally to a value equal to the cash 
element; and

• 

 an additional performance-related element in 
the form of Enhancement Shares.

The BSP operates as follows:

• 

 the value of the bonus is calculated by 
reference to achievement against annual 
performance targets which include measures 
of corporate (and, where applicable, business 
unit) performance as well as the achievement 
of specific individual objectives. For executive 
directors, the corporate element is based on 
stretching earnings per share (EPS) targets 
which are calculated using underlying earnings 
(reconciled in note 12 of the financial 
statements). The key individual objectives are 
designed to support the Company’s strategic 
priorities and in 2009 included cost and 
asset optimisation, portfolio restructuring, 
strategic initiatives, organisational structure 
and capabilities, safety improvements and 
operational effectiveness.

• 

 the Committee reviews these measures 
annually to ensure they remain appropriate 
and sufficiently stretching in the context of the 
economic and performance expectations for 
the Company and its operating businesses;

• 

• 

 in 2009, 50% of each annual bonus was based 
on the corporate financial measure and the 
remaining 50% on key personal performance 
measures. This split was decided upon to 
reflect the importance of the ongoing strategic 
repositioning of the Group and because of the 
volatile nature of commodity prices with the 
implications of this on setting earnings targets. 
The level of bonus payable is reduced if certain 
overall safety improvement targets are not 
met. Bonus parameters are set on an individual 
basis;

 the maximum cash element is 75% of basic 
salary in the case of both Cynthia Carroll and 
René Médori. Half of the bonus earned is 
payable in cash and the other half is deferred 
into shares. The maximum bonus is payable 
only for meeting targets which, in the opinion 
of the Committee, represent an exceptional 
performance for the Group in the light of 
prevailing market conditions. The other part 
of the bonus is in the form of a conditional 
award of Bonus Shares, equal in value to 
the cash element. These Bonus Shares vest 
only if the participant remains in employment 
with the Group until the end of a three-
year holding period (or is regarded by the 
Committee as a ‘good leaver’). At the time 
that bonus targets were set in early 2009, 
the prices of the Company’s products had 
fallen very sharply and the EPS targets set by 
the Committee looked extremely stretching. 
During the year, the actions taken by 
management, together with improving prices, 
led to an out-turn higher than the targets 
that had been set. Having taken all relevant 
considerations into account, the Committee 
concluded that the bonuses awarded should 
reflect the achievement of the targets, but 
that the proportion of the bonus deferred into 
shares should be increased from 50% to 75% 
for a second year running.

• 

 executive directors also receive a conditional 
award of Enhancement Shares at the same 
time as the award of Bonus Shares. The 
maximum potential, at face value, of the 
Enhancement Shares is 75% of the face value 
of the Bonus Shares. Awards of Enhancement 
Shares made in 2009 will vest after three 
years only to the extent that a challenging 
performance condition (based on earnings per 
share growth against growth in the UK Retail 
Price Index (RPI) – Real EPS growth) is met 
(see illustrative chart opposite). There is no 
retesting of this performance condition. Real 
EPS growth is viewed as the most appropriate 
performance measure for this element of the 
BSP because it is a fundamental financial 
performance indicator, both internally and 
externally, and links directly to the Company’s 
long-term objective of improving earnings. 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

81

 
 
 
 
 
Governance

Remuneration report
continued

The BSP targets have been approved by the 
Committee after reviewing performance over  
a number of years and have been set at a level 
which provides stretching performance levels 
for management. 

Performance measures
As in previous years, vesting of the LTIP 
awards made during 2009 is subject to the 
achievement, over a fixed three-year period,  
of stretching Group performance targets.

The level of performance achieved and the 
proportion of awards vesting in respect of each 
performance period will be published in the 
subsequent remuneration report.

3.4  Share options and all-employee  

share schemes

No share options were granted in 2009 to 
executive directors under the Company’s 
Executive Share Option Scheme (ESOS) and 
there is no intention to make future grants 
under the unapproved part of the ESOS to 
executive directors. However, the ESOS is 
retained for use in special circumstances 
relating to the recruitment or retention of key 
executives. Accordingly, as the previous ESOS 
was due to expire in early 2009, the plan 
was replaced in 2009 by the Anglo American 
Discretionary Option Plan (DOP) which was 
approved by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting (AGM) in April 2008. No 
options were granted in 2009 to executive 
directors under the DOP.

UK-based executive directors are eligible to 
participate in the Company’s Save As You 
Earn scheme (SAYE) and Share Incentive Plan 
(SIP). Performance conditions do not apply to 
these schemes because they are offered to all 
UK-based employees. As the previous SAYE 
scheme was due to expire in early 2009, it 
was replaced in 2009 by the new SAYE scheme 
which was approved by shareholders at the 
AGM in April 2008. 

3.5 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 

Grant levels
Conditional LTIP awards are made annually to 
executive directors. The maximum grant level 
under the LTIP is currently 200% of basic salary 
and it is anticipated that, in 2010, conditional 
grants under the LTIP will be made at this level 
for executive directors, including the chief 
executive. The Committee is satisfied that the 
performance conditions that need to be met 
for these awards to vest in full are sufficiently 
stretching in the context of the award levels. 
In determining annual award levels, the 
Committee also gives consideration to market 
competitiveness and has set the levels taking 
account of median expected value of long-term 
incentives relative to other companies of a 
similar size. These awards are discretionary and 
are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Total shareholder return (TSR)
The Committee considers comparative TSR to be 
a suitable long-term performance measure for 
the Company’s LTIP awards. Executives would 
benefit under this measure only if shareholders 
have enjoyed returns on their investment which 
are superior to those that could have been 
obtained in other comparable companies.

50% of the proportion of each award that 
is based on TSR is measured against the 
Sector Index and 50% is measured against 
the constituents of the FTSE 100. Maximum 
vesting of the TSR element of an award will be 
possible only if Anglo American outperforms by 
a substantial margin both the sector benchmark 
(as described below) and the largest UK 
companies across all sectors.

Sector Index comparison
One half of the TSR element of an LTIP award 
vests according to the Company’s TSR over 
the performance period, relative to a weighted 
basket of international mining companies (the 
Sector Index). The Committee may amend the 
list of comparator companies in the Sector 
Index, and relative weightings, if circumstances 
make this necessary (for example, as a 
result of takeovers or mergers of comparator 
companies or significant changes in the 
composition of the Group). In calculating TSR it 
is assumed that all dividends are reinvested.

For awards made in 2009, the companies 
constituting the Sector Index were as shown in 
Figure 2. Should the Tarmac group be sold or 
demerged during the performance period relating 
to this award, the percentage attributable to 
Industrial Minerals will fall to zero.

Half of each award is subject to a Group Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR) measure, while 
the other half is subject to a Group operating 
measure, currently return on capital employed 
(ROCE). These performance measures were 
selected on the basis that they foster the 
creation of shareholder value and their 
appropriateness is kept under review by 
the Committee. Taken as a whole, vesting 
depends on meeting a very challenging set of 
performance hurdles. 

At the end of each performance period, the 
levels of TSR and ROCE performance achieved 
and the level of award earned are published in 
the subsequent remuneration report. There is 
no retesting of performance. 

For the 2010 LTIP award, the Committee 
is examining the possible use of an Asset 
Optimisation/Supply Chain (AOSC) efficiency 
measure in place of the ROCE metric. The 
AOSC targets are of such size and significance 
that the Committee regards their achievement 
as crucially important to the Group in delivering 
increased value to shareholders. The targets 
will be aligned to the Group’s external statements 
in this regard, and the extent to which they are met 
under the terms of the LTIP will be reported and 
audited at the end of each performance period. 
There is no retesting of performance.

The LTIP is intended closely to align the 
interests of shareholders and executive 
directors by rewarding superior shareholder 
returns and financial performance and 
by encouraging executives to build up a 
shareholding in the Company.

Figure 2: LTIP – Sector Index

Category weighting
Comparator companies

Mining

94%
BHP Billiton plc  
Rio Tinto plc  
Teck Cominco Limited  
Vale  
Vedanta Resources plc  
Xstrata plc 

Industrial Minerals

6%
CRH plc 
Holcim Limited 
Lafarge

Figure 3: LTIP – Sector Index comparison

The Company’s relative TSR compared with the Sector Index

% proportion of total TSR element vesting

Below Target
Target (matching the weighted median of the Sector Index)
Target plus 5% per annum
Target plus 7.5% per annum (or above)

0
20
50
75

82

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Figure 4: LTIP – FTSE 100 comparison

The Company’s relative TSR compared with the FTSE 100

% proportion of total TSR element vesting

Below the median TSR of the FTSE 100
Equal to the median TSR of the FTSE 100
Equal to the 90th percentile TSR of the FTSE 100
Above the 90th percentile TSR of the FTSE 100

0
20
50
75

3.6  Vesting of share incentives in 

the event of change of control or 
termination of employment
In the event of a change of control of the 
Company, the following provisions apply under 
the Company’s incentive plans:

• 

 share options granted under the ESOS or 
under the DOP may be exercised irrespective 
of whether the applicable performance 
conditions have been met; 

Figure 5: LTIP – ROCE targets

Minimum ROCE Target
Maximum ROCE Target

Figure 6: LTIP – ROCE vesting

Below or equal to the Minimum ROCE Target
Equal to or greater than the Maximum ROCE Target

Target performance for the Sector Index 
is assessed by calculating the median TSR 
performance within each sub-sector category, 
and then weighting these medians by the 
category weightings shown in Figure 2. That 
part of any award that is contingent upon the 
Sector Index element of the TSR performance 
will vest as shown in Figure 3. Shares will 
vest on a straight-line basis for performance 
between the levels shown in Figure 3.

FTSE 100 comparison
The vesting of the other half of the TSR 
element of an LTIP award will depend on 
the Company’s TSR performance over the 
performance period compared with the 
constituents of the FTSE 100 Index, as outlined 
in Figure 4. Shares will vest on a straight-line 
basis for performance between the levels 
shown in Figure 4.

These targets were calibrated such that for the 
TSR element of the award there is approximately 
a 10% chance of achieving full vesting and 
a 25% chance of two-thirds vesting. These 
probabilities were assessed by PwC using the 
same Monte Carlo model used for calculating fair 
values of the LTIP under IFRS 2 (Share-based 
Payments). The estimated average fair value of 
an award under the TSR element is 50% of the 
value of shares awarded.

Graphs showing the Company’s TSR 
performance against the weighted average  
of the Sector Index and against the FTSE 100 
for the five years from 1 January 2005 to  
31 December 2009 can be found in Figure 9  
on page 85.

Existing capital employed

Incremental capital employed

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43.99%
45.99%

10%
10%

• 

 the number of shares that vest under the 
LTIP will be calculated by reference to the 
extent to which the applicable performance 
conditions have been met at the time of the 
change of control;

% proportion of ROCE element vesting

0
100

Return on capital employed
Group ROCE is the second performance 
measure for LTIP awards. The Committee has 
considered this to be an important factor in 
driving improvements in shareholder value. 
However, as has been noted above, the 
Committee is considering an alternative metric 
which is less complex and is directly supportive 
of the Company’s focus on Asset Optimisation 
and Supply Chain initiatives.

The proportion of shares vesting based on 
Group ROCE will vary according to the degree 
of improvement in the Group’s average 
annualised ROCE over the performance 
period. Unless certain minimum targets for 
improvement in returns (on both capital 
employed for the financial year preceding 
the start of the performance period (existing 
capital employed) and on the additional capital 
employed during the performance period 
(incremental capital employed)) are met, 
no shares will vest under this performance 
measure. The maximum ROCE targets are 
based on stretching levels of return on the 
existing capital employed.

The targets for the ROCE element of the 2009 
conditional award are shown in Figure 5.

To ensure that the targets are an effective 
incentive, they are adjusted for factors outside 
management’s control, such as movements in 
commodity prices, certain foreign exchange rate 
effects and capital in progress, as well as for 
relevant changes in the composition of the Group.

The ROCE elements of the award vest as 
shown in Figure 6.

Shares will vest on a straight-line basis for 
performance between the Minimum Target and 
the Maximum Target.

• 

 the Bonus Shares awarded under the BSP 
will be released, and, to the extent that the 
performance condition has been met at the 
time of the change of control, Enhancement 
Shares awarded under the BSP will vest;

• 

 SAYE options may be exercised (to the extent 
of savings at the date of exercise); and

• 

 participants may direct the SIP trustee as to 
how to deal with their SIP shares.

In the event that a director’s employment is 
terminated, vesting of any outstanding share 
options under the ESOS or under the DOP is 
dependent upon the reasons for termination. 
Performance conditions fall away in the event 
of redundancy. However, if the director resigns 
voluntarily, then all such options lapse unless 
the Committee determines otherwise. 

In the case of LTIP awards, the Committee would 
normally exercise its discretion when a director’s 
employment ceases as follows: if the director 
resigns voluntarily, then his/her interests 
lapse. If he/she retires with the consent of the 
Committee, is made redundant or is considered 
by the Committee to be a ‘good leaver’, vesting 
at the end of the performance period is based 
on the normal performance criteria and then 
pro rated for the proportion of the performance 
period for which the director served. 

In the case of the BSP, if a director ceases 
to be employed before the end of the year 
in respect of which the annual performance 
targets apply, then no award will be made 
unless the Committee determines otherwise 
(taking into account the proportion of the year 
for which the director was an employee of 
the Group and of performance to date against 
the annual performance targets at the date 
of cessation). If a director resigns voluntarily 
before the end of the three-year vesting period, 
the Bonus Share Awards lapse and awards of 
Enhancement Shares are forgone. If a director 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

83

Governance

Remuneration report
continued

retires with the consent of the Committee, 
is made redundant or is considered by the 
Committee to be a ‘good leaver’, Bonus Shares 
already awarded will be transferred as soon 
as practicable after the date of leaving and 
Enhancement Shares will vest at the end of 
the performance period to the extent that the 
performance condition has been met.

3.7  Employee Share Ownership Trust  

and policy on provision of shares 
for incentive schemes

The Group uses an Employee Share Ownership 
Trust (the Trust) to acquire and hold shares to 
facilitate the operation of its share schemes. 
As at 31 December 2009, the Trust held 
949,244 ordinary shares in the Company, 
registered in the name of Greenwood Nominees 
Limited. Shares held by the Trust are not voted 
at the Company’s general meetings. It is the 
Company’s current policy to use shares from 
the Trust or by market purchase to meet the 
requirements of share incentives. The Board 
also has the necessary authorities to utilise 
newly issued or Treasury Shares in connection 
with the operation of its share schemes.

3.8 Pensions
Details of individual pension arrangements 
are set out on page 87. The Committee has 
decided that, in the light of the announcement 
of intended changes in the tax efficiency 
of registered pension schemes, executive 
directors (and UK employees more generally) 
be given the option of all or part of their 
employer-funded defined-contribution pension 
contributions being paid as an alternative to an 
unregistered retirement benefits scheme  
(an EFRBS). 

Since the inception of the new UK pensions 
regime applicable from 6 April 2006, the 
Committee has been prepared to consider 
requests from executive directors (as is the case 
for London-based employees more generally) 
that their contracts be altered for future service, 
so that future pension benefits are reduced or 
cease to accrue and that a pension allowance be 
paid having the same cost to the employer as 
the defined contribution benefits forgone.

Similarly, the Committee is prepared to consider 
requests from executive directors (as is the case 
for London-based employees more generally) 
that their contracts be altered for future service, 
so that supplementary pension contributions 
are made into their defined contribution pension 
arrangements, in return for equivalent-cost 
reductions in their future basic salaries and/or in 
the cash element of any future BSP awards.

Figure 7: Executive directors(1)

Cynthia Carroll (chief executive)
René Médori (finance director)

Date of  
appointment

15 January 2007
01 June 2005

Next AGM re-election  
or election

April 2010
April 2011

(1)   At each AGM all those directors who have been in office for three years or more since their election or last re-election shall retire from office. 

Details of those retiring by rotation this year are contained in the Notice of AGM.

3.9 Other benefits
Executive directors are entitled to the provision 
of a car allowance, medical insurance, death 
and disability insurance, social club membership 
and limited personal taxation/financial advice, 
in addition to reimbursement of reasonable 
business expenses. The provision of these 
benefits is considered to be market-competitive.

4.  Executive shareholding 

targets

Within five years of their appointment, 
executive directors are expected to acquire and 
maintain a holding of shares with a value of 
two times basic salary in the case of the chief 
executive and one times basic salary in the 
case of any other executive director.

The Committee takes into consideration 
achievement against these targets when 
making grants under the Company’s various 
long-term incentive plans.

5. External appointments
Executive directors are not permitted to hold 
external directorships or offices without the 
prior approval of the Board; if approved, they 
may each retain the fees payable from one 
such appointment. During the year ended  
31 December 2009, Cynthia Carroll and  
René Médori each retained fees amounting  
to £90,000 and £64,000 respectively.

6.  Policy on non-executive 
director remuneration

Non-executive director remuneration is approved 
by the Board as a whole on the recommendation 
of the chairman and executive directors.

The Company’s policy on non-executive 
director remuneration is based on the following 
key principles:

• 

  Remuneration should be: 

 –

 –

 sufficient to attract and retain world-class 
non-executive talent; 
 consistent with recognised best practice 
standards for non-executive director 
remuneration;

 –

 –

 in the form of cash fees, but with the 
flexibility to forgo all or part of such fees 
(after deduction of applicable income tax 
and social security contributions) to  
acquire shares in the Company should the 
non-executive director so wish; and 
 set by reference to the responsibilities taken 
on by the non-executives in chairing the 
Board and its committees. 

• 

 Non-executive directors may not participate 
in the Company’s share incentives schemes or 
pension arrangements.

It is the intention that this policy will continue 
to apply for 2010 and subsequent years, 
subject to ongoing review as appropriate.

The Board reviews non-executive directors’ 
fees periodically to ensure that they remain 
market-competitive. Additional fees are paid 
to the chairmen of Board committees and to 
the senior independent director (SID). Should 
non-executive directors acquire executive board 
roles within subsidiaries of the Company, then 
they might also receive additional remuneration 
from the relevant subsidiaries on account of 
these increased responsibilities. Non-executive 
directors’ fees were last increased following a 
review in December 2005 (and took effect in 
January 2006). Since that time, it is felt that 
fee levels have fallen behind the market and 
the Board has therefore agreed to increase the 
basic fee to £80,000 per annum (pa) and the 
fee for the SID to £100,000 pa with effect 
from 1 January 2010. There will be no change 
to the fees for Committee Chairmen.

7. Chairman’s fees
The chairman’s fees were set in July 2009 at 
£650,000 pa to take effect from his appointment 
on 1 August 2009. The chairman’s fees are 
reviewed periodically (on a different cycle from 
the review of non-executive directors’ fees). A 
recommendation is then made to the Board (in the 
absence of the chairman) by the Committee and 
chief executive, who will take external advice on 
market comparators. In accordance with the terms 
of his appointment as chairman, Sir John Parker 
received a one-off restricted share award of 31,000 
ordinary shares in the Company on 15 September 

84

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Figure 8: Non-executive directors(1)(2)

Date of  
appointment

Next AGM re-election  
or election

Figure 9: Historical comparative
TSR performance graphs

15 April 2008

Sir John Parker (chairman, AA plc and Nomination 
Committee)
9 July 2009
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart (chairman) (resigned 2009) 16 July 2002
David Challen (SID and chairman, Audit Committee) 09 September 2002
Sir CK Chow
Chris Fay (chairman, S&SD Committee) (to retire 
2010)
Sir Philip Hampton
Sir Rob Margetts (chairman, Remuneration 
Committee) (to retire 2010)
Nicky Oppenheimer
Ray O’Rourke
Fred Phaswana (chairman, Nomination Committee) 
(resigned 2010)
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson
Karel Van Miert (passed away 2009)
Peter Woicke

12 June 2002
25 April 2006
16 November 2009
19 March 2002
01 January 2006

18 March 1999
18 March 1999
11 December 2009

19 April 1999
9 November 2009

April 2010
n/a
April 2012
April 2011

n/a
April 2010

n/a
April 2010
April 2010

n/a
April 2012
April 2010
n/a
April 2012

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Year

500

400

300

200

100

0

Year

04

05

06

07

08

09

04

05

06

07

08

09

(1)    At each AGM all those directors who have been in office for three years or more since their election or last re-election shall retire from office. 

Details of those retiring by rotation this year are contained in the Notice of AGM.

(2)  There is no fixed notice period; however, the Company may in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, by 

Ordinary Resolution of which special notice has been given, remove any director from office. The Company’s Articles of Association also permit 
the directors, under certain circumstances, to remove a director from office.

Anglo American
FTSE 100 Index

LTIP sector comparator

Source: Thomson Datastream

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

2009, equivalent to £500,000. The share award 
will be released in full at the third anniversary of his 
appointment (August 2012) subject to his still being 
chairman. The chairman will invest progressively 
in Anglo American shares over the same period, in 
order to acquire a similar holding.

All non-executive directors have letters of 
appointment with the Company for an initial 
period of three years from their date of 
appointment, subject to reappointment at the 
AGM (Figure 8).

8. Directors’ service contracts
Cynthia Carroll and René Médori are employed 
by Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd (AAS).

It is the Company’s policy that the period of 
notice for executive directors will not exceed 
12 months and accordingly the employment 
contracts of the executive directors are 
terminable at 12 months’ notice by either party. 

The contracts of executive directors do not 
provide for any enhanced payments in the 
event of a change of control of the Company, 
nor for liquidated damages.

9.  Historical comparative TSR 

performance graphs

The graphs shown in Figure 9 represent the 
comparative TSR performance of the Company 
from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2009. In 
drawing up these graphs it has been assumed 
that all dividends paid have been reinvested.

The first graph shows the Company’s 
performance against the performance of the 
FTSE 100 Index, chosen as being a broad 
equity market index which includes companies 
of a comparable size and complexity to Anglo 
American. This graph has been produced in 

accordance with the Large and Medium Sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008.

The second graph shows the Company’s 
performance against the weighted Sector Index 
comparator group used to measure company 
performance for the purposes of the vesting 
of LTIP interests conditionally awarded in 
2007. This graph gives an indication of how 
the Company is performing against the targets 
in place for LTIP interests already granted, 
although the specifics of the comparator 
companies for each year’s interests may 
vary to reflect changes such as mergers and 
acquisitions among the Company’s competitors 
or changes to the Company’s business mix.  
TSR is calculated in US dollars, and the TSR 
level shown as at 31 December each year is the 
average of the closing daily TSR levels for the 
five-day period up to and including that date.

Figure 10: Executive directors’ emoluments(1)

Cynthia Carroll(4)
René Médori

Total 
basic salary

Annual performance 
bonus – cash element(2)

2009 
£000

1,103
693

2008 
£000

1,050
660

2009 
£000

372
234

2008 
£000

319
208

2009 
£000

144
30

Benefits

in kind(3)

2008 
£000

198
55

2009 
£000

1,619
957

Total

2008 
£000

1,567
923

(1)    In 2009, Cynthia Carroll and René Médori held non-executive directorships of Anglo Platinum Limited and René Médori held a non-executive directorship of Anglo American South Africa Limited. The fees for these directorships were 
ceded to their employer, AAS. Subsequent to his retirement from the Board in 2004, Bill Nairn provided consultancy services to Anglo American which ended during 2008. He therefore received £nil (2008: £3,000) during 2009.

(2)   The split between the cash and share elements of the Bonus Share Plan is set out on page 81.

(3)   Each executive director receives a car allowance and a limited amount of personal taxation/financial advice; they also receive death and disability benefits and medical insurance. 

(4)   Cynthia Carroll was, in accordance with the terms of her appointment, entitled to be compensated for the tax due on her relocation expenses; this compensation is included in Benefits in kind above.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

85

 
Governance

Remuneration report
continued

10.  Remuneration outcomes  

Figure 11: Non-executive directors’ emoluments(1)(2)

during 2009

The information set out in this section and 
section 11 has been subject to audit.

10.1 Directors’ emoluments 

Executive directors
Figure 10 sets out an analysis of the pre-tax 
remuneration during the years ended  
31 December 2009 and 2008, including 
bonuses but excluding pensions, for individual 
directors who held office in the Company during 
the year ended 31 December 2009.

Non-executive directors
Figure 11 sets out the fees and other 
emoluments paid to non-executive directors 
during the year ended 31 December 2009 
which amounted to £1,260,000 (2008: 
£1,177,000).

10.2 Bonus Share Plan
Details of shares awarded under the BSP to 
executive directors during 2009 and their 
current holdings are shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Bonus Share Plan

Sir John Parker
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
David Challen
Sir CK Chow
Chris Fay
Sir Philip Hampton
Sir Rob Margetts
Nicky Oppenheimer(3)
Ray O’Rourke
Fred Phaswana(3)
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson
Karel Van Miert
Peter Woicke

Total fees

2008
£000

–
450
89
46
80
–
84
71
–
142
65
–
65
65

2009
£000

273
264
93
65
80
10
80
72
4
147
65
9
33
65

(1)   Each non-executive director, with the exception of Sir John Parker and Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, was paid a fee of £65,000 (2008: £65,000) per 
annum, and those non-executive directors who act as chairmen of the Audit Committee, Safety and Sustainable Development Committee and 
Remuneration Committee were paid an additional sum of £15,000 (2008: £15,000) per annum. The chairman of the Nomination Committee 
was paid an additional sum of £7,500 (2008: £7,500) per annum. The senior independent director (SID) received fees of £13,000 per annum. 

(2) In addition to the fees reported above for 2008, Bobby Godsell, who retired on 15 April 2008, received fees in 2008 of £20,000.

(3) Nicky Oppenheimer received fees for his services as a non-executive director of Anglo American South Africa Limited amounting to £7,000 

(2008: £6,000), which are included in the above table. Fred Phaswana is the non-executive chairman of Anglo American South Africa Limited 
and of Anglo Platinum and received fees for these services amounting to £80,000 (2008: £69,000), which are included in the above table.

BSP interests(1)

Cynthia Carroll(4)

René Médori

Total  
interest at  

1 January 2009

39,779

68,269

Number
of Bonus
Shares
conditionally
awarded
during
2009(2)

82,341

53,674

Number of 
Enhancement 
Shares 
conditionally 
awarded  
during  
2009

61,755

40,255

Number 
of Bonus 
Shares 
vested

during 2009(3)

(43,082)

(35,864)

Number of 
Enhancement 
Shares  
vested 
during 2009

Number of 
Enhancement 
Shares  
lapsed 
during 2009

–

(6,542)

–

–

Total
interest at
31 December
2009

140,793

119,792

Market 
price at 
date of 
2009 
award 
£

Date of 
vesting of 
Bonus Shares 
awarded 
during 2009

End date of 
performance 
period for 
Enhancement 
Shares 
awarded 
during 2009

11.62

01/01/2012

31/12/2011

11.62

01/01/2012

31/12/2011

(1)   The performance period applicable to each award is three years. Cynthia Carroll did not receive a BSP award in 2006 (in respect of the 2005 financial year) and consequently no shares vested in 2009. 

René Médori was awarded BSP shares in 2006 which vested in 2009.

Shares vested (2006 BSP Award)

René Médori

Number of 
shares vested

14,480

Dates of  

conditional award

06/03/2006

Market price at 
date of award £

21.59

Market price at  

date of vesting £

Money value 
at date of vesting £

10.70

154,936

In the case of the BSP awards granted in 2006, the determinant for the vesting of Enhancement Shares was real EPS growth, based on earnings per share growth against growth in the UK Retail Price Index (RPI) over the 
performance period. 44% of the Enhancement Shares would vest if EPS growth was RPI+9%, and 100% would vest if EPS growth was RPI+15%. As the EPS growth achieved was RPI+50% over the period, full vesting of 
the Enhancement Shares occurred.

(2)   Where permitted by finance legislation, awards of Bonus Shares under the BSP are granted as forfeitable shares, which would be forfeited in the event that an executive director leaves service, other than as a ‘good 

leaver’, before the shares are released. 

(3)   Subsisting awards of Bonus Shares were reduced to meet income tax liabilities arising in 2009. The reduction in respect of Cynthia Carroll was 43,082 shares and in respect of René Médori was 27,926 shares (at a value 

of £1,118,026 and £724,711 respectively).

(4)  In accordance with her terms upon joining, Cynthia Carroll was granted 132,718 forfeitable shares, in compensation for long-term incentives forgone at her previous employer. The market price of the shares at the date of 
this award was £24.91. These shares are forfeitable in the event that she leaves service before they are released to her. As a result of the share consolidation following the demerger of Mondi, 11,945 shares lapsed and 
the resultant forfeitable award was 120,773 forfeitable shares, of which 72,464 were released to her in February 2008, 24,155 were released to her in February 2009 and 24,154 will be released to her in February 2010, 
subject to her continued employment. These awards are as follows:

Interests

Cynthia Carroll

Shares vested

Cynthia Carroll

Beneficial interest in 
forfeitable shares at 
31 December 2008

Number of forfeitable 
shares vested during the 
year

48,309

24,155

Number of forfeitable shares  

lapsed during the year

–

Number of 
shares  
vested

24,155

Date of 
conditional 
award

21/02/2007

Beneficial interest in 
forfeitable shares at 
31 December 2009

24,154

Market price at 
date of vesting 
£

11.93

Market 
price at 
date of 
award 
£

24.91

Latest 
performance  

period end date

–

Market value at 
date of vesting 
£

288,169

86

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3 Long Term Incentive Plan 
Conditional awards of shares were made in 
2009 to executive directors under the LTIP  
as shown in Figure 13. 

10.4 Directors’ share options
No executive share options have been granted 
to any director since 2003 (Figure 14).

The highest and lowest mid-market prices 
of the Company’s shares during the period 
1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 were 
£27.29 and £9.14 respectively. The mid-market 
price of the Company’s shares at 31 December 
2009 was £27.10.

10.5 Share Incentive Plan (SIP)
During the year, Cynthia Carroll and René Médori 
purchased 90 and 89 shares under the SIP 
respectively, in addition to the shares held 
by them at 1 January 2009. If these shares 
are held for three years, they will be matched 
by the Company on a one-for-one basis, 
conditional upon the director’s continued 
employment. In addition, Cynthia Carroll 
and René Médori were each awarded 301 
free shares under the SIP in March 2009. 
Participants in the SIP are entitled to receive 
dividends on their shares. 

The information provided in sections 10.2 
to 10.5 is a summary. However, full details 
of directors’ shareholdings and options are 
contained in the Register of Directors’ Interests 
of the Company, which are open to inspection.

10.6 Pensions

10.6.1 Directors’ pension arrangements
Cynthia Carroll and René Médori participated 
in defined contribution pension arrangements 
in terms of their contracts with AAS. In 2009, 
normal contributions were payable on their 
behalf at the rate of 30% of their basic salaries 
payable under these contracts.

10.6.2  Defined contribution pension schemes 
The amounts payable into defined contribution 
pension schemes by the Group in respect of the 
individual directors were as shown in Figure 15.

10.6.3 Defined benefit pension schemes 
No director was eligible in 2009 for membership 
of any defined benefit pension scheme.

10.6.4 Excess retirement benefits
No person who served as a director of the 
Company during or before 2009 has been paid 
or received retirement benefits in excess of the 
retirement benefits to which he was entitled on 
the date on which benefits first became payable 
(or 31 March 1997, whichever is later).

11.  Sums paid to third parties 
in respect of a director’s 
services

No consideration was paid to or became 
receivable by third parties for making available 
the services of any person as a director of the 
Company, or while a director of the Company, 

as a director of any of the Company’s 
subsidiary undertakings, or as a director of any 
other undertaking of which he/she was (while 
a director of the Company) a director by virtue 
of the Company’s nomination, or otherwise 
in connection with the management of the 
Company or any undertaking during the year to 
31 December 2009.

12. Directors’ share interests 
The interests of directors who held office during 
the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 
2009 in Ordinary Shares (Shares) of the 
Company and its subsidiaries were as shown  
in Figures 16 and 17.

Figures 18 and 19 outline the changes in  
the above interests which occurred between  
1 January 2010 and the date of this report.

Approval
This directors’ remuneration report has been 
approved by the Board of directors of Anglo 
American plc.

Signed on behalf of the Board of directors.

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

Sir Rob Margetts 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 
18 February 2010

Figure 13: Long Term Incentive Plan

LTIP interests(1)(2)

Cynthia Carroll

René Médori

Total beneficial  
interest in LTIP at  
1 January 2009

140,523

145,368

Number of shares 
conditionally 
awarded during 
2009

122,402

76,938

Number 
of shares 
vested 
during 2009

–

(26,711)

Number 
of shares lapsed 
during 2009

–

(26,710)

Total beneficial 
interest in LTIP at 
31 December 2009

262,925

168,885

Latest 
performance 
period end date

31/12/2011

31/12/2011

(1)   The LTIP awards made in 2009 are conditional on two performance conditions as outlined on pages 82 and 83: the first is based on the Company’s TSR relative to a weighted group of international mining companies and to 
the constituents of the FTSE 100; the second is based on an underlying operating measure which focuses on raising the Company’s ROCE in the medium term. Further details on the structure of the LTIP, the required level 
of performance for the 2009 award and how performance against targets is measured can be found on pages 82 and 83. The market price of the shares at the date of award was £12.61.

(2)  The performance period applicable to each award is three years. The performance period relating to the LTIP awards in 2006 (which were granted on 5 April) ended on 31 December 2008. Vesting was subject to two 

performance conditions: the first based on the Company’s TSR relative to a weighted group of international mining companies and the FTSE 100; with the second based on an underlying operating measure which focused 
on improvements in the Company’s ROCE in the medium term. Part of each award was based on the TSR measure and part on the operating measure. These awards are as follows:

Shares vested

René Médori

Number of 
shares vested

26,711

Dates of  

conditional award

29/03/2006

Market price at 
date of award £

20.72

Market price at  

date of vesting £

Money value 
at date of vesting £

13.36

356,859

 In the case of the LTIP awards granted in 2006, the determinants for vesting were 50% on relative TSR and 50% on meeting specified Group ROCE targets. The ROCE targets are a function of targeted improvement in 
returns on existing capital employed at the start of the performance period and targeted returns in excess of the cost of capital on new capital investment over that period. The entry-level target for any LTIP has been the 
actual return achieved on the capital employed, excluding capital work in progress, in the year immediately preceding the commencement of the performance period. In order to maintain the effectiveness of the plan in 
driving long-term performance, the actual returns in the final performance year are adjusted for movements in commodity prices, certain foreign exchange rate effects (e.g. translation windfalls), capital in progress (to 
reflect the fact that mines under construction absorb large amounts of capital before producing a return), for relevant changes in the composition of the Group (e.g. significant acquisitions and disposals) and other one-off 
factors which would otherwise result in a misleading outcome.

 The threshold blended target (i.e. the target on existing and new capital) for the performance period for the 2006 LTIP was 19.98% and the upper blended target 21.98%. The ROCE achieved was 24.93% and the 
outcome on this element of the LTIP was thus 100%. On the TSR measure, Anglo American achieved a TSR over the three-year performance period of -59 % which generated a nil% vesting in terms of the 2006 Sector 
Index Comparator Group (against a median target of -50%) and a nil% vesting against the FTSE 100 (being below the 50th percentile). The overall vesting level for those directors with a 50% Group ROCE, 25% Sectoral 
TSR and 25% FTSE 100 TSR split was therefore 50%.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

87

 
 
Governance

Remuneration report
continued

Figure 14: Directors’ share options

Anglo American 
options
René Médori

Beneficial
holding at
1 January

2009(1)

951

Granted

Exercised

–

–

Lapsed

–

Beneficial 
holding at  
31 December 
2009

951

Weighted  
average option  

price £

17.97

Earliest date from 
which exercisable

Latest expiry date

1/9/2013

28/2/2014

(1)   Beneficial holdings comprise SAYE options held in respect of shares by René Médori of 951 options with an option price of £17.97. The market price of the Company’s shares at the end of the year and the highest and 

lowest mid-market prices during the period are disclosed in Section 10.4. There are no performance conditions attached to these options.

Figure 15: Defined contribution pension schemes

Directors
Cynthia Carroll(1)
René Médori

2009 
£000

331
208

Normal contributions

2008 
£000

315
198

(1)  The contributions payable into pension arrangements for Cynthia Carroll amounted in 2009 to £236,000 (2008: £225,000), the balance being payable in the form of a cash allowance to an equivalent-cost to the 

employer. The cost of this allowance is included in the pension figure above. The allowance does not form part of basic salary disclosed in the directors’ emoluments table on page 85 nor is it included in determining 
awards under the BSP.

Figure 16: Shares in Anglo American plc
As at 31 December 2009 (or, if earlier, date of resignation)

Directors
Cynthia Carroll(1)
René Médori(2)
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart(3)(4)
Sir John Parker(4)(5)
David Challen

Sir CK Chow

Chris Fay
Sir Philip Hampton(4)
Sir Rob Margetts(6)
Ray O’Rourke(4)
Nicky Oppenheimer(7)
Fred Phaswana(4)
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson(4)(8)
Karel Van Miert(9)
Peter Woicke

See page 90 for footnotes.

Beneficial

14,433

66,082

28,422

777

1,820

5,500

6,827

637

15,030

0

33,557,017

13,610

2,762

2,500

455

5,177

SIP

573

591

LTIP

262,925

168,885

BSP 
Bonus Shares

BSP Enhancement 
Shares

61,990

55,822

78,803

63,970

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Conditional

Other

24,154

–

–

31,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

88

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Figure 17: Shares in Anglo American plc
As at 1 January 2009 (or, if later, date of appointment)

Directors
Cynthia Carroll(1)
René Médori(2)
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart(3)(4)
Sir John Parker(4)(5)
David Challen

Sir CK Chow

Chris Fay
Sir Philip Hampton(4)
Sir Rob Margetts(6)
Ray O’Rourke(4)
Nicky Oppenheimer(7)
Fred Phaswana(4)
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson(4)(8)
Karel Van Miert(9)
Peter Woicke

See following page for footnotes.

Figure 18: Shares in Anglo American plc
As at 1 January 2010 (or, if later, date of appointment)

Directors
Cynthia Carroll(1)
René Médori(2)
Sir John Parker(4)(5)
David Challen

Sir CK Chow

Chris Fay
Sir Philip Hampton(4)
Sir Rob Margetts(6)
Ray O’Rourke(4)
Nicky Oppenheimer(7)
Fred Phaswana(4)
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson(4)(8)
Peter Woicke

See following page for footnotes.

Beneficial

92

44,819

25,651

0

1,820

5,500

6,827

637

13,343

0

33,557,017

12,739

1,487

0

455
4,400

Beneficial

14,433

66,082

777

1,820

5,500

6,827

637

15,030

0

33,557,017

13,610

2,762

2,500

5,177

SIP

182

239

LTIP

140,523

145,368

BSP 
Bonus Shares

BSP Enhancement 
Shares

22,731

38,012

17,048

30,257

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

SIP

573

591

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

LTIP

262,925

168,885

BSP 
Bonus Shares

BSP Enhancement 
Shares

61,990

55,822

78,803

63,970

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Conditional

Other

48,309

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

Conditional

Other

24,154

–

31,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

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Governance

Remuneration report
continued

Figure 19: Shares in Anglo American plc
As at 18 February 2010 (or, if earlier, date of resignation)

Directors
Cynthia Carroll(1)
René Médori(2)
Sir John Parker(4)(5)
David Challen

Sir CK Chow

Chris Fay
Sir Philip Hampton(4)
Sir Rob Margetts(6)
Ray O’Rourke(4)
Nicky Oppenheimer(7)
Fred Phaswana(4)
Mamphela Ramphele
Jack Thompson(4)(8)
Peter Woicke

Beneficial

14,443

66,102

1,677

1,820

5,500

6,827

637

15,278

0

33,557,017

13,610

2,949

2,500

5,177

SIP

583

591

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

LTIP

262,925

168,885

BSP 
Bonus Shares

BSP Enhancement 
Shares

61,990

55,822

78,803

63,970

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Conditional

Other

24,154

–

31,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1)  Following her appointment as an executive director on 15 January 2007, Cynthia Carroll was granted 132,718 forfeitable shares conditional on her continued employment to the Group and in partial compensation for 

long-term incentives forgone at her previous employer. As a result of the share consolidation following the demerger of Mondi, 11,945 shares lapsed and the resultant forfeitable award was 120,773 forfeitable shares, of 
which 72,464 were released to her in February 2008, 24,155 were released to her in February 2009 and 24,154 will be released to her in February 2010, subject to her continued employment.

(2) René Médori’s beneficial interest arises as a result of his wife’s interest in these Shares.

(3) Sir Mark Moody-Stuart’s beneficial interest includes 11,375 Shares arising as a result of his interest in a family trust.

(4) Sir John Parker, Sir Philip Hampton, Ray O’Rourke and Jack Thompson were appointed to the Board on 9 July 2009, 9 November 2009, 11 December 2009 and 16 November 2009 respectively and will all be nominated for 

election at the AGM in April 2010. Sir Mark Moody-Stuart and Fred Phaswana resigned from the Board as at 1 August 2009 and 1 January 2010 respectively.

(5) Following his appointment as chairman of the Company on 1 August 2009, Sir John Parker was awarded 31,000 ordinary shares in the Company which will be released in full on the third anniversary of his appointment, 

subject to his continued chairmanship.

(6) Sir Rob Margetts’ beneficial interest arises as a result of his wife’s interest in these Shares.

(7) Nicky Oppenheimer’s beneficial interest in 33,556,927 of these Shares arises as a result of his interest in a discretionary trust which is treated as interested in 27,300,000 Shares in which E Oppenheimer & Son Holdings 
Limited is treated as interested and 6,252,377 Shares in which Central Holdings Limited is treated as interested. The 6,252,377 Shares referred to above are Shares held by Debswana Diamond Company (Pty) Limited, in 
which Nicky Oppenheimer and Central Holdings Limited have no economic interest. His interest in 4,550 of these Shares arises as a result of his wife’s interest in a trust which has an indirect economic interest in those 
Shares.

(8) Jack Thompson acquired 5,000 unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) in respect of the Company’s ordinary shares at a price of $20.70 per ADR. One ADR represents 0.5 ordinary shares of $0.54945 each in 

the capital of the Company. 

(9)  Mr Karel Van Miert passed away in 2009.

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Independent remuneration report review

We are satisfied that the Committee challenges 
the proposals put forward by executive 
management and adopts a rigorous and robust 
approach to decision making.

We are also satisfied that the Committee 
seeks the advice of external consultants on 
technical issues where appropriate and gives 
careful consideration to the information and 
recommendations that it receives, before 
reaching an informed decision.

Conclusions
On the basis of the document review referred 
to above and the interviews with the Chairman 
and Secretary of the Committee, we are 
comfortable that the Committee has discharged 
its duties in line with the Policy on Executive 
Remuneration stated in Anglo American’s 
Annual Report.

As noted in previous years we consider that 
the members of the Committee continue to be 
an effective and cohesive team and that the 
Committee is an exemplar of best practice.

We note that in line with the requirements of 
the Combined Code the composition of the 
Committee has been changed.

Further detail regarding the Mercer Review is 
included in a letter of this date addressed to the 
Committee Chairman which we understand will 
be made available on the Company’s website.

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Yours sincerely

Mark Hoble 
Principal 
Mercer Limited 
Tower Place 
London EC3R 5BU 
10 February 2010

This letter contains the findings and conclusions 
from our review of the processes followed by 
Anglo American’s Remuneration Committee 
(the Committee) during 2009. The review was 
undertaken at your request as Chairman of the 
Committee in order to provide shareholders 
with assurance that the processes followed by 
the Committee supported the policy stated in 
Anglo American’s Remuneration Report.

It is our view that the processes followed by 
the Committee during 2009 fully supported 
the Company’s remuneration policy. Please 
find below a description of the process that 
we followed in coming to our conclusion, 
along with our detailed observations and 
recommendations.

Review process
In order to reach our view we undertook the 
following:

• 

 A review of the Committee’s terms of 
reference;

• 

 A review of the minutes of the Committee 
covering the period from January to  
December 2009;

• 

 A review of any briefing materials prepared 
for the Committee during the year;

• 

 An interview with Chris Corrin in his capacity 
as Secretary to the Committee; and

• 

 An interview with the Chairman of the 
Committee.

Findings
The Committee comprises entirely of 
independent non Executive Directors. It met 
formally on three occasions in 2009.

We reviewed the minutes of each meeting 
along with any supporting papers or 
documentation that was tabled. We found that 
the decisions taken by the Committee were in 
line with Anglo American’s stated remuneration 
policy namely that levels of reward, whilst 
competitive, require demanding performance 
conditions to be met which are consistent with 
shareholder interests. We are satisfied that 
the Committee closely adheres to the stated 
policy of setting base pay levels at the median 
of comparable companies, that at least 50% 
of remuneration for the executive directors is 
performance related and that variable pay is 
consistent with business performance, market 
conditions and retention of talent.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Governance

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the 
Annual Report and the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. 
The directors are required by the IAS Regulation 
to prepare the Group financial statements under 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. The 
Group financial statements are also required by 
law to be properly prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation. 

International Accounting Standard 1 requires 
that IFRS financial statements present 
fairly for each financial year the Company’s 
financial position, financial performance 
and cash flows. This requires the faithful 
representation of the effects of transactions, 
other events and conditions in accordance 
with the definitions and recognition criteria for 
assets, liabilities, income and expenses set 
out in the International Accounting Standards 
Board’s ‘Framework for the preparation and 
presentation of financial statements’. In 
virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation 
will be achieved by compliance with all 
applicable IFRS. However, directors are also 
required to: 

• 

properly select and apply accounting policies; 

• 

 present information, including accounting 
policies, in a manner that provides relevant, 
reliable, comparable and understandable 
information; and 

• 

 provide additional disclosures when 
compliance with the specific requirements  
in IFRS are insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular 
transactions, other events and conditions  
on the entity’s financial position and financial 
performance. 

The directors have elected to prepare the 
parent company financial statements in 
accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards and applicable law). 
The parent company financial statements 
are required by law to give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Company. 
In preparing these financial statements, the 
directors are required to: 

• 

 select suitable accounting policies and then 
apply them consistently; 

• 

 make judgements and estimates that are 
reasonable and prudent; and 

• 

 state whether applicable UK Accounting 
Standards have been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in 
the financial statements. 

The directors are responsible for keeping 
proper accounting records that disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Company and enable them 
to ensure that the parent company financial 
statements comply with the Companies 
Act 2006. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company and 
hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other 
irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate  
and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United 
Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Financial statements

Contents

Responsibility statements 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Anglo American plc 

Principal statements
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
Consolidated balance sheet 
Consolidated cash flow statement 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Notes to the financial statements
  1  Accounting policies 
  2  Segmental information 
  3   Reconciliation of Underlying earnings to Profit for the financial year 

attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 
  4  Operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures 
  5  Exploration expenditure 
  6  Employee numbers and costs 
  7  Special items and remeasurements 
  8  Net finance costs 
  9  Financial instrument gains and losses 
 10  Tax on profit on ordinary activities 
 11  Dividends 
 12  Earnings per share 
 13  Intangible assets 
 14  Tangible assets 
 15  Environmental rehabilitation trusts 
 16  Investments in associates 
 17  Joint ventures 
 18  Financial asset investments 
 19  Inventories 
 20  Trade and other receivables 
 21  Trade and other payables 
 22  Financial assets 
 23  Financial liabilities 
 24   Financial risk management and derivative financial assets/liabilities 
 25  Provisions for liabilities and charges 
 26  Deferred tax 
 27  Retirement benefits 
 28  Called-up share capital and share-based payments 
 29  Consolidated equity analysis 
 30  Consolidated cash flow analysis 
 31  EBITDA by segment  
3 2  Acquisitions 
 33  Disposals of subsidiaries and businesses 
 34  Disposal groups and non-current assets held for sale 
35  Capital commitments 
 36  Contingent liabilities and contingent assets 
 37  Operating leases 
 38  Related party transactions 
 39  Group companies 
40  Events occurring after end of year 
 41  Financial statements of the parent company 

94
95

96
96
97
98
99

100
106

109
110
111
111
111
114
114
114
115
115
116
116
117
117
118
118
118
119
119
119
120
121
126
126
127
130
136
137 
138
139
140
141
141
141
141
141
143
144
145

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Financial statements

Responsibility statements
for the year ended 31 December 2009

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

(a)   the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, 
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of Anglo American 
plc and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

(b)   the Operating and financial review includes a fair review of the development and performance 
of the business and the position of Anglo American plc and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that they face.

By order of the Board

Cynthia Carroll 
Chief executive 

René Médori
Finance director

94

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Independent auditors’ report to  
the members of Anglo American plc

We have audited the financial statements of 
Anglo American plc for the year ended 
31 December 2009 which comprise the 
Consolidated income statement, the Consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, the 
Consolidated balance sheet, the Consolidated 
cash flow statement, the Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity, the Accounting policies, the 
related notes 2 to 40 and the Balance sheet of 
the Company and related information in note 41. 
The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the Group financial 
statements is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the Company financial statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the Company’s 
members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 
3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our 
audit work has been undertaken so that we might 
state to the Company’s members those matters 
we are required to state to them in an auditors’ 
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest 
extent permitted by law, we do not accept or 
assume responsibility to anyone other than the 
Company and the Company’s members as a body, 
for our audit work, for this report, or for the 
opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditors
As explained more fully in the Statement of 
directors’ responsibilities, the directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give 
a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on 
Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial 
statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about  
the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free 
from material misstatement, whether caused by 
fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: 
whether the accounting policies are appropriate 
to the Group’s and the Company’s circumstances 
and have been consistently applied and 
adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of 
significant accounting estimates made by the 
directors; and the overall presentation of the 
financial statements.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:
• 

the financial statements give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and of the 

• 

• 

• 

Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2009 
and of the Group’s profit for the year then 
ended;
the Group financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the European Union;
the Company financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice; and
the financial statements have been prepared 
in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006; and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:
• 

the part of the Remuneration report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and
the information given in the Directors’ report 
for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the 
financial statements.

• 

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the 
following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required 
to report to you if, in our opinion:
• 

adequate accounting records have not been 
kept by the Company, or returns adequate for 
our audit have not been received from branches 
not visited by us; or
the Company financial statements and the part 
of the Remuneration report to be audited are 
not in agreement with the accounting records 
and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration 
specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and 
explanations we require for our audit.

• 

• 

• 

Under the Listing rules we are required to review:
the directors’ statement contained within the 
• 
Directors’ report in relation to going concern; 
and
the part of the Corporate governance section 
relating to the Company’s compliance with the 
nine provisions of the June 2008 Combined 
Code specified for our review.

• 

Timothy Powell (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London, United Kingdom

18 February 2010

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2009

US$ million
Group revenue
Total operating costs
Operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures
Net profit on disposals
Share of net income from associates
Total profit from operations and associates

Note
2

2,4
7
2,16

Investment income
Interest expense
Other financing losses

Net finance costs
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the financial year 
Attributable to:
Minority interests
Equity shareholders of the Company

Earnings per share (US$)
Basic
Diluted

8

10

3

12
12

2009

2008

Before special 
items and 
remeasurements
20,858
(16,481)
4,377
–
318
4,695
514
(780)
(7)
(273)
4,422
(1,305)
3,117

Special  
items and 
remeasurements 
(note 7)
–
(1,637)
(1,637)
1,612
(234)
(259)
–
–
(134)
(134)
(393)
188
(205)

Before special 
items and 
remeasurements
26,311
(18,330)
7,981
–
1,303
9,284
589
(850)
(191)
(452)
8,832
(2,545)
6,287

Special  
items and 
remeasurements 
(note 7)
–
(1,131)
(1,131)
1,009
(190)
(312)
–
–
51
51
(261)
94
(167)

Total
20,858
(18,118)
2,740
1,612
84
4,436
514
(780)
(141)
(407)
4,029
(1,117)
2,912

Total
26,311
(19,461)
6,850
1,009
1,113
8,972
589
(850)
(140)
(401)
8,571
(2,451)
6,120

548
2,569

(61)
(144)

487
2,425

1,050
5,237

(145)
(22)

905
5,215

2.02
1.98

4.34
4.29

Underlying earnings and underlying earnings per share are set out in note 12.

Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 December 2009

US$ million
Profit for the financial year
Net gain/(loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments
Net gain/(loss) on cash flow hedges
Net (loss)/gain on cash flow hedges – associates
Net exchange gain/(loss) on translation of foreign operations
Actuarial net loss on post retirement benefit schemes
Actuarial net loss on post retirement benefit schemes – associates
Deferred tax
Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity
Transferred to income statement: sale of available for sale investments
Transferred to income statement: cash flow hedges
Transferred to initial carrying amount of hedged items: cash flow hedges
Transferred to income statement: exchange differences on disposal of foreign operations
Tax on items transferred from equity
Total transferred from equity
Total comprehensive income for the financial year
Attributable to:
Minority interests
Equity shareholders of the Company

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Note

29

29

2009
2,912
741
122
(2)
3,819
(217)
(5)
(74)
4,384
(1,554)
162
30
(2)
77
(1,287)
6,009

783
5,226

2008
6,120
(888)
(874)
4
(4,514)
(129)
(7)
167
(6,241)
(476)
380
637
2
(94)
449
328

487
(159)

Consolidated balance sheet
as at 31 December 2009

US$ million
Intangible assets
Tangible assets
Environmental rehabilitation trusts
Investments in associates
Financial asset investments
Trade and other receivables
Deferred tax assets
Other financial assets (derivatives)(1)
Other non-current assets
Total non-current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Other financial assets (derivatives)(1)
Financial asset investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Assets classified as held for sale
Total assets
Trade and other payables
Short term borrowings
Short term provisions
Current tax liabilities
Other financial liabilities (derivatives)(1)
Total current liabilities
Medium and long term borrowings
Retirement benefit obligations
Other financial liabilities (derivatives)(1)
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Other non-current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale
Total liabilities
Net assets

Equity
Called-up share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Minority interests
Total equity

Note
13
14
15
16
18
20
26
24

19
20

24
18,30b
30b

34

21
23,30b
25

24

23,30b
27
24
26
25

34

28

2009
2,776
35,198
342
3,312
2,726
206
288
238
191
45,277
3,212
3,348
214
365
3
3,269
10,411
620
56,308
(4,395)
(1,499)
(209)
(566)
(76)
(6,745)
(12,816)
(706)
(583)
(5,192)
(1,583)
(423)
(21,303)
(191)
(28,239)
28,069

738
2,713
1,379
21,291
26,121
1,948
28,069

2008
3,006
29,545
244
3,612
3,115
94
258
117
167
40,158
2,702
2,929
471
259
173
2,771
9,305
275
49,738
(4,770)
(6,784)
(168)
(804)
(598)
(13,124)
(7,211)
(401)
(899)
(4,555)
(1,317)
(395)
(14,778)
(80)
(27,982)
21,756

738
2,713
(2,057)
18,827
20,221
1,535
21,756

2007
1,556
23,534
252
3,341
4,780
159
474
160
105
34,361
2,344
3,572
223
375
–
3,129
9,643
758
44,762
(3,950)
(5,895)
(142)
(992)
(375)
(11,354)
(2,404)
(444)
(211)
(4,650)
(1,082)
–
(8,791)
(287)
(20,432)
24,330

738
2,713
3,155
15,855
22,461
1,869
24,330

(1)  Comparatives have been adjusted in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Improvements, as described in note 1.

The financial statements of Anglo American plc, registered number 3564138, were approved by the Board of directors on 18 February 2010.

Cynthia Carroll 
Chief executive 

René Médori
Finance director

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2009

US$ million
Cash inflows from operations
Dividends from associates
Dividends from financial asset investments
Income tax paid
Net cash inflows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired(1)
Investment in joint ventures
Investment in associates
Cash flows from derivatives related to acquisitions
Purchase of tangible assets
Purchase of financial asset investments
Investment of advance received in anticipation of disposal(2)
Loans granted
Interest received and other investment income
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed
Sale of interests in associates
Repayment of loans and capital by associates
Proceeds from disposal of tangible assets
Proceeds from sale of financial asset investments
Cash flows from derivatives related to investing activities (excluding acquisitions)
Other investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of shares by subsidiaries to minority interests
Sale of treasury shares to employees
Purchase of treasury shares
Interest paid
Dividends paid to minority interests
Dividends paid to Company shareholders
(Repayment)/receipt of short term borrowings
Net proceeds from issue of convertible bond
Net proceeds from issue of US bond
Net proceeds from bonds issued under EMTN programme
Receipt of other medium and long term borrowings
Cash flows from derivatives related to net debt
Advance received in anticipation of disposal(2)
Other financing activities
Net cash (used in)/inflows from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year
Cash movements in the year
Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

(1)  Includes amounts paid to acquire minority interests in subsidiaries.

Note
30a

32
32

2

33

30c

30c

2009
4,904
616
23
(1,456)
4,087

(79)
(5)
(31)
–
(4,607)
(269)
–
(134)
244
69
662
–
46
2,041
(150)
(10)
(2,223)

96
29
(75)
(741)
(472)
–
(6,624)
1,685
1,992
2,215
361
(85)
–
14
(1,605)
259

2,744
259
316
3,319

2008
9,579
609
50
(2,173)
8,065

(5,887)
(609)
(9)
(661)
(5,146)
(741)
(281)
(108)
291
468
205
42
30
851
(166)
(29)
(11,750)

62
40
(710)
(741)
(796)
(1,550)
1,432
–
–
2,404
2,777
380
307
(63)
3,542
(143)

3,074
(143)
(187)
2,744

(2) Advance received in the year ended 31 December 2008 in respect of anticipated disposal of the Group’s 50% interest in the Booysendal joint venture, invested in unlisted preference shares and an escrow account, 
pending completion of the transaction which occurred in June 2009. Following completion of the transaction the preference shares were sold and the proceeds are shown within ‘Proceeds from sale of financial asset 
investments’. At 31 December 2009 a further amount of $72 million remains in an escrow account pending completion of documentation.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2009

US$ million
Balance at 1 January 2008
Total comprehensive income
Dividends paid
Dividends paid to minority interests
Acquisition and disposal of businesses (including issue of 
shares to minority interests)

Minority conversion of Anglo Platinum’s preference shares
Share buybacks
Purchase of shares for share schemes
Share-based payment charges on equity settled schemes
Issue of shares under employee share schemes
Current tax on exercised employee share schemes
Issue/purchase of treasury shares in subsidiary entities
Other
Balance at 1 January 2009
Total comprehensive income
Dividends paid to minority interests
Acquisition and disposal of businesses (including issue of 
shares to minority interests)
Purchase of shares for share schemes
Share-based payment charges on equity settled schemes
Issue of shares under employee share schemes
Current tax on exercised employee share schemes
Issue/purchase of treasury shares in subsidiary entities
Issue of convertible bond
Other
Balance at 31 December 2009

Total  
share
 capital(1)
3,451
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,451
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,451

Retained 
earnings
15,855
5,113
(1,538)
–

6

6
(595)
(88)
–
97
10
6
(45)
18,827
2,257
–

–
(32)
–
108
(1)
(11)
–
143
21,291

Share-  
based 
payment 
reserve
262
–
–
–

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment 
reserve
20
(4,097)
–
–

Total equity 
attributable 
to equity 
shareholders 
of the 
Company
22,461
(159)
(1,538)
–

Fair value
and other
reserves
(note 29)
2,873
(1,175)
–
–

–

–
–
–
146
(70)
–
–
(50)
288
–
–

(14)
–
194
(87)
–
–
–
20
401

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(4,077)
3,526
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(551)

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
34
1,732
(557)
–

(1)
–
–
–
–
–
355
–
1,529

6

6
(595)
(88)
146
27
10
6
(61)
20,221
5,226
–

(15)
(32)
194
21
(1)
(11)
355
163
26,121

Minority 
interests
1,869
487
–
(796)

(45)

(6)
–
–
11
–
–
–
15
1,535
783
(472)

57
–
16
–
–
15
–
14
1,948

Total  

equity
24,330
328
(1,538)
(796)

(39)

–
(595)
(88)
157
27
10
6
(46)
21,756
6,009
(472)

42
(32)
210
21
(1)
4
355
177
28,069

(1)  Total share capital comprises called-up share capital of $738 million (2008: $738 million) and the share premium account of $2,713 million (2008: $2,713 million).

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Dividends

Proposed ordinary dividend per share (US cents)
Proposed ordinary dividend (US$ million)

Ordinary dividends paid during the year per share (US cents)
Ordinary dividends paid during the year (US$ million)

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Note

2009

2008

–
–

–
–

–
–

130
1,538

11
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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

99

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements

1.  Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Interpretation 
Committee (IFRIC) interpretations adopted for use by the European Union, with 
those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under 
IFRS and with the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency rules of the 
Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom as applicable to periodic financial 
reporting. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost 
convention as modified by the revaluation of pension assets and liabilities and 
certain financial instruments. A summary of the principal Group accounting policies 
is set out below with an explanation of changes to previous policies following 
adoption of new accounting standards and interpretations in the year.

The details of the elections made on conversion to IFRS were set out in the 
31 December 2005 Annual Report.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles, requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and 
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. 
Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the 
amount, event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.

Details of the Group’s significant accounting policies and critical accounting 
estimates are set out in the ‘Operating and financial review’ and form part of these 
financial statements; these are set out on pages 66 and 67.

Significant areas of estimation uncertainty include:

• 
• 
• 
• 

useful economic lives of assets and ore reserves estimates;
impairment of assets;
restoration, rehabilitation and environmental costs; and
retirement benefits.

Going concern
The directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the financial statements continues to be adopted. Further 
details are contained in the Directors’ report on page 71.

Adoption of standards and changes in accounting policies
The Group has adopted, with effect from 1 January 2009, IFRS 8 Operating 
Segments, IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Revised, IAS 1 Presentation 
of Financial Statements – Improvements and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: 
Disclosures – Amendment. 

The adoption of IFRS 8 has resulted in the segmental disclosures previously required 
by IAS 14 Segment Reporting being replaced by those required under IFRS 8. The 
segments identified in accordance with IFRS 8 are aligned to the Group’s structure  
of Business Units based around core commodities. In addition assets identified for 
divestment are managed as a separate Business Unit, Other Mining and Industrial.

The adoption of the revision to IAS 1 has resulted in the Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity being presented as a primary statement (previously disclosed as 
a note titled ‘Reconciliation of changes in equity’) and disclosure of the tax impact 
of individual items in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (by way 
of note). In addition, the Group has elected to continue to present a separate 
income statement and statement of comprehensive income.

The adoption of the improvements to IAS 1 has resulted in non-hedge derivatives 
whose expected settlement date is more than one year from the period end being 
reclassified from current to non-current and therefore the comparative information 
in the Consolidated balance sheet has been adjusted as follows:

US$ million

Other financial assets (derivatives)
As previously reported
Reclassification
As reported
Other financial liabilities (derivatives)
As previously reported
Reclassification
As reported
Assets
As previously reported
Reclassification
As reported
Liabilities
As previously reported
Reclassification
As reported

2008

Non-
current

4
113
117

Current

372
(113)
259

(1,436)
838
(598)

(61)
(838)
(899)

2007

Non-
current

–
160
160

(85)
(126)
(211)

Current

535
(160)
375

(501)
126
(375)

9,418
(113)
9,305

40,045
113
40,158

9,803
(160)
9,643

34,201
160
34,361

(13,962) (13,940)
(838)
(13,124) (14,778)

838

(11,480)
126
(11,354)

(8,665)
(126)
(8,791)

Due to the adoption of the revision and improvements to IAS 1, certain 2007 
information has been included in the 2009 Financial statements. 

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures – Amendment has resulted in additional 
disclosures in relation to financial assets and liabilities which are carried at fair 
value on the balance sheet. The amendment also reinforces existing principles for 
disclosure about liquidity risk. The amendment does not require comparative 
information to be provided in respect of the additional disclosures.

A number of other amendments to accounting standards and new interpretations 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) were applicable from 
1 January 2009. They have not had a material impact on the accounting policies, 
methods of computation or presentation applied by the Group.

Basis of consolidation
The financial statements incorporate a consolidation of the financial statements of 
the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 
31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has the power to 
govern the financial and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain 
benefits from its activities.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in 
the Consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition or up to 
the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the results of subsidiaries, joint 
ventures and associates to bring their accounting policies into line with those used 
by the Group. Intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation, where appropriate.

For non-wholly owned subsidiaries, a share of the profit for the financial year and 
net assets is attributed to the minority interests as shown in the Consolidated 
income statement and Consolidated balance sheet. Any losses applicable to the 
minority interests in excess of the total recognised minority interests are allocated 
against the interests of the parent until such time as future profits have exceeded 
the losses previously absorbed.

Associates
Associates are investments over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant 
influence, but not control or joint control, through participation in the financial and 
operating policy decisions of the investee. Typically the Group owns between 20% and 
50% of the voting equity of its associates. Investments in associates are accounted 
for using the equity method of accounting except when classified as held for sale.

The Group’s share of associates’ net income is based on their most recent audited 
financial statements or unaudited interim statements drawn up to the Group’s 
balance sheet date.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

1.  Accounting policies continued
The total carrying values of investments in associates represent the cost of each 
investment including the carrying value of goodwill, the share of post acquisition 
retained earnings, any other movements in reserves and any long term debt interests 
which in substance form part of the Group’s net investment. The carrying values of 
associates are reviewed on a regular basis and if an impairment in value has 
occurred, it is written off in the period in which those circumstances are identified. 
The Group’s share of an associate’s losses in excess of its interest in that associate 
is not recognised unless the Group has an obligation to fund such losses.

Joint venture entities
A joint venture entity is an entity in which the Group holds a long term interest and 
shares joint control over strategic, financial and operating decisions with one or 
more other venturers under a contractual arrangement.

The Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, income, expenditure and cash flows of 
such jointly controlled entities are accounted for using proportionate consolidation. 
Proportionate consolidation combines the Group’s share of the results of the joint 
venture entity on a line by line basis with similar items in the Group’s financial 
statements.

Joint venture operations
The Group has contractual arrangements with other participants to engage in joint 
activities other than through a separate entity. The Group includes its assets, 
liabilities, expenditure and its share of revenue in such joint venture operations 
with similar items in the Group’s financial statements.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is derived principally from the sale of goods and is measured at the fair 
value of consideration received or receivable, after deducting discounts, volume 
rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. Sales of concentrate are stated at 
their invoiced amount which is net of treatment and refining charges. A sale 
is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have passed. 
This is usually when title and insurance risk have passed to the customer and the 
goods have been delivered to a contractually agreed location.

Revenue from metal mining activities is based on the payable metal sold. 

Sales of certain commodities are ‘provisionally priced’ such that the price is not 
settled until a predetermined future date based on the market price at that time. 
Revenue on these sales is initially recognised (when the above criteria are met) 
at the current market price. ‘Provisionally priced’ sales are marked to market at each 
reporting date using the forward price for the period equivalent to that outlined in 
the contract. This mark to market adjustment is recorded in revenue.

For non-wholly owned subsidiaries, minority interests are initially recorded at the 
minorities’ proportion of the fair values of the assets and liabilities recognised 
at acquisition.

Tangible assets
Mining properties and leases include the cost of acquiring and developing mining 
properties and mineral rights.

Mining properties are depreciated down to their residual values using the unit of 
production method based on proven and probable reserves. Depreciation is charged 
on new mining ventures from the date that the mining property is capable of 
commercial production. When there is little likelihood of a mineral right being 
exploited, or the value of the exploitable mineral right has diminished below cost, 
a write down to the recoverable amount is charged to the income statement.

For open pit operations the removal of overburden or waste ore is required to obtain 
access to the orebody. To the extent that the actual waste material removed per 
tonne of ore mined (known as the stripping ratio) is higher than the average 
stripping ratio in the early years of a mine’s production phase, the costs associated 
with this process are deferred and charged to operating costs using the expected 
average stripping ratio over the life of the area being mined. This reflects the fact 
that waste removal is necessary to gain access to the orebody and therefore realise 
future economic benefit. The average stripping ratio is calculated as the number of 
tonnes of waste material expected to be removed during the life of mine, per tonne 
of ore mined. The average life of mine cost per tonne is calculated as the total 
expected costs to be incurred to mine the orebody divided by the number of tonnes 
expected to be mined. The cost of stripping in any period will therefore be reflective 
of the average stripping rates for the orebody as a whole. However, where the pit 
profile is such that the actual stripping ratio is below the average in the early years 
no deferral takes place as this would result in recognition of a liability for which 
there is no obligation. Instead this position is monitored and when the cumulative 
calculation reflects a debit balance deferral commences. The average life of mine 
stripping ratio and the average life of mine cost per tonne are recalculated annually 
in light of additional knowledge and changes in estimates. Changes in the life of 
mine stripping ratio are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate.

Land and properties in the course of construction are carried at cost less any 
recognised impairment. Depreciation commences when the assets are ready for 
their intended use. Buildings and plant and equipment are depreciated down to their 
residual values at varying rates on a straight line basis over their estimated useful 
lives or the life of mine, whichever is shorter. Estimated useful lives normally vary 
from up to 20 years for items of plant and equipment to a maximum of 50 years for 
buildings.

Residual values and estimated useful lives are reviewed at least annually.

Revenues from the sale of material by-products are included within revenue. 
Where a by-product is not regarded as significant, revenue may be credited against 
the cost of sales. 

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term 
and the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding 
and at the effective interest rate applicable.

Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders’ rights to 
receive payment have been established.

Business combinations and goodwill arising thereon
The identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary, joint 
venture entity or an associate, which can be measured reliably are recorded at their 
provisional fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the cost of acquisition 
over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is attributed to goodwill. 
Provisional fair values are finalised within 12 months of the acquisition date.

Goodwill in respect of subsidiaries and joint ventures is included within intangible 
assets. Goodwill relating to associates is included within the carrying value of 
the associate.

Where the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the cost of the 
acquisition, the surplus, which represents the discount on the acquisition, is 
credited to the income statement in the period of acquisition.

Non-mining licences and other intangibles
Non-mining licences and other intangibles are measured initially at purchase cost 
and are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives. 
Estimated useful lives are usually between three and five years.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets excluding goodwill
At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible 
and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those 
assets are impaired. If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the 
asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of any impairment. Where the 
asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the 
Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) to 
which the asset belongs. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is tested 
for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication that the asset may 
be impaired. 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

101

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

1.  Accounting policies continued
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value (less costs to sell) and value in use. 
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their 
present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for 
which estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is estimated to be less than its carrying 
amount, the carrying amount of the asset or CGU is reduced to its recoverable 
amount. An impairment is reported through the income statement as a special item.

Where an impairment subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or 
CGU is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the 
increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have 
been determined had no impairment been recognised for the asset or CGU in prior 
years. A reversal of an impairment is reported through the income statement as a 
special item.

Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill arising on business combinations is allocated to the group of CGUs that 
is expected to benefit from synergies of the combination and represents the lowest 
level at which goodwill is monitored by the Group’s board of directors for internal 
management purposes. Details of the CGUs to which goodwill is allocated are 
provided in note 13. The recoverable amount of the CGU or group of CGUs to which 
goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually on a consistent date 
during each financial year, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
it may be impaired.

Any impairment is recognised immediately in the income statement. Impairments 
of goodwill are not subsequently reversed.

Research and exploration expenditure
Research and exploration expenditure is written off in the year in which it is 
incurred. When a decision is taken that a mining property is economically feasible 
and should be developed for commercial production, all further directly attributable, 
pre-production expenditure is capitalised within tangible assets. Capitalisation of 
pre-production expenditure ceases when the mining property is capable of 
commercial production.

Exploration properties acquired are recognised in the balance sheet at cost less 
provision for any impairment. Such properties and capitalised pre-production 
expenditure prior to commercial production are assessed for impairment in 
accordance with the Group’s accounting policy stated above.

Inventory
Inventory and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value. The production cost of inventory includes an appropriate proportion of 
depreciation and production overheads. Cost is determined on the following bases:

• 

• 

• 

Raw materials and consumables are valued at cost on a first in, first out 
(FIFO) basis.
Finished products are valued at raw material cost, labour cost and a proportion 
of manufacturing overhead expenses.
Metal and coal stocks are included within finished products and are valued at 
average cost.

At precious metals operations that produce ‘joint products’, cost is allocated 
between products according to the ratio of contribution of these metals to gross 
sales revenues.

Retirement benefits
The Group operates both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes for its 
employees as well as post retirement medical plans. For defined contribution 
schemes the amount charged to the income statement is the contributions paid 
or payable during the year.

For defined benefit pension and post retirement medical plans, full actuarial 
valuations are carried out every three years using the projected unit credit 
method and updates are performed for each financial year end. The average 
discount rate for the plans’ liabilities is based on AA rated corporate bonds of a 
suitable duration and currency or, where there is no ‘deep market’ for such bonds, 
based on government bonds. Pension plan assets are measured using year end 
market values.

Actuarial gains and losses, which can arise from differences between expected and 
actual outcomes or changes in actuarial assumptions, are recognised immediately in 
the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Any increase in the present 
value of plan liabilities expected to arise from employee service during the year is 
charged to operating profit. The expected return on plan assets and the expected 
increase during the year in the present value of plan liabilities are included in 
investment income and interest expense respectively.

Past service cost is recognised immediately to the extent that the benefits are 
already vested and otherwise is amortised on a straight line basis over the average 
period until the benefits become vested.

The retirement benefit obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents the 
present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for unrecognised past 
service costs and as reduced by the fair value of scheme assets. Any asset 
resulting from this calculation is limited to past service cost, plus the present value 
of available refunds and reductions in future contributions to the plan.

Tax
The tax expense includes the current tax charge and deferred tax charged to the 
income statement.

Current tax payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs 
from net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of 
income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further 
excludes items that are not taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current 
tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by 
the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences 
between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements 
and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of taxable profit and is 
accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are 
generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets 
are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available 
against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and 
liabilities are not recognised if the temporary differences arise from the initial 
recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction (other than in a 
business combination) that affects neither taxable profit nor accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on 
investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates except where the Group 
is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date 
and is adjusted to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable 
profit will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

102

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

1.  Accounting policies continued
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period 
when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or 
credited to the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited 
directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also taken directly to equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes 
levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax 
assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Leases
In addition to lease contracts, other significant contracts are assessed to determine 
whether, in substance, they are or contain a lease. This includes assessment of 
whether the arrangement is dependent on use of a specific asset and right to use 
that asset is conveyed through the contract.

Rental costs under operating leases are charged to the income statement in equal 
annual amounts over the lease term.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group on inception 
of the lease at the lower of fair value or the present value of the minimum lease 
payments discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease. The interest element 
of the rental is charged against profit so as to produce a constant periodic rate of 
interest on the remaining balance of the liability, unless it is directly attributable to 
qualifying assets, in which case it is capitalised in accordance with the Group’s 
general policy on borrowing costs set out below.

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations
Non-current assets (and disposal groups) are classified as held for sale if their 
carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through 
continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when a sale is highly 
probable within one year from the date of classification, management are 
committed to the sale and the asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate 
sale in its present condition.

Non-current assets (and disposal groups) are classified as held for sale from the 
date these conditions are met and are measured at the lower of carrying amount 
and fair value (less costs to sell). Any resulting impairment is reported through the 
income statement as a special item. On classification as held for sale the assets are 
no longer depreciated. Comparative amounts are not adjusted.

An asset or business is considered to be a ‘discontinued operation’ if it has been 
sold or is classified as held for sale and is part of a single co-ordinated plan to 
dispose of either a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation, 
or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to sale. Once an operation has 
been identified as discontinued, its net profit and cash flows are separately 
presented from continuing operations. Comparative information is reclassified so 
that net profit and cash flows of prior periods are also separately presented.

Restoration, rehabilitation and environmental costs
An obligation to incur restoration, rehabilitation and environmental costs arises 
when environmental disturbance is caused by the development or ongoing 
production of a mining property. Such costs arising from the decommissioning of 
plant and other site preparation work, discounted to their net present value, are 
provided for and capitalised at the start of each project, as soon as the obligation to 
incur such costs arises. These costs are charged against profits over the life of the 
operation, through the depreciation of the asset and the unwinding of the discount 
on the provision. Costs for restoration of subsequent site damage which is created 
on an ongoing basis during production are provided for at their net present values 
and charged against profits as extraction progresses.

Changes in the measurement of a liability relating to the decommissioning of plant 
or other site preparation work that result from changes in the estimated timing or 
amount of the cash flow or a change in the discount rate, are added to or deducted 
from the cost of the related asset in the current period. If a decrease in the liability 
exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the excess is recognised immediately in 
the income statement. If the asset value is increased and there is an indication that 
the revised carrying value is not recoverable, an impairment test is performed in 
accordance with the accounting policy set out on pages 101 and 102.

For some South African operations annual contributions are made to dedicated 
environmental rehabilitation trusts to fund the estimated cost of rehabilitation 
during and at the end of the life of the relevant mine. The Group exercises full 
control of these trusts and therefore the trusts are consolidated. The trusts’ assets 
are recognised separately on the balance sheet as non-current assets at fair value. 
Interest earned on funds invested in the environmental rehabilitation trusts is 
accrued on a time proportion basis and recognised as interest income.

Foreign currency transactions and translation
Foreign currency transactions by Group companies are booked in the functional 
currencies of the companies at the exchange rate ruling on the date of transaction. 
At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated 
in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet 
date. Gains and losses arising on retranslation are included in profit or loss for the 
period and are classified as either operating or financing depending on the nature of 
the monetary item giving rise to them.

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations are 
translated into the presentation currency of the Group at exchange rates prevailing 
on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average 
exchange rates for the period where these approximate the rates at the dates of 
transactions. Any exchange differences arising are classified within equity and 
transferred to the Group’s cumulative translation adjustment reserve. Exchange 
differences on foreign currency balances with foreign operations for which 
settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future and 
therefore form part of the Group’s net investment in these foreign operations are 
offset in the cumulative translation adjustment reserve.

Cumulative translation differences are recycled from equity and recognised as 
income or expense on disposal of the operation to which they relate.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are 
treated as assets of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.

Presentation currency
As permitted by UK company law, the Group’s results are presented in US dollars, 
the currency in which most of its business is conducted.

Borrowing costs
Interest on borrowings directly relating to the financing of qualifying capital projects 
under construction is added to the capitalised cost of those projects during the 
construction phase, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their 
intended use or sale which, in the case of mining properties, is when they are 
capable of commercial production. Where funds have been borrowed specifically to 
finance a project, the amount capitalised represents the actual borrowing costs 
incurred. Where the funds used to finance a project form part of general 
borrowings, the amount capitalised is calculated using a weighted average of rates 
applicable to relevant general borrowings of the Group during the period.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in 
which they are incurred.

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

1.  Accounting policies continued
Share-based payments
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment. In 
accordance with the transitional provisions, IFRS 2 has been applied to all grants  
of equity instruments after 7 November 2002 that had not vested as at 
1 January 2005.

The Group makes equity settled share-based payments to certain employees, which 
are measured at fair value at the date of grant and expensed on a straight line basis 
over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will 
eventually vest. For those share schemes with market related vesting conditions, 
the fair value is determined using the Monte Carlo method at the grant date. The 
fair value of share options issued with non-market vesting conditions has been 
calculated using the Black Scholes model. For all other share awards, the fair value 
is determined by reference to the market value of the share at the date of grant. 
For all share schemes with non-market related vesting conditions, the likelihood of 
vesting has been taken into account when determining the relevant charge. Vesting 
assumptions are reviewed during each reporting period to ensure they reflect 
current expectations.

Black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions
Where the Group disposes of a portion of a South African based subsidiary or 
operation to a BEE company at a discount to fair value, the transaction is considered 
to be a share-based payment (in line with the principle contained in South Africa 
interpretation AC 503 Accounting for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) 
Transactions). The discount provided or value given is calculated in accordance with 
IFRS 2 and included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Employee benefit trust
Shares held by the employee benefit trust are recorded as treasury shares, and the 
carrying value is shown as a reduction in retained earnings within shareholders’ equity.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and on demand deposits, 
together with short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to 
a known amount of cash and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in 
value. Bank overdrafts are, however, shown within short term borrowings in current 
liabilities on the balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated cash 
flow statement are shown net of overdrafts.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value 
(with the exception of receivables relating to provisionally priced sales – as set out 
in the revenue recognition accounting policy) net of appropriate allowance for 
estimated irrecoverable amounts. Such allowances are raised based on an 
assessment of debtor ageing, past experience or known customer circumstances.

Trade payables
Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value with 
the exception of amounts relating to purchases of provisionally priced concentrate 
which are marked to market (using the appropriate forward price) until settled.

Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, 
net of direct issue costs.

Investments 
Investments, other than investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, 
are financial asset investments and are initially recorded at fair value. At subsequent 
reporting dates, financial assets that the Group has the expressed intention and 
ability to hold to maturity (‘held to maturity’) as well as loans and receivables are 
measured at amortised cost, less any impairment. The amortisation of any discount 
or premium on the acquisition of a held to maturity investment is recognised in the 
income statement in each period using the effective interest method.

Investments other than those classified as held to maturity or loans and receivables 
are classified as either at fair value through profit or loss (which includes 
investments held for trading) or available for sale investments. Both sub-categories 
are measured at each reporting date at fair value. Where investments are held for 
trading purposes, unrealised gains and losses for the period are included in the 
income statement within other gains and losses. For available for sale investments, 
unrealised gains and losses are recognised in equity until the investment is 
disposed or impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously 
recognised in equity is included in the income statement. Impairment losses are 
recognised in the income statement when the difference between the acquisition 
cost and current fair value is considered significant or prolonged.

Current financial asset investments consist mainly of bank term deposits and fixed 
and floating rate debt securities. Debt securities that are intended to be held to 
maturity are recorded on the amortised cost basis. Debt securities that are not 
intended to be held to maturity are recorded at the lower of cost and market value.

Provision is raised against these assets when there is doubt over the future 
realisation of value as a result of a known event or circumstance.

Convertible debt
Convertible bonds are regarded as compound instruments, consisting of a liability 
and an equity component. At the date of issue, the fair value of the liability 
component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for similar 
non-convertible debt and is recorded within borrowings and carried at amortised 
cost. The difference between the proceeds of issue of the convertible bond and the 
fair value assigned to the liability component, representing the embedded option to 
convert the liability into equity of the Group, is included in equity.

Issue costs are apportioned between the liability and equity components of the 
convertible bonds where appropriate based on their relative carrying amounts at 
the date of issue. The portion relating to the equity component is charged directly 
against equity.

The interest expense on the liability component is calculated by applying the 
effective interest rate for similar non-convertible debt to the liability component of 
the instrument. The difference between this amount and the interest paid is added 
to the carrying amount of the liability.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified and accounted for as debt 
or equity according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets 
of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

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1.  Accounting policies continued
Bank borrowings
Interest bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the proceeds received, 
net of direct transaction costs. Finance charges, including premiums payable on 
settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals 
basis and charged to the income statement using the effective interest method. 
They are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are 
not settled in the period in which they arise.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
In order to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity 
price risk, the Group enters into forward, option and swap contracts. The Group 
does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Commodity 
based (normal purchase or normal sale) contracts that meet the scope exemption in 
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement are recognised in 
earnings when they are settled by physical delivery.

All derivatives are held at fair value in the balance sheet within Other financial 
assets (derivatives) or Other financial liabilities (derivatives). Derivatives are 
classified as current or non-current depending on the expected maturity of the 
derivative.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated 
and effective as hedges of future cash flows are recognised directly in equity.  
The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in  
the income statement. If the cash flow hedge of a firm commitment or forecast 
transaction results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a liability, then,  
at the time the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or losses on  
the derivative that had previously been recognised in equity are included in the 
initial measurement of the asset or liability. For hedges that do not result in the 
recognition of a non-financial asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are 
recognised in the income statement in the same period in which the hedged item 
affects profit or loss.

For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in fair value, the hedged item is 
adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk being hedged with the 
corresponding entry in profit or loss. Gains or losses from remeasuring the 
associated derivative are recognised in the income statement.

The gain or loss on hedging instruments relating to the effective portion of a net 
investment hedge is recognised in equity. The ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in the income statement. Gains or losses accumulated in equity are 
included in the income statement on disposal of the foreign operations to which 
they relate.

Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that are not hedge 
accounted are recognised immediately in the income statement and are classified 
within other gains and losses or net finance costs depending on the type of risk the 
derivative relates to.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, 
terminated, exercised, revoked, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that 
time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is 
retained in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedge transaction is no 
longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in 
equity is included in the income statement for the period.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or non-financial host contracts 
are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely 
related to those of their host contracts and the host contracts themselves are not 
carried at fair value with unrealised gains or losses reported in the income statement.

Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the 
asset have expired, the right to receive cash flows has been retained but an 
obligation to on-pay them in full without material delay has been assumed or the 
right to receive cash flows has been transferred together with substantially all the 
risks and rewards of ownership.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the associated obligation has been 
discharged, cancelled or has expired.

New IFRS accounting standards and interpretations not yet adopted
IFRS 3 (Revised) Business Combinations makes a number of changes to the 
accounting for and disclosure of business combinations. The revised standard 
introduces changes to the accounting for contingent consideration and transaction 
costs, as well as allowing an option to calculate goodwill based on the parent’s 
share of net assets only or including goodwill relating to minority interests 
(non-controlling interests). Once adopted the Group will account for subsequent 
business combinations in accordance with this standard. The revised standard is 
effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009. 

IAS 27 (Revised) Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements requires the 
effects of all transactions with non-controlling interests to be recorded in equity if 
there is no change in control. Once adopted any transaction within this scope will 
be accounted for in accordance with the revised standard. The revised standard is 
effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009. 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments is the first phase of the IASB’s three stage project to 
replace IAS 39. The first phase deals with the classification and measurement of 
financial assets. The standard applies for annual periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2013. Early application is permitted, although IFRS 9 has not yet been 
endorsed for use in the European Union. Once adopted, all financial assets within 
the scope of IFRS 9 will be accounted for in accordance with the standard.

The following new IFRS accounting standards and interpretations not yet adopted 
are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group:

Amendment to IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement: Eligible 
Hedged Items prohibits designating inflation as a hedgeable component of a fixed 
rate debt and inclusion of time value in the one-sided hedged risk when designating 
options as hedges. The amendment is effective for accounting periods beginning on 
or after 1 July 2009. 

Amendment to IFRS 2 Share-based payments on Group Cash-settled Share-based 
Payment Transactions clarifies the scope and the accounting for group cash-settled 
share-based payment transactions in the separate or individual financial 
statements of the entity receiving the goods or services when that entity has no 
obligation to settle the share-based payment transaction. The amendment is 
effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010, subject to 
adoption by the European Union. 

Amendment to IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation – Classification of Rights 
Issues addresses the accounting for rights issues (rights, options or warrants) that 
are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the issuer. Prior 
to the amendment, such rights issues were accounted for as derivative liabilities. 
The amendment states that, if such rights are issued pro rata to an entity’s existing 
shareholders for a fixed amount of any currency, they should be classified as equity, 
regardless of the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. The 
amendment is effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 February 2010.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

1.  Accounting policies continued
Annual improvements to IFRSs 2009 amends a number of standards including 
changes in presentation, recognition and measurement plus terminology and editorial 
changes. The 2009 amendments are effective for annual periods commencing on or 
after 1 January 2010, subject to adoption by the European Union. 

IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments clarifies the 
accounting when an entity renegotiates the terms of its debt with the result that 
the liability is extinguished by the debtor issuing its own equity instruments for  
the creditor. The interpretation is to be applied retrospectively from the earliest 
comparative period presented and is effective for annual periods beginning on or 
after 1 July 2010, subject to adoption by the European Union, although earlier 
application is permitted.

Amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting 
Standards and IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements on the Cost 
of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate. 

Amendments to IFRS 1 on Additional Exemptions for First-time Adopters. 

IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements.

IFRIC 17 Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners.

IFRIC 18 Transfers of Assets from Customers.

2.  Segmental information
The Group’s segments are aligned to the structure of Business Units based around 
core commodities. In addition assets identified for divestment are managed as a 
separate Business Unit, Other Mining and Industrial. The Kumba Iron Ore, Iron Ore 
Brazil and Samancor Business Units have been aggregated as the Iron Ore and 
Manganese segment on the basis of the ultimate product produced (ferrous 
metals). Each Business Unit has a management team that is accountable to the 
Chief executive.

The Group’s Executive Committee evaluates the financial performance of the Group 
and its segments principally with reference to operating profit before special items 
and remeasurements which includes the Group’s attributable share of associates’ 
operating profit before special items and remeasurements.

Segments predominately derive revenue as follows – Platinum: platinum group 
metals; Diamonds: rough and polished diamonds and diamond jewellery; Copper 
and Nickel: base metals; Iron Ore and Manganese: iron ore, manganese ore and 
alloys; Metallurgical Coal: metallurgical coal; Thermal Coal: thermal coal; and Other 
Mining and Industrial: heavy building materials, zinc and steel products.

The segment results are stated after elimination of inter-segment transactions and 
include an allocation of corporate costs.

The Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs segment includes insurance costs.

Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, 
the segments have changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives 
have been reclassified to align with current year presentation.

US$ million

Platinum

Diamonds

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese
Metallurgical Coal
Thermal Coal
Other Mining and Industrial

Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

Segment measure

Reconciliation:

Less: Associates
Operating special items and  
remeasurements

Statutory measure

Revenue(1)

Operating profit/(loss)(2)

2009

4,535

1,728

3,967

348

3,419
2,239
2,490
5,908

–

3

2008

6,327

3,096

3,907

408

4,099
3,119
3,051
8,951

–

6

2009

32

64

2008

2,169

508

2,010

1,892

2

1,489
451
721
506

123

2,554
1,110
1,078
1,082

(172)

(212)

(146)

(219)

24,637

32,964

4,957

10,085

(3,779)

(6,653)

(580)

(2,104)

–

–

(1,637)

(1,131)

20,858

26,311

2,740

6,850

(1)   Segment revenue includes the Group’s attributable share of associates’ revenue. This is reconciled to 
Group revenue from subsidiaries and joint ventures as presented in the Consolidated income statement.

(2)  Segment operating profit is revenue less operating costs before special items and remeasurements, and 

includes the Group’s attributable share of associates’ operating profit. This is reconciled to Operating profit 
from subsidiaries and joint ventures after special items and remeasurements as presented in the 
Consolidated income statement. 

Associates’ revenue and operating profit are as follows:

Associates’  
revenue

Associates’ operating 

profit/(loss)(1) 

2009

47

1,728

603

164

742

495

2008

39

3,096

1,526

170

841

981

3,779

6,653

US$ million

Platinum

Diamonds

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Reconciliation:
Associates’ net finance costs (before 
special items and remeasurements)
Associates’ income tax expense (before 
special items and remeasurements)
Associates’ minority interests (before 
special items and remeasurements)
Share of net income from associates 
(before special items and 
remeasurements)
Associates’ special items and 
remeasurements

Associate’s tax special item
Associates’ tax on special items and 
remeasurements
Associates’ minority interests on special 
items and remeasurements

Share of net income from associates

2009

(26)

64

143

48

303

48

580

2008

20

508

980

102

375

119

2,104

(28)

(147)

(235)

(623)

1

(31)

318

1,303

(184)

(45)

(6)

1

84

(223)

–

17

16

1,113

(1)   Associates’ operating profit is the Group’s attributable share of associates’ revenue less operating costs 

before special items and remeasurements.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

2.  Segmental information continued
Significant non-cash items included within operating profit are as follows:

Balance sheet measures are as follows:

Depreciation and

amortisation(1)

Other non-cash

expenses(2)

2009

2008

US$ million

Platinum

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

2009

636

244

26

81

249

107

360

–

2008

507

212

27

52

205

78

404

–

22

24

1,725

1,509

79

392

92

71

9

4

26

13

94

4

7

50

4

51

43

61

108

–

67

391

(1)   The Group’s attributable share of depreciation and amortisation in associates is $248 million (2008: 
$253 million) and is split by segment as follows: Platinum $9 million (2008: $2 million), Diamonds 
$151 million (2008: $157 million), Iron Ore and Manganese $23 million (2008: $19 million), Metallurgical 
Coal $6 million (2008: $4 million), Thermal Coal $47 million (2008: $44 million) and Other Mining and 
Industrial $12 million (2008: $27 million).

(2) Other non-cash expenses include equity settled share-based payment charges and amounts included in 

operating costs in respect of provisions.

The following balance sheet segment measures are provided for information:

US$ million

Platinum

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Exploration

Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs

Other assets and liabilities
Investments in associates(3)
Financial asset investments

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Cash and cash equivalents

Other financial assets/(liabilities) – derivatives

Other non-operating assets/(liabilities)
Other provisions

Borrowings

Net assets

US$ million

Platinum

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

Capital expenditure(1)

Net debt(2)

2009

1,150

1,068

554

1,044

96

400

268

–

27

2008

1,563

808

530

783

467

365

603

1

2009

196

2008

995

(187)

(622)

380

874

(9)

23

341

–

(66)

698

(18)

(139)

354

–

26

9,425

9,849

4,607

5,146

11,043

11,051

Reconciliation:

Interest capitalised
Non-cash movements(3)
Tangible asset additions
Tangible assets acquired through business 
combinations
Intangible asset additions

246

379

215

365

5,232

5,726

28
50

7,358
1,731

Net debt in disposal groups

(48)

(8)

5,310

(4)

14,815

(4)

10,995

11,043

(1)  Capital expenditure is segmented on a cash basis and is reconciled to balance sheet additions. Cash capital 

expenditure excludes cash flows on related derivatives.

(2) Segment net debt excludes net debt in disposal groups and hedges. A reconciliation of net debt to the 
balance sheet is provided in note 30. At 31 December 2007 net debt of $5,170 million was split by 
segment as follows: Platinum $846 million, Copper $(298) million, Nickel $(233) million, Iron Ore and 
Manganese $(123) million, Metallurgical Coal $(3) million, Thermal Coal $(76) million, Other Mining  
and Industrial $182 million, Exploration $(1) million and Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs 
$4,876 million. Group net debt of $5,239 million included a further $69 million of net debt in  
disposal groups.

(3)  Includes movements on tangible asset accruals and the impact of cash flow hedge derivatives.

(4) Capital expenditure on an accruals basis and including additions resulting from acquisitions of interests  

in subsidiaries and joint ventures is split by segment as follows: Platinum $1,445 million (2008:  
$3,026 million), Copper $1,186 million (2008: $1,087 million), Nickel $570 million (2008: $597 million), 
Iron Ore and Manganese $1,157 million (2008: $7,569 million), Metallurgical Coal $173 million (2008: 
$1,222 million), Thermal Coal $409 million (2008: $383 million), Other Mining and Industrial $323 million 
(2008: $882 million), Exploration nil (2008: $1 million) and Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs 
$47 million (2008: $48 million).

Segment assets(1)

Segment liabilities(2)

Net segment assets

2009

13,082

5,643

1,888

10,758

4,176

2,343

6,231

4

311

2008 

9,713

4,134

1,485

10,768

3,369

1,624

6,435

3

251

2009

(941)

(880)

(101)

(388)

(769)

(636)

2008

(668)

(986)

(84)

(311)

(700)

(606)

(1,202)

(1,204)

(2)

(409)

(7)

(310)

2009

12,141

4,763

1,787

10,370

3,407

1,707

5,029

2

(98)

2008

9,045

3,148

1,401

10,457

2,669

1,018

5,231

(4)

(59)

44,436

37,782

(5,328)

(4,876)

39,108

32,906

3,312

2,729

288

3,269

603

1,671
–

–

3,612

3,288

258

2,771

376

1,651
–

–

56,308

49,738

–

–

–

–

(5,192)

(4,555)

–

(659)

(2,128)
(617)

(14,315)

(28,239)

–

(1,497)

(2,515)
(544)

(13,995)

(27,982)

3,312

2,729

(4,904)

3,269

(56)

(457)
(617)

3,612

3,288

(4,297)

2,771

(1,121)

(864)
(544)

(14,315)

(13,995)

28,069

21,756

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(1)   Segment assets at 31 December 2009 are operating assets and consist of intangible assets of $2,776 million (2008: $3,006 million), tangible assets of $35,198 million (2008: $29,545 million), biological assets of 

$4 million (2008: $3 million), environmental rehabilitation trusts of $342 million (2008: $244 million), retirement benefit assets of $54 million (2008: $32 million), inventories of $3,212 million (2008: $2,702 million) 
and operating receivables of $2,850 million (2008: $2,250 million).

(2)  Segment liabilities at 31 December 2009 are operating liabilities and consist of non-interest bearing current liabilities of $3,447 million (2008: $3,534 million), retirement benefit obligations of $706 million (2008: 

$401 million) and environmental restoration and decommissioning provisions of $1,175 million (2008: $941 million).

(3)  Refer to note 16 for a split of investments in associates by segment.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

107

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

2.  Segmental information continued
Entity wide information
The Group’s analysis of segment revenue by product (including attributable share of 
revenue from associates) is as follows:

Segment revenue and operating profit/(loss) before special items and 
remeasurements by origin (including attributable share of revenue and operating 
profit/(loss) from associates) has been provided for information:

US$ million

South Africa

Other Africa

Europe

North America

South America

Australia and Asia

Operating profit/(loss) 
before special items and 
remeasurements

Revenue

2009

2008

2009

2008

10,293

13,786

2,023

5,107

1,539

2,976

510

6,040

3,279

2,530

4,805

705

6,743

4,395

78

(54)

(20)

2,310

620

467

(183)

(29)

2,985

1,738

24,637

32,964

4,957

10,085

The Group’s geographical analysis of segment assets and liabilities, allocated based 
on where assets and liabilities are located, has been provided for information:

US$ million

South Africa
Other Africa

Europe

Segment assets(1)

Segment liabilities

Net segment assets

2009

2008

2009

2008

2009

2008

18,309
664

13,540
364

3,820

4,045

(2,148)
(66)

(1,633)
(30)

16,161
598

11,907
334

(907)

(132)

(910)

(119)

2,913

3,135

673

510

North America

805

629

South America

16,528

15,688

(1,262)

(1,431)

15,266

14,257

Australia and Asia

4,310

3,516

(813)

(753)

3,497

2,763

44,436

37,782

(5,328)

(4,876)

39,108

32,906

(1)  Investments in associates are not included in segment assets. The geographical distribution of these 

investments, based on the location of the underlying assets, is disclosed in note 16.

US$ million

Platinum

Palladium

Rhodium

Diamonds

Copper

Nickel

Iron ore

Manganese

Metallurgical coal

Thermal coal

Zinc

Steel products

Heavy building materials

Other

2009

2008

3,101

3,570

361

527

1,728

3,783

625

2,330

603

1,693

3,197

445

1,371

2,870

2,003

531

1,632

3,096

3,639

734

2,281

1,526

2,775

3,637

467

1,927

4,399

2,750

24,637

32,964

The Group’s geographical analysis of segment revenue (including attributable share 
of revenue from associates) allocated based on the country in which the customer 
is located, and non-current segment assets, allocated based on the country in which 
the assets are located, is as follows:

US$ million

South Africa

Other Africa
United Kingdom (Anglo American plc’s 
country of domicile)

Other Europe

US

Other North America

Brazil

Chile

Venezuela

Other South America

Australia

China

India

Japan

Other Asia

Revenue

Non-current
segment assets(1)

2009

2008

2009

2008

2,567

3,951

15,161

11,040

139

322

599

309

3,850

5,014

790

507

662

1,229

5

185

427

3,469

1,222

2,697

1,874

4,672

7,279

1,294

1,078

1,423

1,398

8

178

344

1,956

1,599

4,516

2,946

2,686

2,491

241

123

575

712

92

414

10,105

10,468

4,280

3,448

281

293

462

206

3,584

2,863

4

–

–

46

3

–

–

46

24,637

32,964

37,978

32,554

(1)   Non-current segment assets are non-current operating assets and consist of tangible assets, intangible 
assets and biological assets. Non-current segment assets at 31 December 2007 were $25,093 million.

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3.  Reconciliation of Underlying earnings to Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
The table below analyses the contribution of each segment to the Group’s operating profit (including attributable share of operating profit from associates) for the financial 
year and Underlying earnings, which the directors consider to be a useful additional measure of the Group’s performance. A reconciliation from ‘Profit for the financial year 
attributable to equity shareholders of the Company’ to ‘Underlying earnings for the financial year’ is given in note 12. 

Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives 
have been reclassified to align with current year presentation.

Operating profit (including attributable share of operating profit from associates) is reconciled to ‘Underlying earnings’ and ‘Profit for the financial year attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Company’ in the table below:

US$ million

By segment

Platinum

Diamonds

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Exploration

Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs

Core operations

Other Mining and Industrial
Total/Underlying earnings

Underlying earnings adjustments

Operating  
profit/(loss)  
before special  
items and 
remeasurements(1)

Operating  
profit/(loss)  
after special  
items and 
remeasurements

Operating  
special  
items and 
remeasurements(2)

Net  

profit on
disposals(2)

Financing 
special 
items and

remeasurements(2)

32

64

2,010

2

1,489

451

721

(172)

(146)

4,451

506
4,957

(72)

(139)

2,114

(86)

350

423

715

(172)

(377)

2,756

361
3,117

104

203

(104)

88

1,139

28

6

–

231

1,695

145
1,840

(1,840)

323

20

–

–

6

33

21

10

–

413

1,219
1,632

1,632

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

(135)

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

US$ million

By segment

Platinum

Diamonds

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Exploration

Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs

Core operations

Other Mining and Industrial

Total/Underlying earnings

Underlying earnings adjustments

Operating
 profit/(loss)
before special
items and

remeasurements(1)

Operating  
profit/(loss)  
after special 
items and 
remeasurements

Operating
 special
items and

remeasurements(2)

Net  

profit on
 disposals(2)

Financing  
special 
items and

remeasurements(2)

2,169

508

1,892

123

2,554

1,110

1,078

(212)

(219)

9,003

1,082

10,085

2,150

282

1,825

(7)

1,934

1,088

1,080

(162)

(305)

7,885

843

8,728

19

226

67

130

620

22

(2)

(50)

86

1,118

239

1,357

(1,357)

106

18

142

(1)

(4)

–

–

–

2

263

764

1,027

1,027

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

36

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Net  
interest,  
tax and  
minority 
interests

12

(154)

(809)

(15)

(918)

(129)

(204)

5

(73)

(2,285)

(103)
(2,388)

199

Net  
interest,  
tax and  
minority  
interests

(913)

(252)

(848)

(158)

(1,404)

(346)

(324)

12

(267)

(4,500)

(348)

(4,848)

272

2009

Total

44

(90)

1,201

(13)

571

322

517

(167)

(219)

2,166

403
2,569

(3)

(144)

2,425

2008

Total

1,256

256

1,044

(35)

1,150

764

754

(200)

(486)

4,503

734

5,237

(3)

(22)

5,215

(1)  Operating profit includes attributable share of associates’ operating profit which is reconciled to ‘Share of net income from associates’ in note 2.

(2) Special items and remeasurements are set out in note 7.

(3) This represents Underlying earnings for the financial year and is equal to profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders of the Company before special items and remeasurements. 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

4.  Operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures

A more detailed analysis of auditors’ remuneration is provided below:

US$ million

Group revenue
Cost of sales(1)
Gross profit

Selling and distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Other gains and losses (see below)

Exploration expenditure (see note 5)

Operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures

2009

2008

20,858

26,311

(15,280) (15,551)

5,578

10,760

(1,590)

(1,631)

(1,603)

(1,643)

US$ million

527

(172)

(424)

(212)

2,740

6,850

Statutory audit services(1)
Anglo American plc Annual Report paid  
to the Company’s auditor

(1)  Includes operating special items of $2,275 million (2008: $352 million), see note 7.

US$ million

2009

2008

Operating profit is stated after charging:

Depreciation of tangible assets (see note 14)

1,711

1,505

Amortisation of intangible assets (see note 13)

Rentals under operating leases

Research and development expenditure
Operating special items(1)
Employee costs (see note 6)
Adjustment due to provisional pricing(2)

Other gains and losses comprise:
Operating remeasurements(1)

Net gain/(loss) on non-hedge derivatives

Realised loss on derivatives relating to capital expenditure

Other remeasurements

Other fair value gains/(losses) on derivatives – realised

Foreign currency (losses)/gains on other monetary items

Gains on valuation of biological assets

Total other gains and losses

14

114

34
2,275

3,734

(507)

4

210

36
352

3,281

764

638

757

(105)

(14)

83

(195)

1

527

(779)

(696)

(120)

37

(147)

501

1

(424)

(1)  Special items and remeasurements are set out in note 7.

(2)   Provisionally priced contracts resulted in a total (realised and unrealised) gain in revenue of $563 million 

(2008: $865 million loss) and total (realised and unrealised) loss in operating costs of $56 million (2008: 
$101 million gain).

US$ million

Auditors’ remuneration

Audit

United Kingdom

Overseas

Other services provided by Deloitte(1)

United Kingdom

Overseas

2009

2008

3

8

8

2

3

7

2

2

(1)    ‘Other services provided by Deloitte’ includes charges incurred in respect of the interim review, 

$6.5 million for services relating to bid defence and $0.4 million for services required to be undertaken 
by Deloitte in their capacity as auditors.

2009

Paid/
payable  
to auditor  
(if not 
Deloitte)

Paid/payable to Deloitte

United 

Kingdom Overseas

Total

Overseas

1.9

–

1.9

–

–

0.8

0.8

2.7

0.7

0.2

–

(2)

6.9
7.8

3.7

4.1

7.8

7.8

0.6

0.4

–

0.9
1.9

3.7

4.9

8.6

10.5

1.3

0.6

–

7.8
9.7

0.1

0.5

0.6

0.6

–

0.3

0.4

0.6
1.3

Subsidiary entities – for purposes of Anglo 
American plc Annual Report
Subsidiary entities – additional local 
statutory requirements

Subsidiary entities – total

Total
Other services(1)
Other services pursuant to legislation

Tax services

Internal audit services

Other
Total

(1)   $0.1 million was paid/payable in respect of the audit of Group pension schemes.

(2)  Includes $6.5 million for services relating to bid defence and $0.4 million for services required to be 

undertaken by Deloitte in their capacity as auditors.

2008

Paid/
payable  
to auditor  
(if not 
Deloitte)

Paid/payable to Deloitte

United 
Kingdom

Overseas

Total

Overseas

2.2

–

2.2

–

–

0.6

0.6

2.8

0.6

0.2

–

0.1

0.5

(2)

1.4

3.6

3.8

7.4

7.4

0.5

0.6

–

–

1.2

2.3

3.6

4.4

8.0

10.2

1.1

0.8

–

0.1

1.7

3.7

0.1

0.5

0.6

0.6

–

–

0.4

–

0.2

0.6

US$ million

Statutory audit services(1)
Anglo American plc Annual Report paid  
to the Company’s auditor

Subsidiary entities – for purposes of Anglo 
American plc Annual Report
Subsidiary entities – additional local 
statutory requirements

Subsidiary entities – total

Total
Other services(1)
Other services pursuant to legislation

Tax services

Internal audit services

Corporate finance

Other

Total

(1)   $0.1 million was paid/payable in respect of the audit of Group pension schemes.

(2)  Includes $0.4 million for services required to be undertaken by Deloitte in their capacity as auditors.

110

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

5.  Exploration expenditure
Exploration expenditure is stated before special items.

US$ million

By commodity(1)
Platinum group metals

Copper

Nickel

Iron ore

Metallurgical coal

Thermal coal

Zinc

Central exploration activities

In accordance with IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, key management personnel are 
those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and 
controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly, including any director 
(executive and non-executive) of the Group.

2009

2008

17

43

22

8

10

25

10

37

36

60

20

18

17

18

8

35

172

212

Compensation for key management was as follows:

US$ million

Salaries and short term employee benefits

Post employment benefits

Termination benefits

National insurance and social security

Share-based payments

2009

14

2

10

2

11

39

2008

20

2

2

3

11

38

(1)  Following the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, exploration 

expenditure is presented by commodity. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with current year 
presentation.

Key management includes members of the Board and the Executive Committee. The 
composition of key management personnel has changed following the portfolio and 
management structure changes announced in October 2009.

Disclosure of directors’ emoluments, pension entitlements, share options and long 
term incentive plan awards required by the Companies Act 2006 and those 
specified for audit by Regulation 11 and Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-Sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 are included in 
the Remuneration report.

7.  Special items and remeasurements
‘Special items’ are those items of financial performance that the Group believes 
should be separately disclosed on the face of the income statement to assist in the 
understanding of the underlying financial performance achieved by the Group. Such 
items are material by nature or amount to the year’s results and require separate 
disclosure in accordance with IAS 1 (revised 2007) paragraph 97. Special items that 
relate to the operating performance of the Group are classified as operating special 
items and include impairment charges and reversals and other exceptional items, 
including significant legal provisions. Non-operating special items include profits 
and losses on disposals of investments and businesses.

‘Remeasurements’ comprise other items which the Group believes should be 
reported separately to aid an understanding of the underlying financial performance 
of the Group. This category includes:
(i) 

 unrealised gains and losses on ‘non-hedge’ derivative instruments open at 
year end (in respect of future transactions) and the reversal of the historical 
marked to market value of such instruments settled in the year. The full 
realised gains or losses are recorded in underlying earnings in the same year as 
the underlying transaction for which such instruments provide an economic, 
but not formally designated, hedge (if the underlying transaction is recorded in 
the balance sheet, e.g. capital expenditure, the realised amount remains in 
remeasurements on settlement of the derivative). Such amounts are classified 
in the income statement as financing when the underlying exposure is in 
respect of net debt and otherwise as operating.

(ii)   foreign exchange gains and losses arising on the retranslation of dollar 

denominated De Beers preference shares held by a rand functional currency 
subsidiary of the Group. This is classified as financing.

(iii)   foreign exchange impact arising in US dollar functional currency entities where 
tax calculations are generated based on local currency financial information 
(and hence deferred tax is susceptible to currency fluctuations). Such amounts 
are included within income tax expense.

6.  Employee numbers and costs
The average number of employees, excluding contractors and associates’ employees 
and including a proportionate share of employees within joint venture entities, was:

Thousand

By segment(1)
Platinum

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal
Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs

2009

2008

58

56

4

2

7

3
9

22

2

107

4

1

7

4
9

22

2

105

(1)  Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have 
changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with 
current year presentation.

The average number of employees by principal location of employment was:

Thousand

South Africa

Other Africa

Europe

North America

South America

Australia and Asia

2009

83

1

9

1

9

4

2008

79

1

10

1

9

5

107

105

Payroll costs in respect of the employees included in the tables above were:

US$ million

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Defined contribution plans

Defined benefit plans

Other post employment benefits

Share-based payments

Total payroll costs

Reconciliation:
Less: Employee costs capitalised

Less: Employee costs included within operating special items

Employee costs included in operating costs

2009

2008(1)

3,321

2,817

168

193

36

6

205

157

143

49

7

155

3,929

3,328

(82)

(113)

(28)

(19)

3,734

3,281

(1)  Comparatives have been aligned with current year presentation, which is inclusive of amounts capitalised 

and amounts included within operating special items.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

7.  Special items and remeasurements continued
Subsidiaries and joint ventures’ special items and remeasurements
Operating special items

Costs associated with ‘One Anglo’ initiatives principally comprise advisory costs and 
include costs associated with the corporate review, procurement, shared services 
and information systems.

2009

2008

Operating remeasurements

US$ million

Impairment of Amapá system

Costs associated with ‘One Anglo’ initiatives

Impairment of Loma de Níquel

Restructuring costs:

Other Mining and Industrial

Corporate

Platinum

Metallurgical Coal and Thermal Coal

Platinum assets written off

Impairment of Tarmac assets

Bid defence costs

Impairment of Iron Ore Brazil transshipping vessel

Provisions for onerous contracts

Costs associated with proposed sale of Tarmac

Impairment of Lisheen

Impairment of Black Mountain

Impairment of Metallurgical Coal assets

Reversal of impairment of Silangan exploration asset

Other 

Total operating special items

Tax

Minority interests

(1,667)

(148)

(114)

(78)

(47)

(37)

(21)

(51)

(50)

(45)

(27)

15

–

–

–

–

–

(5)

–

(72)

–

(20)

–

–

–

–

(71)

–

–

(39)

(3)

(78)

(62)

(40)

45

(12)

(2,275)

(352)

107

107

42

1

Net total attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

(2,061)

(309)

The Amapá iron ore system (Amapá) was acquired in 2008 as an operating asset 
as part of the acquisition of the Minas Rio project. During 2009 Amapá has 
experienced significant operational challenges across its mine, plant and logistics 
chain, producing 2.7 million tonnes compared to the design capacity of 6.5 million 
tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Management’s focus has been, and remains, on seeking 
to markedly improve performance from the existing operations, rather than 
investing to expand the operation. Amapá is currently believed to have capacity 
to increase production to 5 Mtpa without significant further capital expenditure. 
Due to the focus on improving operational performance and preserving cash, 
limited exploration drilling has been undertaken in 2009 and the anticipated growth 
potential of surrounding licence areas remains untested. Given these operational 
difficulties and delays in increasing production, the Group has recorded an 
impairment charge of $1,512 million (after tax and minority interest) against the 
carrying value of the asset. Of this charge, $342 million has been recorded against 
intangible assets (primarily goodwill), $1,325 million has been recorded against 
tangible assets (primarily mining properties) with associated deferred tax credit of 
$76 million and minority interest credit of $79 million. The impairment brings the 
carrying value of Amapá in line with fair value (less costs to sell), determined on 
a discounted cash flow basis.

In January 2008 the Venezuelan Ministry of Basic Industries and Mining (MIBAM) 
published a resolution cancelling 13 of Minera Loma de Níquel’s (MLdN) 16 
exploration and exploitation concessions due to MLdN’s alleged failure to fulfil certain 
conditions of the concessions. The current mining and metallurgical facilities are 
located on the three concessions that have not been cancelled. MLdN believes that it 
has complied with the conditions of these concessions and has lodged administrative 
appeals against the notices of termination and is waiting for a response from MIBAM. 
MLdN may in the future undertake further appeals, including with Venezuela’s 
Supreme Court, if the MIBAM’s ruling does not adequately protect its interests.

An impairment and associated adjustments of $114 million has been recorded due to 
increased uncertainty over the renewal of the three concessions that have not been 
cancelled but that expire in 2012 and over the restoration of the 13 concessions that 
were cancelled. The charge is based on a value in use assessment of recoverable 
amount, includes the impact of recycling a related cash flow hedge reserve and an 
associated reduction in the related embedded derivative liability. Recoverable amount 
has been determined using discounted cash flows which use pre-tax discount rates 
equivalent to a real post tax discount rate of 6%. 

Restructuring costs relate to retrenchment costs.

US$ million

Net gain/(loss) on non-hedge derivatives

Realised loss on derivatives relating to capital expenditure

Other remeasurements

Total operating remeasurements

Tax

Minority interests

Net total attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

2009

757

(105)

(14)

638

(207)

2

433

2008

(696)

(120)

37

(779)

252

135

(392)

The net gain on non-hedge derivatives principally includes net unrealised gains on 
derivatives relating to capital expenditure held by Iron Ore Brazil and Los Bronces 
and an unrealised gain on an embedded derivative at Minera Loma de Níquel. A net 
loss of $105 million was realised in the year in respect of the Iron Ore Brazil and 
Los Bronces capital expenditure derivative portfolios.

Profits and losses on disposals

US$ million

Disposal of interest in AngloGold Ashanti
Disposal of interest in Booysendal joint venture(1)
Disposal of interest in Lebowa Platinum Mines Limited(1)
Disposal of financial asset investments

Disposal of interests in Tongaat Hulett and Hulamin

Disposal of Tarmac fixed assets

Disposal of Silangan exploration asset

Disposal of interest in China Shenhua Energy

Disposal of interest in Minera Santa Rosa SCM

Disposal of Northam Platinum Limited

Copebrás property compensation

Disposal of Tarmac Iberia
Disposal of Namakwa Sands(1)
Other

Net profit on disposals

Tax

Minority interests

2009

1,139

247

69

54

53

15

10

–

–

–

–

–

–

25

2008

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

551

142

101

96

65

49

5

1,612

1,009

(76)

(66)

(47)

(43)

919

Net total attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

1,470

(1)  See Disposals of subsidiaries and businesses note 33.

During 2009 the Group sold its remaining investment in AngloGold Ashanti for 
total proceeds of $1,770 million, generating a profit on disposal of $1,139 million.

Ministerial approval for the sale of Anglo Platinum’s 50% interest in the Booysendal 
joint venture to Mvelaphanda Resources Limited (Mvela) was received in June 2009. 
Total consideration was $275 million (excluding transaction and deal facilitation 
costs), of which $270 million was received in advance in the prior year. At 
31 December 2009 $72 million of this remains in an escrow account pending 
completion of documentation.

The sale of 51% of Anglo Platinum’s holding in Lebowa Platinum Mines Limited 
(Lebowa) and 1% interest in the Ga Phasha, Boikgantsho and Kwanda joint ventures  
to Anooraq Resources Corporation (Anooraq) completed on 30 June 2009 for 
consideration of $363 million (excluding transaction and deal facilitation costs).  
The fair value of the consideration was $247 million (excluding transaction and deal 
facilitation costs). The profit on disposal of Lebowa has been revised since 30 June 
2009 after finalisation of the valuations of financial instruments and loan commitments.

During 2009 the Group sold its remaining investments in Tongaat Hulett and 
Hulamin for total proceeds of $671 million (excluding transaction costs) generating 
a net profit on disposal of $53 million.

112

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
7.  Special items and remeasurements continued
Financing remeasurements

Associates’ profits and losses on disposals

US$ million

US$ million

2009

2008

Disposal of AK06 diamond deposit

Unrealised net (loss)/gain on non-hedge derivatives related to  
net debt

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain on De Beers preference shares

Other remeasurements

Total financing remeasurements

Tax

Minority interests

(100)

(21)

(13)

(134)

2

(2)

Net total attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

(134)

23

28

–

51

–

–

51

Disposal of interests in Williamson, Cullinan and Koffiefontein 

Other 

Associates’ net profit on disposals

Associates’ financing special items

US$ million

Costs associated with refinancing

2009

2008

22

–

(2)

20

–

15

3

18

2009

2008

(7)

–

The unrealised net loss on non-hedge derivatives related to net debt principally 
comprises an unrealised loss on an embedded interest rate derivative.

Associates’ financing remeasurements

Tax special item

US$ million

Write off of deferred tax asset related to Amapá

Minority interest

Net total attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Tax remeasurements

US$ million

Foreign currency translation of deferred tax balances

Minority interests

Net total attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Total special items and remeasurements

US$ million

Unrealised net gain/(loss) on non-hedge derivatives related to 
net debt

2009

2008

6

(15)

2009

(107)

32

(75)

2008

–

–

–

Associate’s tax special item

US$ million

Write off of deferred tax asset related to De Beers’ Canadian 
assets

2009

469

(12)

457

2008

(153)

52

(101)

Total associates’ special items and remeasurements

US$ million

Total associates’ special items and remeasurements before  
tax and minority interests

Tax special item

Tax on special items and remeasurements

Minority interests

2009

2008

(45)

–

2009

2008

(184)

(45)

(6)

1

(223)

–

17

16

Net total associates’ special items and remeasurements

(234)

(190)

Operating special items and remeasurements

US$ million

Operating special items

Operating remeasurements
Total operating special items and remeasurements (excluding 
associates)

Associates’ operating special items

Associates’ operating remeasurements

Total associates’ operating special items and remeasurements
Total operating special items and remeasurements (including 
associates)

Operating special items (including associates)

Operating remeasurements (including associates)
Total operating special items and remeasurements (including 
associates) 

2009

(2,275)

638

2008

(352)

(779)

(1,637)

(1,131)

(299)

96

(203)

(125)

(101)

(226)

(1,840)

(1,357)

(2,574)

734

(477)

(880)

(1,840)

(1,357)

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US$ million

2009

2008

Total special items and remeasurements before tax and 
minority interests

Tax special item
Tax remeasurements

Tax on special items and remeasurements

Minority interests
Net total special items and remeasurements attributable to 
equity shareholders of the Company

Associates’ special items and remeasurements
Associates’ operating special items and remeasurements

US$ million

Impairment of De Beers’ Canadian assets

Impairment of De Beers’ businesses

Share of De Beers’ restructuring costs

Unrealised net gain/(loss) on non-hedge derivatives

Share of De Beers’ class action payment and related costs

Other impairments 

(159)

(107)
469

(174)

61

90

2009

(267)

–

(27)

96

–

(5)

(71)

–
(153)

247

145

168

2008

–

(79)

(37)

(101)

(3)

(6)

Total associates’ operating special items and remeasurements

(203)

(226)

Tax

Minority interests
Net total associates’ operating special items and 
remeasurements

(6)

1

17

16

(208)

(193)

Due to the nature of the assets, the effects of the strengthening Canadian dollar 
and the impact of the global recession on pricing and production levels, De Beers 
has recorded an impairment of $595 million (attributable share $267 million) in 
respect of its Canadian asset portfolio. The impairment brings the carrying value of 
the Canadian asset portfolio in line with fair value (less costs to sell), determined 
using discounted cash flow techniques.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

113

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

8.  Net finance costs
Finance costs and exchange gains/(losses) are presented net of effective cash flow 
hedges for respective interest bearing and foreign currency borrowings.

10.  Tax on profit on ordinary activities
a)  Analysis of charge for the year

The weighted average capitalisation rate applied to qualifying capital expenditure 
was 6.5% (2008: 12.0%). Financing remeasurements are set out in note 7.

US$ million

Investment income

Interest and other financial income
Expected return on defined benefit 
arrangements
Dividend income from financial asset 
investments

Total investment income

Interest expense

Interest and other finance expense

Interest paid on convertible bond
Unwinding of discount on convertible 
bond
Interest on defined benefit arrangements
Amortisation of discount relating to 
provisions

Dividend on redeemable preference shares

2009

2008

Before 
remeasure-
ments

After 
remeasure-
ments

Before 
remeasure-
ments

After 
remeasure-
ments

334

157

23

514

(724)

(44)

(39)
(174)

(45)

–

334

157

23

514

(724)

(44)

(39)
(174)

(45)

–

324

215

50

589

324

215

50

589

(815)

(815)

–

–

–
(201)

–
(201)

(33)

(16)

(33)

(16)

(1,026)

(1,026)

(1,065)

(1,065)

US$ million

United Kingdom corporation tax at 28%

United Kingdom corporation tax at 28.5%

South Africa tax

Other overseas tax

Prior year adjustments

Current tax (excluding special items and remeasurements tax) 
Deferred tax (excluding special items and remeasurements 
tax)

Tax (excluding special items and remeasurements tax)

Special items and remeasurements tax

Income tax expense

2009

2008

50

–

567

700

(45)

–

18

840

1,155

(78)

1,272

1,935

33

610

1,305

2,545

(188)

(94)

1,117

2,451

b)  Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The effective tax rate for the year of 27.7% (2008: 28.6%) is lower (2008: higher) 
than the applicable standard rate of corporation tax for 2009 in the United Kingdom 
(28%) (2008: 28.5%). The reconciling items are:

US$ million

Profit on ordinary activities before tax
Tax on profit on ordinary activities calculated at United Kingdom 
corporation tax rate of 28%
Tax on profit on ordinary activities calculated at United Kingdom 
corporation tax rate of 28.5%

2009

2008

4,029

8,571

1,128

–

–

2,443

215

(850)

215

(850)

Tax effect of share of net income from associates

(24)

(317)

(173)

(145)

Tax effects of:

Less: interest capitalised

Total interest expense

Other financing (losses)/gains

Net foreign exchange losses

Fair value gains/(losses) on derivatives

Net fair value gains on fair value hedges

Other net fair value losses

Total other financing losses

Net finance costs

246

(780)

(24)

29

29

(41)

(7)

(273)

246

(780)

(45)

(71)

29

(54)

(141)

(407)

(2)

2

(18)

(191)

(452)

21

2

(18)

(140)

(401)

9.  Financial instrument gains and losses
The net gains and losses recorded in the Consolidated income statement, in respect 
of financial instruments were as follows:

US$ million

At fair value through profit and loss
Cash flow hedge derivatives(1)
Fair value hedge derivatives

Fair value hedge underlying instruments
Other fair value movements(2)

Loans and receivables

Foreign exchange

Interest income at amortised cost

Available for sale

Net gain transferred on sale

Other income

Other financial liabilities

Foreign exchange

Interest expense at amortised cost

2009

2008

(162)

68

(39)

(380)

(181)

183

1,099

(1,723)

(148)

232

(121)

287

1,554

23

476

50

(92)

(594)

479

(631)

(1)   Gains and losses on derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedge relationships which have been 

realised in the year have been recorded in Group revenue (2008: Group revenue).

(2)  Includes the impact of provisional pricing which is disclosed in note 4.

Special items and remeasurements

Operating special items and remeasurements

Profits and losses on disposals and financing remeasurements

Tax special item

Tax remeasurements

Items not taxable/deductible for tax purposes

Exploration expenditure

Non-deductible net foreign exchange loss

Non-taxable/deductible net interest (income)/expense

Other non-deductible expenses

Other non-taxable income

Temporary difference adjustments

Changes in tax rates

Movements in tax losses

Enhanced tax depreciation

Other temporary differences

Other adjustments

Secondary tax on companies and dividend withholding taxes

Effect of differences between local and United Kingdom rates

Prior year adjustments to current tax

Other adjustments

Income tax expense

558

(340)

107

(469)

22

6

(2)

65

(39)

–

5

–

(45)

356

(139)

(45)

(27)

28

(255)

–

153

20

28

10

127

(78)

(84)

38

(26)

42

634

(181)

(78)

(53)

1,117

2,451

IAS 1 requires income from associates to be presented net of tax on the face of the 
income statement. Associates’ tax is therefore not included within the Group’s income 
tax expense. Associates’ tax included within ‘Share of net income from associates’ for 
the year ended 31 December 2009 is $286 million (2008: $606 million). Excluding 
special items and remeasurements this becomes $235 million (2008: $623 million).

The effective rate of tax before special items and remeasurements including 
attributable share of associates’ tax for the year ended 31 December 2009 was 
33.1%. This was broadly in line with the equivalent effective rate of 33.4% for the 
year ended 31 December 2008. In future periods it is expected that the effective  
tax rate, including associates’ tax, will remain above the United Kingdom statutory 
tax rate.

114

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

11.  Dividends

US$ million

Final ordinary paid – nil per ordinary share (2008: 86 US cents)
Interim ordinary paid – nil per ordinary share (2008: 44 US 
cents)

2009

–

–

–

2008

1,021

517

1,538

The Board has decided to suspend dividend payments.

As stated in note 28, the employee benefit trust has waived the right to receive 
dividends on the shares it holds.

12.  Earnings per share

US$

2009

2008

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders 
of the Company

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share
Headline earnings for the financial year(1)
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Underlying earnings for the financial year(1)
Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

2.02

1.98

2.46
2.40

2.14

2.10

4.34

4.29

3.78
3.74

4.36

4.31

(1)   Basic and diluted earnings per share are shown based on Headline earnings, a Johannesburg stock 

exchange (JSE Limited) defined performance measure, and Underlying earnings, which the directors 
consider to be a useful additional measure of the Group’s performance. Both earnings measures are further 
explained below.

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following 
data:

In April 2009 the Group issued $1.7 billion of senior convertible notes. The senior 
convertible notes were issued with a coupon of 4%, a conversion price of £18.6370 
and unless redeemed, converted or cancelled, will mature in 2014. The Group will 
have the option to call the senior convertible notes after three years from the 
issuance date subject to certain conditions.

Underlying earnings is an alternative earnings measure, which the directors believe 
provides a clearer picture of the underlying financial performance of the Group’s 
operations. Underlying earnings is presented after minority interests and excludes 
special items and remeasurements (see note 7). Underlying earnings is distinct 
from ‘Headline earnings’, which is a JSE Limited defined performance measure.

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share, based on Headline and 
Underlying earnings, uses the following earnings data:

Earnings  

(US$ million)

Basic earnings per share 
(US$)

2009

2008

2009

2008

Profit for the financial year attributable to 
equity shareholders of the Company

Operating special items

Operating special items – tax

Operating special items – minority interests

Net profit on disposals

Net profit on disposals – tax

Net profit on disposals – minority interests

Associates’ special items

Associates’ special items – tax
Associates’ special items – minority 
interests

Headline earnings for the financial year
Operating special items(1)
Operating special items – tax

Operating special items – minority interests

2009

2008

Operating remeasurements

2,425

5,215

32

28

–

–

2,485

5,215

Operating remeasurements – tax
Operating remeasurements – minority 
interests

Financing remeasurements

Financing remeasurements – tax
Financing remeasurements – minority 
interests

Tax special item

1,202

1,202

Tax special item – minority interest

11

40

13

–

Tax remeasurements

Tax remeasurements – minority interests
Associates’ special items(2)
Associates’ special items – tax
Associates’ special items – minority  
interests

Associates’ remeasurements

Associates’ remeasurements – tax
Associates’ remeasurements – minority 
interests

US$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Earnings
Basic earnings, being profit for the financial year attributable to 
equity shareholders of the Company

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares

Interest paid on convertible bond (net of tax)

Unwinding of discount on convertible bond (net of tax)

Diluted earnings

Number of shares (million)
Basic number of ordinary shares outstanding(1)
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares(2)

Share options and awards

Convertible bond

Diluted number of ordinary shares outstanding(1)

1,253

1,215

(1)   Basic and diluted number of ordinary shares outstanding represent the weighted average for the year. 
The average number of ordinary shares in issue excludes shares held by employee benefit trusts and 
Anglo American plc shares held by Group companies.

(2)  Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares 

in issue on the assumption of conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares. 

In the year ended 31 December 2009 there were 231,351 share options which were 
potentially dilutive but have not been included in the calculation of diluted earnings 
per share because they were anti-dilutive. In the year ended 31 December 2008 no 
share options were anti-dilutive.

In the year ended 31 December 2008 share buybacks took place which had an 
impact on the weighted average number of ordinary shares at 31 December 2008.

Underlying earnings for the financial year

2,569

5,237

(1)   Year ended 31 December 2009 includes costs associated with ‘One Anglo’ initiatives, restructuring costs, 
bid defence costs and provisions for onerous contracts (2008: includes costs associated with ‘One Anglo’ 
initiatives, restructuring costs and costs associated with proposed sale of Tarmac and provisions for 
onerous contracts).

(2) Year ended 31 December 2009 includes restructuring costs and the tax special item (2008: includes 

restructuring costs and legal settlements).

2,425

1,908

(66)

(100)

5,215

209

(27)

(1)

(1,612)

(1,009)

76

66

259

(1)

(2)

47

43

67

(1)

(2)

2,953

4,541

367

(41)

(7)

(638)

207

(2)

134

(2)

2

107

(32)

(469)

12

72

(2)

(7)

(102)

9

8

143

(15)

–

779

(252)

(135)

(51)

–

–

–

–

153

(52)

40

(7)

(5)

116

(9)

(9)

2.02

1.59

(0.05)

(0.08)

(1.34)

0.06

0.05

0.21

–

–

2.46

0.30

(0.03)

(0.01)

(0.53)

0.17

–

0.11

–

–

0.09

(0.03)

(0.39)

0.01

0.06

–

(0.01)

(0.08)

0.01

0.01

2.14

4.34

0.17

(0.02)

–

(0.84)

0.04

0.04

0.05

–

–

3.78

0.12

(0.01)

–

0.65

(0.21)

(0.11)

(0.04)

–

–

–

–

0.12

(0.04)

0.03

(0.01)

–

0.10

(0.01)

(0.01)

4.36

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

115

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

13.  Intangible assets

2009

2008

Licences 
and other 
intangibles

Goodwill(1)

Total

Licences 
and other 
intangibles

Goodwill(1)

Total

102

2,915

3,017

15

1,546

1,561

–

31

(12)

(6)

–

–

24

139

19

–

(8)

–

19

31

(20)

(6)

(312)

(312)

–

80

–

104

50

24

–

–

–

15

(2)

1,657

1,707

–

24

(23)

(23)

–

–

(15)

(250)

–

–

–

(252)

2,694

2,833

102

2,915

3,017

US$ million

Cost

At 1 January
Acquired through 
business 
combinations

Additions
Transfer to assets 
held for sale

Disposal of assets

Impairments

Reclassifications

Currency movements

At 31 December

Accumulated amortisation

At 1 January

Charge for the year

Impairments
Transfer to assets 
held for sale

Disposal of assets

Currency movements

At 31 December

Net book value

11

14

39

(7)

(2)

2

57

82

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

11

14

39

(7)

(2)

2

57

2,694

2,776

5

4

2

–

–

–

11

91

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5

4

2

–

–

–

11

2,915

3,006

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on a fair value or value in 
use calculation as appropriate. Value in use calculations use cash flow projections 
based on financial budgets and life of mine or non-mine production plans covering  
a five year period that are based on latest forecasts for commodity prices and 
exchange rates. Cash flow projections beyond five years are based on life of mine 
plans where applicable and internal management forecasts, assume constant long 
term real prices for sales revenue and are benchmarked on external sources of 
information for commodity prices and exchange rates. 

Cash flow projections are discounted using pre-tax discount rates equivalent  
to a real post tax discount rate of 6% (2008: 6%), that have been adjusted  
for any risks that are not reflected in the underlying cash flows. Where the 
recoverability of goodwill allocated to a CGU is supported by fair value less costs  
to sell, market observable data (in the case of listed subsidiaries, market share 
price at 31 December of the respective listed entity) or detailed cash flow models 
are used.

Expected future cash flows are inherently uncertain and could materially change 
over time. They are significantly affected by a number of factors including reserves 
and production estimates, together with economic factors such as commodity 
prices, discount rates, exchange rates, estimates of costs to produce reserves and 
future capital expenditure. Management believes that any reasonably possible 
change in a key assumption on which the recoverable amount is based would not 
cause the carrying amounts to exceed their recoverable amounts.

The Group acquired a controlling interest in Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA on 5 August 
2008 resulting in the recognition of $1.6 billion goodwill. Following the completion 
of a detailed study in 2009, goodwill attributable to the Amapá system, with a 
carrying value of $305 million has been impaired. The recoverable amount of this 
goodwill has been reviewed with reference to fair value (less costs to sell) 
determined using discounted cash flows.

(1)   The goodwill balances provided are net of cumulative impairment charges of $357 million at 31 December 

2009 (2008: $45 million).

14.  Tangible assets

The increase in goodwill relating to acquisition of subsidiaries represents the excess 
of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets, including mining reserves, of 
businesses acquired. Further detail is given in note 32.

US$ million

Cost

Mining 
properties 
and leases(1)

Land and 
buildings

Plant and 
equipment

Other(2)

Total

Impairment tests for goodwill
Goodwill is allocated for impairment testing purposes to cash generating units 
(CGUs) which reflect how it is monitored for internal management purposes. This 
allocation largely represents the Group’s segments set out below. Any goodwill 
associated with CGUs subsumed within these segments is not significant when 
compared to the goodwill of the Group, other than in Iron Ore and Manganese and 
Other Mining and Industrial where the material components of goodwill are split 
out below:

At 1 January 2009

17,124

2,175

12,663

Additions
Acquired through business 
combinations

241

28

53

4

Transfer to assets held for sale

(376)

(116)

Disposal of assets

Disposal of businesses
Reclassifications(3)
Currency movements

(14)

(41)

60

2,121

(17)

(5)

181

296

328

1

(282)

(223)

(26)

3,075

2,277

2008(1)

At 31 December 2009

19,143

2,571

17,813

6,615

4,610

38,577

5,232

(5)

(55)

(32)

(44)

(3,316)

28

(829)

(286)

(116)

–

1,200

8,973

5,894

48,500

US$ million

Platinum

Copper

Iron Ore and Manganese

Iron Ore Brazil

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Tarmac

Other

2009

230

124

230

124

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2009

Charge for the year

1,251

1,556

Impairments

88

88

Transfer to assets held for sale

Disposal of assets

811

190

760

157

Disposal of businesses

Currency movements

2,694

2,915

At 31 December 2009

2,561

412

1,099

(121)

(13)

(12)

441

4,367

634

95

1

(46)

(7)

(1)

88

764

5,663

1,192

325

(227)

(179)

(12)

1,048

7,810

174

12

157

(13)

(14)

(1)

46

9,032

1,711

1,582

(407)

(213)

(26)

1,623

361

13,302

14,776

14,563

1,807

1,541

10,003

7,000

8,612

6,441

35,198

29,545

(1)  Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have 
changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with 
current year presentation.

Net book value

At 31 December 2009

At 31 December 2008

(1)   Includes amounts in relation to deferred stripping.

(2)  Other tangible assets include $8,189 million of assets in the course of construction, which are not 

depreciated.

(3)  Relates mainly to amounts transferred from assets in the course of construction.

116

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

14.  Tangible assets continued

The funds comprise the following investments:

US$ million

Cost
At 1 January 2008
Additions
Acquired through business 
combinations
Transfer to assets held for sale
Fair value adjustment
Disposal of assets
Disposal of businesses
Reclassifications(3)
Currency movements
At 31 December 2008
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2008
Charge for the year
Impairments
Transfer to assets held for sale
Disposal of assets
Disposal of businesses
Currency movements
At 31 December 2008
Net book value
At 31 December 2008
At 31 December 2007

Mining 
properties 
and leases(1)

Land and 
buildings

Plant and 
equipment

Other(2)

Total

12,652
436

2,256
47

12,902
357

5,363
4,886

33,173
5,726

6,341
(66)
–
(5)
(52)
418
(2,600)
17,124

2,652
353
123
(42)
(2)
(12)
(511)
2,561

73
(16)
3
(14)
(1)
216
(389)
2,175

653
84
19
–
(8)
–
(114)
634

436
(118)
–
(182)
(78)
2,048
(2,702)
12,663

6,126
964
114
(65)
(166)
(29)
(1,281)
5,663

508
–
50
(44)
–
(2,682)
(1,466)
6,615

208
104
–
–
(19)
–
(119)
174

7,358
(200)
53
(245)
(131)
–
(7,157)
38,577

9,639
1,505
256
(107)
(195)
(41)
(2,025)
9,032

14,563
10,000

1,541
1,603

7,000
6,776

6,441
5,155

29,545
23,534

(1)   Includes amounts in relation to deferred stripping.

(2) Other tangible assets include $6,050 million of assets in the course of construction, which are not 

depreciated.

(3)  Relates mainly to amounts transferred from assets in the course of construction.

Included in the additions above is $246 million (2008: $215 million) of interest 
expense incurred on borrowings funding the construction of qualifying assets which 
has been capitalised during the year.

The net book value and depreciation charges relating to assets held under finance 
leases comprise:

US$ million

Mining properties and leases
Land and buildings
Plant and equipment
Other

2009

2008

Net book 
value

Deprecia-
tion

Net book 
value

Deprecia-
tion

13
–
22
–
35

2
–
12
–
14

12
34
19
1
66

2
24
5
–
31

The net book value of land and buildings comprises:

US$ million

Freehold

Leasehold – long

Leasehold – short (less than 50 years)

US$ million

Equity
Bonds
Cash

2009

37
115
190
342

2008

23
82
139
244

These assets are primarily rand denominated. Cash is held in short term fixed 
deposits or earns interest at floating inter-bank rates and bonds earn interest at 
a weighted average fixed rate of 9% (2008: 9%) and are fixed for an average 
period of 11.8 years (2008: 10.2 years). These assets are recorded ‘at fair value 
through profit and loss’.

These funds are not available for the general purposes of the Group. All income 
from these assets is reinvested to meet specific environmental obligations. These 
obligations are included in environmental rehabilitation costs under non-current 
provisions (see note 25).

16.  Investments in associates

US$ million

2009

2008

At 1 January
Net income from associates
Dividends received(1)
Transfer from subsidiary/joint venture
Actuarial loss on post retirement benefits
Movement on cash flow hedge reserve
Other equity movements
Acquired
Disposed
Issue of capitalised loans(2) 
Other
Currency movements
At 31 December(3)

3,612
84
(616)
235
(5)
(2)
2
175
(510)
28
105
204
3,312

3,341
1,113
(599)
–
(7)
4
4
9
–
–
–
(253)
3,612

(1)  Nil (2008: $10 million) was received from associates classified as held for sale.

(2)  Excludes nil (2008: $43 million) redemption by De Beers of preference shares included within financial 

asset investments.

(3)  The fair value of the Group’s investment in Anooraq at 31 December 2009 was $105 million (2008: nil). 

The fair value of investments in Tongaat Hulett and Hulamin at 31 December 2008 were $350 million and 
$137 million respectively based on the closing share prices. In July and August 2009, the Group sold its 
shareholdings in Hulamin and Tongaat Hulett, respectively.

The Group’s total investments in associates comprise:

US$ million

Equity
Loans(1)
Total investments in associates

2009

2,999
313
3,312

2008

3,279
333
3,612

(1)   The Group’s total investments in associates include long term debt which in substance forms part of the 

Group’s investment. These loans are not repayable in the foreseeable future.

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

2009

2008

1,791

1,492

The Group’s attributable share of the summarised financial information of associates 
is as follows:

US$ million

2009

2008

6

10

39

10

1,807

1,541

15.  Environmental rehabilitation trusts
The Group makes contributions to controlled funds that were established to meet 
the cost of some of its restoration and environmental rehabilitation liabilities, 
primarily in South Africa.

US$ million

At 1 January
Contributions made
Disposal of businesses
Net interest earned and fair value adjustments
Currency movements
At 31 December

2009

2008

244
29
(1)
14
56
342

252
36
–
16
(60)
244

Total non-current assets
Total current assets
Total current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Group’s share of associates’ net assets
Revenue
Operating costs
Operating special items and remeasurements
Net profit on disposals
Net finance costs
Financing special items and remeasurements
Income tax expense
Minority interests
Group’s share of associates’ net income

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

5,710
2,494
(854)
(4,038)
3,312
3,779
(3,199)
(203)
20
(28)
(1)
(286)
2
84

5,224
3,003
(1,267)
(3,348)
3,612
6,653
(4,549)
(226)
18
(147)
(15)
(606)
(15)
1,113

117

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

16.  Investments in associates continued
Segmental information is provided as follows:

18.  Financial asset investments 

US$ million

By segment(1)
Platinum

Diamonds

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Net income

Aggregate investment

2009

2008

2009

2008

US$ million

(17)

(333)

170

34

214

16

84

13

47

667

72

243

71

447

57

1,353

1,623

658

146

689

19

784

111

678

359

1,113

3,312

3,612

At 1 January 2009

Interest receivable

Net advances

Disposals

Movements in fair value

Currency movements

At 31 December 2009

Non-current

Current

US$ million

At 1 January 2008

Additions

Interest receivable

Net advances

Disposals

Disposal of businesses

Reversal of impairments

Movements in fair value

Currency movements

At 31 December 2008

Non-current

Current

Loans and 
receivables

Available 
for sale 
invest-
ments

Total

935

82

394

2,353

3,288

–

–

82

394

–

(2,049)

(2,049)

(13)

200

1,598

1,595

3

741

86

1,131

1,131

–

727

287

2,729

2,726

3

Available 
for sale 
invest-
ments(1)

Loans and 
receivables

Total

938

3,842

4,780

–

44

153

–

(1)

25

(11)

(213)

935

935

–

827

–

–

827

44

153

(626)

(626)

–

20

(1)

45

(888)

(899)

(822)

(1,035)

2,353

2,180

173

3,288

3,115

173

(1)  Balance at 31 December 2008 principally includes investment in AngloGold Ashanti Limited. This 

investment was sold in 2009. Refer to note 7.

No provision for impairment is recorded against financial assets classified as ‘Loans 
and receivables’ (2008: nil).

19.  Inventories

2009

2008

US$ million

2,310

1,771

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished products

2009

741

1,368

1,103

3,212

2008

774

843

1,085

2,702

2007

703

812

829

2,344

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales 
amounted to $12,481 million (2008: $12,253 million).

Inventories held at net realisable value amounted to $477 million (2008: $561 million).

Write-down of inventories (net of revaluation of provisionally priced purchases) 
amounted to $128 million (2008: $210 million). Of this, $48 million was 
recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales (2008: $210 million) and 
$80 million was capitalised (2008: nil).

There were also $88 million (2008: $11 million) of inventory write-downs 
reversed and recognised as a reduction in the inventory expense for the year.

(1)  Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have 
changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with 
current year presentation.

US$ million

By geography

South Africa

Other Africa

Europe

North America

South America

Australia and Asia

Aggregate investment

2009

2008(1)

1,934

1,752

914

(957)

320

675

426

891

(324)

98

686

509

3,312

3,612

(1)  In 2009 the basis of the geographic split has been amended and the comparatives have been updated 

accordingly.

The Group’s share of associates’ contingent liabilities incurred jointly by investors 
is $102 million (2008: $166 million).

Details of principal associates are set out in note 39.

17.  Joint ventures
The Group’s share of the summarised financial information of joint venture entities 
that are proportionately consolidated in the Group financial statements is as follows:

US$ million

Total non-current assets

Total current assets

Total assets classified as held for sale

Total current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held 
for sale

Group’s share of joint venture entities’ net assets

Revenue

Operating costs (including special items and remeasurements)

Net finance costs

Income tax expense
Group’s share of joint venture entities’ profit for the financial 
year

831

15

(425)

(763)

(6)

1,962

1,702

(711)

(37)

(200)

415

–

(389)

(509)

–

1,288

1,414

(779)

12

(115)

754

532

The Group’s share of joint venture entities’ contingent liabilities incurred jointly with 
other venturers is $40 million (2008: $22 million) and its share of capital 
commitments is $242 million (2008: $414 million).

The Group also holds investments in a number of proportionately consolidated jointly 
controlled operations. The Group’s share of joint venture operations’ net assets is 
$1,224 million (2008: $981 million). The Group’s share of joint venture operations’ 
profit for the financial year is $321 million (2008: $554 million). The Group’s share of 
joint venture operations’ contingent liabilities incurred jointly with other venturers is 
$3 million (2008: $98 million) and its share of capital commitments is $107 million 
(2008: $83 million).

Details of principal joint ventures are set out in note 39.

118

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

20.  Trade and other receivables

US$ million

Trade receivables

Amounts owed by related parties

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Due within 
one year

Due after 
one year

2009

Total

2008

Due within 
one year

Due after 
one year

Due within 
one year

Due after 
one year

Total

2,496

145

2,641

1,969

12

639

201

–

55

6

12

694

207

13

725

222

3,348

206

3,554

2,929

57

–

33

4

94

2,026

3,000

13

758

226

16

420

136

30

–

125

4

3,023

3,572

159

3,731

2007

Total

3,030

16

545

140

The historical level of customer default is minimal and as a result the ‘credit quality’ 
of year end trade receivables which are not past due is considered to be high. Of 
the year end trade receivables balance the following were past due at 31 December 
(stated after associated impairment provision):

US$ million

Less than one month

Between one to two months

Between two to three months

Greater than three months

2009

123

38

12

34

85

30

10

25

207

150

The overdue debtor ageing profile above is typical of the industry in which certain 
of the Group’s businesses operate. Given this, existing insurance cover (including 
letters of credit from financial institutions) and the nature of the related 
counterparties these amounts are considered recoverable.

22. Financial assets
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets are as follows:

2008

US$ million

At fair value through profit and loss
Trade and other receivables(1)
Other financial assets (derivatives)(2)

Loans and receivables

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables(1)
Financial asset investments

Available for sale investments

Financial asset investments

Total financial assets

2009

2008

Estimated 
fair value

Carrying 
value

Estimated 
fair value

Carrying 
value

838

603

838

603

192

376

192

376

3,269

2,509

1,569

3,269

2,509

1,598

2,771

2,605

906

2,771

2,605

935

1,131

9,919

1,131

9,948

2,353

9,203

2,353

9,232

Total trade receivables are stated net of the following impairment provision:

(1)   Trade and other receivables exclude prepayments.

US$ million

At 1 January 2008

Charge for the year

Reclassification

Transfer to assets held for sale

Currency movements

At 1 January 2009

Charge for the year

Transfer to assets held for sale

Currency movements

At 31 December 2009

21.  Trade and other payables

US$ million

Trade payables

Tax and social security
Other payables(1)
Accruals and deferred income

22

16

14

(2)

(9)

41

9

(4)

5

51

2009

2008

2007

2,939

3,183

2,546

163

785

508

74

1,162

351

115

868

421

4,395

4,770

3,950

(1)   On 20 August 2008 Anglo Platinum received $307 million from a subsidiary of Mvelaphanda Resources 
Limited (Mvela) in respect of the anticipated disposal of a 50% interest in the Booysendal joint venture. 
These funds were invested in accordance with the terms of sale and were only to be released to Anglo 
Platinum upon ministerial approval. At 31 December 2008 an amount of $253 million was included  
within other payables representing the obligation to repay the funds failing the receipt of such approval. 
Following ministerial approval and subsequent completion of the disposal on 24 June 2009, the 
$253 million included within other payables was released.

(2)  Derivative instruments are analysed between those which are ‘Held for trading’ and those designated into 

hedge relationships in note 24.

The fair values of financial assets represent the market value of quoted investments 
and other traded instruments. For non-listed investments and other non-traded 
financial assets fair value is calculated using discounted cash flows with market 
assumptions, unless carrying value is considered to approximate fair value.

An analysis of financial assets carried at fair value is set out below:

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

US$ million

Level 1(1)

Level 2(2)

Level 3(3)

At fair value through profit and loss

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets (derivatives)

Available for sale investments

Financial asset investments

–

3

838

569

1,072

1,075

19

1,426

–

31

40

71

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

2009

Total

838

603

1,131

2,572

(1) Valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments. This category 

includes listed equity shares, and certain exchange-traded derivatives.

(2) Valued using techniques based significantly on observable market data. Instruments in this category are 
valued using valuation techniques where all of the inputs that have a significant effect on the valuation 
are directly or indirectly based on observable market data. 

(3) Instruments in this category have been valued using a valuation technique where at least one input (which 
could have a significant effect on the instrument’s valuation) is not based on observable market data. 
Where inputs can be observed from market data without undue cost and effort, the observed input is 
used. Otherwise, management determines a reasonable estimate for the input. Financial assets included 
within level 3 primarily consist of embedded derivatives and financial asset investments where valuation 
depends upon unobservable inputs.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

119

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

22. Financial assets continued
The movements in the fair value of the level 3 financial assets are shown in the 
following table:

US$ million

At 1 January

Net loss recorded in financing remeasurements

Net gain recorded in statement of comprehensive income

Reclassification to Other financial liabilities (derivatives)

Currency movements

At 31 December 

2009

137

(111)

1

35

9

71

For the level 3 financial assets, changing certain inputs to reasonably possible 
alternative assumptions may change the fair value significantly. Where significant, 
the effect of a change in these assumptions to a reasonably possible alternative 
assumption is outlined in the table below. These sensitivities have been calculated 
by amending the fair value of the level 3 financial assets as at 31 December 2009 
for a change in each individual assumption, as outlined below, whilst keeping all 
other assumptions consistent with those used to calculate the fair value recognised 
in the financial statements.

An analysis of financial liabilities carried at fair value is set out below:

US$ million

Level 1(1)

Level 2(2)

Level 3(3)

At fair value through profit and loss

Trade and other payables

Other financial liabilities (derivatives)

–

3

3

315

543

858

–

113

113

2009

Total

315

659

974

(1) Valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments. This category 

includes exchange-traded derivatives.

(2) Valued using techniques based significantly on observable market data. Instruments in this category are 
valued using valuation techniques where all of the inputs that have a significant effect on the valuation 
are directly or indirectly based on observable market data. 

(3) Instruments in this category have been valued using a valuation technique where at least one input  

(which could have a significant effect on the instrument’s valuation) is not based on observable market 
data. Where inputs can be observed from market data without undue cost and effort, the observed input  
is used. Otherwise, management determines a reasonable estimate for the input. Financial instruments 
included within level 3 primarily consist of embedded derivatives where valuation depends upon 
unobservable inputs.

The movements in the fair value of the level 3 financial liabilities are shown in the 
following table:

US$ million

Change in assumption

Financial asset investments

Decrease of 10% in liquidity discount 
percentage

Increase of 10% in liquidity discount 
percentage

Financial asset risk exposures are set out in note 24.

23.  Financial liabilities
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial liabilities are as follows:

US$ million

At fair value through profit and loss

2009

2008

Estimated 
fair value

Carrying 
value

Estimated 
fair value

Carrying 
value

Trade and other payables(1)
Other financial liabilities (derivatives)(2)

315

659

315

659

687

687

1,497

1,497

Designated into fair value hedge

Borrowings

7,793

7,168

2,850

2,850

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Trade and other payables(1)
Borrowings(3)

4,297

8,744

4,297

7,147

4,391

4,391

10,658

11,145

Total financial liabilities

21,808

19,586

20,083

20,570

(1)   Trade and other payables exclude tax and social security and current and non-current deferred income and 

include other non-current payables.

2009

US$ million

Increase/
(decrease)  
in fair value  
of assets

11

(11)

At 1 January

Net gain recorded in financing remeasurements

Net loss recorded in underlying earnings
Reduction in assumed life of financial liability(1)
Reclassification from Other financial assets (derivatives)

Currency movements

At 31 December 

2009

269

(21)

6

(181)

35

5

113

(1)  Relates to reduction of embedded derivative liability in Minera Loma de Níquel and is recorded in operating 

special items.

For the level 3 financial liabilities, changing certain inputs to reasonably possible 
alternative assumptions may change the fair value significantly. Where significant, 
the effect of a change in these assumptions to a reasonably possible alternative 
assumption is outlined in the table below. These sensitivities have been calculated 
by amending the fair value of the level 3 financial liabilities as at 31 December 2009 
for a change in each individual assumption, as outlined below, whilst keeping all 
other assumptions consistent with those used to calculate the fair value recognised 
in the financial statements.

US$ million

Change in assumption

Other financial liabilities  
(derivatives)

Increase of 5% in dividend forecast

Decrease of 5% in dividend forecast
Shift of TJLP curve(1)

2009

Increase/
(decrease)  
in fair value  
of liabilities

9

(9)
(5)-5

(2)  Derivative instruments are analysed between those which are ‘Held for trading’ and those designated into 

(1)  Brazilian domestic long term interest rate curve. Range provided due to the different base assumptions 

hedge relationships in note 24.

used by the relevant banks.

(3) Fair value of the convertible bond represents the quoted price of the debt at 31 December 2009 and 

therefore includes the portion accounted for in equity.

The fair value of financial liabilities is determined by reference to its quoted market 
price, otherwise the carrying value approximates fair value.

Financial liability risk exposures are set out in note 24.

120

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

23.  Financial liabilities continued
An analysis of borrowings is set out below:

US$ million

Secured(2)
Bank loans and 
overdrafts
Obligations under 
finance leases(3)

Unsecured
Bank loans and 
overdrafts
Bonds issued under 
EMTN programme(4)
US bond
Convertible bond(5)
Commercial paper
Obligations under 
finance leases(3)
Other loans

Total

Due within

 one year(1)

Due after 
one year

416

8

424

413

11

424

2009

Total

829

19

848

346

12

358

678

1,024

56

734

68

1,092

351

3,982

4,333

5,114

3,335

8,449

572
–
–
67

–

85

4,410
1,935
1,369
–

–

696

4,982
1,935
1,369
67

–

781

154
–
–
1,116

4

38

2,679
–
–
–

13

450

2,833
–
–
1,116

17

488

1,075

1,499

12,392

13,467

12,816

14,315

6,426

6,784

6,477

7,211

12,903

13,995

24.  Financial risk management and derivative financial assets/

liabilities 

2008

Total

The Group is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related 
risks. The Board has approved and monitors the risk management processes, 
inclusive of documented treasury policies, counterparty limits, controlling and 
reporting structures. The risk management processes of the Group’s independently 
listed subsidiaries are in line with the Group’s own policy.

Due within

 one year(1)

Due after 
one year

The types of risk exposure, the way in which such exposure is managed and 
quantification of the level of exposure in the balance sheet at year end is provided 
as follows (subcategorised into credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk).

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other 
receivables and investments. The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk arising 
from underlying financial assets is as follows:

US$ million

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables
Financial asset investments(1)
Other financial assets (derivatives)

Other guarantees and loan facilities

2009

3,269

3,347

1,598

603

12

2008

2,771

2,797

1,108

376

239

8,829

7,291

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

(1)   Bank loans and overdrafts due within one year include short term borrowings under long term committed 

facilities of $48 million (2008: $2.8 billion).

(2)  Assets with a book value of $1,197 million (2008: $954 million) have been pledged as security, of which 
$753 million (2008: $663 million) are tangible assets, $242 million (2008: $160 million) are financial 
assets and $202 million (2008: $131 million) are inventories. Related to these assets are borrowings of 
$814 million (2008: $881 million) in respect of project financing arrangements.

(3)  The minimum lease payments under finance leases fall due as follows:

US$ million
Within one year

Greater than one year, less than five years

Greater than five years

Future finance charges on finance leases

Present value of finance lease liabilities

2009
9

9

2

20

(1)

19

2008
24

43

86

153

(68)

85

(1)  Includes $546 million (2008: $360 million) of preference shares in BEE entities.

The Group limits exposure to credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial 
instruments through adherence to a policy of:

• 

• 

• 

Where possible acceptable minimum counterparty credit ratings assigned by 
international credit-rating agencies (including long term ratings of A- (Standard 
& Poor’s), A3 (Moody’s) or A- (Fitch) or better);
Daily counterparty settlement limits (which are not to exceed three times the 
credit limit for an individual bank); and
Exposure diversification (the aggregate group exposure to key relationship 
counterparties cannot exceed 5% of the counterparty’s shareholders’ equity).

(4)  In the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group issued $2,215 million of bonds under the EMTN 

programme (2008: $2,404 million). All notes are guaranteed by Anglo American plc.

(5)  Represents the fair value of the debt component of the convertible bond at the date of issue of 

$1,330 million (net of fees) adjusted for unwinding of discount of $39 million. The fair value of the equity 
conversion feature was $355 million and is presented in equity (refer to the Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity).

Given the diverse nature of the Group’s operations (both in relation to commodity 
markets and geographically), together with insurance cover (including letters  
of credit from financial institutions), it does not have significant concentration of 
credit risk in respect of trade receivables, with exposure spread over a large number 
of customers.

During 2009 the Group has raised $2 billion through the issuance of senior notes, 
$1.7 billion through the issuance of senior convertible notes and $2.2 billion 
through the issuance of bonds under the EMTN programme. The senior note 
offering comprised $1,250 million 9.375% senior notes due in 2014 and 
$750 million 9.375% senior notes due in 2019. The senior convertible notes were 
issued with a coupon of 4%, a conversion price of £18.6370 and unless redeemed, 
converted or cancelled, will mature in 2014. The Group will have the option to call 
the senior convertible note after three years from the issuance date subject to 
certain conditions. The issues under the EMTN programme in 2009 comprised 
a —750 million ($1.1 billion) 4.25% bond due in 2013 and a —750 million 
($1.1 billion) 4.375% bond due in 2016. The proceeds from the sale of AngloGold 
Ashanti (refer to note 7), senior notes, senior convertible notes and bonds issued 
under the EMTN programme have been used to prepay the $3 billion revolving bank 
facility which was due to mature in December 2009, fund capital expenditure and 
repay other short term debt owing on Group facilities.

On 8 November 2009 the waivers in respect of various breaches under the Amapá 
long term project financing agreements (facilities of $538 million) expired. 
Subsequent to 31 December 2009, new retrospective waivers were obtained from 
lenders, $181 million has been repaid and a process has commenced to restructure 
the remaining debt.

An allowance for impairment of trade receivables is made where there is an 
identified loss event, which based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction 
in the recoverability of the cash flows. Details of the credit quality of trade 
receivables and the associated provision for impairment is disclosed in note 20.

Liquidity risk
The Group ensures that there are sufficient committed loan facilities (including 
refinancing, where necessary) in order to meet short term business requirements, 
after taking into account cash flows from operations and its holding of cash and 
cash equivalents, as well as any group distribution restrictions that exist.

Non-wholly owned subsidiaries, where possible, will maintain their own financing 
and funding requirements. In most cases the financing will be non-recourse to the 
Group. In addition, certain projects are financed by means of limited recourse 
project finance, if appropriate.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

121

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

24.  Financial risk management and derivative financial assets/

liabilities continued

The expected undiscounted cash flows of the Group’s financial liabilities (including 
associated derivatives), by remaining contractual maturity, based on conditions 
existing at the balance sheet date are as follows:

Within one year

One to two years

Fixed 
interest

Floating 
interest

Capital 
repayment

Fixed 
interest

Floating 
interest

Capital 
repayment

(550)

(200)

(5,660)

(1)

(523)

(185)

(3,226)

461

(89)

(267)

–

(467)

(5,660)

441

(82)

(273)

5

(458)

(3,221)

(191)

(405) (11,385)

(179)

(245)

(732)

156

(35)

(94)

8

(499) (11,377)

164

(15)

(101)

(346)

(53)

(785)

Two to five years

Greater than five years

Fixed 
interest

Floating 
interest

Capital 
repayment

Fixed 
interest

Floating 
interest

Capital 
repayment

(1,379)

(295)

(5,877)

(3)

(672)

(608)

(4,394)

In addition, the Group has a dedicated, committed financing facility for Minas Rio 
of $1.4 billion subject to certain disbursement conditions and the granting of the 
remaining Installation Environmental licence (regarded as likely to occur in 2010) 
(2008: for Minas Rio and Barro Alto totalling $1.6 billion).

The Group also had a $2 billion European Commercial Paper Programme established 
in October 2004. Drawings of nil were made at 31 December 2009 (2008: 
$304 million). The Group also had a Rand 20 billion South African Medium Term 
Note Programme, established in November 2007, on which total drawings of 
Rand 691 million ($94 million) were made at 31 December 2009 (2008: Rand 
7,273 million ($782 million)). Of this drawing, Rand 491 million ($67 million) was 
issued as commercial paper (2008: Rand 7,074 million ($761 million)).

Market risk
This is the risk that financial instrument fair values will fluctuate owing to changes 
in market prices. The significant market risks to which the Group is exposed are 
foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk.

Foreign exchange risk
As a global business, the Group is exposed to many currencies principally as a result 
of non-US dollar operating costs incurred by US dollar functional currency companies 
and to a lesser extent, from non-US dollar revenues. The Group’s policy is generally 
not to hedge such exposures as hedging is not deemed appropriate given the 
diversified nature of the Group, though exceptions can be approved by the Group 
Management Committee.

In addition, currency exposures exist in respect of non-US dollar approved capital 
expenditure projects. The Group’s policy is that such exposure can be hedged at 
management’s discretion, within certain pre-defined limits.

1,187

(712)

(32)

(192)

(1,007)

(5,909)

672

–

(331)

(339)

(939)

(4,733)

The exposure of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities (excluding intra-group 
loan balances) to currency risk is as follows:

Financial 
assets 
(excluding 
derivatives)

Impact of 
currency 
derivatives(1)

Derivative 
assets

Total financial 
assets –  
exposure to 
currency risk

US$ million

31 December 2009
Non-derivative 
financial liabilities
Net settled 
derivatives(2)

31 December 2008
Non-derivative 
financial liabilities
Net settled 
derivatives

US$ million

31 December 2009
Non-derivative 
financial liabilities
Net settled 
derivatives(2)

31 December 2008
Non-derivative 
financial liabilities
Net settled 
derivatives

(202)

177

–

2

–

–

23

–

(108)

82

(2)

–

(4)

–

32

–

565

7

–

–

–

–

31

603

252

71

–

–

–

–

53

376

4,716

3,309

455

87

271

407

703

9,948

3,262

4,048

545

136

286

357

598

9,232

(472)

(422)

(4,348)

(345)

(114)

(2,412)

443

(29)

(304)

9

(726)

(4,339)

345

–

(195)

(400)

(309)

(2,812)

(1)  Includes guarantees and loan facilities.

(2) At 31 December 2009 the expected maturities were not materially different from the contracted maturities.

(3) Includes the full value of the convertible bond and assumes no conversion.

US$ million

At 31 December 2009
US dollar(2)
Rand

Sterling

Euro

Australian dollar

Brazilian real

Other currencies

4,353

3,125

455

85

271

407

649

The Group had the following undrawn committed borrowing facilities at 31 December:

Total financial assets

9,345

US$ million

Expiry date
Within one year(1)
Greater than one year, less than two years

Greater than two years, less than five years

Greater than five years

2009

2008

2,247

3,090

4,093

90

2,994

5

3,081

25

9,520

6,105

(1)  Includes undrawn rand facilities equivalent to $1.9 billion (2008: $0.9 billion) in respect of a series of 
facilities with 364 day maturities which roll automatically on a daily basis, unless notice is served.

At 31 December 2008
US dollar(2)
Rand

Sterling

Euro

Australian dollar
Brazilian real(3)
Other currencies(3)
Total financial assets

3,118

3,895

547

136

290

357

513

8,856

See following page for footnotes.

122

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24.  Financial risk management and derivative financial assets/

liabilities continued

The exposure of the Group’s financial assets (excluding intra-group loan balances) to 
interest rate risk is as follows:

US$ million

At 31 December 2009

US dollar

Rand

Sterling

Euro

Australian dollar

Brazilian real

Other currencies

Financial 
liabilities 
(excluding 
derivatives)

Impact of 
currency
derivatives(1)

Derivative 
liabilities

Total financial 
liabilities –  
exposure to 
currency risk

(7,719)

(3,550)

(1,609)

(3,764)

(543)

(1,052)

(690)

(5,364)

(4)

1,198

3,652

–

401

117

–

(609)

(50)

(13,692)

(3,604)

–

–

–

–

–

(411)

(112)

(543)

(651)

(573)

(659)

(19,586)

Total financial liabilities

(18,927)

At 31 December 2008

US dollar

Rand

Sterling

Euro

Australian dollar
Brazilian real(3)
Other currencies(3)
Total financial liabilities

(7,854)

(5,289)

(1,628)

(1,821)

(528)

(973)

(980)

(19,073)

(3,130)

(1,056)

(12,040)

(15)

1,141

1,697

–

22

285

–

(2)

(5,306)

–

–

–

(439)

–

(487)

(124)

(528)

(1,390)

(695)

(1,497)

(20,570)

(1)   Where currency derivatives are held to manage financial instrument exposures the notional principal 

amount is ‘reallocated’ to reflect the remaining exposure to the Group.

(2)  Of these US$ financial assets, $127 million (2008: $97 million) are subject to South African exchange  

controls and will be converted to rand within the next six months.

(3)  Comparatives have been reclassified to align with current year presentation.

Interest rate risk
Fluctuations in interest rates impact on the value of short term investments and 
financing activities, giving rise to interest rate risk. Exposure to interest rate risk 
is particularly with reference to changes in US and South African interest rates. 
Exposure to Brazilian interest rates is expected to continue to increase in the 
near term.

The Group policy is to borrow funds at floating rates of interest as this is 
considered to give somewhat of a natural hedge against commodity price 
movements, given the correlation with economic growth (and industrial activity) 
which in turn shows a high correlation with commodity price fluctuation. In certain 
circumstances, the Group uses interest rate swap contracts to manage its exposure 
to interest rate movements on a portion of its existing debt. Also strategic hedging 
using fixed rate debt may be undertaken from time to time if approved by the Group 
Management Committee.

In respect of financial assets, the Group’s policy is to invest cash at floating rates of 
interest and cash reserves are to be maintained in short term investments (less 
than one year) in order to maintain liquidity, while achieving a satisfactory return 
for shareholders.

US$ million

At 31 December 2009
Financial assets  
(excluding derivatives)(2)
Derivative assets
Financial asset exposure to 
interest rate risk

At 31 December 2008
Financial assets  
(excluding derivatives)(2)
Derivative assets

Financial asset exposure to 
interest rate risk

Interest bearing  
financial assets

Non-interest bearing 
financial assets

Floating 
rate

Fixed 
rate(1)

Equity 
invest-
ments

Other non- 
interest 
bearing

Total

3,530

1,032

1,131

3,652

9,345

174

–

–

429

603

3,704

1,032

1,131

4,081

9,948

3,098

196

464

–

2,180

3,114

8,856

–

180

376

3,294

464

2,180

3,294

9,232

(1)  Includes $546 million (2008: $360 million) of preference shares in BEE entities.

(2) At 31 December 2009 and 2008 no interest rate swaps were held in respect of financial asset exposures.

Floating rate financial assets consist mainly of cash and bank term deposits. 
Interest on floating rate assets is based on the relevant national inter-bank rates. 
Fixed rate financial assets consist mainly of financial asset investments and cash, 
and have a weighted average interest rate of 11.0% (2008: 13.5%) and are fixed 
for an average period of three years (2008: four years). Equity investments have 
no maturity period and the majority are fully liquid.

The exposure of the Group’s financial liabilities (excluding intra-group loan balances) 
to interest rate risk is as follows:

US$ million

At 31 December 2009

Financial liabilities (excluding derivatives)
Impact of interest rate swaps(1)
Derivative liabilities
Financial liability exposure to  
interest rate risk

At 31 December 2008

Financial liabilities (excluding derivatives)
Impact of interest rate swaps(1)
Derivative liabilities
Financial liability exposure to  
interest rate risk

Interest bearing  

financial liabilities

Floating 
rate

Fixed  
rate

Non- 
interest 
bearing
financial 
liabilities

Total

(5,529)

(8,697)

(4,701) (18,927)

(6,896)

6,896

–

–

(109)

–

(550)

(659)

(12,534)

(1,801)

(5,251) (19,586)

(10,461)

(3,459)

(5,153) (19,073)

(2,829)

2,829

–

–

–

–

(1,497)

(1,497)

(13,290)

(630)

(6,650) (20,570)

(1)   Where interest rate swaps are held to manage financial liability exposures the notional principal amount is 

‘reallocated’ to reflect the remaining exposure to the Group.

Interest on floating rate instruments is based on the relevant national inter-bank 
rates. Remaining fixed rate borrowings accrue interest at a weighted average 
interest rate of 9% (2008: 8%) and are at fixed rates for an average period of four 
years (2008: two years). Average maturity on non-interest bearing instruments is 
14 months (2008: 17 months).

Commodity price risk
The Group’s earnings are exposed to movements in the prices of the commodities 
it produces.

The Group policy is generally not to hedge price risk, although some hedging may 
be undertaken for strategic reasons. In such cases, the Group uses forward and 
deferred contracts to hedge the price risk.

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123

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

24.  Financial risk management and derivative financial assets/

liabilities continued

Certain of the Group’s sales and purchases are provisionally priced and as a result 
are susceptible to future price movements. The exposure of the Group’s financial 
assets and liabilities to commodity price risk is as follows:

US$ million

At 31 December 2009
Total net financial instruments  
(excluding derivatives)
Commodity derivatives (net)(2)
Non-commodity derivatives (net)
Total financial instrument exposure  
to commodity risk

At 31 December 2008
Total net financial instruments  
(excluding derivatives)
Commodity derivatives (net)(2)
Non-commodity derivatives (net)

Total financial instrument exposure  
to commodity risk

Commodity price linked

Subject  
to price 
movements

Fixed
 price(1)

Not linked
to 
commodity 
price

Total

352

(78)

–

733

(10,667)

(9,582)

–

–

–

22

(78)

22

274

733

(10,645)

(9,638)

(291)

(318)

–

183

(10,109) (10,217)

Other

–

–

–

(803)

(318)

(803)

Fair value hedge

Interest rate swaps

(609)

183

(10,912) (11,338)

(1)  Includes financial instruments whose commodity prices are set annually or via contract negotiation.

(2)  Includes a $44 million (2008: $249 million) derivative embedded in a long term power contract.

Derivatives
In accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and IAS 39, the  
fair value of all derivatives are separately recorded on the balance sheet within 
‘Other financial assets (derivatives)’ and ‘Other financial liabilities (derivatives)’. 
Derivatives are classified as current or non-current depending on the expected 
maturity of the derivative. 

The Group utilises derivative instruments to manage its market risk exposures as 
explained above. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for 
speculative purposes, however it may choose not to designate certain derivatives 
as hedges. Such derivatives that are not hedge accounted are classified as 
‘non-hedges’ and fair value movements are recorded in the income statement.

The use of derivative instruments is subject to limits and the positions are regularly 
monitored and reported to senior management.

Embedded derivatives
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are 
treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely 
related to those of their host contract and the host contract is not carried at fair 
value. Embedded derivatives may be designated into hedge relationships and are 
accounted for in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy set out in note 1.

Cash flow hedges
In certain cases the Group classifies its forward exchange and commodity price 
contracts hedging highly probable forecast transactions as cash flow hedges. 
Where this designation is documented, changes in fair value are recognised in 
equity until the hedged transactions occur, at which time the respective gains or 
losses are transferred to the income statement (or hedged balance sheet item) in 
accordance with the Group’s accounting policy set out in note 1.

Fair value hedges
The majority of interest rate swaps (taken out to swap the Group’s fixed rate 
borrowings to floating rate, in accordance with the treasury policy) have been 
designated as fair value hedges. The respective carrying values of the hedged debt are 
adjusted to reflect the fair value of the interest rate risk being hedged. Subsequent 
changes in the fair value of the hedged risk are offset against fair value changes in the 
interest rate swap and classified within financing costs in the income statement.

Non-hedges
The Group may choose not to designate certain derivatives as hedges, for example 
certain forward foreign currency contracts that provide a natural hedge of non-US 
dollar debt in the income statement or where the Group is economically hedged but 
IAS 39 hedge accounting cannot be achieved. Where derivatives have not been 
designated as hedges, fair value changes are recognised in the income statement in 
accordance with the Group’s accounting policy set out in note 1 and are classified as 
financing or operating depending on the nature of the associated hedged risk.

The fair value of the Group’s open derivative position at 31 December (excluding 
normal purchase and sale contracts held off balance sheet), recorded within ‘Other 
financial assets (derivatives)’ and ‘Other financial liabilities (derivatives)’ is as follows:

2009

2008

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

US$ million

Current
Cash flow hedge(1)

Forward foreign currency contracts

Forward commodity contracts

Other

Non-hedge (‘Held for trading’)(2)

Forward foreign currency contracts

Cross currency swaps

Other

Total current derivatives

Non-current
Cash flow hedge(1)

40

–

–

18

–

285

14

8

365

–

(3)

(1)

–

–

(18)

(14)

(40)

(76)

Forward foreign currency contracts

Forward commodity contracts

19

–

–

–

Fair value hedge

Interest rate swaps

Non-hedge (‘Held for trading’)(2)

Forward foreign currency contracts

Cross currency swaps

Other

Total non-current derivatives

157

(70)

26

7

29

238

(2)

(424)

(87)

(583)

(1)   The timing of the expected cash flows associated with these hedges is as follows:

US$ million
Within one year

Greater than one year, less than two years

Greater than two years, less than five years

Greater than five years

10

–

–

140

2

73

20

14

259

–

–

4

41

20

52

117

2009
36

19

–

–

55

(75)

(49)

–

–

–

(460)

–

(14)

(598)

(57)

(4)

–

(69)

(504)

(265)

(899)

2008
(160)

(80)

(11)

–

(251)

  The periods when these hedges are expected to impact the income statement generally follow the cash 

flow profile with the exception of hedging associated with capital projects which is included in the 
capitalised asset value and depreciated over the life of the asset.

(2)  Comparatives have been adjusted in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements –  

Improvements, as described in note 1.

These marked to market valuations are in no way predictive of the future value of 
the hedged position, nor of the future impact on the profit of the Group. The 
valuations represent the cost of closing all hedge contracts at year end, at market 
prices and rates available at the time.

Normal purchase and normal sale contracts
Commodity based contracts that meet the scope exemption in IAS 39 (in that they 
are settled through physical delivery of the Group’s production or are used within 
the production process), are classified as normal purchase or sale contracts. In 
accordance with IAS 39 these contracts are not marked to market.

124

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

24.  Financial risk management and derivative financial assets/

liabilities continued
Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and 
benefits for other stakeholders and, with cognisance of forecast future market 
conditions and structuring, to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the 
cost of capital.

In order to manage the short and long term capital structure, the Group adjusts the 
amount of ordinary dividends paid to shareholders, returns capital to shareholders 
(via, for example, share buybacks and special dividends), arranges debt to fund 
new acquisitions and also may sell non-core assets to reduce debt.

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the ratio of net debt to total capital less 
investments in associates (gearing). Net debt is calculated as total borrowings  
less cash and cash equivalents and current financial asset investments (excluding 
derivatives which provide an economic hedge of debt and including the net debt  
of disposal groups). Total capital is calculated as ‘Net assets’ (as shown in the 
Consolidated balance sheet) excluding net debt. Gearing as at 31 December 2009 
was 30.8% (2008: 37.8%). The decrease in gearing since 31 December 2008 is 
primarily due to the increase in net assets.

Financial instrument sensitivities
Financial instruments affected by market risk include borrowings, deposits, 
derivative financial instruments, trade receivables and trade payables. The 
following analysis, required by IFRS 7, is intended to illustrate the sensitivity of the 
Group’s financial instruments (as at year end) to changes in commodity prices, 
exchange rates and interest rates.

The sensitivity analysis has been prepared on the basis that the components of 
net debt, the ratio of fixed to floating interest rates of the debt and derivatives 
portfolio and the proportion of financial instruments in foreign currencies are all 
constant and on the basis of the hedge designations in place at 31 December. 
In addition, the commodity price impact for provisionally priced contracts is based 
on the related trade receivables and trade payables at 31 December. As a 
consequence, this sensitivity analysis relates to the position as at 31 December.

The following assumptions were made in calculating the sensitivity analysis:

• 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

All income statement sensitivities also impact equity.
For debt and other deposits carried at amortised cost, carrying value does not 
change as interest rates move.
No sensitivity is provided for interest accruals as these are based on pre-agreed 
interest rates and therefore are not susceptible to further rate changes.
Changes in the carrying value of derivatives (from movements in commodity 
prices and interest rates) designated as cash flow hedges are assumed to be 
recorded fully within equity on the grounds of materiality.
No sensitivity has been calculated on derivatives and related underlying 
instruments designated into fair value hedge relationships as these are assumed 
materially to offset one another.
All hedge relationships are assumed to be fully effective on the grounds of 
materiality.
Debt with a maturity of less than one year is floating rate, unless it is a long term 
fixed rate debt in its final year.
Translation of foreign subsidiaries and operations into the Group’s presentation 
currency has been excluded from the sensitivity.

Using the above assumptions, the following tables show the illustrative effect on 
the income statement and equity that would result from reasonably possible 
changes in the relevant commodity price, foreign currency or interest rates.

US$ million

Commodity price sensitivities

2009

10% increase in the platinum price

10% decrease in the platinum price

10% increase in the copper price

10% decrease in the copper price

10% increase in the coal price

10% decrease in the coal price

2008

10% increase in the platinum price

10% decrease in the platinum price

10% increase in the copper price

10% decrease in the copper price

10% increase in the coal price

10% decrease in the coal price

Interest rate sensitivities

2009

50 bp increase in US interest rates

50 bp decrease in US interest rates

50 bp increase in South African interest rates

50 bp decrease in South African interest rates

2008

25 bp increase in US interest rates

25 bp decrease in US interest rates

50 bp increase in South African interest rates

50 bp decrease in South African interest rates
Foreign currency sensitivities(1)
2009

+10% US dollar to rand

-10% US dollar to rand

+10% US dollar to Australian dollar

-10% US dollar to Australian dollar

+10% US dollar to Brazilian real

-10% US dollar to Brazilian real

+10% US dollar to Chilean peso

-10% US dollar to Chilean peso

2008

+10% US dollar to rand

-10% US dollar to rand

+10% US dollar to Australian dollar

-10% US dollar to Australian dollar

+10% US dollar to Brazilian real

-10% US dollar to Brazilian real

+10% US dollar to Chilean peso

-10% US dollar to Chilean peso

Income 
statement

Equity

(14)

(14)

14

89

14

89

(89)

(89)

–

–

(9)

9

47

(47)

–

–

3

(3)

–

–

(6)

6

(11)

11

(59)

59

4

(4)

191

(175)

(11)

14

45

(46)

20

(20)

–

–

(9)

9

47

(47)

(11)

11

3

(3)

–

–

(6)

6

(10)

10

(59)

59

4

(4)

198

(183)

(67)

82

42

(43)

19

(18)

(125)

(128)

176

(25)

30

180

(42)

51

(1)   + represents strengthening of US dollar against the respective currency.

The above sensitivities are calculated with reference to a single moment in time and 
are subject to change due to a number of factors including:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

fluctuating trade receivable and trade payable balances;
derivative instruments and borrowings settled throughout the year; 
fluctuating cash balances; 
changes in currency mix; and 
commercial paper with short term maturities, which is regularly replaced or settled.

As the sensitivities are limited to year end financial instrument balances they do not 
take account of the Group’s sales and operating costs which are highly sensitive to 
changes in commodity prices and exchange rates. In addition, each of the 
sensitivities is calculated in isolation, while in reality commodity prices, foreign 
exchange rates and interest rates do not move independently.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

125

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

25. Provisions for liabilities and charges

Environ-
mental 
restor-

ation(1)

700

(3)

(5)

–

33

(35)
(4)

33

21

(5)

(19)

116

839

US$ million

At 1 January 2009

Acquired through business combinations

Disposal of businesses

Charged to the income statement
Transfer to liabilities directly associated 
with assets held for sale

Capitalised

Unwinding of discount

Unused amounts reversed

Amounts applied

Currency movements

At 31 December 2009

Maturity analysis of total provisions:

US$ million

Current

Non-current

Decomm-
issioning(1)

241

6

(1)

30

Other

544

Total(2)

1,485

–

–

1

(1)

186

249

26. Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets

US$ million

At 1 January

Credited/(charged) to the income statement

Charged to the statement of comprehensive income 

Credited/(charged) directly to equity

Transfer to assets held for sale

(11)

(13)

(59)

4

20

(5)

(1)

53

336

–

4

(61)

(87)

44

617

37

45

(71)

(107)

213

1,792

Reclassifications

Currency movements

At 31 December

Deferred tax liabilities

US$ million

At 1 January

2009

209

1,583

1,792

2008

168

1,317

1,485

Credited/(charged) to the income statement

Credited to the statement of comprehensive income 

Credited/(charged) directly to equity

Acquired through business combinations

Transfer to liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

Disposal of businesses

Reclassifications

Currency movements

At 31 December

2009

258

12

(33)

13

(5)

–

43

2008

474

(31)

(57)

(40)

(14)

(21)

(53)

288

258

2009

2008

(4,555)

(4,650)

144

36

7

54

46

–

–

(398)

130

(25)

(798)

28

18

(79)

(924)

1,219

(5,192)

(4,555)

(1)   The Group makes contributions to controlled funds to meet the cost of some of its decommissioning, 

restoration and environmental rehabilitation liabilities (see note 15).

(2) Provisions for liabilities and charges at 31 December 2007 were $1,224 million. This related to $675 million 
of environmental restoration provisions, $256 million of decommissioning provisions and $293 million of 
other provisions.

(3) Relates to fair value adjustments on acquisitions.

(4) Amounts capitalised in the environmental restoration provision relate to amounts that will be recovered 

from third parties when the actual expenditure is incurred.

Environmental restoration
The Group has an obligation to undertake restoration, rehabilitation and 
environmental work when environmental disturbance is caused by the 
development or ongoing production of a mining property. A provision is recognised 
for the present value of such costs. It is anticipated that these costs will be 
incurred over a period in excess of 20 years.

Decommissioning
Provision is made for the present value of costs relating to the decommissioning 
of plant or other site restoration work. It is anticipated that these costs will be 
incurred over a period in excess of 20 years.

Other
Other provisions primarily relate to cash settled share-based payments, indemnities, 
warranties and legal claims. It is anticipated that these costs will be incurred over 
a five year period.

The amount of deferred tax recognised in the balance sheet is as follows:

US$ million

Deferred tax assets

Tax losses

Post retirement benefits

Share-based payments

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax liabilities

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Fair value adjustments

Tax losses

Derivatives

Provisions

Other temporary differences

2009

2008

49

48

42

149

288

13

36

8

201

258

(2,846)

(2,333)

(1,942)

(2,201)

115

(106)

(405)

(8)

117

119

(287)

30

(5,192)

(4,555)

The amount of deferred tax (credited)/charged to the income statement is as follows:

US$ million

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Fair value adjustments

Tax losses

Derivatives

Provisions

Other temporary differences

2009

(79)

(502)

(33)

208

114

136

(156)

2008

460

(96)

(18)

(281)

211

153

429

126

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

27.  Retirement benefits
The Group operates defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans for the 
majority of its employees. It also operates post retirement medical arrangements 
in southern Africa and North America.

Defined contribution plans
The defined contribution pension and medical cost represents the actual 
contributions payable by the Group to the various plans. At 31 December 2009 
there were no material outstanding or prepaid contributions and so no accrual or 
prepayment has been disclosed in the balance sheet in relation to these plans.

The assets of the defined contribution plans are held separately in independently 
administered funds. The charge in respect of these plans is calculated on the basis 
of the contribution payable by the Group in the financial year. The charge for the 
year for defined contribution pension schemes (net of amounts capitalised) was 
$172 million (2008: $134 million) and for defined contribution medical schemes 
(net of amounts capitalised) was $18 million (2008: $9 million).

Defined benefit pension plans and post retirement medical plans
The majority of the defined benefit pension plans are funded. The assets of these 
plans are held separately from those of the Group, in independently administered 
funds, in accordance with statutory requirements or local practice throughout the 
world. The unfunded pension plans are principally in South America.

The post retirement medical arrangements provide health benefits to retired 
employees and certain dependants. Eligibility for cover is dependent upon certain 
criteria. The majority of these plans are unfunded.

The Group’s provision of anti-retroviral therapy to HIV positive staff has not 
significantly impacted the post retirement medical plan liability.

Independent qualified actuaries carry out full valuations every three years using 
the projected unit method. The actuaries have updated the valuations to 
31 December 2009.

26. Deferred tax continued
The current expectation regarding the maturity of deferred tax balances is:

US$ million

Deferred tax assets

Recoverable within 12 months

Recoverable after 12 months

Deferred tax liabilities

Payable within 12 months

Payable after 12 months

2009

2008

23

265

288

62

196

258

(171)

(218)

(5,021)

(4,337)

(5,192)

(4,555)

The Group had the following balances in respect of which no deferred tax asset has 
been recognised:

US$ million

31 December 2009

Within one year

One to five years

After five years

No expiry date

31 December 2008

Within one year

One to five years

After five years

No expiry date

Tax losses – 
revenue

Tax losses – 
capital

Other 
temporary 
differences

–

14

5

–

–

–

3,304

3,323

1,154

1,154

–

43

21

–

–

–

2,600

2,664

1,166

1,166

–

–

–

7

7

–

–

–

5

5

Total

–

14

5

4,465

4,484

–

43

21

3,771

3,835

The Group also has unused tax credits of $22 million (2008: $356 million) for which 
no deferred tax asset is recognised in the balance sheet. These tax credits have no 
expiry date.

No liability has been recognised in respect of temporary differences associated with 
investments in subsidiaries, branches and associates and interests in joint ventures, 
where the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary 
differences and it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future. The aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with investments 
in subsidiaries, branches and associates and interests in joint ventures, for which 
a deferred tax liability has not been recognised is $16,843 million (2008: 
$23,866 million). The decrease from the previous year is primarily as a result of 
a change to tax legislation.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

27.  Retirement benefits continued
The Group’s plans in respect of pension and post retirement healthcare are summarised 
as follows:

The actual return on plan assets in respect of defined benefit pension schemes was 
a gain of $340 million (2008: loss of $178 million).

2009

2008

Income statement
The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

US$ million

Southern 
Africa

The 
Americas

Europe

Total

Southern 
Africa

The 
Americas

Europe

Total

Assets(1)
Defined 
benefit 
pension plans 
in surplus

54

–

–

54

32

–

–

32

(1)  Amounts are included in ‘Other non-current assets’.

US$ million

Southern 
Africa

The 
Americas

Europe

Total

Southern 
Africa

The 
Americas

Europe

Total

2009

2008

Liabilities
Defined 
benefit 
pension plans 
in deficit
Post 
retirement 
medical plans 
in deficit

–

(173)

(231)

(404)

–

(132)

(45)

(177)

(271)

(271)

(31)

–

(302)

(204)

(20)

–

(224)

(204)

(231)

(706)

(204)

(152)

(45)

(401)

(1)  Included in ‘Investment income’.

(2) Included in ‘Interest expense’.

2009

Post 
retire-
ment 
medical 
plans

Pension 
plans

Total 
plans

Pension 
plans

2008

Total 
plans

Post 
retire-
ment 
medical 
plans

32

–

32

4

–

4

36

–

36

43

1

44

5

–

5

48

1

49

(156)

156

–

32

(1)

(157)

(214)

(1)

(215)

18

17

21

174

180

17

53

(34)

10

21

20

25

201

(14)

35

US$ million

Analysis of the amount
charged to operating profit

Current service costs

Past service costs

Total within operating costs
Analysis of the amount  
charged to net finance costs
Expected return on plan assets(1)
Interest costs on plan liabilities(2)
Net charge/(credit) to net 
finance costs
Total charge to the income 
statement

US$ million

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Defined benefit pension plans

Present value of liabilities

(2,975)

(2,157)

(3,095)

(4,256)

(3,985)

Fair value of plan assets

2,731

2,073

3,148

4,160

3,539

Net (deficit)/surplus

Surplus restriction
Net deficit after surplus 
restriction

(244)

(106)

(84)

(61)

53

(136)

(96)

(163)

(446)

(107)

(350)

(145)

(83)

(259)

(553)

Actuarial gain/(loss) on plan 
assets(1)
Actuarial (loss)/gain on plan 
liabilities(2)

Post retirement medical plans

184

(392)

39

308

438

(361)

208

(48)

(156)

(435)

Present value of liabilities

(322)

(241)

(329)

(422)

(650)

Fair value of plan assets

20

17

20

16

22

Net deficit

(302)

(224)

(309)

(406)

(628)

Actuarial gain on plan assets(3)
Actuarial (loss)/gain on plan 
liabilities(4)

–

1

1

(10)

(5)

16

(29)

–

15

–

(67)

(1)  Net experience gains on pension plan assets were $184 million (2008: loss of $392 million; 2007: gains 

of $32 million; 2006: gains of $314 million).

(2) Net experience losses on pension plan liabilities were $17 million (2008: $29 million; 2007: $112 million; 

2006: $113 million).

(3) Net experience gains on medical plan assets were nil (2008: $1 million; 2007: losses of $1 million; 2006: 

losses of $1 million).

(4) Net experience losses on medical plan liabilities were $3 million (2008: $7 million; 2007: $4 million; 

2006: gains of $36 million).

(5) Includes actuarial gains of $11 million due to a change in modelling methodology.

Cumulative net actuarial losses recognised in the Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income are $509 million (2008: $292 million; 2007: $163 million; 
2006: $126 million; 2005: $228 million).

Actuarial assumptions
The principal assumptions used to determine the actuarial present value of benefit 
obligations and pension charges and credits under IAS 19 Employee Benefits are 
detailed below (shown as weighted averages):

%

Defined benefit pension plans
Average discount rate for plan 
liabilities

Average rate of inflation
Average rate of increase in 
salaries
Average rate of increase of 
pensions in payment
Average long term rate of 
return on plan assets(1)
Post retirement medical plans
Average discount rate for plan 
liabilities

Average rate of inflation
Expected average increase in 
healthcare costs

2009

2008

Southern 
Africa

The 
Americas

Europe

Southern 
Africa

The 
Americas

Europe

9.0

5.8

7.0

5.8

8.5

3.7

6.1

3.1

9.6

10.5

9.0

5.8

7.2

6.6

1.1

4.1

5.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

6.6

n/a

n/a

n/a

7.3

4.0

5.3

4.0

8.6

3.7

5.4

3.2

7.6

11.3

7.3

4.0

5.4

7.1

0.5

3.8

6.0

2.7

2.7

2.8

5.9

n/a

n/a

n/a

(1)  The long term expected return on plan assets has been set with reference to current market yields on 

government and corporate bonds and expected equity bond-outperformance in the relevant jurisdictions. 
The expected return on cash assets has been set with reference to expected bank base rates. The overall 
long term expected rate of return for each class is weighted by the asset allocation to the class at the 
balance sheet date.

Mortality assumptions are determined based on standard mortality tables with 
adjustments, as appropriate, to reflect experience of conditions locally. In southern 
Africa, the PA90 tables (2008: the PA90 tables) are used. The main schemes in 
Europe use the SAPS and PXA00 tables (2008: PXA00 tables). The main schemes 
in the Americas use the RV2004, AT2000 and UP94 tables (2008: RV2004, AT83 
and UP24 tables). The mortality tables used imply that a male or female aged 60 at 
the balance sheet date has the following future life expectancy:

The market value of assets was used to determine the funding level of the 
plans. The market value of the assets of the funded plans was sufficient to cover 
97% (2008: 101%) of the benefits that had accrued to members after allowing 
for expected increases in future earnings and pensions. Companies within the 
Group are paying contributions as required in accordance with local actuarial advice. 
As the majority of the defined benefit pension plans are closed to new members, it 
is expected that contributions (in local currency) will increase as the members age.

Years

Southern Africa

The Americas

Europe

Male

2008

20.5

22.4

25.7

2009

20.5

23.2

27.3

Female

2008

25.5

26.5

28.1

2009

25.4

26.9

29.9

128

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

27.  Retirement benefits continued
The market value of the pension assets in defined benefit pension plans and long term expected rate of return as at 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008 are as follows:

At 31 December 2009

Equity

Bonds

Other

Fair value of pension plan assets

Present value of unfunded obligations

Present value of funded obligations

Present value of pension plan liabilities

Net surplus/(deficit) in pension plans

Surplus restriction related to pension plans

Recognised pension plan assets/(liabilities)

Amounts in the balance sheet

Pension assets

Pension liabilities

At 31 December 2008

Equity

Bonds

Other

Fair value of pension plan assets

Present value of unfunded obligations

Present value of funded obligations

Present value of pension plan liabilities
Net surplus/(deficit) in pension plans

Surplus restriction related to pension plans

Recognised pension plan assets/(liabilities)

Amounts in the balance sheet

Pension assets

Pension liabilities

Southern Africa

The Americas

Europe

Total

Rate of 
return %

Fair value 
US$ million

Rate of 
return %

Fair value 
US$ million

Rate of 
return %

Fair value 
US$ million

Fair value 
US$ million

11.7

8.5

7.0

10.0

6.6

5.2

332

558

44

934

–

(791)

(791)

143

(89)

54

54

–

54

231

422

42

695

–

(602)
(602)

93

(61)

32

32

–

32

9.5

10.9

9.4

10.5

11.7

8.9

75

196

10

281

(146)

(308)

(454)

(173)

–

(173)

–

(173)

(173)

49

137

7

193

(102)

(223)
(325)

(132)

–

(132)

–

(132)

(132)

8.1

5.1

4.0

774

687

55

1,516

1,181

1,441

109

2,731

(5)

(151)

(1,725)

(2,824)

(1,730)

(2,975)

(214)

(17)(1)

(231)

–

(231)

(231)

7.4

5.2

2.7

568

427

190

(244)

(106)

(350)

54

(404)

(350)

848

986

239

1,185

2,073

(6)

(108)

(1,224)
(1,230)

(2,049)
(2,157)

(45)

–

(45)

–

(45)

(45)

(84)

(61)

(145)

32

(177)

(145)

(1)  Relates to an additional liability required in accordance with IFRIC 14 IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

The changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

2009

Post 
retire-
ment 
medical 
plans

Total 
plans

Pension 
plans

2008

Total 
plans

Post 
retire-
ment 
medical 
plans

17 2,090

3,148

20 3,168

1

–

13

3

157

184

75

10

214

(392)

50

9

1

1

11

5

215

(391)

61

14

Pension 
plans

2,073

156

184

62

7

US$ million

At 1 January

Expected return

Actuarial gains/(losses)

Contributions paid by employer
Contributions paid by other 
members

–

(1)

–

(1)

(174)

(371)

151

(180)

(21)

(201)

Benefits paid

208

145

16

16

224

161

Currency movements

At 31 December

(135)

(16)

(151)

2

386

(145)

(811)

(16)

(161)

(5)

(816)

20 2,751

2,073

17 2,090

384

2,731

27.  Retirement benefits continued
Movement analysis
The changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations are as follows:

2009

Post 
retire-
ment 
medical 
plans

Pension 
plans

Total 
plans

Pension 
plans

2008

Total 
plans

Post 
retire-
ment 
medical 
plans

(2,157)

(241) (2,398)

(3,095)

(329) (3,424)

US$ million

At 1 January

(32)

(4)

(36)

(43)

(5)

(48)

Current service costs
Past service costs and effects of 
settlements and curtailments

Interest costs

Actuarial (losses)/gains

Benefits paid
Contributions paid by other 
members
Transfer to liabilities directly 
associated with assets held for 
sale

–

(156)

(361)

135

–

(18)

(10)

16

(7)

(3)

(10)

(9)

(3)

(12)

Currency movements

(396)

(62)

(458)

818

(1)

–

(1)

–

–

85

–

903

At 31 December

(2,975)

(322) (3,297)

(2,157)

(241) (2,398)

Assumed healthcare trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts recognised 
in the income statement. A 1% change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would 
have the following effects:

1% increase

1% decrease

US$ million

2009

2008

2009

2008

Effect on the sum of service costs and 
interest costs

Effect on defined benefit obligations

4

36

3

28

(3)

(30)

(3)

(26)

The Group expects to contribute approximately $58 million to its defined benefit 
pension plans and $30 million to its post retirement medical plans in 2010.

28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments
Called-up share capital

Authorised:

5% cumulative preference shares of £1 each
Ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents each

Called-up, allotted and fully paid:

5% cumulative preference shares of £1 each

Ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents each:
At 1 January

Other

At 31 December

2009

2008

2007

Number of shares US$ million

Number of shares US$ million

Number of shares US$ million

50,000

1,820,000,000

50,000

1,820,000,000

–

1,000

1,000

50,000

1,820,000,000

–

1,000

1,000

–

1,000

1,000

50,000

–

50,000

–

50,000

–

1,342,919,020

738 1,342,911,897

8,118

–

7,123

738

–

1,342,927,138

738 1,342,919,020

738 1,342,911,897

738

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments continued
During 2009 8,118 ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents each were allotted to certain 
non-executive directors by subscription of their after tax directors’ fees (2008: 
7,123 ordinary shares).

In 2009 no ordinary shares were purchased by the Company and held in treasury 
(2008: 5,649,992 ordinary shares). Excluding shares held in treasury (but 
including the shares held by the Group in other structures, as outlined in the Tenon 
and Employee benefit trust sections below) the number of called-up, allotted and 
fully paid ordinary shares as at 31 December 2009 was 1,316,493,628; 
$723 million (2008: 1,316,485,510; $723 million).

At 31 December 2009 the Company held 26,433,510 ordinary shares of 
5486/91 US cents in treasury (2008: 26,433,510 ordinary shares).

At general meetings, every member who is present in person has one vote on a 
show of hands and, on a poll, every member who is present in person or by proxy 
has one vote for every ordinary share held.

In the event of winding up, the holders of the cumulative preference shares will be 
entitled to the repayment of a sum equal to the nominal capital paid up, or credited 
as paid up, on the cumulative preference shares held by them and any accrued 
dividend, whether such dividend has been earned or declared or not, calculated up 
to the date of the winding up.

At 31 December 2009 the Investment Companies together held 112,300,129 
(2008: 112,300,129) Anglo American plc shares with a market value of $4,915 
million (2008: $2,511 million) which represented 9% (2008: 9%) of the ordinary 
shares in issue (excluding treasury shares). The Investment Companies are not 
permitted to hold more than an aggregate of 10% of the issued share capital of 
Anglo American plc at any one time.

Although the Group has no voting rights in the Investment Companies and cannot 
appoint or remove trustees of the charitable trusts, the Investment Companies 
meet the accounting definition of a subsidiary in accordance with IAS 27 
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. As a result, the Investment 
Companies are consolidated in accordance with the definitions of IAS 27 and the 
principles set out in SIC 12 Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities.

Employee benefit trust
The provision of shares to certain of the Company’s share option and share 
incentive schemes is facilitated by an employee benefit trust. During 2009 
3,496,000 shares (2008: 5,248,591 shares) were sold to employees on exercise 
of their options, and provisional allocations were made to options already awarded. 
The cost of shares purchased by the trust is presented against retained earnings. 
The employee benefit trust has waived the right to receive dividends on these shares.

The market value of the 949,244 shares (2008: 4,445,244 shares) held by the 
trust at 31 December 2009 was $44 million (2008: $99 million). 

No ordinary shares were allotted on exercise of employee share option plans 
(2008: nil).

The costs of operating the trust are borne by the Group but are not material.

Share-based payments
During the year ended 31 December 2009, the Group had six share-based payment 
arrangements with employees, the details of which are described in the 
Remuneration report. All of the Group’s schemes are equity settled, either by award 
of options to acquire ordinary shares (ESOS, SAYE and former AAC Executive Share 
Incentive Scheme) or award of ordinary shares (BSP, LTIP and SIP). The ESOS and 
former AAC Executive Share Incentive Scheme are now closed to new participants, 
having been replaced with the BSP. 

The total share-based payment charge relating to Anglo American plc shares for the 
year was made up as follows:

US$ million

BSP

LTIP

Other schemes

2009

2008

57

50

19

50

53

9

126

112

Tenon
Tenon Investment Holdings (Pty) Limited (Tenon), a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Anglo American South Africa Limited (AASA), has entered into agreements with 
Epoch Investment Holdings Limited (Epoch), Epoch Two Investment Holdings 
Limited (Epoch Two) and Tarl Investments Holdings Limited (Tarl) (collectively the 
Investment Companies), each owned by independent charitable trusts whose 
trustees are independent of the Group. Under the terms of these agreements, the 
Investment Companies have purchased Anglo American plc shares on the market 
and have granted to Tenon the right to nominate a third party (which may include 
Anglo American plc but not any of its subsidiaries) to take transfer of the Anglo 
American plc shares each has purchased on the market. Tenon paid the Investment 
Companies 80% of the cost of the Anglo American plc shares including associated 
costs for this right to nominate which together with subscriptions by Tenon for 
non-voting participating redeemable preference shares in the Investment 
Companies provided all the funding required to acquire the Anglo American plc 
shares through the market. These payments by Tenon were sourced from the cash 
resources of AASA. Tenon is able to exercise its right of nomination at any time up 
to 31 December 2025 against payment of an average amount of $7.35 per share to 
Epoch, $11.44 per share to Epoch Two and $9.49 per share to Tarl which will be 
equal to 20% of the total costs respectively incurred by Epoch, Epoch Two and Tarl 
in purchasing shares nominated for transfer to the third party. These funds will then 
become available for redemption of the preference shares issued by the Investment 
Companies. The amount payable by the third party on receipt of the Anglo 
American plc shares will accrue to Tenon and, in accordance with paragraph 33 of 
IAS 32, any resulting gain or loss recorded by Tenon will not be recognised in the 
income statement of Anglo American plc.

Under the agreements, the Investment Companies will receive dividends on the 
shares they hold and have agreed to waive the right to vote those shares. The 
preference shares issued to the charitable trusts are entitled to a participating right 
of up to 10% of the profit after tax of Epoch and 5% of the profit after tax of Epoch 
Two and Tarl. The preference shares issued to Tenon will carry a fixed coupon of 
3% plus a participating right of up to 80% of the profit after tax of Epoch and 85% 
of the profit after tax of Epoch Two and Tarl. Any remaining distributable earnings in 
the Investment Companies, after the above dividends, are then available for 
distribution as ordinary dividends to the charitable trusts.

The structure effectively provides Tenon with a beneficial interest in the price risk 
on these shares together with a participation in future dividend receipts. The 
Investment Companies will retain legal title to the shares until Tenon exercises its 
right to nominate a transferee.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments continued
The fair values of options granted under the ESOS and SAYE schemes, being the more material option schemes, were calculated using a Black Scholes model. No ESOS 
awards were granted in 2009 or 2008. The assumptions used in these calculations for the current and prior years are set out in the table below:

Arrangement(1)

Date of grant

Number of instruments

Exercise price (£)

Share price at the date of grant (£)

Contractual life (years)
Vesting conditions(2)
Expected volatility

Expected option life (years)

Risk free interest rate

Expected departures

Expected outcome of meeting performance criteria (at date of grant) 

Fair value per option granted (weighted average) (£)

2009 SAYE

2008 SAYE

23/04/09

24/04/08

1,481,927

307,297

9.56

11.95

24.16

30.20

3.5-7.5

3.5-7.5

3-7

45%

3.5-7.5

2.7%

5% pa

n/a

6.71

3-7

35%

3.5-7.5

4.6%

5% pa

n/a

13.32

The fair value of ordinary shares awarded under the BSP, LTIP and LTIP – ROCE, being the more material share schemes, was calculated using a Black Scholes model. The fair 
value of shares awarded under the LTIP – TSR scheme was calculated using a Monte Carlo model. The assumptions used in these calculations for the current and prior years 
are set out in the table below:

Arrangement(1)

Date of grant

Number of instruments

Exercise price (£)

Share price at the date of grant (£)

Contractual life (years)

Vesting conditions

Expected volatility

Expected option life (years)

Risk free interest rate

Expected departures

Expected outcome of meeting performance criteria (at date of grant)

Fair value per option granted (weighted average) (£)

BSP

LTIP

LTIP – ROCE

LTIP – TSR 

BSP

LTIP – ROCE

LTIP – TSR

18/03/09

30/03/09

30/03/09

30/03/09

29/02/08

17/03/08

17/03/08

5,929,013

837,180

468,132

468,132

1,690,350

795,465

795,465

2009

2008

–

11.62

3
(3)

45%

3

2.0%

5% pa

44-100%

11.12

–

12.61

3
(4)

45%

3

1.8%

5% pa

100%

10.81

–

12.61

3
(5)

45%

3

1.8%

5% pa

100%

10.81

–

10.81

3
(6)

45%

3

1.8%

5% pa

n/a

8.38

–

28.21

3
(3)

35%

3

4.0%

5% pa

44-100%

31.22

–

31.35

3
(5)

35%

3

3.7%

5% pa

100%

26.93

–

31.35

3
(6)

35%

3

3.7%

5% pa

n/a

19.69

(1)   The number of instruments used in the fair value models differs from the total number of instruments awarded in the year due to awards made subsequent to the fair value calculations. The fair value calculated per the 

assumptions above has been applied to the total number of awards. The difference in income statement charge is not considered significant.

(2) Number of years of continuous employment.

(3) Three years of continuous employment with enhancement shares having variable vesting based on non-market based performance conditions.

(4) Three years of continuous employment.

(5) Variable vesting dependent on three years of continuous employment and Group ROCE target being achieved.

(6) Variable vesting dependent on three years of continuous employment and market based performance conditions being achieved.

The expected volatility is based on historic volatility over the last five years. The expected life is the average expected period to exercise. The risk free interest rate is the 
yield on zero-coupon UK government bonds with a term similar to the expected life of the option.

The charges arising in respect of the other employee share schemes that the Group operated during the year are not considered material.

132

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments continued
A reconciliation of option movements for the more significant share-based payment arrangements over the year to 31 December 2009 and the prior year is shown below. 
All options outstanding at 31 December 2009 with an exercise date on or prior to 31 December 2009 are deemed exercisable. Options were exercised regularly during the 
year and the weighted average share price for the year ended 31 December 2009 was £19.45 (2008: £25.99).

Executive Share Option Scheme(1)
Options to acquire ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents were outstanding under the terms of this scheme as follows:

At 31 December 2009

Year of grant

Date exercisable

1999

1999

2000

2000

2001

2001

2002

2002

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004
2005

2005

2005

24 June 2002 to 23 June 2009

19 October 2002 to 18 October 2009

23 March 2003 to 22 March 2010

12 September 2003 to 11 September 2010

2 April 2004 to 1 April 2011

13 September 2004 to 12 September 2011

18 March 2005 to 17 March 2012

13 September 2005 to 12 September 2012

5 March 2006 to 4 March 2013

13 August 2006 to 12 August 2013

1 March 2007 to 28 February 2014

10 August 2007 to 9 August 2014

29 November 2007 to 28 November 2014
6 January 2008 to 4 January 2015

1 August 2008 to 31 July 2015

19 August 2008 to 18 August 2015

At 31 December 2008

Year of grant

Date exercisable

24 June 2002 to 23 June 2009

19 October 2002 to 18 October 2009

23 March 2003 to 22 March 2010

12 September 2003 to 11 September 2010

2 April 2004 to 1 April 2011

13 September 2004 to 12 September 2011

1999

1999

2000

2000

2001

2001

2002

2002

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2005

18 March 2005 to 17 March 2012

11.50

1,298,242

13 September 2005 to 12 September 2012

5 March 2006 to 4 March 2013

13 August 2006 to 12 August 2013

1 March 2007 to 28 February 2014

10 August 2007 to 9 August 2014

29 November 2007 to 28 November 2014

6 January 2008 to 4 January 2015

1 August 2008 to 31 July 2015

19 August 2008 to 18 August 2015

8.05

9.28

11.41

13.43

11.52

12.73

12.12

14.40

13.94

11,000

2,350,685

32,937

2,641,345

84,373

11,147

37,579

18,000

5,500

9,641,610

Option price  
per share £

Options 
outstanding  
1 Jan 2009

Options 
granted 
in year

Options 
forfeited 
in year

Options 
expired 
in year

Options 
outstanding  
31 Dec 2009

6.98

8.00

7.66

10.19

10.03

8.00

11.50

8.05

9.28

11.41

13.43

11.52
12.73

12.12

14.40

13.94

514,333

7,000

716,122

3,056

879,620

23,750

943,861

7,000

1,763,011

22,500

1,927,167

57,309
8,791

37,579

18,000

2,750

6,931,849

Option price  
per share £

6.98

8.00

7.66

10.19

10.03

8.00

Options 
outstanding  
1 Jan 2008

772,256

29,000

1,056,732

15,000

1,251,064

26,750

Options 
exercised 
in year

(514,333)

(7,000)

–

–

(299,888)

(9,000)

–

–

(161,312)

(22,408)

–

–

(176,520)

(25,338)

–

(332,431)

(12,500)

–

(64,258)

(10,000)

(319,961)

(170,041)

(23,500)
(8,791)

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

(1,856,236)

(301,045)

Options 
exercised 
in year

(247,973)

–

(267,610)

(8,944)

Options 
forfeited 
in year

(9,950)

(22,000)

(73,000)

(3,000)

(211,600)

(159,844)

–

(3,000)

(220,781)

(133,600)

–

(4,000)

(417,174)

(170,500)

(9,437)

(1,000)

(540,912)

(173,266)

(23,064)

(2,356)

–

–

(2,750)

(4,000)

–

–

–

–

(1,952,601)

(757,160)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

Options 
granted 
in year

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

407,234

3,056

695,900

23,750

742,003

7,000

1,366,322

–

1,437,165

33,809
–

37,579

18,000

2,750

4,774,568

Options 
expired 
in year

Options 
outstanding  

31 Dec 2008

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

514,333

7,000

716,122

3,056

879,620

23,750

943,861

7,000

1,763,011

22,500

1,927,167

57,309

8,791

37,579

18,000

2,750

6,931,849

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

See page 136 for footnote.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

133

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments continued
SAYE Share Option Scheme(1)
Options to acquire ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents were outstanding under the terms of this scheme as follows:

At 31 December 2009

Year of grant

Date exercisable

2001

2002

2003

2003

2004

2004

2005

2005

2005

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2008

2009

2009

2009

1 July 2008 to 31 December 2008

1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010

1 September 2008 to 28 February 2009

1 September 2010 to 28 February 2011

1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010

1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012

1 September 2008 to 28 February 2009

1 September 2010 to 28 February 2011

1 September 2012 to 28 February 2013

1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010

1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012

1 September 2013 to 28 February 2014

1 September 2010 to 28 February 2011

1 September 2012 to 28 February 2013

1 September 2014 to 28 February 2015

1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012

1 September 2013 to 28 February 2014

1 September 2015 to 29 February 2016

1 September 2012 to 28 February 2013

1 September 2014 to 28 February 2015

1 September 2016 to 28 February 2017

At 31 December 2008

Year of grant

Date exercisable

2000

2001

2002

2002

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2005

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2008

1 July 2007 to 31 December 2007

1 July 2008 to 31 December 2008

1 September 2007 to 29 February 2008

1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010

1 September 2008 to 28 February 2009

1 September 2010 to 28 February 2011

1 September 2007 to 29 February 2008

1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010

1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012

1 September 2008 to 28 February 2009

1 September 2010 to 28 February 2011

1 September 2012 to 28 February 2013

1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010

1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012

1 September 2013 to 28 February 2014

1 September 2010 to 28 February 2011

1 September 2012 to 28 February 2013

1 September 2014 to 28 February 2015

1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012

1 September 2013 to 28 February 2014

1 September 2015 to 29 February 2016

See page 136 for footnote.

Option price  
per share £

Options 
outstanding  
1 Jan 2009

Options 
granted 
in year

8.45

9.23

7.52

7.52

10.81

10.81

10.15

10.15

10.15

17.97

17.97

17.97

21.42

21.42

21.42

24.16

24.16

24.16

9.56

9.56

9.56

870

24,349

4,189

40,908

69,295

18,129

7,733

237,371

43,060

169,942

105,138

28,699

137,115

72,086

30,991

168,225

69,231

32,378

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

847,891

498,808

135,228

Options 
exercised 
in year

–

(19,892)

(3,491)

(3,103)

(65,799)

(3,278)

(3,780)

Options 
forfeited 
in year

(870)

(2,278)

(698)

(1,049)

(2,107)

(2,007)

(3,953)

(27,734)

(18,425)

(2,904)

(109,117)

(2,599)

(269)

(840)

(539)

–

(6,390)

(38,521)

(44,935)

(10,350)

(63,691)

(34,617)

(13,901)

(220)

(103,169)

(92)

–

(235)

(515)

–

(42,292)

(19,314)

(25,411)

(20,543)

(5,282)

1,259,709

1,481,927

(244,407)

(459,803)

Option price  
per share £

Options 
outstanding  
1 Jan 2008

Options 
granted 
in year

4.85

8.45

9.23

9.23

7.52

7.52

10.81

10.81

10.81

10.15

10.15

10.15

17.97

17.97

17.97

21.42

21.42

21.42

24.16

24.16

24.16

5,528

36,294

2,648

24,738

152,728

40,908

2,506

72,162

18,324

275,727

254,714

48,059

208,452

122,114

34,021

178,172

86,324

36,918

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

194,711

76,937

35,649

Options 
exercised 
in year

–

(35,392)

(429)

(333)

Options 
forfeited 
in year

(5,528)

(32)

(2,219)

(56)

(147,206)

(1,333)

–

(2,089)

(1,441)

–

(262,405)

(7,419)

(162)

(2,459)

(288)

(133)

(501)

(64)

–

–

–

–

–

(417)

(1,426)

(195)

(5,589)

(9,924)

(4,837)

(36,051)

(16,688)

(5,189)

(40,556)

(14,174)

(5,927)

(26,486)

(7,706)

(3,271)

1,600,337

307,297

(460,321)

(187,604)

Options 
expired 
in year

Options 
outstanding  
31 Dec 2009

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,179

–

36,756

1,389

12,844

–

191,212

33,766

22,304

57,604

18,080

72,584

36,930

17,090

64,836

26,847

13,064

822,245

477,750

129,946

2,037,426

Options 
expired 
in year

Options 
outstanding  

31 Dec 2008

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

870

–

24,349

4,189

40,908

–

69,295

18,129

7,733

237,371

43,060

169,942

105,138

28,699

137,115

72,086

30,991

168,225

69,231

32,378

1,259,709

134

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments continued
Former AAC Executive Share Incentive Scheme(1)

At 31 December 2009
All options relating to the former AAC Executive Share Incentive Scheme were exercised or expired during 2008.

At 31 December 2008

Year of grant

Date exercisable

1998

1999

1 January 2000 to 4 December 2008

4 January 2001 to 4 January 2009

See following page for footnote.

Options 
outstanding 
1 Jan 2008

679,800

38,700

718,500

Options 
granted 
in year

 –

 –

 –

Options 
exercised 
in year

(587,560)

(33,900)

(621,460)

Options 
forfeited 
in year

Options 
expired 
in year

Options 
outstanding 
31 Dec 2008

 –

 –

 –

(92,240)

(4,800)

(97,040)

–

–

–

Long Term Incentive Plan(1)(2)
Ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents may be awarded for no consideration under the terms of this scheme. The number of shares outstanding is shown below:

At 31 December 2009

Year of grant

Vesting date

2006

2007

2008

2008

2009

29 March 2009

23 March 2010

17 March 2011

18 August 2011

30 March 2012

At 31 December 2008

Year of grant

Vesting date

2005

2005

2006

2007

2008

2008

2 April 2008

1 June 2008

29 March 2009

23 March 2010

17 March 2011

18 August 2011

See following page for footnotes.

Shares 
outstanding 
1 Jan 2009

Shares 
conditionally 
awarded in year

Shares 
vested 
in year

Shares  
forfeited 
in year

Shares 
expired 
in year

Shares 
outstanding 
31 Dec 2009

1,202,032

1,604,945

1,576,018

83,200

–

–

–

–

(598,386)

(603,646)

(31,000)

–

(250)

(48,772)

(75,770)

(9,000)

–

1,773,444

(29,773)

(52,127)

4,466,195

1,773,444

(659,409)

(789,315)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,525,173

1,500,248

73,950

1,691,544

4,790,915

Shares 
outstanding 
1 Jan 2008

Shares 
conditionally 
awarded in year

Shares 
vested 
in year

Shares 
forfeited 
in year

Shares 
expired 
in year

Shares 
outstanding 
31 Dec 2008

1,806,992

61,993

1,423,723

1,760,571

–

–

–

–

(1,563,495)

(243,497)

(61,993)

–

(14,375)

(207,316)

(5,526)

(150,100)

 –

1,623,929

–

(47,911)

 –
5,053,279

83,200

–
1,707,129 (1,645,389)

–
(648,824)

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

1,202,032

1,604,945

1,576,018

83,200
4,466,195

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

135

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

28. Called-up share capital and share-based payments continued
Bonus Share Plan(3)
Ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents may be awarded under the terms of this scheme for no consideration. The number of shares outstanding is shown below:

At 31 December 2009

Year of grant

Performance period end date

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

31 December 2007

31 December 2008

31 December 2009

31 December 2010

31 December 2011

At 31 December 2008

Year of grant

Performance period end date

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

31 December 2006

31 December 2007

31 December 2008

31 December 2009

31 December 2010

Shares 
outstanding 
1 Jan 2009

Shares 
conditionally 
awarded in year

826

1,270,144

1,396,613

1,622,451

–

–

–

–

Shares 
vested 
in year

–

(1,232,752)

(48,233)

(40,756)

–

5,943,960

(146,171)

Shares 
forfeited 
in year

(826)

(36,028)

(41,875)

(45,920)

(52,021)

4,290,034

5,943,960 (1,467,912)

(176,670)

Shares 
expired 
in year

Shares 
outstanding 
31 Dec 2009

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,364

1,306,505

1,535,775

5,745,768

8,589,412

Shares 
outstanding 
1 Jan 2008

Shares 
conditionally 
awarded in year

5,684

1,847,813

1,424,558

1,544,288

–

–

–

–

–

1,701,688

Shares 
vested 
in year

(5,684)

Shares 
forfeited 
in year

–

(1,709,848)

(137,139)

(75,498)

(54,786)

(28,623)

(78,916)

(92,889)

(50,614)

4,822,343

1,701,688 (1,874,439)

(359,558)

Shares 
expired 
in year

Shares 
outstanding 
31 Dec 2008

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

826

1,270,144

1,396,613

1,622,451

4,290,034

Share Incentive Plan
Ordinary shares of 5486/91 US cents may be awarded under the terms of this scheme for no consideration. The number of shares outstanding is shown below:

Share Incentive Plan

Awards outstanding at  

Awards outstanding at  

31 Dec 2009

985,681

31 Dec 2008

968,341

Latest release date

7 December 2012

(1)  The early exercise of share options is permitted at the discretion of the Company upon the termination of employment, ill health or death.

(2) The LTIP awards are contingent on pre-established performance criteria being met. Further information in respect of this scheme is shown in the Remuneration report.

(3)  The BSP was approved by shareholders in 2004 as a replacement for the ESOS and the Deferred Bonus Plan. Further information in respect of the BSP, including performance conditions, is shown in the Remuneration 

report.

29. Consolidated equity analysis
An analysis of Deferred tax and Tax on items transferred from equity by individual item presented in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income is presented below:

US$ million

Deferred tax

Revaluation of available for sale investments

Cash flow hedges

Actuarial net loss on post retirement benefit schemes

Net deferred tax recognised directly in equity

Tax on items transferred from equity

Transferred to income statement: sale of available for sale investments

Transferred to income statement: cash flow hedges

Transferred to initial carrying amount of hedged items: cash flow hedges

Net tax on total transferred from equity

Fair value and other reserves comprise:

2009 

2008 

(105)

(22)

53

(74)

135

(51)

(7)

77

79

56

32

167

–

(94)

–

(94)

US$ million

Balance at 1 January 2008

Total comprehensive income

Other
Balance at 1 January 2009

Total comprehensive income

Issue of convertible bond

Disposal of businesses

Balance at 31 December 2009

Convertible  
debt reserve

Available  

for sale reserve

Cash flow  

hedge reserve

Other reserves(1)

Total fair value and 
other reserves

–

–

–
–

–

355

–

355

2,373

(1,285)

–
1,088

(783)

–

–

305

(304)

110

–
(194)

226

–

(1)

31

804

–

34
838

–

–

–

838

2,873

(1,175)

34
1,732

(557)

355

(1)

1,529

(1)   Other reserves comprise a legal reserve of $689 million (2008: $689 million), a revaluation reserve of $34 million (2008: $34 million) and a capital redemption reserve of $115 million (2008: $115 million).

136

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

30. Consolidated cash flow analysis
a)  Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash inflows from operations

US$ million

Profit before tax

Depreciation and amortisation

Share-based payment charges

Net profit on disposals

Operating and financing remeasurements

Non-cash element of operating special items

Net finance costs before remeasurements

Share of net income from associates

Provisions

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in operating receivables

(Decrease)/increase in operating payables

Deferred stripping

Other adjustments

Cash inflows from operations

b)  Reconciliation to the balance sheet

US$ million

Balance sheet
Balance sheet – disposal groups(2)
Bank overdrafts
Bank overdrafts – disposal groups(2)
Net debt classifications

2009 

2008 

4,029

1,725

204

8,571

1,509

155

(1,612)

(1,009)

(504)

1,981

273

(84)

(46)

23

(360)

(573)

(150)

(2)

728

284

452

(1,113)

46

(999)

80

896

(89)

68

4,904

9,579

Cash and cash

 equivalents(1)

Short term borrowings

Medium and long term 
borrowings

Current financial asset 
investments

2009

2008 

2009

2008

2009

2008

2009

3,269

2,771

(1,499)

(6,784)

(12,816)

(7,211)

64

(1)

(13)

8

(35)

–

–

1

–

–

35

–

(3)

–

–

–

–

–

3,319

2,744

(1,498)

(6,749)

(12,819)

(7,211)

3

–

–

–

3

2008

173

–

–

–

173

(1)  ‘Short term borrowings’ on the balance sheet include overdrafts which are included within cash and cash equivalents in determining net debt.

(2) Disposal group balances are shown within ‘Assets classified as held for sale’ and ‘Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale’ on the balance sheet.

c)  Movement in net debt

US$ million

Balance at 1 January 2008

Cash flow

Acquisition of businesses

Reclassifications

Movement in fair value

Other non-cash movements

Currency movements

Balance at 1 January 2009
Cash flow(4)
Unwinding of discount on convertible bond
Equity component of convertible bond(4)
Reclassifications

Movement in fair value

Other non-cash movements

Currency movements

Balance at 31 December 2009

Cash  

and cash
 equivalents(1)

3,074

(143)

–

–

–

–

(187)

2,744

259

–

–

–

–

–

316

3,319

Debt due  
within  

one year

(5,909)

(1,432)

(209)

190

(11)

–

622

(6,749)

6,624

–

–

(917)

–

(15)

(441)

Debt due  
after  

one year

(2,404)

(5,181)

(461)

(190)

(176)

(15)

1,216

(7,211)

(6,253)

(39)

355

917

63

(26)

(625)

(1,498)

(12,819)

Current  

financial asset
 investments

–

210

–

–

–

–

(37)
(3)

173

(200)

–

–

–

–

3

27

3

Net debt 
excluding 
hedges

(5,239)

(6,546)

(670)

–

(187)

(15)

1,614

Total net debt 
including  
hedges

(4,851)

(6,926)

(670)

–

(492)

(15)

1,614

Hedges(2)

388

(380)

–

–

(305)

–

–

(11,043)

(297)

(11,340)

430

(39)

355

–

63

(38)

(723)

85

–

–

–

(73)

–

–

515

(39)

355

–

(10)

(38)

(723)

(10,995)

(285)

(11,280)

(1)   The Group operates in certain countries (principally South Africa and Venezuela) where the existence of exchange controls may restrict the use of certain cash balances. In addition, the use of cash balances of $111 million 

(2008: $91 million) are subject to certain legal restrictions. These restrictions are not expected to have a material effect on the Group’s ability to meet ongoing obligations. 

(2)  Derivative instruments that provide an economic hedge of assets and liabilities in net debt are included above to reflect the true net debt position of the Group at the year end. These consist of net current derivative assets 

of $41 million (2008: $437 million net liabilities) and net non-current derivative liabilities of $326 million (2008: $140 million net assets) which are classified within ‘Other financial assets (derivatives)’ and ‘Other 
financial liabilities (derivatives)’ on the balance sheet.

(3)  Relates to amounts invested in unlisted preference shares (guaranteed by Nedbank Limited and Nedbank Group Limited) pending completion of the disposal of the Group’s 50% interest in the Booysendal joint venture. 

This amount was received upon completion of the transaction in June 2009.

(4)  The issue of the convertible bond had a net impact on debt due after one year at the date of issue of $1,330 million due to the conversion feature of $355 million which is presented separately in equity.

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

31.  EBITDA by segment

US$ million

By segment(1)
Platinum

Diamonds

Copper

Nickel

Iron Ore and Manganese

Metallurgical Coal

Thermal Coal

Other Mining and Industrial

Exploration

Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs

EBITDA

2009 

2008 

677

215

2,675

665

2,254

2,104

28

1,593

706

875

878

(172)

(124)

150

2,625

1,319

1,200

1,513

(212)

(192)

6,930

11,847

(1)  Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with current 

year presentation.

EBITDA is stated before special items and remeasurements and is reconciled to operating profit, including attributable share of associates, before special items and 
remeasurements and to ‘Total profit from operations and associates’ as follows:

US$ million

Total profit from operations and associates

Operating special items and remeasurements (including associates)

Net profit on disposals (including associates)

Associates’ financing special items and remeasurements

Share of associates’ interest, tax and minority interests

Operating profit, including associates, before special items and remeasurements

Depreciation and amortisation: subsidiaries and joint ventures

Depreciation and amortisation: associates

EBITDA

EBITDA is reconciled to ‘Cash inflows from operations’ as follows:

US$ million

EBITDA

Share of operating profit of associates before special items and remeasurements

Cash element of operating special items

Depreciation and amortisation in associates

Share-based payment charges

Provisions

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in operating receivables

(Decrease)/increase in operating payables

Deferred stripping

Other adjustments

Cash inflows from operations

2009 

2008 

4,436

1,840

8,972

1,357

(1,632)

(1,027)

1

312

4,957

1,725

248

15

768

10,085

1,509

253

6,930

11,847

2009 

2008 

6,930

11,847

(580)

(2,104)

(294)

(248)

204

(46)

23

(360)

(573)

(150)

(2)

(68)

(253)

155

46

(999)

80

896

(89)

68

4,904

9,579

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

32. Acquisitions
Acquisition of subsidiaries
The Group made no material acquisitions of subsidiaries in the year ended 31 December 2009.

In the year ended 31 December 2009 fair values shown principally include final adjustments to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Anglo Ferrous 
Brazil SA acquisition, including the recognition of provisions in respect of certain power arrangements.

The carrying value and fair value of the net assets at the date of acquisition of a controlling interest and related net cash outflows are shown below:

US$ million

Net assets acquired

Tangible assets

Other non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Minority interests

Add: Value attributable to reserves and resources acquired, net of deferred tax(1)
Fair value of net assets acquired

Goodwill arising on acquisitions

Total cost of acquisitions

Satisfied by

Net cash acquired
Net cash paid(2)

Total  

carrying value

2009

Total  

 fair value

2008

Total  

 fair value

1

–

2

(1)

–

–

2

(4)

–

4

(8)

(11)

–

(19)

21

2

2

4

–
4

997

109

457

(314)

(547)

(230)

472

1,649

2,121

1,610

3,731

255
3,476

(1)  Represents the Group’s share of value (implicit in the transaction) of reserves and resources, capitalised within tangible assets.

(2) Represents net cash paid to acquire a controlling interest and therefore excludes $75 million paid to acquire minority interests in existing subsidiaries (2008: $2,411 million). In the year ended 31 December 2009 this 

principally related to Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA (2008: Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA and Anglo Platinum Limited). When totalled with net cash paid to acquire control, the net cash paid for acquisition of subsidiaries in the year 
ended 31 December 2009 is $79 million (2008: $5,887 million).

In the year ended 31 December 2008 the Group purchased 7,941,964 shares in Anglo Platinum Limited for total consideration of $1,108 million. The cash paid in the year 
ended 31 December 2008 was $1,113 million. At 31 December 2009 the Group’s shareholding in Anglo Platinum Limited was 79.7% (2008: 79.6%). The increase in the 
Group’s shareholding since 31 December 2008 is due to treasury shares purchased by Anglo Platinum Limited in the year.

On 5 August 2008 the Group acquired a 63.3% shareholding in Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA, which holds a 51% interest in the Minas Rio iron ore project (Minas Rio) and a 70% 
interest in Amapá at a price of R$28.147 ($18.056) per share. At that time the Group committed to extend the offer to the minority shareholders of Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA. 
This offer was formally made on 31 October 2008 and remained open through the first quarter of 2009, resulting in a Group shareholding in Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA at 
31 December 2009 of 100% (2008: 98.9%). Total cash paid to acquire a controlling interest was $3.5 billion and a further $2.0 billion (including cash settlement of a related 
derivative instrument ($0.7 billion)) was paid to acquire minority interests. In the year ended 31 December 2009 $49 million was paid to acquire remaining minority 
interests. These transactions followed on from the acquisition in 2007 of a 49% interest in each of Minas Rio and LLX Minas Rio, which owns the port of Açu. As a result of 
these transactions the Group’s effective shareholding in each of the operating entities at 31 December 2009 was 100% in Minas Rio, 49% in LLX Minas Rio and 70% in 
Amapá (2008: 99.4% in Minas Rio, 49% in LLX Minas Rio and 69.2% in Amapá).

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

32. Acquisitions continued
Acquisition of material joint ventures
The Group made no material acquisitions of joint ventures in the year ended 
31 December 2009 (2008: one).

The fair value of the net assets acquired and related net cash outflow for the prior 
year are shown below:

Disposals of subsidiaries and businesses in the year ended 31 December 
2009
The disposals of Lebowa and Booysendal were the only material disposals of a 
subsidiary or a joint venture in the year. The only material disposals of associates in 
the year related to the sale of the Group’s remaining investments in Tongaat Hulett 
and Hulamin, which generated a combined net cash inflow of $662 million (net of 
transaction costs).

US$ million

Net assets acquired

Tangible assets

Value attributable to reserves and resources acquired

Other tangible assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Fair value of net assets acquired and total cost of acquisitions

Satisfied by

Net cash acquired

Deferred consideration
Net cash paid(2)

2008(1)

835

108

41

(37)

(97)

850

1

242
607

Lebowa and Booysendal
During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group disposed of a 50% interest in 
the Booysendal joint venture and a 51% interest in Lebowa (and certain other joint 
venture projects). The disposal of Booysendal to Mvela took place on 24 June 2009. 
Total consideration was $275 million (excluding transaction and deal facilitation 
costs), of which $270 million was received in advance in the prior year (invested 
in unlisted preference shares and an escrow account). Upon completion of the 
transaction the preference shares were sold whilst $72 million remains in an escrow 
account pending completion of documentation. The disposal of Lebowa to Anooraq 
was completed on 30 June 2009 for total consideration of $363 million (excluding 
transaction and deal facilitation costs). The fair value of the consideration was 
$247 million (excluding transaction and deal facilitation costs). The Group 
commenced equity accounting its remaining 49% interest in Lebowa from 30 June 
2009. At 31 December 2009 the Group held a 49% interest in Lebowa. These 
transactions were part of previously announced black economic empowerment deals.

The net asset position at the dates of disposal, together with the resulting profit on 
disposal and related net cash inflow is shown below:

US$ million

Net assets disposed

Tangible assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Group’s share of net assets immediately prior to disposal

Less: Retained investments in associates

Net assets disposed

Net gain on disposals

Net sale proceeds
Proceeds received in prior year(1)
Non-cash consideration(2)
Costs accrued

Deal facilitation charges

Net cash and cash equivalents disposed

Net cash inflow from disposals of Lebowa and Booysendal

2009

336

11

(24)

(64)

259

(125)

134

316

450

(270)

(212)

6

41

(9)

6

(1)   A portion of the proceeds was invested in unlisted preference shares when received. Following completion 
of the transaction these were sold and $200 million is included in the Consolidated cash flow statement 
within ‘Proceeds from sale of financial asset investments’.

(2) Represents ordinary shares in Anooraq and preference shares in Plateau Resources (Proprietary) Limited.

Disposals of businesses in the year ended 31 December 2008
In the year ended 31 December 2008 Namakwa Sands was the only material 
disposal of a business. On 1 October 2008 Namakwa Sands was sold to Exxaro 
Resources Limited for consideration of $330 million including deferred 
consideration. On 3 November 2008 as part of the same transaction, the Group 
completed the sale of a 26% interest in both the Black Mountain zinc, lead and 
copper operation and the Gamsberg zinc project for consideration of $23 million. 
For further details of the disposal of Namakwa Sands refer to the Group’s financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2008.

(1)   Relates to the acquisition of Foxleigh and fair value adjustments on the acquisition of a 49% interest in 
Minas Rio (which took place in 2007). During 2008 further consideration of $284 million (which is 
contingent on certain criteria being met) was recognised in respect of the acquisition of the 49% interest 
in Minas Rio. This was reduced from the $600 million recognised in the six months ended 30 June 2008, 
as a result of a change in the assumptions with regards to payment and purchase of an additional interest 
in Minas Rio together with an adjustment to the net deferred tax liability recognised to reflect the future 
tax benefit from cash payments made on acquisition. These adjustments resulted in amendments to the 
‘Value attributable to reserves and resources acquired’ and deferred tax in the acquisition balance sheet.

(2)  In the year ended 31 December 2009 there was net cash paid of $5 million (2008: $2 million) for other 

joint venture acquisitions. This resulted in total net cash paid for investments in joint ventures in the year 
ended 31 December 2009 of $5 million (2008: $609 million).

On 29 February 2008 Metallurgical Coal completed the acquisition of a 70% 
interest in the Foxleigh joint venture in Queensland, Australia. The total cost of 
acquisition was $606 million. The Group has proportionately consolidated 70% of 
Foxleigh from 29 February 2008.

33. Disposals of subsidiaries and businesses

US$ million

Net assets disposed

Tangible assets

Other non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Minority interests

Group’s share of net assets immediately prior to disposal

Less: Retained investments in associates

Net assets disposed

Cumulative translation differences recycled from reserves

Net gain on disposals

Net sale proceeds

Proceeds received in prior year

Non-cash consideration

Costs accrued

Deal facilitation charges

Deferred consideration

Net cash and cash equivalents disposed

Proceeds not yet received

Realised foreign exchange

Net cash inflow from disposals

2009

2008

425

2

48

(34)

(65)

376

(3)

373

(235)

138

–

316

454

(270)

(212)

6

41

–

(10)

(4)

–

5

(2)

479

43

210

(83)

(113)

536

(1)

(116)

420

–

420

(2)

119

537

–

–

4

–

(56)

(4)

–

(13)

468

(1)  Includes net assets of $79 million no longer consolidated following loss of control of a subsidiary.

(2)  Net cash of $64 million has been received in the year ended 31 December 2009 in respect of deferred 

consideration for disposals in 2008. This resulted in a total net cash inflow of $69 million from disposals 
of subsidiaries and businesses in the year ended 31 December 2009.

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34. Disposal groups and non-current assets held for sale
Platinum disposal groups (including Booysendal and Lebowa), which were previously 
classified as held for sale at 31 December 2008, were disposed of in June 2009. 
Refer to note 33 for more details on the Platinum disposals.

The following assets and liabilities relating to disposal groups were classified as held for 
sale. The Group expects to complete the sale of these businesses within 12 months of 
the year end.

US$ million

Intangible assets

Tangible assets

Deferred tax assets

Other non-current assets

Total non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Trade and other payables

Short term borrowings

Short term provisions

Total current liabilities

Medium and long term borrowings

Retirement benefit obligations

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

2009

2008

Tarmac 
disposal 
groups(1)

13

422

5

2

Total(2)

–

257

–

2

442

259

42

72

64

178

620

(66)

(13)

(4)

(83)

(3)

(1)

(46)

(55)

(3)

(108)

(191)

429

–

8

8

16

275

(21)

–

–

(21)

–

–

(56)

(3)

–

(59)

(80)

195

(1)  Tarmac disposal groups relate to certain of its European businesses. Tarmac is included in the Other Mining 

and Industrial segment.

(2) Relates to Platinum disposal groups.

The net carrying amount of assets and associated liabilities classified as held for sale 
during 2009 was written down by $46 million (2008: nil).

35. Capital commitments

US$ million

Contracted but not provided

2009

2008

2,877

3,465

36. Contingent liabilities and contingent assets
(i) Contingent liabilities
The Group is subject to various claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. 
Additionally, and as set out in the 2007 demerger agreement, Anglo American and 
Mondi have agreed to indemnify each other, subject to certain limitations, against 
certain liabilities. Having taken appropriate legal advice, the Group believes that the 
likelihood of a material liability arising is remote. At 31 December 2009 contingent 
liabilities in respect of the Group’s subsidiaries comprise aggregate amounts of 
$704 million (2008: $548 million) in respect of loans and performance guarantees 
given to banks and other third parties and are primarily in respect of environmental 
restoration and decommissioning obligations. For information relating to contingent 
liabilities in respect of associates and joint ventures refer to notes 16 and 17 
respectively.

No contingent liabilities were secured on the assets of the Group at 31 December 
2009 or 31 December 2008.

(ii) Contingent assets
There were no significant contingent assets in the Group at 31 December 2009 or 
31 December 2008.

(iii) Other
Anglo American Sur
Anglo American inherited a 1978 agreement with Codelco, the Chilean state mining 
company, when it acquired Disputada de Las Condes (since renamed Anglo 
American Sur) in 2002. The agreement grants Codelco the right, subject to certain 
conditions and limitations, to acquire up to a 49% minority interest in Anglo 
American Sur, the wholly owned Group company that owns the Los Bronces and 
El Soldado copper mines and the Chagres smelter. These conditions include limiting 
the window for exercising the right to once every three years in the month of 
January until January 2027. The right was not exercised in 2009. The calculations of 
the price at which Codelco can exercise its right are complex and confidential but 
do, inter alia, take account of company profitability over a five year period.

Anglo American South Africa Limited
Anglo American South Africa Limited (AASA), a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company, is a defendant in 25 separate lawsuits, each one on behalf of a former 
mineworker (or his dependents or survivors) who allegedly contracted silicosis 
working for gold mining companies in which AASA was a shareholder and to which 
AASA provided various technical and administrative services. The aggregate 
amount of the 25 claims is less than $5 million, although if these claims are 
determined adversely to AASA, there are a substantial number of additional former 
mineworkers who may seek to bring similar claims. The first trial of these claims is 
expected to be in 2011, but the arrangements have not yet been agreed.

37.  Operating leases
At 31 December the Group had the following outstanding commitments under 
non-cancellable operating leases:

US$ million

Expiry date

Within one year

One to two years

Two to five years

After five years

2009

2008

140

95

194

399

828

64

60

168

197

489

Operating leases relate principally to land and buildings, vehicles and shipping vessels. 

38. Related party transactions
The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries, joint ventures and 
associates (see note 39).

The Company and its subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of business, enter into 
various sales, purchase and service transactions with joint ventures and associates 
and others in which the Group has a material interest. These transactions are under 
terms that are no less favourable than those arranged with third parties. These 
transactions are not considered to be significant.

Dividends received from associates during the year totalled $616 million (2008: 
$609 million), as disclosed in the Consolidated cash flow statement.

At 31 December 2009 the Group had provided loans to joint ventures of $93 million 
(2008: $20 million). These loans are included in financial asset investments.

At 31 December 2009 the directors of the Company and their immediate relatives 
controlled 3% (2008: 3%) of the voting shares of the Company.

Remuneration and benefits received by directors are disclosed in the directors’ 
remuneration report. Remuneration and benefits of key management personnel 
including directors are given in note 6.

Information relating to pension fund arrangements is disclosed in note 27.

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

Pursuant to the refinancing of De Beers and to satisfy the requirements of the 
lenders to De Beers, the shareholders of De Beers, including the Group, have, 
as applicable, agreed to:
(i) 

 defer the receipt of dividends or capital on their ordinary shares until certain 
financial tests (‘Normalisation’) are met and this is currently anticipated to be 
during 2011;

(ii)   defer the receipt of dividends and mandatory redemption under the preference 
shares in De Beers SA until Normalisation. The total amount deferred by Anglo 
American is approximately $96.5 million. The dividends (or interest in respect 
of such dividends) will continue to accrue on the preference shares until they 
are paid and the preference shares redeemed; and

(iii)   enter into an agreement which effectively formalises, in favour of the lenders 
to De Beers, the deferral of the rights to dividends or other distributions in 
respect of their respective ordinary shares, and, as applicable, preference 
shares and payments under the shareholder loans, until Normalisation; and 
the subordination thereof.

As part of the process of facilitating the agreed equity subscription by all the 
shareholders of De Beers, a temporary re-ranking of distribution rights was agreed 
which will result, following Normalisation, in a $20 million distribution to the 
shareholders of De Beers (including the Group and CHL), pro rata to their individual 
equity subscriptions as referred to above, which will be paid in priority to existing 
preferences on distributions under the terms of the preference shares in De Beers. 
The net effect of this re-prioritisation on Anglo American, in the event of there 
being insufficient cash to pay all dividends then due, is a deferral of approximately 
$8 million of dividends, which will continue to accrue interest until paid.

38. Related party transactions continued
Related party transactions with De Beers
At 31 December 2009 the Group held $88 million (2008: $88 million) of 10% 
non-cumulative redeemable preference shares in DB Investments, the holding 
company of De Beers Société Anonyme. 

Set out below are details of certain transactions and arrangements entered into  
by the Group with, or for the benefit of, certain related parties of the Company  
for the purposes of the United Kingdom Listing Authority Listing rules, being 
Central Holdings Limited (and certain of its subsidiaries, together ‘CHL’) and 
DB Investments SA and De Beers SA (together, ‘De Beers’) which are related 
parties for the purposes of such rules by virtue of being companies in which  
Mr N.F. Oppenheimer, a director of the Company, has a relevant interest for the 
purposes of such rules.

It was agreed that the dividends declared by De Beers to the Group and the other 
shareholders in De Beers (including CHL) would be exchanged for loan obligations. 
The total amount of dividends exchanged amounted to $118 million in the year 
ended 31 December 2008. This total has increased during 2009 by $24 million. 
The loans are subordinated and are interest free for two years at which point they 
become interest bearing in line with market rates at the dates of the initial 
reinvestment.

In April 2009 the shareholders of De Beers provided an additional loan to De Beers, 
proportionate to their shareholdings, totalling $500 million. Anglo American holds 
a 45% interest and therefore provided a loan of $225 million. The loan is interest 
free for two years, at which point it reverts to a rate of interest equal to LIBOR plus 
700 basis points until April 2016 and then, provided all interest payments are up to 
date, reduces to LIBOR plus 300 basis points. In the event of a rights issue or other 
share issue by De Beers, the Group would have the option to apply amounts 
outstanding under the loan in subscribing for ordinary shares in De Beers at the 
issue price applicable to the relevant share issue, which will be determined at the 
time of the relevant issue. The loan is subordinated in favour of third party banks/
lenders and preference shareholders (including Anglo American) and is repayable 
after ten years. These loans are included in financial asset investments.

In February 2010 the shareholders of De Beers agreed, as part of the De Beers 
group’s refinancing, including third party debt refinancing, that additional equity 
was required by De Beers. The shareholders of De Beers (including CHL) have 
accordingly all agreed to subscribe, in proportion to their current shareholding, 
for $1 billion of additional equity in De Beers, subject to the fulfilment of certain 
conditions. The Group’s share of such additional equity, in line with its equity 
holding in De Beers, amounts to $450 million. CHL’s share of such additional 
equity, in line with its equity holding in De Beers, amounts to $400 million. 
The shareholders have further agreed that the subscription does not constitute 
a subscription event under the 2009 arrangements.

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39. Group companies
The principal subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and proportionately consolidated joint arrangements of the Group at 31 December 2009, and the Group percentage of 
equity capital, joint arrangements and joint venture interests are set out below. All these interests are held indirectly by the parent company and are consolidated within these 
financial statements. As permitted by section 410 of the Companies Act 2006, the Group has restricted the information provided to its principal subsidiaries in order to avoid 
a statement of excessive length.

Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives 
have been reclassified to align with current year presentation.

Subsidiary undertakings

Platinum

Anglo Platinum Limited

Copper

Anglo American Sur SA

Anglo American Norte SA

Minera Quellaveco SA

Nickel

Anglo American Brasil Limitada (Barro Alto)

Anglo American Brasil Limitada (Codemin)

Minera Loma de Níquel, CA

Iron Ore and Manganese

Kumba Iron Ore Limited

Anglo Ferrous Brazil SA

Anglo Ferrous Minas-Rio Mineração SA

Anglo Ferrous Amapá Mineração Limitada

Metallurgical Coal

Anglo Coal Holdings Australia Limited

Thermal Coal
Anglo Coal(2)

Other Mining and Industrial
Black Mountain Mining (Pty) Limited(3)
Gamsberg Zinc(3) 
Ambase Exploration (Namibia) Proprietary Limited (Skorpion)

Anglo American Brasil Limitada (Catalão)
Lisheen(4)
Copebrás Limitada

Scaw Metals/Moly-Cop/AltaSteel

Peace River Coal Partnership

Tarmac Group Limited

Tarmac France SA
Lausitzer Grauwacke GmbH

WKSM SA

Tarmac CZ a.s.

Tarmac SRL

Koca Beton Agrega Mining and Construction Industry and Trading Company Limited

United Marine Holdings Limited

Country of incorporation

Business

Percentage of 
equity owned(1)

2009

2008

South Africa

Platinum

79.7% 79.6%

Chile

Chile

Peru

Brazil

Brazil

Venezuela

South Africa

Brazil

Brazil

Brazil

Australia

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Namibia

Brazil

Ireland

Brazil

South Africa/Chile/Canada

Canada

UK

France
Germany

Poland

Czech Republic

Romania

Turkey

UK

Copper

Copper

Copper project

Nickel project

Nickel

Nickel

Iron ore

Iron ore

Iron ore project

Iron ore system

Coal

Coal

Zinc, lead and copper

Zinc project

Zinc

Niobium

Zinc and lead

Fertilisers and acid
Steel, engineering works and 
grinding media

100%

100%

99.9% 99.9%

81.9% 81.9%

100%

100%

100%

100%

91.4% 91.4%

62.8%

63%

100% 98.9%

100% 99.4%

70% 69.2%

100%

100%

100%

100%

74%

74%

100%

100%

100%

73%
74%-
100%

74%

74%

100%

100%

100%

73%
74%-
100%

Coal

74.8% 73.8%

Construction materials

Construction materials
Construction materials

Construction materials

Construction materials

Construction materials

Construction materials

Construction materials

100%
100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%
100%

100%

100%

100%

60%

100%

100%

(1)  The proportion of voting rights of subsidiaries held by the Group is the same as the proportion of equity owned, unless stated.

(2) A division of Anglo Operations Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary.

(3)  Previously Black Mountain and Gamsberg Zinc were divisions of Anglo Operations Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary. On 3 November 2008, 26% of each of Black Mountain Mining (Pty) Limited and Gamsberg Zinc were 

sold. Gamsberg Zinc is a division of Black Mountain Mining (Pty) Limited.

(4) The Group’s interest in the Lisheen operations is held through Anglo American Lisheen Mining Limited, Killoran Lisheen Mining Limited and Lisheen Milling Limited. The Group owns 100% of the equity of each of these 

companies.

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

39. Group companies continued

Joint ventures

Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi SCM

LLX Minas-Rio Logística SA

AI Futtain Tarmac Quarry Products Limited
Midland Quarry Products Limited(6)

Associates

DB Investments SA
Samancor Holdings (Pty) Limited(7)
Groote Eylandt Mining Company (Pty) Limited (GEMCO)(7)
Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company (Pty) Limited (TEMCO)(7)
Queensland Coal Mine Management (Pty) Limited

Cerrejón Zona Norte SA

Carbones del Cerrejón LLC

Carbones del Guasare SA

Tongaat Hulett Limited(8)
Hulamin Limited(9)

Proportionately consolidated jointly controlled operations(10)
Drayton

Moranbah North

German Creek

Foxleigh

Dawson

Country of incorporation

Chile

Brazil

Dubai

UK

Business

Copper

Port

Construction materials

Construction materials

Country of incorporation

Business

Luxembourg

South Africa

Australia

Australia

Australia

Colombia

Anguilla

Venezuela

South Africa

South Africa

Location

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Diamonds

Manganese

Manganese

Manganese

Coal

Coal

Coal

Coal
Sugar, starch, glucose and 
property development

Aluminium

Business

Coal

Coal

Coal

Coal

Coal

Percentage of 
equity owned(5)

2009

44%

49%

49%

50%

2008

44%

49%

49%

50%

Percentage of 
equity owned(5)

2009

45%

40%

40%

40%

2008

45%

40%

40%

40%

33.3% 33.3%

33.3% 33.3%

33.3% 33.3%

24.9% 24.9%

–

–

37.1%

38.4%

Percentage owned

2009

2008

88.2% 88.2%

88%

70%

70%

51%

88%

70%

70%

51%

(5) All equity interests shown are ordinary shares.

(6)  During 2008 the Group ceased accounting for Midland Quarry Products Limited as a subsidiary and began accounting for it as a joint venture as it was considered to be jointly controlled.

(7) These entities have a 30 June year end.

(8) Formerly The Tongaat-Hulett Group Limited. In August 2009 the Group sold its remaining investment in Tongaat Hulett Limited.

(9) Unbundled from Tongaat Hulett in June 2007. In July 2009 the Group sold its remaining investment in Hulamin Limited.

(10) The wholly owned subsidiary Anglo Coal Holdings Australia Limited holds the proportionately consolidated jointly controlled operations.

40. Events occurring after end of year
In February 2010 the Group announced its commitment to take up its full allocation of shares under the rights offer announced by Anglo Platinum. Anglo Platinum expects to 
raise approximately $1.6 billion through the rights offer, of which the Group’s share of 79.7% is approximately $1.3 billion. The Group has also agreed to underwrite the 
minority portion of the rights offer.

Subsequent to 31 December 2009 De Beers has announced a $1 billion rights issue. The Group has accordingly agreed to subscribe for additional equity in proportion to its 
current shareholding and will therefore contribute $450 million. Refer to note 38 for further details.

During the first quarter of 2010, Anglo American agreed the sales of Tarmac’s aggregates businesses in France, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic and its Polish 
concrete products business with expected total proceeds of approximately $400 million.

With the exception of the above there have been no material reportable events since 31 December 2009.

144

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

41.  Financial statements of the parent company
a)  Balance sheet of the Company, Anglo American plc, as at 31 December 2009

US$ million

Fixed assets

Fixed asset investments

Current assets

Amounts due from subsidiaries

Prepayments and other debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors due within one year

Cash held on behalf of subsidiaries

Amounts owed to subsidiaries

Other creditors

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Liabilities due after more than one year

Convertible bond

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called-up share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Other reserves

Share-based payment reserve

Convertible debt reserve

Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds (equity)

The financial statements of Anglo American plc, registered number 3564138, were approved by the Board of directors on 18 February 2010.

Cynthia Carroll 
Chief executive 

René Médori
Finance director

Note

2009

2008

41c

13,104

12,925

4,490

1,305

13

40

138

2

4,543

1,445

(79)

(187)

(15)

(281)

(59)

(215)

(8)

(282)

4,262

1,163

17,366

14,088

(1,369)

–

15,997

14,088

41b

41b

41b

41b

41b

41b

41b

738

738

2,713

2,713

115

115

1,955

1,955

15

355

22

–

10,106

8,545

15,997

14,088

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements
continued

41.  Financial statements of the parent company continued
b)  Reconciliation of movements in equity shareholders’ funds

US$ million

Balance at 1 January 2008

Profit for the financial year

Issue of treasury shares under employee share schemes

Share-based payments

Capital contribution to group undertakings
Transfer between share-based payment reserve and profit 
and loss account

Share buybacks
Dividends paid(3)
Balance at 1 January 2009

Profit for the financial year

Issue of treasury shares under employee share schemes

Share-based payments

Capital contribution to group undertakings
Transfer between share-based payment reserve and profit 
and loss account
Issue of convertible bond

Called-up  
share  
capital

738

Share  
premium 
account

2,713

Capital 
redemption 
reserve

115

Other
reserves(1)

1,955

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

738

2,713

115

1,955

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

Balance at 31 December 2009

738

2,713

115

1,955

Share-based 
payment 
reserve

Convertible  
debt  

reserve

22

–

–

12

–

(12)

–

–

22

–

–

7

–

(14)
–

15

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
355

355

Profit  

and loss
 account(2)

7,021

2,936

41

–

20

12

Total

12,564

2,936

41

12

20

–

(259)

(1,226)

8,545

1,337

(259)

(1,226)

14,088

1,337

31

–

179

14
–

31

7

179

–
355

10,106

15,997

(1)   At 31 December 2009 other reserves of $1,955 million (2008: $1,955 million) were not distributable under the Companies Act 2006.

(2)  At 31 December 2009 $405 million (2008: $483 million) of the Company profit and loss account of $10,106 million (2008: $8,545 million) was not distributable under the Companies Act 2006.

(3)   Dividends paid relate only to shareholders on the United Kingdom principal register excluding dividends waived by Greenwood Nominees Limited as nominees for Butterfield Trust (Guernsey) Limited, the trustee for the 
Anglo American employee share scheme. Dividends paid to shareholders on the Johannesburg branch register are distributed by a South African subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the Dividend Access Share 
Provisions of Anglo American plc’s Articles of Association.

The audit fee in respect of the parent company was $7,000 (2008: $10,000). Fees payable to Deloitte for non-audit services to the Company are not required to be disclosed 
because they are included within the consolidated disclosure in note 4.

c)  Fixed asset investments

US$ million

Cost

At 1 January

Additions

Capital contributions

At 31 December
Provisions for impairment

At 1 January and 31 December

Net book value

At 31 December

Investments in 
subsidiaries

2009

2008

12,933

12,891

–

179

22

20

13,112

12,933

(8)

(8)

13,104

12,925

146

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Convertible debt
Convertible bonds are regarded as compound instruments, consisting of a liability 
and an equity component. At the date of issue, the fair value of the liability 
component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for similar 
non-convertible debt and is recorded within borrowings. The difference between 
the proceeds of issue of the convertible bond and the fair value assigned to the 
liability component, representing the embedded option to convert the liability into 
equity of the Company, is included in equity.

Issue costs are apportioned between the liability and equity components of the 
convertible bonds where appropriate based on their relative carrying amounts at 
the date of issue. The portion relating to the equity component is charged directly 
against equity.

The interest expense on the liability component is calculated by applying the 
effective interest rate for similar non-convertible debt to the liability component of 
the instrument. The difference between this amount and the interest paid is added 
to the carrying amount of the liability.

41.  Financial statements of the parent company continued
d)  Accounting policies: Anglo American plc, the Company
The Anglo American plc (the Company) balance sheet and related notes have been 
prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles (UK GAAP) and in accordance with UK company law. The financial 
information has been prepared on a historical cost basis as modified by the 
revaluation of certain financial instruments.

A summary of the principal accounting policies is set out below.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP requires the 
use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of 
revenues and expenses during the period. Although these estimates are based on 
management’s best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, following 
implementation of these standards, actual results may differ from those estimated.

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the profit and loss 
account of the Company is not presented as part of these financial statements. 
The profit after tax for the year of the Company amounted to $1,337 million 
(2008: $2,936 million).

Significant accounting policies
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided in full on all timing differences that result in an obligation 
at the balance sheet date to pay more tax, or a right to pay less tax, at a future 
date, subject to the recoverability of deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are not discounted.

Share-based payments
The Company has applied the requirements of FRS 20 Share-based Payment. 
In accordance with the transitional provisions, FRS 20 has been applied to all  
grants of equity instruments after 7 November 2002 that had not vested as at 
1 January 2005.

The Company makes equity settled share-based payments to the directors, which are 
measured at fair value at the date of grant and expensed on a straight line basis over 
the vesting period, based on the Company’s estimate of shares that will eventually 
vest. For those share schemes with market vesting conditions, the fair value is 
determined using the Monte Carlo method at the grant date. The fair value of share 
options issued with non-market vesting conditions has been calculated using the 
Black Scholes model. For all other share awards, the fair value is determined by 
reference to the market value of the share at the date of grant. For all share schemes 
with non-market related vesting conditions, the likelihood of vesting has been taken 
into account when determining the associated charge. Vesting assumptions are 
reviewed during each reporting period to ensure they reflect current expectations.

The Company also makes equity settled share-based payments to certain employees 
of certain subsidiary undertakings. Equity settled share-based payments that are 
made to employees of the Company’s subsidiaries are treated as increases in equity 
over the vesting period of the award, with a corresponding increase in the Company’s 
investments in subsidiaries, based on an estimate of the number of shares that will 
eventually vest.

Any payments received from subsidiaries are applied to reduce the related increases 
in investments in subsidiaries.

Accounting for share-based payments is the same as under IFRS 2 and details on the 
schemes and option pricing models relevant to the charge included in the Company 
financial statements are set out in note 28 to the consolidated financial statements 
of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Investments
Investments represent equity holdings in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 
and are held at cost less provision for impairment.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

147

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Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Introduction

The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates presented in this Annual Report are prepared in accordance with the Anglo American plc (AA plc) Policy for the Reporting of 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources. This policy requires that the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves 2004 edition (the 
JORC Code) be used as a minimum standard. Some Anglo American plc subsidiaries have a primary listing in South Africa where public reporting is carried out in accordance with 
the South African Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the SAMREC Code). The SAMREC Code is similar to the JORC Code and the Ore Reserve and 
Mineral Resource terminology appearing in this section follows the definitions in both the JORC (2004) and SAMREC (2007) Codes.

The information on Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources was prepared by or under the supervision of Competent Persons as defined in the JORC or SAMREC Codes.  
All Competent Persons have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which they are undertaking. 
All the Competent Persons consent to the inclusion in this report of the information in the form and context in which it appears. The names of the Competent Persons are lodged 
with the Anglo American plc Company Secretary and are available on request.

Anglo American Group companies are subject to a comprehensive programme of reviews aimed at providing assurance in respect of Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource 
estimates. The reviews are conducted by suitably qualified Competent Persons from within the Anglo American Group, or by independent consultants. The frequency and depth 
of the reviews is a function of the perceived risks and/or uncertainties associated with a particular Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource, the overall value thereof and time that has 
lapsed since an independent third party review has been conducted. Those operations/projects subject to independent third party reviews during the year are indicated in 
footnotes to the tables.

The JORC and SAMREC Codes require the use of reasonable economic assumptions. These include long-range commodity price forecasts which are prepared by in-house 
specialists largely using estimates of future supply and demand and long term economic outlooks. Ore Reserve estimates are dynamic and are influenced by changing economic 
conditions, technical issues, environmental regulations and relevant new information and therefore can vary from year to year. Mineral Resource estimates also change and tend 
to be influenced mostly by new information pertaining to the understanding of the deposit and secondly by the conversion to Ore Reserves.

The estimates of Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources are stated as at 31 December 2009. Unless otherwise stated, Mineral Resources are additional to those resources which 
have been modified to produce the Ore Reserves. The figures in the tables have been rounded and, if used to derive totals and averages, could cause minor computational 
differences. Ore Reserves in the context of this Annual Report have the same meaning as ‘Mineral Reserves’ as defined by the SAMREC Code.  

  An ‘Ore Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate 
assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. 
These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. Ore Reserves are sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore Reserves. 

A ‘Proved Ore Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments 
and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These 
assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. 

 A ‘Probable Ore Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of an Indicated, and in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the 
material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, 
social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified.

 A ‘Mineral Resource’ is a concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic 
extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are 
sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories. 

A ‘Measured Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence. It is based on 
detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are spaced closely 
enough to confirm geological and grade continuity. 

An ‘Indicated Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable level of confidence. It is based 
on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced 
to confirm geological and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed. 

An ‘Inferred Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from geological evidence and assumed but not 
verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is based on information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain 
quality and reliability.  

Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be 
upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after continued exploration.

It is accepted that mine design and planning may include a portion of Inferred Mineral Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources in the Life of Mine (LOM) are described as ‘Inferred 
(in LOM)’ separately from the remaining Inferred Mineral Resources described as ‘Inferred (ex. LOM)’, as required. These resources are declared without application of any 
modifying factors. 

Operations and projects which fall below the internal threshold (25% attributable interest) for reporting have been excluded from the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources 
estimates. The Xiwan project is not reported as the project has been disposed of during 2009. 

In South Africa, the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Number 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) was implemented on 1 May 2004, and effectively transferred 
custodianship of the previously privately held mineral rights to the State. Mining companies were given up to two years to apply for prospecting permit conversions and five 
years to apply for mining licence conversions for existing operations.

A Prospecting Right is a new order right issued in terms of the MPRDA that is valid for up to five years, with the possibility of a further extension of three years, that can 
be obtained either by the conversion of existing Old Order Prospecting Rights or through new applications. An Exploration Right is identical to a Prospecting Right, but is 
commodity specific in respect of petroleum and gas and is valid for up to three years which can be renewed for a maximum of three periods not exceeding two years each.

A Mining Right is a new order right issued in terms of the MPRDA valid for up to 30 years obtained either by the conversion of an existing Old Order Mining Right, or as a new 
order right pursuant to the exercise of the exclusive right of the holder of a new order Prospecting Right, or pursuant to an application for a new Mining Right. A Production Right 
is identical to a Mining Right, but is commodity specific in respect of petroleum and gas.

In preparing the Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource statement for South African assets, Anglo American plc has adopted the following reporting principles in respect of 
Prospecting Rights and Mining Rights:

• 

• 

 Where applications for new order Mining Rights and Prospecting Rights have been submitted and these are still being processed by the relevant regulatory authorities, 
the relevant reserves and resources have been included in the statement; 
  Where applications for new order Prospecting Rights have been initially refused by the regulatory authorities, but are the subject of ongoing legal process and 
discussions with the relevant authorities and where Anglo American plc has reasonable expectations that the Prospecting Rights will be granted in due course, 
the relevant resources have been included in the statement (any associated comments appear in the footnotes).

148

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Platinum
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Anglo Platinum
The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in compliance with The South African Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, (The 
SAMREC Code, 2007). Operations and Projects outside South Africa were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves 
(The JORC Code, 2004) as a minimum standard. Details of the individual operations appear in the Anglo Platinum Annual Report Merensky and UG2 Reef Mineral Resources are 
reported over an economic and mineable cut appropriate to the specific reef. THE MINERAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO ORE RESERVES. 

The figures reported represent 100% of the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves attributable to Anglo Platinum Limited unless otherwise noted. Rounding of figures may cause 
computational discrepancies. Anglo American plc’s interest in Anglo Platinum is 79.7%. 

Anglo Platinum
Ore Reserves
Merensky Reef(4)(5)(6)

UG2 Reef(4)(5)(7)

Platreef(8)

All Reefs

Tailings(11)

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total
Proved

Proved primary ore stockpile(9)

Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Total (alternative units) (10)

Proved
Probable
Total

2009

  Mt
77.5
89.8
167.3
409.9
229.3
639.2
317.4
16.6
174.6
508.6
821.4
493.6
1,315.0
1,449.6
–
29.6
29.6

Mton

Tonnes(1)

2008

Mt
88.6
129.4
217.9
469.9
382.6
852.5
274.5
20.6
112.8
407.9
  853.6
  624.7
1,478.3
1,629.6  

Mton

–
33.4
33.4

Grade(2)

Contained metal(3)

Contained metal(3)

2009

4E PGE
5.41
5.13
5.26
4.37
4.38
4.37
3.28
2.65
3.12
3.20
4.01
4.07
4.03
0.118
–
0.86
0.86

oz/ton

2008

4E PGE
5.28
5.21
5.24
4.19
4.43
4.30
3.21
2.58
3.56
3.27
3.95
4.44
4.16
0.121
–
0.88
0.88

oz/ton

2009

2008

tonnes
419.7
460.1
879.8
1,792.1
1,003.9
2,796.0
1,040.6
43.8
544.1
1,628.6
3,296.3
2,008.1
5,304.4

–
25.4
25.4

tonnes
467.4
674.1
1,141.5
1,970.8
1,695.8
3,666.6
880.7
53.1
401.8
1,335.6
3,372.1
2,771.7
6,143.7

–
29.5
29.5

2009

Moz
13.5
14.8
28.3
57.6
32.3
89.9
33.5
1.4
17.5
52.4
106.0
64.6
170.5

–
0.8
0.8

2008

Moz
15.0
21.7
36.7
63.4
54.5
117.9
28.3
1.7
12.9
42.9
108.4
89.1
197.5

–
0.9
0.9

(1)  Tonnage: quoted as dry metric tonnes.

(2)  Grade: 4E PGE is the sum of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold grades in grammes per tonne (g/t).

(3)  Contained metal: Contained metal is presented in metric tonnes and million troy ounces (Moz).

(4)   Merensky Reef and UG2 Reef: The BEE transaction announced with Anooraq Resources was finalised during 2009 resulting in a change of the attributable and reportable Ore Reserves for Bokoni Platinum Mine 

(previously Lebowa Platinum Mine). Anglo Platinum’s attributable percentage decreased from 100% to 49%, equivalent to a decrease of 33.5Mt (-5.5 Moz).

(5)   Merensky Reef and UG2 Reef: The calculation of the pay limit has been modified between 2008 and 2009. The 2008 pay limit calculation was based on the planning pay limit. The 2009 pay limit calculation now 

includes ‘Stay in Business Capital’, both on and off mine, in the estimation of the overall costs. This cost amount is termed Cost 4 which consists of ‘Direct Cash Cost’ (on and off mine), ‘Other indirect Costs’ and ‘Stay in 
Business Capital’ (on and off mine). The Merensky Reef reserve pay-limit varies across all operations between 2.8g/t and 6.1g/t (4E PGE). The UG2 Reef reserve pay-limit varies across all operations between 2.7g/t and 
5.9g/t (4E PGE). The range is a function of various factors including depth of the ore body, geological complexity, infrastructure and economic parameters. Certain areas where the pay limit is high may still be mined due 
to a project being in ramp-up or in the case of the Rustenburg area, where the business plan returns a positive NPV and profit from 2012.

(6)   Merensky Reef: Decrease in Ore Reserves is mainly attributable to economic assumptions. At the assumed metal prices and exchange rate the Ore Reserves at Amandelbult’s Tumela Mine 3 Shaft Project proved to be 

uneconomic. This resulted in a decrease of 27.9Mt (-5.3Moz) of previously reported Ore Reserves. These Ore Reserves have been reallocated back to Mineral Resources.

(7)   UG2 Reef: Decrease in Ore Reserves is mainly attributable to economic assumptions. At the assumed metal prices and exchange rate the Ore Reserves at Amandelbult’s Tumela Mine 3 Shaft Project, portions of 

Rustenburg’s Khuseleka Mine, Khomanani Mine and Siphumelele Mine proved to be uneconomic. This resulted in a decrease of 159.6Mt (-21.7Moz) of previously reported Ore Reserves. These Ore Reserves have been 
reallocated back to Mineral Resources.

(8)   Platreef: The reserve cut-off is 1.7g/t for fresh ore. For Mogalakwena the total Ore Reserves increased significantly. At Mogalakwena North and Central (previously PPRust North) a new evaluation model was completed 
in 2009 together with a new structural model. Both models incorporated significant additional drill holes resulting in a revised pit design. As a consequence the total Ore Reserve tonnage for Mogalakwena Mine (inclusive 
of stockpiles) increased by 100.7Mt equivalent to 9.4Moz.

(9)  Platreef stockpiles: These are reported separately as Proved Ore Reserves and aggregated into the summation tabulations. 

(10)  Alternative units: tonnage in million short tons (Mton) and grade in troy ounces per short ton (oz/ton).

(11)   Tailings: These are reported separately as Ore Reserves but are not aggregated in the total Ore Reserve figures. Operating tailings dams for current mining operations cannot be geologically assessed and therefore are 

not reported as part of the Ore Reserves. At Rustenburg Mine dormant dams have been evaluated and the tailings form part of the Ore Reserves statement.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

149

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Platinum
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Anglo Platinum
Mineral Resources
Merensky Reef(4)(5)

UG2 Reef(4)(6)(7)

Platreef(8)

All Reefs

Tailings(10)

Classification

Measured

Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Measured and Indicated (alternative units)(9)

Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Tonnes(1)

2008

Mt
  131.9

232.0
  363.9
749.4
  323.6
  482.5
  806.1
901.3
  152.4
  898.8
  1,051.2
1,331.3
  607.8
  1,613.3
  2,221.1
2,448.4  
2,982.0
 –
  151.4
151.4
–

Mton

Mton

2009

  Mt
129.6

242.2
371.8
670.8
380.1
546.6
926.7
791.3
192.9
915.0
1,107.9
1,160.6
702.6
1,703.9
2,406.4
2,652.6
2,622.7
–
147.3
147.3
–

2009

4E PGE
5.54

5.36
5.42
5.36
5.61
5.53
5.56
5.53
1.95
2.14
2.10
1.89
4.59
3.68
3.95
0.115
3.88
–
1.06
1.06
–

oz/ton

Grade(2)

2008

4E PGE
5.39

5.15 
5.24
5.37
5.78
5.63
5.69
5.65
1.85
2.18
2.13
1.89
4.71
3.64
3.93
0.115
3.90
–
1.05
1.05
–

oz/ton

Contained metal(3)

Contained metal(3)

2009

tonnes
717.5

1,299.2
2,016.7
3,594.3
2,131.1
3,021.2
5,152.3
4,374.2
376.2
1,954.0
2,330.1
2,198.4
3,224.8
6,274.3
9,499.1

2008

tonnes
710.9

1,194.4
1,905.3
4,026.6
1,868.9
2,715.2
4,584.1
5,089.0
282.4
1,956.8
2,239.3
2,519.3
2,862.3
5,866.4
8,728.7

10,167.0
–
155.6
155.6
–

11,634.9
–
159.7
159.7
–

2009

Moz
23.1

41.8
64.8
115.6
68.5
97.1
165.6
140.6
12.1
62.8
74.9
70.7
103.7
201.7
305.4

326.9
–
5.0
5.0
–

2008

Moz
22.9

38.4
61.3
129.5
60.1
87.3
147.4
163.6
9.1
62.9
72.0
81.0
92.0
188.6
280.6

374.1
–
5.1
5.1
–

Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)  Tonnage: quoted as dry metric tonnes.

(2)  Grade: 4E PGE is the sum of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold grades in grammes per tonne (g/t).

(3)  Contained metal: Contained metal is presented in metric tonnes and million troy ounces (Moz).

(4)   Merensky Reef and UG2 Reef: The BEE transaction announced with Anooraq Resources was finalised during 2009 resulting in a change of the attributable and reportable Mineral Resources for Bokoni Mine (previously 

Lebowa Platinum Mine). Anglo Platinum’s attributable percentage decreased from 100% to 49% equivalent to a decrease of 234.4Mt (-48.4 Moz).  
The Mineral Resources are quoted over a practical minimum mining cut suitable for the deposit known as the Resource Cut. The Resource Cut includes geotechnical aspects in the hanging wall or footwall of the reef. 
Chromitite stringers above or below the UG2 main seam or any ‘geotechnical weak zones’ are included in the Resource Cut. The minimum beam height regarding the geotechnical aspect depends on the mining method. 
Anglo Platinum takes cognisance of cut-off grades (derived from information on pay limits in the mining operations) and of ‘reasonable and realistic prospects for eventual economic extraction’ over a period of 30 to 50 
years. No Mineral Resources are excluded from the 2009 declaration relative to 2008 as a result of the cut-off grade consideration.

(5)   Merensky Reef: Depending on the reef characteristics a 3.5g/t to 4.8g/t (4E PGE) cut-off has been used to define Mineral Resources. 

(6)   UG2 Reef: Depending on the reef characteristics a 2.8g/t to 4.4g/t (4E PGE) cut-off has been used to define Mineral Resources.

(7)   UG2 Reef: a) The decrease in Mineral Resources is mainly attributable to the decrease of the attributable percentage due to the finalisation of the BEE transaction with Anooraq Resources. b) The decrease is off-set by an 
increase of Mineral Resources due to economic assumptions. At the assumed metal prices and exchange rate the Ore Reserves at Amandelbult’s Tumela Mine 3 Shaft Project, portions of Rustenburg’s Khuseleka Mine, 
Khomanani Mine and Siphumelele Mine proved to be uneconomic and are re-allocated back to Mineral Resources. This resulted in an increase of the Mineral Resources by 143.4Mt (+25.2Moz). 
c) Additionally new information at Der Brochen project resulted in an increase of the Mineral Resources by 72.9Mt, equivalent to 7.2Moz.

(8)   Platreef: A 1.0g/t (4E PGE) cut-off has been used to define Mineral Resources. During 2009 for Mogalakwena North and Central (previously PPRust North) a new evaluation model was completed together with a new 
structural model. This resulted in a revised pit design and a consequent significant increase in reported Ore Reserves. As a consequence, the remaining Mineral Resources for Mogalakwena decreased significantly by 
113.9Mt (-7.4Moz).

(9)  Alternative units: tonnage in million short tons (Mton) and grade in troy ounces per short ton (oz/ton).

(10)   Tailings: Operating tailings dams for current mining operations cannot be geologically assessed and therefore are not reported as part of the Mineral Resources. At Rustenburg and Union Mine dormant dams have been 

evaluated and the tailings form part of the Mineral Resource statement. Tailings dams resources are reported separately as Mineral Resources but are not aggregated to the global Mineral Resource summation. 

The following Operations and Projects contributed to the combined 2009 Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates stated per reef (excluding Other Projects): 
(MR = Merensky Reef, UG2 = UG2 Reef, PR = Platreef, % = Anglo Platinum Limited attributable interest)

Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine – MR/UG2   
Bathopele Mine – UG2  
Bokoni Platinum Mine – MR/UG2  
Der Brochen Project – MR/UG2  
Dishaba Mine – MR/UG2  
Ga-Phasha PGM Project – MR/UG2  
Khomanani Mine – MR/UG2  
Khuseleka Mine – MR/UG2  
Kroondal Platinum Mine – UG2  
Magazynskraal 3 JQ* – MR/UG2  
Marikana Platinum Mine – UG2  
Modikwa Platinum Mine – MR/UG2  
Mogalakwena Mine – PR 
Mototolo Platinum Mine – UG2  
Other Exploration Projects (portions of Driekop) – UG2  
Pandora – UG2  
Rustenburg – Non Mine Projects – MR/UG2  
Siphumelele Mine – MR/UG2    
Thembelani Mine – MR/UG2  
Tumela Mine – MR/UG2  
Twickenham Platinum Mine – MR/UG2  
Union Mine – MR/UG2  
WBJV – MR/UG2  

50% 
100% (previously part of Rustenburg Mine)
49% (previously Lebowa Platinum Mine)
100%
100% (previously part of Amandelbult Mine)
49%
100% (previously part of Rustenburg Mine)
100% (previously part of Rustenburg Mine)
50%
74%
50%
50%
100%
50%
50%
42.5%
100% (previously part of Rustenburg Mine)
100% (previously part of Rustenburg Mine)
100% (previously part of Rustenburg Mine)
100% (previously part of Amandelbult Mine)
100%
85%
37%

*Magazynskraal 3 JQ – Anglo platinum’s attributable interest in the joint venture is reflected as 74%. Subsequent to Mineral Resource compilation this interest has moved to 20%. The revised attributable portion will be 
reflected in future Mineral Resource statements. 

The external Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource audits have been rescheduled to take place in 2010.

150

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Platinum
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Anglo Platinum 
Ore Reserves – Other Projects 
Zimbabwe
Unki(4)
Great Dyke – MSZ

Anglo Platinum 
Mineral Resources – Other Projects 
Zimbabwe
Unki(4)
Great Dyke – MSZ

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

South Africa

Anooraq-Anglo Platinum Boikgantsho(5) 
Platreef

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Sheba’s Ridge(6)

Canada

River Valley(7)

Brazil

Pedra Branca(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

2009

  Mt
5.1
42.0
47.1

2009

  Mt
7.7
11.3
19.0
95.9

–
86.6
86.6
51.0

  111.8
  128.4
240.1
0.9

  4.3
11.0
15.3
1.2

–
–
–
6.6

Tonnes(1)

2008

Mt
4.2
34.6
38.7

Tonnes(1)

2008

Mt
  6.3
  9.3
15.6
78.9

 –
88.3
  88.3
52.0

111.8
128.4
240.1
0.9

4.3
11.0
  15.3
1.2

 –
 –
 –
6.6

2009

4E PGE
3.60
3.81
3.79

2009

4E PGE
4.08
4.28
4.20
4.29

3E PGE
–
1.35
1.35
1.23

3E PGE
0.85
0.95
0.90
0.85

3E PGE
1.79
1.20
1.37
1.24

3E PGE
–
–
–
2.27

Grade(2)

2008

4E PGE
3.60
3.81
3.79

Grade(2)

2008

4E PGE
4.08
4.28
4.20
4.29

3E PGE
–
1.35
1.35
1.23

3E PGE
0.85
0.95
0.90
0.85

3E PGE
1.79
1.20
1.37
1.24

3E PGE
–
–
–
2.27

2009

tonnes
18.3
159.9
178.2

2009

tonnes
31.2
48.5
79.8
411.6

–
116.9
116.9
62.7

95.1
122.1
217.2
0.8

7.6
13.3
20.9
1.5

–
–
–
15.0

Contained metal(3)

Contained metal(3)

2008

tonnes
15.1
131.6
146.7

2009

2008

Moz
0.6
5.1
5.7

Moz
0.5
4.2
4.7

Contained metal(3)

Contained metal(3)

2008

tonnes
25.7
39.9
65.6
338.8

–
119.2
119.2
64.0

95.1
122.1
217.2
0.8

7.6
13.3
20.9
1.5

–
–
–
15.0

2009

Moz
1.0
1.6
2.6
13.2

–
3.8
3.8
2.0

3.1
3.9
7.0
0.0

0.2
0.4
0.7
0.0

–
–
–
0.5

2008

Moz
0.8
1.3
2.1
10.9

–
3.8
3.8
2.1

3.1
3.9
7.0
0.0

0.2
0.4
0.7
0.0

–
–
–
0.5

Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)  Tonnage: quoted as dry metric tonnes.

(2)   Grade:   4E PGE is the sum of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold grades in grammes per tonne (g/t).  
3E PGE is the sum of platinum, palladium and gold grades in grammes per tonne (g/t).

(3)  Contained metal: Contained metal is presented in metric tonnes and million troy ounces (Moz).

(4)   Unki: Anglo Platinum owns an effective 97.19% interest in Southridge Limited. The Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources (for the Great Dyke – Main Sulphide Zone) relate to the Unki East and West mines only. For more 

information see Note 48 in the Consolidated Financial Statement in the 2009 Anglo Platinum Annual Report.

(5)   Anooraq-Anglo Platinum Boikgantsho: Anglo Platinum holds an attributable interest of 49%. A cut-off of US$20.00/t gross metal value was applied for resource definition. The BEE transaction announced with Anooraq  

Resources was finalised during 2009.

(6)    Sheba’s Ridge: Anglo Platinum holds an attributable 35% of the JV area. A cut-off of US$10.50/t total revenue contribution from the constituent metal was used.

(7)  River Valley: Anglo Platinum holds an attributable interest of 50%. A cut-off of 0.7g/t (platinum plus palladium) was applied for resource definition.

(8)  Pedra Branca: Anglo Platinum holds an attributable interest of 51%. A cut-off of 0.7g/t (3E PGE) was applied for resource definition.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

151

 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Copper
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Copper
The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. THE MINERAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO ORE RESERVES.

The figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures 
may cause computational discrepancies.

Attributable %
100

LOM
39

Classification

Copper
Ore Reserves
Los Bronces (OP)

Sulphide (TCu)(1)
Flotation

Sulphide (TCu)(2)
Dump Leach

El Soldado (OP and UG)
Sulphide (TCu)(3)
Flotation

Oxide (TCu)
Heap Leach

Mantos Blancos (OP)
Sulphide (ICu)
Flotation

Oxide (ASCu)
Vat and Heap Leach

Oxide (ASCu)
Dump Leach

Mantoverde (OP)
Oxide (ASCu)
Heap Leach

Oxide (ASCu)
Dump Leach

100

18

100

6

100

5

Collahuasi (OP)

44.0

33

Oxide, Mixed and Secondary Sulphides (TCu)
Heap Leach

Sulphide (TCu)
Flotation – direct feed

Low Grade Sulphide (TCu)(4)
Flotation – stockpile

2009

Mt
797.7
849.8
1,647.5
442.3
382.0
824.3

79.6
49.9
129.6
3.0
4.2
7.2

7.2
18.8
26.0
3.3
29.2
32.5
0.9
11.9
12.7

37.7
6.6
44.3
17.3
7.0
24.3

Tonnes

2008

Mt
715.4
890.7
1,606.1
303.9
492.6
796.5

71.2
44.2
115.4
3.2
2.8
6.0

12.9
18.5
31.3
1.4
37.6
39.0
0.6
11.6
12.1

45.6
8.0
53.6
20.9
10.1
31.1

0.2
19.3
19.6
322.9
1,227.7
1,550.6
–
615.0
615.0

0.2
20.3
20.5
315.4
1,224.1
1,539.5
–
675.1
675.1

2009

%Cu
0.73
0.55
0.64
0.36
0.28
0.32

%Cu
0.94
0.76
0.87
0.86
0.54
0.67

%Cu
0.88
0.94
0.93
0.70
0.43
0.46
0.24
0.25
0.25

%Cu
0.59
0.54
0.58
0.32
0.42
0.35

%Cu
1.16
0.74
0.75
1.03
0.93
0.95
–
0.52
0.52

Grade

2008

%Cu
0.73
0.55
0.63
0.33
0.22
0.26

%Cu
1.00
0.89
0.96
0.89
0.57
0.74

%Cu
0.93
0.94
0.94
0.70
0.45
0.46
0.24
0.26
0.26

%Cu
0.60
0.54
0.59
0.36
0.39
0.37

%Cu
1.60
0.77
0.78
0.99
0.95
0.96
–
0.51
0.51

Contained metal

2008

kt
5,222
4,899
10,121
1,003
1,084
2,087

712
393
1,105
28
16
44

120
173
293
10
169
179
1
30
31

273
43
317
75
39
115

2009

kt
5,823
4,674
10,497
1,592
1,069
2,662

750
381
1,131
26
23
48

63
177
240
23
126
149
2
30
32

222
36
258
55
29
85

3
143
146
3,326
11,417
14,743
–
3,198
3,198

4
156
160
3,123
11,629
14,752
–
3,443
3,443

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Mining method: OP = Open Pit, UG = Underground. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
TCu = total copper, ICu = insoluble copper (total copper less acid soluble copper), ASCu = acid soluble copper. 
Year on year changes to the Ore Reserves have been driven by changes in the copper price, mining and processing costs and changes to pit slope angles. 

(1)  Los Bronces – Sulphide (Flotation): Changes are due to an increase in the copper price offset against an increase in the flotation cut-off grade. 

(2)  Los Bronces – Sulphide (Dump Leach): The primary change is due to the Sulphide Flotation process which resulted in a transfer of flotation ore to leach ore.

(3)    El Soldado – Sulphide (Flotation): Changes are due to an increase in the copper price offset against a reduction of copper grades related to an updated resource model and the incorporation of a dilution factor to convert 

Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves.

(4)  Collahuasi – Low Grade Sulphide: Decrease is due to an updated resource model.

(5)   Copper Resources: A test of reasonable eventual economic extraction is applied through consideration of an optimised pit shell. Materials outside the optimised shell that have potential of eventual economic extraction 
via underground means are included in the Mineral Resource statement. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral 
Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after continued exploration.

(6)  Los Bronces – Sulphide (Flotation): Changes are due to an increase in the copper price offset against some Mineral Resource to Ore Reserve conversion.

(7)    El Soldado – Sulphide (Flotation): Decrease due to a reduction in the pit slope angle, an increase in processing costs and a reduction in metallurgical recovery.

(8)   Mantos Blancos – Sulphide (Flotation): Decrease is due to an increase in mine and process costs and a decrease in overall pit slope angles.

(9)   Mantos Blancos – Oxide (Vat and Heap Leach): Increase is mainly due to the incorporation of Indicated Resources from Mercedes waste dump (18.4Mt @ 0.28%TCu). 

(10)  Mantoverde – Oxide (Heap Leach): Decrease due to the exclusion of the Kuroki sector (8.6Mt @ 0.78%ASCu) and an increase in the marginal cut-off grade to 0.20%ASCu.

(11)  Collahuasi – Oxide, Mixed and Secondary Sulphides: Increase due to the incorporation of La Borracha and Dulcinea oxide ore bodies (15.0Mt @ 0.61%TCu).

(12)  Collahuasi – Sulphide: Increase due to application of a higher copper price.

Audits related to the generation of the Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource statements were carried out by independent consultants during 2009 at the following operations: 
Los Bronces, El Soldado, Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde

152

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Copper
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Classification

2009

Copper
Mineral Resources
Los Bronces (OP)(5)
Sulphide (TCu)(6)
Flotation

Attributable %
100

Sulphide (TCu)
Dump Leach

El Soldado (OP and UG)(5)

100

Sulphide (TCu)(7)
Flotation

Oxide (TCu)
Heap Leach

Mantos Blancos (OP)(5)
Sulphide (ICu)(8)
Flotation

100

Oxide (ASCu)(9)
Vat and Heap Leach

Oxide (ASCu)
Dump Leach

Mantoverde (OP)(5)
Oxide (ASCu)(10)
Heap Leach

100

Oxide (ASCu)
Dump Leach

Collahuasi (OP)(5)

44.0

Oxide, Mixed and Secondary Sulphides (TCu)(11)
Heap Leach

Sulphide (TCu)(12)
Flotation – direct feed

Low Grade Sulphide (TCu)
Flotation – stockpile

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Tonnes

2008

Mt
110.8
1,287.3
1,398.2
50.7
2,472.0
2,522.7
–
–
–
190.6
–
190.6

45.2
20.2
65.4
12.9
70.3
83.2
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.8
0.7
1.5

14.5
112.7
127.2
0.4
14.8
15.2
0.3
9.5
9.8
0.4
1.6
2.1
 –
 –
–
0.3
–
0.3

51.8
40.6
92.4
0.2
5.0
5.2
–
3.5
3.5
0.3
–
0.3

  Mt
55.7
739.8
795.5
121.0
3,065.0
3,186.0
–
–
–
132.0
–
132.0

30.4
23.0
53.4
13.1
34.3
47.4
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.7
1.2

10.6
105.2
115.8
2.0
10.4
12.4
1.1
27.1
28.2
1.3
3.3
4.7
–
–
–
1.2
–
1.2

38.5
22.9
61.5
0.2
4.4
4.6
–
2.7
2.7
0.2
–
0.2

–
18.0
18.0
0.6
1.3
2.0
1.4
344.6
346.0
252.3
1,558.6
1,810.8
1.2
76.0
77.2
62.0
614.0
676.0

–
2.0
2.0
0.6
2.3
2.9
1.4
289.3
290.7
258.9
1,372.0
1,630.9
1.2
109.3
110.5
90.0
627.7
717.7

2009

%Cu
0.43
0.39
0.39
0.52
0.38
0.39
–
–
–
0.25
–
0.25

%Cu
0.72
0.65
0.69
0.68
0.60
0.62
0.91
0.83
0.88
0.80
0.69
0.74

%Cu
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.66
0.55
0.57
0.56
0.37
0.38
0.53
0.58
0.57
–
–
–
0.23
–
0.23

%Cu
0.35
0.34
0.35
0.54
0.62
0.62
–
0.35
0.35
0.37
–
0.37

%Cu
–
0.69
0.69
1.09
0.71
0.83
0.73
0.86
0.86
0.93
0.90
0.90
0.48
0.49
0.49
0.51
0.50
0.50

Grade

2008

%Cu
0.42
0.42
0.42
0.46
0.39
0.39
–
–
–
0.18
–
0.18

%Cu
0.80
0.81
0.80
0.77
0.56
0.59
0.67
0.81
0.75
0.80
0.84
0.82

%Cu
0.72
0.66
0.67
0.77
0.59
0.59
0.56
0.57
0.57
0.56
0.59
0.58
–
–
–
0.24
–
0.24

%Cu
0.39
0.39
0.39
0.61
0.53
0.53
–
0.32
0.32
0.39
–
0.39

%Cu
–
1.18
1.18
1.09
0.76
0.83
0.78
0.85
0.85
0.93
0.90
0.90
0.47
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50

Contained metal

2008

kt
466
5,407
5,872
233
9,639
9,872
–
–
–
343
–
343

360
163
523
99
394
493
1
1
2
6
6
13

104
743
848
3
87
90
2
54
56
2
10
12
 –
 –
 –
1
–
1

200
157
357
1
26
28
 –
11
11
1
–
1

–
24
24
7
17
24
11
2,459
2,470
2,407
12,350
14,757
5
547
552
450
3,138
3,588

2009

kt
240
2,885
3,125
629
11,647
12,276
–
–
–
330
–
330

219
150
368
89
206
295
2
1
3
4
5
9

72
715
788
13
57
70
6
100
106
7
19
26
–
–
–
3
–
3

135
78
213
1
27
28
–
9
9
1
–
1

–
124
124
7
9
16
10
2,964
2,974
2,346
14,027
16,373
6
373
378
316
3,070
3,386

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

153

 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Copper
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Copper Projects
Ore Reserves
Quellaveco (OP)(1)
Sulphide (TCu)
Flotation

Copper Projects
Mineral Resources 
Quellaveco (OP)(1)
Sulphide (TCu)
Flotation

Attributable %

81.9

LOM

28

Attributable %

81.9

Los Sulfatos(2)

Sulphide (TCu) 
Flotation

100

Mantoverde Sulphide Project

100

Sulphide (TCu) 
Flotation

Pebble (OP/UG)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)
Cu-Au-Mo Porphyry

San Enrique Monolito(9)
Sulphide (TCu)
Flotation

50.0

100

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured(4)
Indicated(5)

Measured and Indicated

Inferred(6)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

2009

  Mt

672.2
207.8
880.0

2009

  Mt

213.1
394.6
607.6
32.7
77.7
110.4

–
–
–
1,200.0

1.0
50.6
51.7
100.6

510.0
4,890.0
5,400.0
2,840.0

–
–
–
900.0

Tonnes

2008

Mt

253.3
636.8
890.1

Tonnes

2008

Mt

1.9
193.9
195.9
21.8
392.7
414.5

–
–
–
–

1.2
57.1
58.2
111.6

500.0
4,120.0
4,620.0
2,270.0

–
–
–
–

2009

%Cu

0.61
0.76
0.65

2009

%Cu

0.44
0.45
0.45
0.72
0.45
0.53

%Cu

–
–
–
1.46

%Cu

0.80
0.75
0.75
0.69

%Cu

0.34
0.46
0.45
0.32

%Cu

–
–
–
0.81

Grade

2008

%Cu

0.76
0.61
0.65

Grade

2008

%Cu

0.39
0.43
0.43
0.60
0.48
0.49

%Cu

–
–
–
–

%Cu

0.78
0.72
0.72
0.66

%Cu

0.34
0.48
0.46
0.37

%Cu

–
–
–
–

Contained metal

2008

kt

1,925
3,885
5,810

Contained metal

2008

kt

8
834
842
131
1,885
2,016

–
–
–
–

9
411
420
736

1,700
19,776
21,476
8,399

–
–
–
–

2009

kt

4,101
1,579
5,680

2009

kt

937
1,776
2,713
235
350
585

–
–
–
17,520

8
380
388
694

1,734
22,494
24,228
9,088

–
–
–
7,290

Mining method: OP = Open Pit, UG = Underground. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)   Quellaveco: Resource model has been updated with new drill data. Estimation and classification methodologies have been improved. Increased metal prices and changes to the pit slopes have also resulted in positive 

changes to the Mineral Resources. Additional drill data have increased confidence in Ore Reserve classification

(2)  Los Sulfatos: Test of reasonable eventual economic extraction based on an underground operation.

(3)   Pebble: The Resources are based on drilling to May 2009 and a block model finalised in December 2009. Reported Mineral Resources fall within a volume defined by resource price estimates and are based on a cut-off 
grade of 0.40% CuEq. Calculation of copper equivalent (CuEq) is based on long-term metal prices and takes into consideration the recovery of copper, gold and molybdenum. At a cut-off of 0.60% CuEq the estimate of 
Measured Resources is 277Mt at 0.40% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 0.020% Mo while the estimate of Indicated Resources is 3,391Mt at 0.56% Cu, 0.41 g/t Au, 0.029% Mo.

(4)    Pebble co-product estimated grades 2009 (Measured): Gold 0.36g/t, Molybdenum 0.018%. CuEq average grade 0.66%.

(5)    Pebble co-product estimated grades 2009 (Indicated): Gold 0.36g/t, Molybdenum 0.027%. CuEq average grade 0.85%.

(6)    Pebble co-product estimated grades 2009 (Inferred): Gold 0.30g/t, Molybdenum 0.026%. CuEq average grade 0.66%.

(7)   Pebble: Significant changes between 2008 and 2009 Mineral Resources include additional drilling and changes to some of the parameters used for the determination of the reasonable prospects pit (costs, recoveries and 

pit slope angle). The Resource was also affected by changes to the long term metal prices that impacted on the calculation of the copper equivalent grade.

(8)   Pebble: The property comprises a continuous block of 1,335 located Alaska State mineral claims which total 98,000 acres (39,659 hectares) and which are currently valid. The claims must be renewed annually before 
1 December through the payment of rental fees (approximately US$200,000) and registration of work conducted or payment of cash in lieu (approx. US$250,000). There are no known factors affecting the claims.

(9)  San Enrique Monolito: Test of reasonable eventual economic extraction based on an underground operation.

154

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Nickel
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Nickel
The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. THE MINERAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO ORE RESERVES. 

The figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures 
may cause computational discrepancies.

Nickel
Ore Reserves
Barro Alto (OP)(1)

Laterite

Attributable %

100

LOM

27

Codemin – Niquelândia (OP)

100

6

Laterite

Loma de Níquel (OP)(2)

91.4

23

Laterite

Nickel
Mineral Resources
Barro Alto (OP)(1)

Laterite

Attributable %

100

Codemin – Niquelândia (OP)(3)

100

Laterite

Loma de Níquel (OP)(2)

91.4

Laterite

Nickel Projects
Mineral Resources
Jacaré(4)

Ferruginous Laterite

Attributable %

100

Saprolite

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

2009

  Mt

9.0
30.5
39.5

3.2
0.5
3.7

7.4
25.0
32.4

2009

  Mt

3.5
16.6
20.1
38.5
22.4
61.0

3.3
3.5
6.9
–
–
–

1.9
7.2
9.2
–
6.4
6.4

2009

  Mt

–
98.5
98.5
80.8
–
25.3
25.3
85.1

Tonnes

2008

Mt

9.5
31.2
40.7

3.2
0.5
3.7

12.1
21.0
33.1

Tonnes

2008

Mt

4.3
16.8
21.1
38.7
21.8
60.5

3.4
3.5
6.9
–
–
–

0.9
4.8
5.7
1.7
4.5
6.2

Tonnes

2008

Mt

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2009

%Ni

1.66
1.71
1.70

%Ni

1.33
1.33
1.33

%Ni

1.46
1.42
1.43

2009

%Ni

1.30
1.27
1.28
1.55
1.27
1.45

%Ni

1.29
1.25
1.27
–
–
–

%Ni

1.51
1.51
1.51
–
1.53
1.53

2009

%Ni

–
1.19
1.19
1.16
–
1.54
1.54
1.36

Grade

2008

%Ni

1.66
1.72
1.70

%Ni

1.33
1.33
1.33

%Ni

1.48
1.46
1.47

Grade

2008

%Ni

1.32
1.27
1.28
1.55
1.27
1.45

%Ni

1.29
1.25
1.27
–
–
–

%Ni

1.38
1.45
1.44
1.39
1.50
1.47

Grade

2008

%Ni

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Contained metal

2008

kt

158
535
693

42
7
49

179
306
485

Contained metal

2008

kt

57
213
270
599
275
875

43
44
87
–
–
–

13
69
82
23
68
91

Contained metal

2008

kt

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2009

kt

150
522
672

42
7
49

109
354
463

2009

kt

46
211
257
597
285
883

43
44
87
–
–
–

29
109
138
–
97
97

2009

kt

–
1,175
1,175
939
–
388
388
1,156

Mining method: OP = Open Pit. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)   Barro Alto: Ore from Barro Alto is currently being processed at the Codemin plant (the current life of the plant is 22 years). Mineral Resources are quoted above a 0.90% Ni cut-off and below an iron content of 30%. 

(2)   Loma de Níquel: Due to the increased uncertainty regarding renewal of mining concessions and the restoration of the 13 cancelled mining concessions, Anglo American’s participation in Loma de Níquel is at risk and 

might not continue beyond 2012 (refer to note 7 on page 112). Three mining concessions are due for renewal in November 2012 (see page 48 for additional information). Currently, the areas with fully approved permits 
and active concessions account for 8.3Mt (at 1.46 %Ni) of the Ore Reserves reported above. Mineral Resources include all mineralisation inside a saprolite envelope defined by nickel and iron grade boundaries (>0.80% 
Ni and <35% Fe) and it also includes the 13 cancelled concessions. 

(3)   Codemin – Niquelândia: Mineral Resources are quoted above a 0.90% Ni cut-off and below an iron content of 30%.

(4)   Jacaré: The submission of the Plano de Aproveitamento Economico (PAE) to Brazil’s Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral (DNPM), which included a pit optimisation, fulfils the test for “reasonable prospects for 

eventual economic extraction”. The Mineral Resources are based on drilling to February 2009 and a block model finalised in December 2009. The PAE is currently under consideration by the DNPM. 
The Saprolite Mineral Resources tabulated are a combination of higher-grade Mineral Resources that are expected to feed a pyrometallurgical treatment facility and lower-grade Mineral Resources that could be used to 
neutralise the acid in the proposed treatment of the Ferruginous Laterite material. Ferruginous Laterite is envisaged to be treated by hydrometallurgical processes.

Audits related to the generation of the Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource statements were carried out by independent consultants during 2009 at the following operations: Barro Alto, Codemin – Niquelândia and Jacaré

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155

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Niobium and Phosphate products
estimates as at 31 December 2009

The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. THE MINERAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO ORE RESERVES.

The figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures 
may cause computational discrepancies.

Niobium

Niobium
Ore Reserves
Catalão (OP)

Carbonatite (Oxide)

Attributable %

100

LOM

18

Niobium
Mineral Resources
Catalão (OP)(1)
Carbonatite

Attributable %

100

Phosphate products

Phosphate products
Ore Reserves
Copebrás (OP)
Carbonatite

Attributable %

73.0

LOM

46

Phosphate products
Mineral Resources
Copebrás (OP)(2)
Carbonatite

Attributable %

73.0

Contained product

2009

kt

108
34
142

2008

kt

128
46
174

Contained product

2009

kt

254
254
507
5
137
141

2008

kt

210
106
316
5
49
55

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

2009

  Mt

9.1
3.1
12.2

2009

  Mt

19.1
20.4
39.5
0.5
11.4
11.9

2009

  Mt

72.2
180.5
252.8

2009

  Mt

5.3
94.5
99.8
16.2
53.0
69.1

Tonnes

2008

Mt

10.6
4.0
14.6

Tonnes

2008

Mt

16.6
9.0
25.6
0.6
4.3
5.0

Tonnes

2008

Mt

78.7
160.4
239.1

Tonnes

2008

Mt

3.2
84.4
87.6
16.9
48.1
65.0

2009

%Nb2O5
1.19
1.10
1.17

2009

%Nb2O5
1.33
1.25
1.29
0.88
1.20
1.18

2009

%P2O5
13.4
13.0
13.1

2009

%P2O5
11.1
10.6
10.6
12.8
9.8
10.5

Grade

2008

%Nb2O5
1.21
1.14
1.19

Grade

2008

%Nb2O5
1.26
1.18
1.23
0.88
1.14
1.10

Grade

2008

%P2O5
13.4
13.3
13.3

Grade

2008

%P2O5
9.4
10.4
10.4
12.9
9.6
10.5

Mining method: OP = Open Pit. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.
(1)   Catalão: Mineral Resources include 3.8 Mt oxide material and 47.6 Mt fresh rock and are reported above cut-offs of 0.50% Nb2O5 and 0.70% Nb2O5, respectively. Some 8 Mt of the Mineral Resources reported above are 

located on an adjacent mining concession that belongs to Fosfértil. An agreement for Mineração Catalão to mine this material is in place subject to royalty payments.

(2)   Copebrás: Mineral Resources are quoted above a 7% P2O5 cut-off and with a CaO-P2O5 ratio between 1.0 and 1.4.

156

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Zinc
estimates as at 31 December 2009

The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. THE MINERAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO ORE RESERVES. 

The figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures 
may cause computational discrepancies.

Attributable %

LOM

74.0

7

Classification

Zinc
Ore Reserves
Black Mountain (UG) 
Deeps(1)
Zinc

Copper

Lead

Lisheen (UG)(2)

100

4

Zinc

Lead

Skorpion (OP)(3)

Zinc

100

6

Zinc
Mineral Resources
Black Mountain (UG) 
Deeps(1)
Zinc

Attributable %

74.0

Copper

Lead

Swartberg(4)
Zinc

Copper

Lead

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

2009

  Mt

4.9
2.8
7.7

Tonnes

2008

Mt

2.9
5.9
8.8

5.9
1.1
7.0

6.6
1.6
8.2

3.8
4.2
8.0

2009

  Mt

7.2
5.8
13.1
7.3
–
7.3

4.8
4.1
9.0

Tonnes

2008

Mt

1.6
2.6
4.3
2.4
–
2.4

–
17.3
17.3
24.5

–
17.3
17.3
24.5

2009

%Zn

3.52
2.03
2.97

%Cu
0.38
0.41
0.39

%Pb
3.64
2.64
3.27

%Zn

12.02
9.34
11.59

%Pb
1.86
1.87
1.86

%Zn

12.75
10.06
11.33

2009

%Zn

2.74
2.11
2.46
2.95
–
2.95

%Cu
0.37
0.45
0.41
0.73
–
0.73

%Pb
3.16
3.02
3.10
2.26
–
2.26

%Zn
–
0.63
0.63
0.68

%Cu
–
0.70
0.70
0.61

%Pb
–
2.87
2.87
2.79

Grade

2008

%Zn

3.71
2.89
3.16

%Cu
0.45
0.37
0.40

%Pb
3.16
2.86
2.96

%Zn

11.72
12.01
11.78

%Pb
1.91
1.81
1.89

%Zn

12.94
10.06
11.61

Grade

2008

%Zn

3.74
3.66
3.69
4.39
–
4.39

%Cu
0.63
0.57
0.59
1.09
–
1.09

%Pb
3.41
4.29
3.95
1.39
–
1.39

%Zn
–
0.63
0.63
0.68

%Cu
–
0.70
0.70
0.61

%Pb
–
2.87
2.87
2.79

Contained metal

2008

kt

109
170
280

13
22
35

93
168
261

779
192
970

127
29
156

624
417
1,041

Contained metal

2008

kt

61
96
158
104
–
104

10
15
25
26
–
26

56
113
169
33
–
33

–
109
109
167

–
121
121
150

–
497
497
684

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2009

kt

171
57
229

18
12
30

177
75
251

703
103
806

109
21
129

486
424
911

2009

kt

197
123
320
214
–
214

27
26
53
53
–
53

228
177
404
164
–
164

–
109
109
167

–
121
121
150

–
497
497
684

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Zinc
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Zinc
Mineral Resources continued
Lisheen (UG)(2)

Attributable %

100

Zinc

Lead

Skorpion (OP)(3)

Zinc

100

Zinc Projects
Ore Reserves
Gamsberg – North (OP)(5)(6)

Zinc

Attributable %

LOM

74.0

–

Zinc Projects
Mineral Resources
Gamsberg – North (OP)(5)(7)

Zinc

Attributable %

74.0

Gamsberg – East (UG)(8)

74.0

Zinc

Classification

2009

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Mt

0.8
0.4
1.1
0.3
0.3
0.6

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.3

2009

  Mt

–
–
–

2009

Mt

43.3
57.5
100.8
53.3

–
–
–
32.3

Tonnes

2008

Mt

0.9
0.4
1.3
0.2
0.2
0.4

0.2
1.0
1.2
0.1
1.0
1.2

Tonnes

2008

Mt

34.2
110.3
144.4

Tonnes

2008

Mt

–
–
–
54.2

–
–
–
–

2009

%Zn

12.84
11.50
12.42
19.23
11.66
15.31

%Pb
2.05
2.06
2.06
3.21
2.55
2.87

%Zn

6.90
7.49
7.33
9.61
9.67
9.61

2009

%Zn

–
–
–

2009

%Zn

7.09
6.47
6.74
5.39

%Zn

–
–
–
9.83

Grade

2008

%Zn

12.91
11.39
12.45
17.84
12.04
14.77

2.23
1.74
2.08
2.49
2.63
2.56

%Zn

7.29
7.87
7.78
9.61
8.87
8.95

Grade

2008

%Zn

7.55
5.55
6.03

Grade

2008

%Zn

–
–
–
4.10

%Zn

–
–
–
–

Contained metal

2008

kt

114
44
158
37
28
65

20
7
26
5
6
11

13
79
92
12
92
104

Contained metal

2008

kt

2,580
6,124
8,704

Contained metal

2008

kt

–
–
–
2,222

–
–
–
–

2009

kt

101
41
142
52
34
86

16
7
23
9
7
16

0
1
2
24
0
24

2009

kt

–
–
–

2009

kt

3,072
3,723
6,796
2,873

–
–
–
3,172

Mining method: OP = Open Pit, UG = Underground. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
For the polymetallic deposits, the tonnage figures apply to each metal. 
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)   Black Mountain – Deeps: Broken Hill and the Deeps Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources are combined for reporting purposes as both deposits are geologically connected and make use of the same mining infrastructure. 
The decrease in Ore Reserves due to production has been partially offset through changed economic assumptions and updated resources modelling based on new information. The definition of Mineral Resources for 
Broken Hill and the Deeps is based on the same 2009 economic and financial parameters as used for the definition of Ore Reserves. Measured and Indicated Resources are estimated to contain 13.1Mt of material grading 
41.3 g/t silver as a by-product. Inferred Resources are estimated to contain 7.3Mt of material grading 25.9 g/t silver as a by-product.

(2)   Lisheen: Changes are largely attributable to production as well as changes in the resource model (re-classification of Indicated Resources to Inferred Resources which are now not available for conversion to Ore Reserves) 
and sterilisation of ore due to back-filling on a retreat mining sequence. Mineral Resources are constrained by geological parameters (total sulphide content and ore thickness) and are quoted above a 6% ZnEq cut-off.

(3)   Skorpion: Production has been partially off-set by additional Ore Reserves derived through improved metal price assumptions and further geological information. An update of the geotechnical model for pit slope design 
is in progress. Mineral Resources are constrained by geological contacts and are defined using economic values and a cut-off grade (4% Zn). A major Mineral Resource model update, based on recent drilling information, 
is in progress. 

(4)    Black Mountain – Swartberg: The Swartberg mine was placed on care and maintenance from January 2007. The Ore Reserves were removed from the mine plan and converted to Mineral Resources. Indicated Resources 

are estimated to contain 17.3Mt of material grading 35.0 g/t silver as a by-product. Inferred Resources are estimated to contain 24.5Mt of material grading 41.0 g/t silver as a by-product.

(5)    Gamsberg – North: The Gamsberg deposit has been renamed Gamsberg North to distinguish it from the recently discovered Gamsberg East deposit.

(6)    Gamsberg – North: The Ore Reserves published in 2008 were based on the 2000 Feasibility Study. In the period between 2000 and 2007 substantial change took place in the techno-economic environment of the 

Gamsberg project. Market, cost and exchange rate outlooks were considerably different while substantial changes had been made to the understanding of the resource and the mineral exploration potential of the greater 
Gamsberg environ. Advances in the understanding of the chemistry of manganese removal and improved leaching technology led to more technically robust and efficient metallurgical process design options, which 
needed investigation. Changes to the regulatory (mineral rights) and socio-economic environment (power, social costs, etc.) in South Africa needed to be incorporated into the project studies. A pre-feasibility study, 
which was initiated in late 2008, is not yet complete and therefore no Ore Reserves are reportable in 2009.

(7)    Gamsberg – North: Mineral Resource estimates have been updated following infill drilling campaigns carried out during 2008 and 2009 to both validate historic data as well as increase confidence in the Mineral 

Resources. Mineral Resources are constrained within mineralized horizons and within a pit shell and are reported above a cut-off grade of 3% Zn. During 2009, some 11kt of material with an average grade of 8% Zn were 
mined via the exploration adit and processed at the Black Mountain concentrator.

(8)    Gamsberg – East: Gamsberg East is located 4 km south east of Gamsberg North. Mineral Resources are constrained by geology and are quoted above a 7% Zn cut-off and are supported by a positive concept study for an 
underground mine undertaken in 2009. This study has recommended that Gamsberg East is incorporated in the Gamsberg North pre-feasibility study. As that study has not yet been completed, no Ore Reserves are 
currently reportable.

Audits related to the generation of the Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource statements were carried out by independent consultants during 2009 at the following operations: Black Mountain, Skorpion

158

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Iron Ore
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Kumba Iron Ore
The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with The SAMREC Code, 2007. THE MINERAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO 
ORE RESERVES. 

The figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures 
may cause computational discrepancies.

Iron Ore
Ore Reserves
Sishen Mine (OP)(1)

Attributable %

36.5

LOM

21

Thabazimbi Mine (OP)(2)

46.4

6

Kolomela Mine (OP)(3)

46.4

28

Iron Ore
Mineral Resources
Sishen Mine (OP)(4)

Attributable %

36.5

Thabazimbi Mine (OP)(5)

46.4

Kolomela Mine (OP)(3)(6)

46.4

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

2009

  Mt

707.6
203.9
911.5

9.5
4.7
14.2

123.1
91.0
214.1

Tonnes

2008

Mt

709.2
247.7
956.9

4.1
0.8
4.9

123.1
91.0
214.1

2009

%Fe

59.2
59.2
59.2

%Fe

61.7
61.3
61.5

%Fe

64.2
63.9
64.1

Grade

2008

%Fe

59.7
59.3
59.6

%Fe

64.5
64.9
64.6

%Fe

64.2
63.9
64.1

Saleable product

2008

Mt

2009

Mt

531@65.4%Fe 536@65.0%Fe
154@64.9%Fe 187@65.1%Fe
685@65.3%Fe 723@65.0%Fe

8@63.4%Fe
4@62.7%Fe
12@63.1%Fe

4@64.9%Fe
1@65.1%Fe
5@64.9%Fe

123@64.2%Fe 123@64.1%Fe
91@63.9%Fe 91@63.9%Fe
214@64.0%Fe 214@64.0%Fe

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred (in LOM)
Inferred (ex. LOM)
Total Inferred

2009

  Mt

589.1
697.0
1,286.1
3.7
148.7
152.4

9.5
2.4
11.9
1.3
2.3
3.6

49.5
20.8
70.3
35.4
47.4
82.9

Tonnes

2008

Mt

758.7
715.5
1,474.1
4.1
150.2
154.3

18.7
4.9
23.6
0.3
2.6
2.9

49.5
20.8
70.3
35.4
47.4
82.9

2009

%Fe

56.0
57.6
56.8
58.2
59.4
59.4

%Fe

62.7
63.7
62.9
61.9
63.4
62.8

%Fe

65.0
64.9
64.9
65.6
62.5
63.8

Grade

2008

%Fe

54.9
57.4
56.1
61.8
59.2
59.3

%Fe

62.3
63.4
62.5
61.8
63.4
63.3

%Fe

65.0
64.9
64.9
65.6
62.5
63.8

Mining method: OP = Open Pit. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
The tonnage is quoted as dry metric tonnes and abbreviated as Mt for million tonnes. 
The Mineral Resources are constrained by a resource pit shell, which defines the spatial limits of eventual economic extraction. 
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration. 
The Zandrivierspoort Project is not reported as Anglo American’s shareholding (23.2%) is below the internal threshold for reporting. Details of this project are presented in the Kumba Iron Ore Annual Report.

(1)   Sishen Mine – Ore Reserves: The decrease is mainly as a result of depletion due to mining, marginally negated by a minor correction made for over-estimation of Ore Reserve depletion in 2008 and a small increase in 

Ore Reserves based on a revised scheduling process that allows for a slight improvement in resource utilisation.

(2)   Thabazimbi Mine – Ore Reserves: The primary reason for the net increase is a complete revision of the conversion process of Mineral Resources into Ore Reserves in 2009. The conversion gain was offset by mining 
depletion; a correction made for the under-estimation of production in 2008 and the downgrading of Probable Ore Reserves to Inferred Mineral Resources considered for the life-of-mine plan due to an associated 
geotechnical risk. Geological block model updates in 2009 resulted in a further addition of Ore Reserves. The cut-off grade used for the Thabazimbi Mine life-of-mine scheduling is a Saleable Product %Fe cut-off grade 
and all material that could be beneficiated to at least this cut-off value was included in the schedule as ROM.

(3)   Kolomela Mine: The Sishen South Iron Ore Project has been renamed to Kolomela Mine.

(4)   Sishen Mine – Mineral Resources: The 2009 Mineral Resources represent the combination of the previously reported Within Pit and Outside Pit resources. The decrease is primarily the result of a downward adjustment of 
the in situ %Fe grade estimate of low-grade ore material based on new information. This decrease in iron grade resulted in previously-defined ore material being transferred to waste. The loss is not in the current life of 
mine plan.

(5)   Thabazimbi Mine – Mineral Resources: The 2009 Mineral Resources represent the combination of the previously reported Within Pit and Outside Pit resources. The decrease is primarily due to a conversion to Ore 

Reserves based on a complete revision of the Ore Reserve estimation in 2009.

(6)   Kolomela Mine – Mineral Resources: The 2009 Mineral Resources represent the combination of the previously reported Within Pit and Outside Pit resources.

Audits related to the generation of the Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource statements were carried out by independent consultants during 2009 at the following operations: Kolomela Mine

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

159

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Iron Ore
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Iron Ore Brazil
The Minas Rio project is located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil and will include open pit mines and a beneficiation plant producing high grade pellet feed which will be 
transported, through a slurry pipeline, over 500km to the Port of Açu in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The project will largely be based on the two main deposits of Serra do Sapo 
and Itapanhoacanga. Two ore types, Friable and Hard Itabirite, have been identified at Serra do Sapo and Itapanhoacanga. Only the Friable Itabirite is being considered for Phase 
1 of the project. The planned annual capacity of Phase 1 is 26.5Mtpa of iron ore pellet feed (wet tonnes), for start up during in the second half of 2012. 

The figures reported represent 100% of the Mineral Resources. Rounding of figures may cause computational discrepancies.

Amapá
Mineral Resources(1)
Amapá (OP)(2)
Canga

Attributable %

70.0

Colluvium

Friable Itabirite and Hematite

Minas Rio Iron Ore Project
Mineral Resources(3)
Itapanhoacanga (OP)(4)

Friable Itabirite and Hematite

Attributable %

100

Hard Itabirite

Serra do Sapo (OP)(5)

100

Friable Itabirite and Hematite

Hard Itabirite

Serro (OP)(6)

100

Friable Itabirite and Hematite

Hard Itabirite

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

2009

  Mt

–
–
–
17.2
5.6
31.0
36.6
14.1
28.7
80.8
109.4
29.9

2009

  Mt

25.0
219.2
244.2
74.7
10.9
95.8
106.7
43.9

498.1
872.5
1,370.5
192.2
453.8
1,968.3
2,422.1
149.4

–
9.5
9.5
74.2
–
–
–
308.2

Tonnes

2008

Mt

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Tonnes

2008

Mt

–
90.0
90.0
362.0
–
–
–
51.0

462.0
565.8
1,027.8
143.9
–
1,650.5
1,650.5
680.8

–
46.0
46.0
54.0
–
79.0
79.0
259.0

2009

%Fe

–
–
–
54.6
40.9
44.0
43.5
41.7
42.5
41.3
41.6
41.8

2009

%Fe

42.5
41.6
41.7
41.7
33.2
33.8
33.7
33.2

%Fe

38.6
37.0
37.6
33.1
31.8
31.2
31.3
30.3

%Fe

–
63.6
63.6
35.3
–
–
–
31.6

Grade

2008

%Fe

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Grade

2008

%Fe

–
39.6
39.6
38.0
–
–
–
33.2

%Fe

38.1
37.5
37.8
34.3
–
31.0
31.0
30.3

%Fe

–
33.3
33.3
28.7
–
29.5
29.5
30.7

Mining method: OP = Open Pit.  
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)   Amapá – Mineral Resources: The cut-off grade used is 25% Fe. Assays are on a dry basis. Tonnages are reported on a wet basis with an average moisture content of 10 wt% for Colluvium and 8 wt% for Friable Itabirite 

and Hematite ore. 

(2)   Amapá : Includes the Mário Cruz, Martelo, Taboca, Taboca Leste and Vila do Meio areas. The Taboca Leste area comprises the following Inferred Resources: Canga – 1.5Mt @ 42.6% Fe, Colluvium – 10.9Mt @ 41.7% Fe 

and Friable Itabirite – 23.8Mt @ 41.4% Fe. Friable Itabirite and Hematite includes Friable Itabirite, Altered Friable Itabirite and Friable Hematite.

(3)   Minas Rio Project – Mineral Resources: The cut-off grade used is 25% Fe. Assays are on a dry basis. Tonnages are reported on a wet basis with an average moisture content of 5 wt% for Friable ore. Friable Itabirite and 

Hematite includes Friable Itabirite, Semi-Compact Itabirite and Friable Hematite. 

(4)   Itapanhoacanga: 2008 figures comprise material above 20% Fe cut-off grade. Low grade Mineral Resources (between 20% Fe and 33% Fe) were included in table footnotes in 2008 and are now combined with the 
previously reported high grade Mineral Resources. Friable Itabirite and Hematite includes Friable Itabirite, Semi-Compact Itabirite, Soft Hematite and Hard Hematite. A portion of the adjacent Quartz-X Mineração Ltd 
property is included in the 2009 figures (Measured = 0.4Mt @ 43.1% Fe, Indicated = 23.8Mt @ 41.2% Fe, Inferred = 22.4Mt @ 41.0% Fe).

(5)   Serra do Sapo: Friable Itabirite and Hematite includes Friable Itabirite, Semi-Compact Itabirite and Soft Hematite. The Friable Itabirite and Hematite includes an area containing high Alumina content (28.1Mt). 

Mineração Trindade Ltd properties are included in the 2009 figures (Indicated = 40.3Mt @ 32.1% Fe, Inferred = 3.2Mt @ 31.7% Fe).

(6)   Serro: 2008 figures comprise material above 20% Fe cut-off grade. Low grade Mineral Resources (between 20% Fe and 33% Fe) were included in table footnotes in 2008 and are now combined with the previously 

reported high grade Mineral Resources. Friable Itabirite and Hematite includes Friable Itabirite, Semi-Compact Itabirite and Hard Hematite (9.5Mt @ 63.6% Fe).

Audits related to the generation of the Mineral Resource statements were carried out by independent consultants during 2009 at the following operations and projects: Amapá, Itapanhoacanga, Serra do Sapo and Serro 

160

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Manganese
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Samancor Manganese
The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with The SAMREC Code, 2007 and The JORC Code, 2004 as applicable. 
THE MINERAL RESOURCES INCLUDE ORE RESERVES. 

The figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources (source: BHP Billiton). Rounding of figures may cause computational discrepancies.

Manganese
Ore Reserves
GEMCO (OP)(1)

Attributable %

40.0

LOM

14

Hotazel – Mamatwan (OP)(2)(3)

36.4

22

Hotazel – Wessels (UG)(2)(4)

36.4

49

Manganese
Mineral Resources
GEMCO (OP)(5)

Attributable %

40.0

Hotazel – Mamatwan (OP)(2)(6) 

36.4

Hotazel – Wessels (UG)(2)(7)

36.4

2009

%

50.8
47.9
49.7

2009

%

44.4
44.0
44.2
45.2

Yield

2008

%

49.4
47.0
48.5

Yield

2008

%

44.2
44.0
44.1
44.1

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Inferred

2009

  Mt

67.5
43.2
110.7

53.6
24.8
78.4

5.1
68.4
73.5

2009

  Mt

71.2
46.6
117.9
39.0

79.6
45.3
124.9
3.1

12.1
132.0
144.1
–

Tonnes

2008

Mt

71.9
43.9
115.8

40.5
8.1
48.6

3.9
14.9
18.8

Tonnes

2008

Mt

74.6
47.5
122.1
39.1

51.8
13.9
65.7
1.7

6.7
119.6
126.3
–

2009

%Mn

46.8
46.4
46.7

%Mn

37.8
37.2
37.6

%Mn

45.5
43.0
43.2

2009

%Mn

46.3
46.0
46.2
43.3

%Mn

35.8
34.3
35.3
33.1

%Mn

46.3
44.2
44.4
–

Grade

2008

%Mn

48.2
47.1
47.8

%Mn

37.7
36.8
37.6

%Mn

46.5
45.3
45.5

Grade

2008

%Mn

46.3
46.0
46.2
43.4

%Mn

37.6
36.3
37.3
35.6

%Mn

47.3
44.0
44.1
–

Mining method: OP = Open Pit, UG = Underground. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
Mamatwan tonnages stated as wet metric tonnes. Wessels and GEMCO tonnages stated as dry metric tonnes. 
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to some Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Resource after 
continued exploration.

(1)    GEMCO – Ore Reserves: Changes are the result of pricing changes between FY08 and FY09.

(2)   Hotazel Manganese Mines: An agreement has been reached between Hotazel Manganese Mines and empowerment consortium Ntsimbintle Mining (Pty) Ltd. The Ntsimbintle agreement has been signed by both parties 
and approved by the South African Government. This transaction allows for the inclusion of part of the Prospecting Rights held by Ntsimbintle into the Mamatwan and Wessels Mining Area in exchange for 9% equity in 
Hotazel Manganese Mines, thereby adding the resources within the Ntsimbintle Prospecting Right to the Mamatwan and Wessels Mining Rights through a Section 102 conversion. The rights have been transferred to and 
are now held by a new company called Hotazel Manganese Mines (Pty) Ltd, effective as at 16 April 2009 subsequent to a section 11 (Act 28/2002) approval by the South African Department of Minerals and Energy 
(DME). The Anglo American share of Wessels and Mamatwan mines (Hotazel Manganese Mines) therefore drops to 36.4%.

(3)  Mamatwan – Ore Reserves: Changes in tonnages are due to a refinement of densities used for various zones within the orebody, inclusion of Ntsimbintle Ore Reserves, changes in final pillar layout (due to inclusion of  
  Ntsimbintle Ore Reserves) resulting in more reserves being available for mining and depletion due to production.

(4)   Wessels – Ore Reserves: The main reasons for the increase in Ore Reserves are the inclusion of the Upper Body into the LOM Plan, the inclusion of the Ntsimbintle part of the Lower Body, refinement of the geological 

model after the addition of new drillhole and geological data and production depletion. New scheduling software and updated modifying factors have been used for the resource to reserve conversion.

(5)   GEMCO – Mineral Resources: All changes are as a result of depletion due to mining.

(6)   Mamatwan – Mineral Resources: Mineral Resources have been declared above a 35% Mn cut-off grade and now includes Mineral Resources contributed by Ntsimbintle Mining (Pty) Ltd. A major positive change in 

tonnage is due to the inclusion of the balance of the Top Cut (after removal of the X-zone). Changes also due to a refinement in the density methodology used. the X Zone and Top Cut (Balance) are also declared as 
Mineral Resource. As a matter of course, this material has to be mined in the process of accessing the economic M, C and N Zones and, depending on market conditions, now has potential economic value. Please note 
that the modelling and tonnage declaration of an area of 118,753 m² on the western side within the Ntsimbinle portion remains outstanding due to insufficient data. This will, following the approval of the South African 
Government and delineation of official boundaries, be evaluated for inclusion in 2010.

(7)   Wessels – Mineral Resources: Figures include those resources contributed by Ntsimbintle Mining (Pty) Ltd. A decrease in the Upper Body resource is reported after a complete rerun of the block model with the addition of 

new drillhole data and subsequent geological re-interpretation. Changes in the Lower Body Resource are, apart from production depletion, due to a rerun of the block model with the addition of new drillhole and 
underground face sampling data, geological re-interpretation, adjustment of the sub-outcrop position in places and the addition of re-evaluated remnant ore blocks.

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161

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

The Coal Reserve and Coal Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. Where relevant, the estimates were also prepared in compliance with regional codes and requirements (e.g. The SAMREC Code, 2007). The 
figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures may 
cause computational discrepancies. During 2009, Anglo Coal was restructured into three discrete business units: Anglo American Metallurgical Coal representing the dominantly 
export metallurgical coal business located in Australia; Anglo American Thermal Coal representing the dominantly export and domestic thermal coal business, located in South 
Africa and Colombia; and the Remaining Coal mines and projects located in Canada and Venezuela. THE COAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO THE COAL 
RESERVES.

Metallurgical Coal Reserves(1)
Australia
Callide (OC)

Attributable %(2)

Classification

LOM

21

100

71.6

21

Domestic Power

Capcoal (OC&UG)
Export Thermal

Coking

Other Metallurgical

Dawson (OC)

Export Thermal

51.0

26

Coking

Drayton (OC)

Export Thermal

88.2

6

Domestic Power

Foxleigh (OC)

Other Metallurgical

70.0

2

Moranbah North (UG)

88.0

29

Coking

Australia Export Thermal

58.7

Australia Coking

76.5

Australia Other Metallurgical

71.5

Australia Domestic Power

100

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2009

  Mt

125.8
87.7
213.5

127.0
68.0
194.9

2008

Mt

134.6
87.7
222.3

125.8
90.3
216.1

21.0
161.8
182.8

205.1
123.0
328.1

1.9
31.2
33.1

26.5
14.4
40.9

1.9
4.4
6.3

123.6
12.2
135.8

401.0
365.3
766.4

–
–
–

118.4
17.3
135.8

610.4
332.8
943.2

2009

%

97.4
99.2
98.2

2.2
2.9
2.4

37.7
34.4
36.6

28.7
29.5
29.0

57.6
56.4
56.6

24.4
18.9
19.5

78.4
77.3
77.4

–
–
–

71.1
71.1
71.1

78.5
74.0
78.1

49.7
59.8
58.5

63.8
32.7
54.6

30.2
35.2
32.1

97.4
99.2
98.2

2008

%

97.4
99.2
98.1

38.9
39.1
39.0

29.8
17.2
24.5

–
–
–

53.2
30.5
44.7

28.0
47.5
35.3

69.8
69.8
69.8

25.0
25.0
25.0

–
–
–

75.8
74.0
75.6

50.8
38.8
45.4

51.8
46.0
48.6

–
–
–

93.9
96.3
94.8

2009

  Mt

122.3
87.0
209.3

3.0
2.0
5.0

50.0
24.4
74.4

38.1
20.9
59.0

12.4
93.9
106.3

5.2
31.4
36.6

1.5
24.1
25.6

–
–
–

1.4
3.3
4.7

102.5
9.6
112.0

16.9
120.0
136.9

157.7
65.3
223.0

39.5
24.2
63.7

122.3
87.0
209.3

2008

Mt

131.0
87.0
218.0

53.1
38.6
91.7

39.1
16.3
55.4

–
–
–

114.1
38.9
153.0

59.6
61.4
121.0

18.5
10.1
28.6

6.6
3.6
10.2

–
–
–

95.0
13.6
108.6

185.7
87.6
273.3

193.7
91.4
285.0

–
–
–

137.6
90.7
228.3

2009

kcal/kg

4,550
4,560
4,550

kcal/kg

7,070
7,070
7,070

CSN
8.0
7.5
8.0

kcal/kg
6,980
7,090
7,020

kcal/kg

6,500
6,500
6,500

CSN
7.5
7.5
7.5

kcal/kg

7,070
6,450
6,490

kcal/kg
–
–
–

kcal/kg

6,520
6,580
6,560

CSN

7.5
8.0
7.5

kcal/kg

6,650
6,500
6,520

CSN

7.5
7.5
7.5

kcal/kg

6,960
7,020
6,990

kcal/kg

4,550
4,560
4,560

2008

kcal/kg

4,530
4,550
4,540

kcal/kg

7,400
7,400
7,400

CSN
8.5
8.5
8.5

kcal/kg
–
–
–

kcal/kg

6,600
6,620
6,610

CSN
7.5
7.5
7.5

kcal/kg

6,720
6,740
6,730

kcal/kg
5,780
5,780
5,780

kcal/kg

–
–
–

CSN

7.5
8.0
7.5

kcal/kg

6,840
6,980
6,880

CSN

8.0
8.0
8.0

kcal/kg

–
–
–

kcal/kg

4,590
4,600
4,590

Mining method: OC = Open Cast, UG = Underground. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
For the multi-product operations, the ROM tonnage figures apply to each product. 
The Saleable tonnage cannot be calculated directly from the ROM reserve tonnage using the air dried yields as presented since the difference in moisture content is not taken into account. 
Attributable percentages for country totals are weighted by Saleable tonnes and should not be directly applied to the ROM tonnage. 
Additional footnotes appear at the end of the section. 

Export Thermal refers to low- to high-volatile thermal coal primarily for export in the use of power generation; quality measured by calorific value (CV). 
Coking refers to a high-, medium- or low-volatile semi-soft, soft or hard coking coal primarily for blending and use in steel industry; quality measured as crucible swell number (CSN). 
Other Metallurgical refers to semi soft, soft, hard, semi-hard or anthracite coal, other than Coking Coal, such as pulverized coal injection (PCI) or other general metallurgical coal for the export or domestic market with a 
wider range of properties than Coking Coal. 
Domestic Power refers to low- to high-volatile thermal or semi-soft coal primarily for domestic consumption for power generation; quality measured by calorific value (CV).

162

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Metallurgical Coal Resources – Mine Leases(6)
Australia
Callide

Attributable %(2)

100

Capcoal

Dawson

Drayton

Foxleigh 

71.6

51.0

88.2

70.0

Moranbah North

88.0

Australia – Mine Leases

77.6

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

MTIS(6)

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

317.8
375.3
693.1
0.4
101.3
116.0
217.3
12.0
163.1
278.6
441.7
103.5
0.9
12.5
13.4
0.1
10.0
58.9
68.9
–
42.1
20.0
62.2
0.1

317.8
375.3
693.1
0.4
181.2
119.8
301.0
8.6
162.3
215.1
377.4
2.7
9.3
12.4
21.7
1.3
1.8
71.0
72.7
–
32.4
22.4
54.7
0.6

704.7
816.0
1,520.7
13.6

Tonnes

2008

4,800
4,740
4,770
4,050
6,810
6,750
6,780
6,560
6,650
6,650
6,650
6,710
6,870
6,730
6,740
5,910
6,760
6,480
6,520
–
6,590
6,480
6,550
6,800

4,800
4,740
4,770
4,050
7,160
7,160
7,160
7,160
6,560
6,590
6,580
6,540
6,730
6,760
6,750
6,860
7,680
7,420
7,430
–
6,730
6,730
6,730
6,730

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

5,750
5,820
5,790
6,690

5,930
5,900
5,920
6,910

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

Metallurgical Coal Resources – Projects(6)
Australia
Dartbrook

Attributable %(2)

77.5

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

635.2
861.4
1,496.6
116.0

Classification

2009

MTIS(6)

Grosvenor

Moranbah South

Saddlers Creek

Taroom

Theodore

Australia – Projects

100

50.0

88.2

51.0

51.0

74.9

Metallurgical Coal Resources – Mine Lease and Projects(6)
Australia
Total

Attributable %(2)

76.1

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

170.1
51.9
222.1
240.1
117.2
357.3
56.0
149.7
205.7
398.9
137.9
536.8
36.4
89.0
125.5
–
358.2
358.2

170.1
 51.9
222.1
227.8
 111.9
339.7
–
–
–
398.9
137.9
536.8
36.4
89.0
125.5
–
358.2
 358.2

6,200
6,200
6,200
6,350
6,340
6,350
5,940
6,290
6,190
6,440
6,340
6,410
5,560
5,580
5,570
–
6,250
6,250

6,200
6,200
6,200
6,650
6,660
6,650
–
–
–
6,440
6,340
6,410
5,560
5,580
5,570
–
6,250
6,250

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

901.5
903.9
1,805.4

833.2
749.0
1,582.2

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

6,300
6,210
6,260

6,410
6,240
6,330

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

MTIS(6)

1,536.7
1,765.3
3,302.0
116.0

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

1,537.9
1,565.0
3,102.9
13.6

6,070
6,020
6,050
6,690

6,190
6,060
6,130
6,910

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

163

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Brown Coal

Brown Coal Resources(6)
Australia
Monash Energy

Attributable %(2)

100

Australia Brown Coal Resources

100

Coal Bed Methane

Coal Bed Methane Reserves
Australia
Dawson

Attributable %(2)

51.0

Harcourt

25.5

Australia CBM Reserves

45.8

Classification

2009

MTIS(6)

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

5,095.0
5,221.0
10,316.0

5,095.0
5,221.0
10,316.0

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

5,095.0
5,221.0
10,316.0

5,095.0
5,221.0
10,316.0

1,820
1,790
1,800

1,820
1,790
1,800

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

1,820
1,790
1,800

1,820
1,790
1,800

Saleable Volume(9)

Saleable Energy Content(9)

Classification

Proved: 1P
Probable: 2P-1P
Total: 2P
Proved: 1P
Probable: 2P-1P
Total: 2P

Proved: 1P
Probable: 2P-1P
Total: 2P

2009

MMcf

45,392
100,259
145,651
–
36,902
36,902

45,392
137,161
182,553

2008

MMcf

49,882
100,259
150,141
–
36,902
36,902

49,882
137,161
187,043

2009

2008

PJ

48
106
154
–
39
39

PJ

48
145
193

PJ

53
106
159
–
39
39

PJ

53
145
197

Coal Bed Methane (CBM) estimates were compiled by an external independent consultant in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations contained in the Petroleum Resources Management System 2007 sponsored 
by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the World Petroleum Council (WPC).  

(1)   Coal Reserves are quoted on a Run Of Mine (ROM) reserve tonnage basis which represents the tonnes delivered to the plant. Saleable reserve tonnage represents the product tonnes produced. 

Coal Reserves (ROM and Saleable) are on the applicable moisture basis.

(2) Attributable (%) refers to 2009 only. For the 2008 Reported and Attributable figures, please refer to the 2008 Annual Report.

(3) The tonnage is quoted as metric tonnes. ROM tonnages on an As Delivered moisture basis, and Saleable tonnages on a Product moisture basis.

(4)  Yield (%) represents the ratio of Saleable reserve tonnes to ROM reserve tonnes and is quoted on a constant moisture basis or on an air dried to air dried basis. 

The product yields for Proved, Probable and Total are calculated by dividing the individual Saleable reserves by the total ROM reserves per classification.

(5)  The coal quality for the Coal Reserves is quoted as either Calorific Value (CV) using kilo-calories per kilogram (kcal/kg) units on a Gross As Received (GAR) basis or Crucible Swell Number (CSN). 

 Coal quality parameters for the Coal Reserves for Coking, Other Metallurgical and Export Thermal collieries meet the contractual specifications for coking coal, PCI, metallurgical coal, steam coal and domestic coal.  
Coal quality parameters for the Coal Reserves for Domestic Power and Domestic Synfuels collieries meet the specifications of the individual supply contracts. 
CV is rounded to the nearest 10 kcal/kg and CSN to the nearest 0.5 index.

(6)  Coal Resources are quoted on a Mineable Tonnage In-Situ (MTIS) basis in million tonnes which are in addition to those resources which have been modified to produce the reported Coal Reserves. 

Coal Resources are on an in-situ moisture basis.

(7)  The coal quality for the Coal Resources is quoted on an in-situ heat content as Calorific Value (CV) using kilo-calories per kilogram (kcal/kg) units on a Gross As Received (GAR) basis.  

CV is rounded to the nearest 10 kcal/kg.

(8)  Inferred (in LOM) refers to Inferred Coal Resources that are included in the life of mine extraction schedule of the respective collieries and are not reported as Coal Reserves. Inferred Coal Resources outside the LOM plan 

but within the mine lease area are not reported due to a) the uncertainty attached to such resources in that it cannot be assumed that all or part of the Inferred Resource will necessarily be upgraded to Indicated or 
Measured categories through continued exploration, b) such Inferred Resources do not necessarily meet the requirements of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, particularly in respect of future mining 
and processing economics. 

(9) CBM Reserves are reported in terms of Saleable volume (million cubic feet – MMcf) and Saleable energy (Petajoules – PJ, or one thousand trillion Joules).

Summary of material changes (±10%) at reporting level

Australia 
Callide:  

Capcoal: 
Dawson: 

Drayton: 

Foxleigh: 
Grosvenor: 
Jellinbah: 
Moranbah North: 
Moranbah South: 

Brown Coal 
Monash Energy: 

Coal Bed Methane 
Dawson: 

The 2009 submission has been based on depletion of the 2008 resource and reserve estimates by the actual 2009 production. Work is currently underway to generate a new life of mine plan for Callide  
for supply to domestic and other customers. This work is expected to be complete by end 2010 at which time a full economic re-assessment of the resource and reserve position will be available. 
Resources in areas down-dip of Central and to the east of Grasstree have been reallocated (-80 Mt). Closure of the Aquila bord and pillar operation has reduced ROM reserves (-22 Mt).
 Mining at Dawson North ceased in early 2009 (-37 Mt ROM). Resource classifications have been revised resulting in a decrease in areas of reserves (-108 Mt) and an increase in Inferred Resources 
within the mine plan (+101 Mt). Exploration commencing in 2010 is expected to bring Inferred Resources within the mine plan progressively to reserve status during 2011.
Reserves – Revision of mine plan and exclusion high cost areas in south / south west of lease (-8 Mt ROM).
Resources – Resources reallocated due to geological complexity (- 9 Mt).
Reserves reported for the first time representing reserves in the immediate mining areas (+6 Mt ROM). 
Approval obtained for the commencement of a detailed feasibility study for an underground longwall operation in 2010. 
Not reported in 2009 due to <25% attributable interest. 
Resource increase attributable to changes in mine design and additional exploration (+7 Mt). 
Resources are reported for underground mining areas which have reasonable potential for eventual economic extraction based on exploration and studies completed in 2009 (+206 Mt). 

 Resource estimates have not changed from 2008 because no additional data was added in 2009. The brown coal is a substantial resource suitable as a feedstock to many chemical processes but  
requires technological breakthroughs to allow the economic development of clean coal plants.

Initial reserves calculated in 2006 were depleted for gas production, consumption and venting for the 2009 estimates. 

Assumption with respect to Mineral Tenure 
Callide: 

Foxleigh: 

An expectation that a Mining Lease Application which has been lodged will be granted for the northern part of the Kilburnie area. A Mining Lease Application will be lodged and is expected to be granted  
for the Amy’s Find area as an extension to the existing mining area at The Hut. 
A Mining Lease Application will be lodged and is expected to be granted for the Plains area.

Reviews by independent third parties were carried out in 2009 on the following Operations and Project areas: Capcoal Mine Complex, Dawson South, Drayton, Foxleigh, Theodore, Taroom   

164

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

The Coal Reserve and Coal Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. Where relevant, the estimates were also prepared in compliance with regional codes and requirements (e.g. The SAMREC Code, 2007). The 
figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures may 
cause computational discrepancies. During 2009, Anglo Coal was restructured into three discrete business units: Anglo American Metallurgical Coal representing the dominantly 
export metallurgical coal business located in Australia; Anglo American Thermal Coal representing the dominantly export and domestic thermal coal business, located in South 
Africa and Colombia; and the Remaining Coal mines and projects located in Canada and Venezuela. THE COAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO THE COAL 
RESERVES.

Thermal Coal Reserves(1)
Colombia
Cerréjon (OC)

Export Thermal

Attributable %(2)

LOM

Classification

33.3

23

Colombia Export Thermal

33.3

Attributable %(2)

LOM

Classification

100

10

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2008

Mt

519.3
241.0
760.2

519.3
241.0
760.2

2009

%

96.2
96.2
96.2

96.2
96.2
96.2

2008

%

96.9
96.9
96.9

96.9
96.9
96.9

2009

  Mt

621.4
48.9
670.3

621.4
48.9
670.3

2008

Mt

502.9
233.4
736.3

502.9
233.4
736.3

2009

kcal/kg

6,210
6,210
6,210

kcal/kg

6,210
6,210
6,210

2008

kcal/kg

6,200
6,200
6,200

kcal/kg

6,200
6,200
6,200

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2009

  Mt

646.6
50.7
697.3

646.6
50.7
697.3

2009

  Mt

25.5
85.6
111.1

39.8
2.4
42.1

84.5
–
84.5

77.1
21.3
98.4

67.0
64.3
131.3

48.0
21.4
69.5

2008

Mt

50.5
81.2
131.7

19.5
12.2
31.7

90.6
–
90.6

81.9
25.4
107.4

82.1
62.4
144.5

37.5
27.8
65.3

35.6
67.3
103.0

40.6
66.8
107.3

37.0
106.7
143.7

41.9
87.6
129.5

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Thermal Coal Reserves(1)
South Africa
Goedehoop (UG&OC)
Export Thermal

Other Metallurgical

Greenside (UG)

Export Thermal

Isibonelo (OC)
Synfuel

Kleinkopje (OC)

Export Thermal

Domestic Power

Kriel (UG&OC)

Domestic Power

Landau (OC)

Export Thermal

Domestic Power

Mafube (OC)

Export Thermal

Domestic Power

100

12

100

17

100

14

73.0

16

100

11

50.0

20

New Denmark (UG)
Domestic Power

100

31

2009

%

59.9
54.5
55.7
–
–
–

59.0
63.0
59.2

100
–
100

33.8
48.4
37.0
37.5
–
29.4

100
100
100

52.8
50.7
52.2
7.0
9.1
7.6

51.6
36.9
42.0
23.0
31.3
28.4

100
100
100

2008

%

49.9
54.2
52.6
2.0
–
0.8

63.2
60.3
62.1

100
–
100

32.9
49.0
36.7
40.6
–
31.0

100
100
100

50.1
48.4
49.4
10.6
15.3
12.6

54.2
36.9
43.4
28.0
31.3
30.1

100
100
100

2009

  Mt

15.5
47.5
63.0
–
–
–

24.3
1.5
25.8

84.6
–
84.6

26.4
10.4
36.8
29.5
–
29.5

2008

Mt

26.3
45.1
71.4
1.0
–
1.0

12.6
7.5
20.1

90.6
–
90.6

27.3
12.6
39.9
33.2
–
33.2

67.0
64.3
131.3

82.1
62.4
144.5

25.1
11.0
36.1
3.4
2.0
5.4

18.4
25.1
43.5
8.2
21.2
29.4

18.8
13.4
32.3
4.0
4.2
8.2

22.0
24.7
46.7
11.4
20.9
32.3

37.0
106.7
143.7

41.9
87.6
129.5

2009

kcal/kg

6,240
6,180
6,190
–
–
–

6,190
6,190
6,190

4,560
–
4,560

6,220
6,230
6,220
4,490
–
4,490

4,790
4,500
4,650

6,300
6,370
6,320
4,450
3,900
4,250

6,300
6,280
6,290
5,450
5,080
5,180

5,090
4,940
4,980

2008

kcal/kg

6,200
6,130
6,150
6,990
–
6,990

6,240
6,220
6,230

4,660
–
4,660

6,220
6,230
6,220
4,530
–
4,530

4,800
4,500
4,670

6,270
6,260
6,270
3,340
4,690
4,040

6,290
6,270
6,280
5,380
5,080
5,190

4,900
4,850
4,870

O
r
e
R
e
s
e
r
v
e
s
&
M
n
e
r
a

i

l

R
e
s
o
u
r
c
e
s

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

165

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Thermal Coal Reserves(1) 
South Africa continued
New Vaal (OC)

Domestic Power

Attributable %(2)

LOM

Classification

100

18

Nooitgedacht 5 Seam (UG)

100

3

Export Thermal

Other Metallurgical

Zibulo (UG&OC)

Export Thermal

Domestic Power

73.0

17

South Africa Export Thermal

86.8

South Africa Other Metallurgical

100

South Africa Domestic Power

92.3

South Africa Synfuel

100

Other Metallurgical

100

Domestic Power

Synfuel

92.3

100

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total
Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2009

Mt

423.4
–
423.4

1.9
–
1.9

2008

Mt

444.9
–
444.9

2.9
–
2.9

–
99.3
99.3

–
117.7
117.7

839.8
468.3
1,308.1

892.4
481.0
1,373.4

2009

%

92.1
–
92.1

34.6
–
34.6
27.0
–
27.0

–
39.7
39.7
–
37.0
37.0

50.3
46.2
47.7

27.0
–
27.0

89.1
82.5
86.8

100
–
100

2008

%

91.2
–
91.2

39.9
–
39.9
30.5
–
30.5

–
40.1
40.1
–
40.5
40.5

48.0
46.3
46.5

15.8
–
15.2

88.4
78.8
85.4

100
–
100

2009

Mt

404.0
–
404.0

0.7
–
0.7
0.5
–
0.5

–
39.5
39.5
–
38.5
38.5

110.3
135.0
245.3

0.5
–
0.5

549.1
232.7
781.8

84.6
–
84.6

2008

Mt

417.6
–
417.6

1.2
–
1.2
0.9
–
0.9

–
47.5
47.5
–
49.8
49.8

108.2
150.9
259.1

1.9
–
1.9

590.1
225.0
815.1

90.6
–
90.6

2009

kcal/kg

3,490
–
3,490

6,360
–
6,360
6,300
–
6,300

–
6,350
6,350
–
4,880
4,880

kcal/kg
6,250
6,270
6,260

kcal/kg
6,300
–
6,300

kcal/kg
3,850
4,810
4,130

kcal/kg
4,560
–
4,560

2008

kcal/kg

3,500
–
3,500

6,200
–
6,200
6,510
–
6,510

–
6,340
6,340
–
4,880
4,880

kcal/kg
6,240
6,240
6,240

kcal/kg
6,760
–
6,760

kcal/kg
3,870
4,780
4,120

kcal/kg
4,660
–
4,660

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

  Mt
1,486.4
519.0
2,005.4

Mt
1,411.6
722.0
2,133.6

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

2009

%
89.3
59.5
83.2

27.0
–
27.0

89.1
82.5
86.8

100
–
100

2008

%
88.2
77.0
83.8

15.8
–
15.2

88.4
78.8
85.4

100
–
100

2009

  Mt
731.7
183.9
915.6

0.5
–
0.5

549.1
232.7
781.8

84.6
–
84.6

2008

Mt
611.1
384.3
995.4

1.9
–
1.9

590.1
225.0
815.1

90.6
–
90.6

2009

kcal/kg
6,220
6,250
6,230

kcal/kg
6,300
–
6,300

kcal/kg

3,850
4,810
4,130

kcal/kg
4,560
–
4,560

2008

kcal/kg
6,500
6,360
6,450

kcal/kg
6,760
–
6,760

kcal/kg

3,870
4,780
4,120

kcal/kg
4,660
–
4,660

Thermal Coal Reserves(1)
Total
Export Thermal

47.4

Attributable %(2)

Classification

2009

2008

Mining method: OC = Open Cast, UG = Underground. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
For the multi-product operations, the ROM tonnage figures apply to each product. 
The Saleable tonnage cannot be calculated directly from the ROM reserve tonnage using the air dried yields as presented since the difference in moisture content is not taken into account. 
Attributable percentages for country totals are weighted by Saleable tonnes and should not be directly applied to the ROM tonnage. 
Additional footnotes appear at the end of the section.

Export Thermal refers to low- to high-volatile thermal coal primarily for export in the use of power generation; quality measured by calorific value (CV). 
Other Metallurgical refers to semi soft, soft, hard, semi-hard or anthracite coal, other than Coking Coal, such as pulverized coal injection (PCI) or other general metallurgical coal for the export or domestic market with a 
wider range of properties than Coking Coal. 
Domestic Power refers to low- to high-volatile thermal or semi-soft coal primarily for domestic consumption for power generation; quality measured by calorific value (CV). 
Synfuel refers to a coal specifically for the domestic production of synthetic fuel and chemicals; quality measured by calorific value (CV).

166

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Thermal Coal Resources – Mine Leases(6)
Colombia
Cerréjon

Attributable %(2)

33.3

Colombia – Mine Leases

33.3

Thermal Coal Resources – Mine Leases(6)
South Africa
Goedehoop

Attributable %(2)

100

Greenside

Isibonelo

Kleinkopje

Kriel

Landau

Mafube

New Denmark

New Vaal

100

100

100

73.0

100

50.0

100

100

Nooitgedacht 5 Seam

100

Zibulo

73.0

South Africa – Mine Leases

84.9

Thermal Coal Resources
Mine Leases
Total

Attributable %(2)

52.6

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

MTIS(6)

1,051.6
270.3
1,321.9
40.3

1,051.6
270.3
1,321.9
40.3

667.1
712.8
1,379.9
–

667.1
712.8
1,379.9
–

2009

MTIS(6)

Tonnes

2008

MTIS(6)

6,480
6,480
6,480
6,960

6,400
6,290
6,340
–

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

6,480
6,480
6,480
6,960

2009

kcal/kg(7)
5,030
5,270
5,130
–
–
–
–
5,470
–
5,250
5,250
–
4,990
–
4,990
–
5,280
4,710
5,080
–
5,730
4,600
5,080
–
5,230
–
5,230
5,420
–
–
–
5,310
–
–
–
–
4,750
–
4,750
–
4,810
4,910
4,870
5,430

kcal/kg(7)

5,070
4,960
5,020
5,400

6,400
6,290
6,340
–

Coal Quality

2008

kcal/kg (7)
5,010
5,320
5,130
–
–
–
–
5,120
–
5,330
5,330
–
4,960
–
4,960
–
5,280
4,710
5,080
–
5,750
6,050
5,950
–
5,300
–
5,300
5,420
–
–
–
5,840
4,230
–
4,230
–
6,240
–
6,240
–
4,480
5,200
4,990
–

kcal/kg (7)

4,990
5,320
5,170
5,630

Coal Quality

2009

2008

O
r
e
R
e
s
e
r
v
e
s
&
M
n
e
r
a

i

l

R
e
s
o
u
r
c
e
s

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

115.3
82.4
197.7
–
–
–
–
13.3
–
25.8
25.8
–
28.6
–
28.6
–
61.8
34.7
96.5
–
30.4
41.7
72.1
–
3.8
–
3.8
10.7
–
–
–
30.6
–
–
–
–
1.1
–
1.1
–
98.0
174.2
272.2
59.2

339.1
358.8
697.8
113.8

135.4
83.8
219.2
–
–
–
–
27.7
–
25.8
25.8
–
31.9
–
31.9
–
61.8
34.7
96.5
–
34.0
66.3
100.2
–
4.2
–
4.2
10.7
–
–
–
78.7
2.5
–
2.5
–
1.1
–
1.1
–
90.8
220.3
311.2
–

361.7
430.9
792.6
117.1

Tonnes

2008

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

MTIS(6)

1,390.7
629.1
2,019.7
154.0

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

1,028.8
1,143.7
2,172.6
117.1

6,130
5,620
5,970
5,810

5,900
5,930
5,920
5,630

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

167

 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Thermal Coal Resources – Projects(6)
South Africa
Elders

73.0

Attributable %(2)

Kriel East

New Largo

73.0

73.0

Nooitgedacht 2+4 Seam

100

South Rand

Vaalbank

73.0

100

South Africa – Projects

75.8

Thermal Coal Resources(6)
Projects
Total

Attributable %(2)

75.8

Thermal Coal Resources(6)
Mine Leases and Projects
Total

Attributable %(2)

60.8

2009

MTIS(6)

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

183.4
30.6
213.9
97.9
22.8
120.8
247.1
246.1
493.2
29.9
17.1
47.0
90.7
156.5
247.2
54.6
23.4
77.9

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

703.6
496.4
1,200.0

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

MTIS(6)

703.6
496.4
1,200.0

2009

MTIS(6)

2,094.3
1,125.5
3,219.7
154.0

87.7
36.6
124.3
41.4
50.8
92.2
199.9
186.3
386.3
–
61.6
61.6
36.4
220.7
257.1
54.6
23.4
77.9

420.0
579.4
999.5

Tonnes

2008

4,940
4,960
4,940
4,930
4,900
4,920
4,430
4,230
4,330
5,320
5,320
5,320
4,780
4,710
4,740
3,570
4,440
3,830

5,200
5,170
5,190
4,980
4,940
4,960
4,000
4,050
4,020
–
5,320
5,320
5,560
5,590
5,590
3,900
3,900
3,900

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

4,650
4,500
4,590

4,470
4,910
4,730

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

420.0
579.4
999.5

Tonnes

2008

4,650
4,500
4,590

4,470
4,910
4,730

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

1,448.9
1,723.1
3,172.0
117.1

5,640
5,130
5,460
5,810

5,490
5,590
5,540
5,630

Attributable percentages for country totals are weighted by Measured and Indicated MTIS. 

(1)   Coal Reserves are quoted on a Run Of Mine (ROM) reserve tonnage basis which represents the tonnes delivered to the plant. Saleable reserve tonnage represents the product tonnes produced. 

Coal Reserves (ROM and Saleable) are on the applicable moisture basis.

(2) Attributable (%) refers to 2009 only. For the 2008 Reported and Attributable figures, please refer to the 2008 Annual Report.

(3) The tonnage is quoted as metric tonnes. ROM tonnages on an As Delivered moisture basis, and Saleable tonnages on a Product moisture basis.

(4)  Yield (%) represents the ratio of Saleable reserve tonnes to ROM reserve tonnes and is quoted on a constant moisture basis or on an air dried to air dried basis. 

The product yields for Proved, Probable and Total are calculated by dividing the individual Saleable reserves by the total ROM reserves per classification.

(5)  The coal quality for the Coal Reserves is quoted as either Calorific Value (CV) using kilo-calories per kilogram (kcal/kg) units on a Gross As Received (GAR) basis or Crucible Swell Number (CSN). 

 Coal quality parameters for the Coal Reserves for Coking, Other Metallurgical and Export Thermal collieries meet the contractual specifications for coking coal, PCI, metallurgical coal, steam coal and domestic coal.  
Coal quality parameters for the Coal Reserves for Domestic Power and Domestic Synfuels collieries meet the specifications of the individual supply contracts. 
CV is rounded to the nearest 10 kcal/kg and CSN to the nearest 0.5 index.

(6)  Coal Resources are quoted on a Mineable Tonnage In-Situ (MTIS) basis in million tonnes which are in addition to those resources which have been modified to produce the reported Coal Reserves. 

Coal Resources are on an in-situ moisture basis.

(7)  The coal quality for the Coal Resources is quoted on an in-situ heat content as Calorific Value (CV) using kilo-calories per kilogram (kcal/kg) units on a Gross As Received (GAR) basis. 

CV is rounded to the nearest 10 kcal/kg,

(8)   Inferred (in LOM) refers to Inferred Coal Resources that are included in the life of mine extraction schedule of the respective collieries and are not reported as Coal Reserves. Inferred Coal Resources outside the LOM plan 

but within the mine lease area are not reported due to a) the uncertainty attached to such resources in that it cannot be assumed that all or part of the Inferred Resource will necessarily be upgraded to Indicated or 
Measured categories through continued exploration, b) such Inferred Resources do not necessarily meet the requirements of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, particularly in respect of future mining 
and processing economics. 

Summary of material changes (±10%) at reporting level

Colombia 
Cerréjon: 

South Africa 
Goedehoop: 
Greenside: 

Kleinkopje: 
Landau: 
New Denmark: 
New Vaal: 
Zibulo: 

Elders: 
Kriel East: 
New Largo: 
Nooitgedacht: 

 Resources: a gain of 40 Mt Inferred Resources in Mine Plan due to changes in methodology.

Reserves: a gain of 19 Mt due to inclusion of Vlaklaagte resources in mine plan; a loss of 20 Mt resulting from changes in modifying factors 
Reserves: a gain of 15 Mt due to changes in mine plan, increased drilling density, and correction for under reporting in 2008. Resources: a loss of 14 Mt due to exclusion of resources underlying pan   
pending environmental approval for mining.
Resources: a loss of 3 Mt due to changes in pit shell layout. 
Reserves: a gain of 11 Mt due to conversion of Navigation West and Schoonie opencast resources. Resources: a loss of 9 Mt due to infrastructure sterilisation. 
Reserves: reclassification of 48 Mt Resources to 25 Mt Reserves due to additional information. 
Reserves: a loss of 3 Mt due to the exclusion of low volatile material and 3 Mt due to operational mining losses. 
Zibulo comprises the Zibulo Mine (formerly Zondagsfontein), the Zondagsfontein West project area and the Oogiesfontein Mine. Proved Reserves have been reclassified as Probable Reserves pending  
the granting of a mining right. Reserves: a loss of 13 Mt at Zibulo due to change in mining extraction percentage and 3 Mt at Oogiesfontein due to reclassification of reserves following changes in mine  
planning. Resources: a gain of 59 Mt of S2M Seam at Zibulo due to inclusion of Inferred Resources in the mine plan and a gain of 3 Mt Measured Resources at Oogiesfontein due to reclassification of   
reserves. A loss of 42 Mt of S5 Seam at Zibulo due to reclassification and change to minimum cut-off thickness, and re-modelling of a transgressive sill.
A gain of 51 Mt due to additional information; a gain of 39 Mt due to change from raw to washed product. 
A gain of 29 Mt due to additional exploration information. 
A gain of 107 Mt due to additional exploration information. 
A loss of 15 Mt due to reduced interpretation confidence in data combined with a change of cut-off parameters. 

Assumption with respect to Mineral Tenure 
South Africa: 

 Granting of 3 remaining Prospecting Rights to Anglo American Thermal Coal for the Vaalbank project is pending. Anglo American Thermal Coal has reasonable expectation that these rights will be granted 
in due course, and the relevant Project Coal resources have been included in the statement. Granting of the mining rights for Zibulo Colliery (formerly Zondagsfontein and Oogiesfontein) are currently 
pending. Anglo Inyosi Coal (Pty) Limited has reasonable expectation that these rights will be granted in due course. Anglo American Thermal Coal has been granted Section 11 cession of the Kriel mining 
right to Anglo Inyosi Coal (Pty) Limited but has not concluded the final agreement. The attributable percentage (73%) reflects therefore the anticipated ownership following conclusion of this agreement.

Royalty Payment 
South Africa:  

Royalty payments are scheduled to commence in April 2010 and have been taken into consideration in economic assessment of the reserves.

Reviews by independent third parties were carried out in 2009 on the following Operations and Project areas: Goedehoop South, Isibonelo, Zibulo, Elders

168

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

The Coal Reserve and Coal Resource estimates were compiled in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code, 
2004) as a minimum standard. Where relevant, the estimates were also prepared in compliance with regional codes and requirements (e.g. The SAMREC Code, 2007). The 
figures reported represent 100% of the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources, the percentage attributable to Anglo American plc is stated separately. Rounding of figures may 
cause computational discrepancies. During 2009, Anglo Coal was restructured into three discrete business units: Anglo American Metallurgical Coal representing the dominantly 
export metallurgical coal business located in Australia; Anglo American Thermal Coal representing the dominantly export and domestic thermal coal business, located in South 
Africa and Colombia; and the Remaining Coal mines and projects located in Canada and Venezuela. THE COAL RESOURCES ARE REPORTED AS ADDITIONAL TO THE COAL 
RESERVES.

Attributable %(2)

74.8

LOM
14

Classification

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

ROM Tonnes(3)

2008

Mt
10.4
4.2
14.6

2009

  Mt
20.6
2.5
23.0

2009

%
1.9
1.9
1.9

61.6
59.7
61.4

Yield(4)

2008

%
2.0
2.8
2.2

68.0
67.3
67.8

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2009

2008

  Mt
0.4
0.1
0.5

13.3
1.6
14.9

Mt
0.2
0.1
0.3

7.4
3.0
10.4

2009

kcal/kg
5,300
5,300
5,300

CSN

7.0
7.0
7.0

2008

kcal/kg
5,660
5,660
5,660

CSN

7.0
7.0
7.0

Attributable %(2)

LOM

Classification

24.9

21

Proved
Probable
Total

Attributable %(2)

Classification

25.0

74.8

Proved
Probable
Total

Proved
Probable
Total

2009

  Mt

127.7
16.2
143.9

2009

  Mt
148.2
18.7
166.9

Remaining Coal Reserves(1)
Canada
Trend (OC)

Export Thermal

Coking

Remaining Coal Reserves(1)
Venezuela
Guasare (OC)

Export Thermal

Remaining Coal Reserves(1)
Canada and Venezuela
Export Thermal

Coking

Remaining Coal Resources – Mine Leases(6)
Canada
Trend (OC)

Attributable %(2)

74.8

Remaining Coal Resources – Mine Leases(6)
Venezuela
Guasare (OC)

Attributable %(2)

24.9

Remaining Coal Resources – Mine Leases(6)
Canada and Venezuela
Total

Attributable %(2)

74.8

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2008

Mt

136.6
–
136.6

2009

%

100
100
100

2008

%

100
–
100

2009

  Mt

127.7
16.2
143.9

2008

Mt

141.1
–
141.1

2009

kcal/kg

7,180
7,240
7,190

2008

kcal/kg

7,320
–
7,320

ROM Tonnes(3)

Yield(4)

Saleable Tonnes(3)

Saleable Quality(5)

2008

Mt
147.0
4.2
151.2

2009

%
99.7
99.7
99.7

61.6
59.7
61.4

2008

%
99.8
2.8
99.8

52.4
46.7
49.2

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

  Mt
128.1
16.3
144.4

13.3
1.6
14.9

2009

MTIS(6)
19.9
5.4
25.3
1.4

2009

MTIS(6)
–
–
–
–

2009

MTIS(6)

19.9
5.4
25.3
1.4

2008

Mt
141.3
0.1
141.4

7.4
3.0
10.4

Tonnes

2008

MTIS(6)
–
–
–
2.4

Tonnes

2008

MTIS(6)
26.9
79.5
106.5
–

Tonnes

2008

2009

kcal/kg
7,170
7,240
7,180

CSN
7.0
7.0
7.0

2008

kcal/kg
7,320
5,660
7,320

CSN
7.0
7.0
7.0

Coal Quality

2009

2008

kcal/kg(7)
6,500
6,500
6,500
6,500

kcal/kg (7)

–
–
–
7,500

Coal Quality

2009

2008

kcal/kg(7)

–
–
–
–

kcal/kg (7)
7,910
7,860
7,870
–

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

26.9
79.5
106.5
2.4

6,500
6,500
6,500
6,500

7,910
7,860
7,870
7,500

O
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Mining method: OC = Open Cast. LOM = Life of Mine in years based on scheduled Ore Reserves. 
For the multi-product operations, the ROM tonnage figures apply to each product. 
The Saleable tonnage cannot be calculated directly from the ROM reserve tonnage using the air dried yields as presented since the difference in moisture content is not taken into account. 
Attributable percentages for country totals are weighted by Saleable tonnes and should not be directly applied to the ROM tonnage. 

Export Thermal refers to low- to high-volatile thermal coal primarily for export in the use of power generation; quality measured by calorific value (CV). 
Coking refers to a high-, medium- or low-volatile semi-soft, soft or hard coking coal primarily for blending and use in steel industry; quality measured as crucible swell number (CSN). 

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

169

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources

Coal
estimates as at 31 December 2009

Remaining Coal Resources – Projects(6)
Canada
Belcourt Saxon

37.4

Attributable %(2)

Roman Mountain

74.8

Canada – Projects

42.8

Remaining Coal Resources – Projects(6)
Canada and Venezuela
Total

42.8

Attributable %(2)

Remaining Coal Resources – Mine Lease and Projects(6)
Canada and Venezuela
Total

Attributable %(2)

46.4

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Classification

Measured
Indicated
Measured and Indicated

Inferred (in LOM)(8)

2009

MTIS(6)

166.7
4.2
170.9

21.1
7.5
28.6

187.8
11.7
199.5

2009

MTIS(6)

187.8
11.7
199.5

2009

MTIS(6)

207.7
17.1
224.8
1.4

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

–
–
–

18.2
6.3
24.5

18.2
6.3
24.5

7,000
7,000
7,000

6,970
6,970
6,970

–
–
–

6,810
6,810
6,810

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

7,000
6,980
7,000

6,810
6,810
6,810

Tonnes

2008

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

18.2
6.3
24.5

Tonnes

2008

7,000
6,980
7,000

6,810
6,810
6,810

Coal Quality

2009

2008

MTIS(6)

kcal/kg(7)

kcal/kg (7)

45.1
85.9
131.0
2.4

6,950
6,830
6,940
6,500

7,460
7,790
7,670
7,500

Attributable percentages for country totals are weighted by Measured and Indicated MTIS.

(1)   Coal Reserves are quoted on a Run Of Mine (ROM) reserve tonnage basis which represents the tonnes delivered to the plant. Saleable reserve tonnage represents the product tonnes produced. 

Coal Reserves (ROM and Saleable) are on the applicable moisture basis.

(2)  Attributable (%) refers to 2009 only. For the 2008 Reported and Attributable figures, please refer to the 2008 Annual Report.

(3) The tonnage is quoted as metric tonnes. ROM tonnages on an As Delivered moisture basis, and Saleable tonnages on a Product moisture basis.

(4)  Yield (%) represents the ratio of Saleable reserve tonnes to ROM reserve tonnes and is quoted on a constant moisture basis or on an air dried to air dried basis. 

The product yields for Proved, Probable and Total are calculated by dividing the individual Saleable reserves by the total ROM reserves per classification.

(5)  The coal quality for the Coal Reserves is quoted as either Calorific Value (CV) using kilo-calories per kilogram (kcal/kg) units on a Gross As Received (GAR) basis or Crucible Swell Number (CSN). 

 Coal quality parameters for the Coal Reserves for Coking, Other Metallurgical and Export Thermal collieries meet the contractual specifications for coking coal, PCI, metallurgical coal, steam coal and domestic coal.  
Coal quality parameters for the Coal Reserves for Domestic Power and Domestic Synfuels collieries meet the specifications of the individual supply contracts. 
CV is rounded to the nearest 10 kcal/kg and CSN to the nearest 0.5 index.

(6)  Coal Resources are quoted on a Mineable Tonnage In-Situ (MTIS) basis in million tonnes which are in addition to those resources which have been modified to produce the reported Coal Reserves. 

Coal Resources are on an in-situ moisture basis.

(7)  The coal quality for the Coal Resources is quoted on an in-situ heat content as Calorific Value (CV) using kilo-calories per kilogram (kcal/kg) units on a Gross As Received (GAR) basis. 

CV is rounded to the nearest 10 kcal/kg.

(8)  Inferred (in LOM) refers to Inferred Coal Resources that are included in the life of mine extraction schedule of the respective collieries and are not reported as Coal Reserves. Inferred Coal Resources outside the LOM plan 

but within the mine lease area are not reported due to a) the uncertainty attached to such resources in that it cannot be assumed that all or part of the Inferred Resource will necessarily be upgraded to Indicated or 
Measured categories through continued exploration, b) such Inferred Resources do not necessarily meet the requirements of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, particularly in respect of future mining 
and processing economics. 

Summary of material changes (±10%) at reporting level

Canada 
Trend: 
Belcourt-Saxon: 
Roman Mountain: 

China 
Xiwan: 

Venezuela 
Guasare: 

Reserves: a gain of 9 Mt due to a change in stripping ratio resulting from economic assumptions. Resources: a gain of 25 Mt due to changes in classification methodology and cut-off parameters. 
Resources: a gain of 171 Mt due to the project being reported for the first time in 2009. 
Resources: a gain of 4 Mt due to additional drilling information.

The Xiwan Project reported in 2008 is currently subject to finalisation of disposal to a third party. Resources are therefore excluded from the 2009 estimates.

The resource and reserve statement supplied by Carbones del Guasare has not been validated by Anglo American Thermal Coal. Reserves: a gain of 15 Mt due to changes in mine plan, increased drilling  
density, and correction for under reporting in 2008. Resources: a loss of 106 Mt due to conversion to reserves and a reclassification of Measured and Indicated to Inferred resources.

Assumption with respect to Mineral Tenure 
Venezuela: 

Although the Carbones del Guasare mining concession terminates in 2013, Coal Reserves and Resources in the Mine Lease that may be included in a mine plan beyond this date are included in the 2009  
statement.

Reviews by independent third parties were carried out in 2009 on the following Operations and Project areas: Trend, Roman Mountain 

170

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
Production statistics

The figures below include the entire output of consolidated entities and the Group’s attributable share of joint ventures, joint arrangements and associates 
where applicable, except for Collahuasi in Copper and De Beers which are quoted on a 100% basis.

Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have changed from those reported at 31 December 
2008. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with current year presentation.

Platinum segment (troy ounces)(1)(2)
Platinum
Palladium
Rhodium

Nickel (tonnes)(3)
Copper (tonnes)(3)
Gold

Diamonds segment (De Beers) (diamonds recovered – carats)
100% basis (Anglo American 45%)
Debswana
Namdeb
De Beers Consolidated Mines
Williamson(4)
Canada

Copper segment
Collahuasi
100% basis (Anglo American 44%)
Ore mined
Ore processed

Ore grade processed

Production

Total copper production for Collahuasi
Anglo American Sur
Los Bronces mine
Ore mined
Marginal ore mined
Las Tortolas concentrator

Production

El Soldado mine
Ore mined

Oxide
Sulphide
Oxide
Sulphide
Copper concentrate
Copper cathode
Copper in concentrate

Ore processed
Ore grade processed
Average recovery
Copper concentrate
Copper cathode
Copper in concentrate
Total

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
% Cu
% Cu
dry metric tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
% Cu
%
dry metric tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

Open pit – ore mined
Open pit – marginal ore mined
Underground (sulphide)
Total

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

2009

2008

2,451,600
1,360,500
349,900
4,162,000
19,500
11,200
90,900

2,386,600
1,318,800
299,300
4,004,700
15,500
8,800
78,500

929,000

17,734,000 32,276,000
2,122,000
4,797,000 11,960,000
134,000
1,640,000
24,600,000 48,132,000

–
1,140,000

7,293,800

71,197,800 57,699,800
7,317,400
45,348,300 42,377,400
0.6
1.1
1,574,000
49,400
415,000
464,400

0.6
1.1
1,837,900
43,100
492,700
535,800

21,115,900 21,045,100
19,368,700 36,008,900
20,512,300 20,012,700
1.1
84.9
677,900
45,800
190,000
235,800

1.1
86.3
676,100
48,400
190,000
238,400

7,348,500
505,600
1,501,000
9,355,100

5,305,800
21,700
1,312,700
6,640,200

(1)  See the published results of Anglo Platinum Limited for further analysis of production information.

(2)  Northam Platinum Limited was transferred to a disposal group in September 2007. Production information excludes Northam Platinum Limited. Northam Platinum Limited was sold on 20 August 2008.

(3) Also disclosed within total attributable nickel and copper production.

(4) Williamson was disposed of on 10 November 2008.

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Other information

Production statistics
continued

Copper segment (continued)
Anglo American Sur (continued)
El Soldado mine (continued)
Ore processed

Ore grade processed

Production

Chagres Smelter

Production

Total copper production for Anglo American Sur(1)
Anglo American Norte
Mantos Blancos mine
Ore processed

Ore grade processed

Production

Mantoverde mine
Ore processed

Ore grade processed

Production
Total copper production for Anglo American Norte(1)
Total Copper segment copper production(1)
Platinum copper production(2)
Black Mountain copper production
Total attributable copper production(1)

Oxide
Sulphide
Oxide
Sulphide
Copper concentrate
Copper cathode
Copper in concentrate
Total

tonnes
tonnes
% Cu
% Cu
dry metric tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

Copper concentrate smelted
Copper blister/anode
Copper blister/anode (third party)
Acid

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

Oxide
Sulphide
Marginal ore mined
Oxide
Sulphide
Marginal ore
Copper concentrate
Copper cathode
Copper cathode (third party)
Copper in concentrate
Total

Oxide
Marginal ore
Oxide
Marginal ore
Copper cathode

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
% Cu (soluble)
% Cu (insoluble)
% Cu (soluble)
dry metric tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
% Cu (soluble)
% Cu (soluble)
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

2009

2008

1,689,700
7,481,500
0.7
0.7
158,700
4,200
37,200
41,400

140,900
137,700
2,500
457,600
282,300

4,361,300
4,248,100
3,360,000
0.7
1.1
0.3
125,100
37,600
8,600
44,000
90,200

9,676,300
4,058,000
0.7
0.3
61,500
151,700
669,800
11,200
2,200
683,200

821,800
7,179,700
1.3
0.8
174,100
6,700
43,100
49,800

148,400
146,100
1,000
486,600
286,600

4,694,800
4,311,100
5,003,000
0.7
1.2
0.3
132,300
34,300
5,300
46,800
86,400

9,556,900
4,300,400
0.7
0.4
62,500
148,900
639,800
8,800
2,500
651,100

(1)  Includes total concentrate and cathode production and blister/anode produced from third party purchased material.

(2) Northam Platinum Limited was transferred to a disposal group in September 2007. Production information excludes Northam Platinum Limited. Northam Platinum Limited was sold on 20 August 2008.

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Nickel segment
Codemin
Ore mined
Ore processed
Ore grade processed
Production
Loma de Níquel
Ore mined
Ore processed
Ore grade processed
Production
Total Nickel segment nickel production
Platinum nickel production(1)
Total attributable nickel production

Iron Ore and Manganese segment
Kumba Iron Ore
Lump
Fines
Amapá(2)
Sinter feed
Pellet feed
Total iron ore production
Samancor(3)
Manganese ore
Manganese alloys(4)

tonnes
tonnes
% Ni
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
% Ni
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes

2009

2008

547,700
512,000
2.1
9,500

822,700
641,800
1.6
10,400
19,900
19,500
39,400

498,400
475,900
2.1
9,100

811,000
676,800
1.6
10,900
20,000
15,500
35,500

25,300,000 22,042,000
16,643,000 14,657,000

576,100
2,077,100

128,000
584,000
44,596,200 37,411,000

1,570,000
129,000

2,704,000
306,000

(1)   Northam Platinum Limited was transferred to a disposal group in September 2007. Production information excludes Northam Platinum Limited. Northam Platinum Limited was sold on 20 August 2008.

(2)  Production from Amapá is included from 5 August 2008. Amapá production for full year 2008 was 1.2 Mt. At 31 December 2009 Amapá was not in commercial production and therefore to this date all revenue and 

related costs were capitalised. Commercial production commenced on 1 January 2010.

(3) Saleable production.

(4)  Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

173

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Other information

Production statistics
continued

Coal (tonnes)
Metallurgical Coal segment
Australia
Metallurgical
Thermal
Total Metallurgical Coal segment coal production
Thermal Coal segment
South Africa
Trade – Metallurgical
Trade – Thermal
Eskom

South America
Thermal
Total Thermal Coal segment coal production
Other Mining and Industrial segment
South America
Thermal
Canada
Metallurgical
Thermal

Total Other Mining and Industrial segment coal production
Total coal production
Coal (tonnes)
Metallurgical Coal segment
Australia
Callide
Drayton
Capcoal
Jellinbah East
Moranbah
Dawson Complex
Foxleigh
Total Metallurgical Coal segment coal production
Thermal Coal segment
South Africa
Greenside
Goedehoop
Isibonelo
Kriel
Kleinkopje
Landau
New Denmark
New Vaal
Nooitgedacht
Mafube
Zibulo

South America
Carbones del Cerrejón
Total Thermal Coal segment coal production

2009

2008

12,622,600 13,144,900
14,051,800 14,696,300
26,674,400 27,841,200

747,100

971,900
22,185,900(1) 22,286,800
36,225,100 36,158,100
59,158,100(1) 59,416,800

10,189,600 10,410,300
69,347,700(1) 69,827,100

750,700

1,074,200

645,300
73,000
718,300
1,469,000

632,300
140,100
772,400
1,846,600
97,491,100(1) 99,514,900

8,766,400
3,630,200
4,598,900
1,745,800
2,581,000
3,756,200
1,595,900

9,582,700
3,711,500
5,621,900
1,033,900
3,181,500
3,537,200
1,172,500
26,674,400 27,841,200

4,414,000
4,231,500
3,728,900

3,294,600
6,905,000
5,061,900

3,401,100
7,449,400
5,152,100
11,161,700 10,344,400
4,545,600
4,089,300
5,272,500
17,553,700 17,034,400
454,600
1,673,400
–
59,158,100(1) 59,416,800

475,000
2,212,800
119,000

10,189,600 10,410,300
69,347,700(1) 69,827,100

(1)  Zibulo (previously Zondagsfontein) is currently not in commercial production and therefore all revenue and related costs associated with 119,000 tonnes of production have been capitalised.

174

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Coal (tonnes) (continued)
Other Mining and Industrial segment
South America
Carbones del Guasare
Canada
Peace River Coal
Total Other Mining and Industrial segment coal production
Total coal production
Total coal production by commodity (tonnes)
Metallurgical
South Africa 
Australia
Canada
Total metallurgical coal production
Thermal
South Africa – Thermal
South Africa – Eskom
Australia
South America
Canada
Total thermal coal production
Total coal production

2009

2008

750,700

1,074,200

718,300
1,469,000

772,400
1,846,600
97,491,100(1) 99,514,900

747,100

971,900
12,622,600 13,144,900
632,300
14,015,000 14,749,100

645,300

22,185,900(1) 22,286,800
36,225,100 36,158,100
14,051,800 14,696,300
10,940,300 11,484,500
140,100
83,476,100(1) 84,765,800
97,491,100(1) 99,514,900

73,000

(1)  Zibulo (previously Zondagsfontein) is currently not in commercial production and therefore all revenue and related costs associated with 119,000 tonnes of production have been capitalised.

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Production statistics
continued

Other Mining and Industrial segment(1)
Tarmac
Aggregates
Lime products
Concrete

Zinc and Lead
Skorpion
Ore mined
Ore processed
Ore grade processed
Production
Lisheen
Ore mined
Ore processed
Ore grade processed

Production

Black Mountain
Ore mined
Ore processed
Ore grade processed

Production

Total attributable zinc production
Total attributable lead production

Scaw Metals
South Africa Steel Products
International Steel Products

Niobium
Catalão
Ore mined
Ore processed
Ore grade processed
Production

Phosphates
Copebrás
Sodium tripolyphosphate
Phosphates

Mineral Sands
Namakwa Sands(2)
Ore mined
Production

Smelter production

tonnes
tonnes
m3

tonnes
tonnes
% Zn
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
% Zn
% Pb
tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
% Zn
% Pb
% Cu
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
Kg Nb/tonne
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes

tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes

2009

2008

70,437,100 93,095,000
1,353,000
6,312,000

1,214,400
3,521,200

1,495,900
1,426,800
11.5
150,400

1,390,400
1,333,300
11.7
145,400

1,534,500
1,526,200
12.4
1.8
171,800
19,200

1,249,700
1,293,200
2.8
4.0
0.3
28,200
49,100
2,200
350,400
68,300

1,561,900
1,516,900
12.1
1.6
167,200
15,900

1,199,800
1,204,800
3.0
4.2
0.4
27,900
47,000
2,500
340,500
62,900

693,000
718,000

771,000
879,000

906,700
873,500
9.3
5,100

768,100
818,100
11.1
4,600

–
829,000

10,200
982,100

– 13,418,600
240,900
–
19,100
–
97,400
–
118,500
–
78,800
–

Zinc
Zinc

Zinc
Lead
Zinc in concentrate
Lead in concentrate

Zinc
Lead
Copper
Zinc in concentrate
Lead in concentrate
Copper in concentrate

Ilmenite
Rutile
Zircon
Slag tapped
Iron tapped

(1)   Production for Coal Americas is included in Coal production section.

(2) Production information included until date of disposal on 1 October 2008.

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Quarterly production  
statistics(1)

December 
2009

September 
2009

June  

2009

March  
2009

December  

2008

December  
Q09 v 
September Q09

December  
Q09 v 
December Q08

Quarter ended

% Change

22%
26%
2%
(4)%

28%

11%

–

5%
33%
108%

(9)%
(5)%
(12)%
29%

(6)%

8%

2%

23%
9%
(28)%

Platinum segment(2)
Platinum (troy ounces)
Palladium (troy ounces)
Rhodium (troy ounces)
Nickel (tonnes)

Diamonds segment (De Beers) (diamonds 
recovered – carats)
100% basis (Anglo American 45%)
Diamonds

766,000
426,300
93,900
5,300

629,200
337,500
92,100
5,500

652,400
361,600
90,100
5,400

404,000
235,100
73,800
3,300

842,300
450,500
107,100
4,100

10,124,000

7,885,000

5,509,000

1,082,000 10,795,000

Copper segment (tonnes)(3)

185,900

168,100

165,300

150,500

172,600

Nickel segment (tonnes)(4)

4,900

4,900

5,600

4,500

4,800

Iron Ore and Manganese segment (tonnes)
Iron ore(5)
Manganese ore(6)
Manganese alloys(6)(7)

Metallurgical Coal segment (tonnes)
Metallurgical
Thermal

Thermal Coal segment (tonnes)
Metallurgical
Thermal
Eskom

Other Mining and Industrial segment (tonnes)
Metallurgical coal
Thermal coal
Zinc
Lead
South Africa Steel Products
International Steel Products

Coal production by commodity (tonnes)
Metallurgical
Thermal
Eskom

(1)  Excludes Tarmac.

12,407,200 11,861,000 10,336,000
200,000
10,000

615,000
52,000

462,000
25,000

9,992,000 10,098,000
565,000
72,000

293,000
42,000

3,805,500
3,487,400

3,147,800
3,614,300

3,354,000
3,738,600

2,315,300
3,211,500

3,410,800
4,051,200

21%
(4)%

12%
(14)%

130,500
224,300
7,785,400
8,431,600
8,448,400 10,400,200

(8)

172,300
8,429,300
8,938,400

220,000
7,729,200
8,438,100

408,300
7,961,800
9,465,900

(42)%
(8)%
(19)%

149,900
310,200
86,500
18,900
167,000
177,000

164,900
214,500
94,000
18,400
183,000
164,000

152,600
169,000
87,100
16,400
164,000
158,000

177,900
130,000
82,800
14,600
179,000
219,000

136,100
234,300
82,900
14,400
167,000
215,000

3,537,000

4,085,900

3,955,200
3,678,900
11,583,000 12,260,400 12,336,900 11,070,700 12,247,300
9,465,900
8,938,400

8,448,400 10,400,200

8,438,100

2,713,200

(8)

(9)%
45%
(8)%
3%
(9)%
8%

16%
(6)%
(19)%

(68)%
(2)%
(11)%

10%
32%
4%
31%
–
(18)%

3%
(5)%
(11)%

(2) Northam Platinum Limited was transferred to a disposal group in September 2007. Production information excludes Northam Platinum Limited. Northam Platinum Limited was sold on 20 August 2008.

(3) Excludes Anglo Platinum and Black Mountain copper production.

(4)  Excludes Anglo Platinum nickel production.

(5) Production from Amapá is included from 5 August 2008. Amapá production for full year 2008 was 1.2 Mt. At 31 December 2009 Amapá was not in commercial production and therefore to this date all revenue and 

related costs were capitalised. Commercial production commenced on 1 January 2010.

(6) Saleable production. 

(7) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

(8) Zibulo (previously Zondagsfontein) is currently not in commercial production and therefore all revenue and related costs associated with 119,000 tonnes of production have been capitalised.

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Other information

Exchange rates and  
commodity prices

US$ exchange rates
Average prices for the year
Rand
Sterling
Euro
Australian dollar
Chilean peso
Brazilian real

Closing spot prices
Rand
Sterling
Euro
Australian dollar
Chilean peso
Brazilian real

Commodity prices
Average market prices for the year
Platinum(1)
Palladium(1)
Rhodium(1)
Copper(2)
Nickel(2)
Zinc(2)
Lead(2)

31 December spot prices
Platinum(1)
Palladium(1)
Rhodium(1)
Copper(2)
Nickel(2)
Zinc(2)
Lead(2)

(1)  Source: Johnson Matthey.

(2) Source: LME daily prices.

2009

2008

8.41
0.64
0.72
1.26
559
2.00

7.38
0.62
0.70
1.11
507
1.74

8.27
0.54
0.68
1.17
524
1.84

9.30
0.69
0.72
1.44
637
2.33

2009

2008

1,211
266
1,592
234
667
75
78

1,475
402
2,500
333
838
117
109

1,585
355
6,564
315
953
85
95

922
186
1,250
132
490
51
43

US$/oz
US$/oz
US$/oz
US cents/lb
US cents/lb
US cents/lb
US cents/lb

US$/oz
US$/oz
US$/oz
US cents/lb
US cents/lb
US cents/lb
US cents/lb

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Key financial data

US$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Group revenue including associates
Less: Share of associates’ revenue
Group revenue
Operating profit including associates before special items  
and remeasurements
Special items and remeasurements (excluding financing  
and tax special items and remeasurements)
Net finance costs (including financing special items and  
remeasurements), tax and minority interests of associates
Total profit from operations and associates
Net finance costs (including financing special items and  
remeasurements)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (including special items and remeasurements)
Profit for the financial year – continuing operations
Profit for the financial year – discontinued operations
Profit for the financial year – total Group
Minority interests
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Underlying earnings(2) – continuing operations
Underlying earnings(2) – discontinued operations
Underlying earnings(2) – total Group
Earnings per share ($) – continuing operations
Earnings per share ($) – discontinued operations
Earnings per share ($) – total Group
Underlying earnings per share ($) – continuing operations
Underlying earnings per share ($) – discontinued operations
Underlying earnings per share ($) – total Group
Ordinary dividend per share (US cents)
Special dividend per share (US cents)
Weighted average basic number of shares outstanding (million)
EBITDA(3) – continuing operations
EBITDA(3) – discontinued operations
EBITDA(3) – total Group
EBITDA interest cover(4) – total Group
Operating margin (before special items and remeasurements) –  
total Group
Ordinary dividend cover (based on underlying earnings per share) – 
total Group

See following page for footnotes.

2009

24,637
(3,779)
20,858

2008

32,964
(6,653)
26,311

2007

30,559
(5,089)
25,470

2006(1)

2005(1)

2004(1)

29,404
(4,413)
24,991

24,872
(4,740)
20,132

22,610
(5,429)
17,181

4,957

10,085

9,590

8,888

5,549

3,832

(208)

(330)

(227)

24

16

556

(313)
4,436

(407)
4,029
(1,117)
2,912
–
2,912
(487)
2,425
2,569
–
2,569
2.02
–
2.02
2.14
–
2.14
–
–
1,202
6,930
–
6,930
23.0

(783)
 8,972

 (401)
8,571
(2,451)
 6,120
 –
 6,120
 (905)
5,215
5,237
 –
5,237
4.34
 –
4.34
4.36
 –
4.36
44.0
 –
 1,202
 11,847
 –
11,847
28.3

(434)
8,929

(108)
8,821
(2,693)
6,128
2,044
8,172
(868)
7,304
5,477
284
5,761
4.04
1.54
5.58
4.18
0.22
4.40
124.0
–
1,309
11,171
961
12,132
42.0

(398)
8,514

(71)
8,443
(2,518)
5,925
997
6,922
(736)
6,186
5,019
452
5,471
3.51
0.70
4.21
3.42
0.31
3.73
108.0
67.0
1,468
10,431
1,766
12,197
45.5

(315)
5,250

(220)
5,030
(1,208)
3,822
111
3,933
(412)
3,521
3,335
401
3,736
2.35
0.08
2.43
2.30
0.28
2.58
90.0
33.0
1,447
7,172
1,787
8,959
20.0

(391)
3,997

(385)
3,612
(765)
2,847
1,094
3,941
(440)
3,501
2,178
506
2,684
1.84
0.60
2.44
1.52
0.35
1.87
70.0
–
1,434
5,359
1,672
7,031
18.5

20.1%

30.6%

28.4%

25.4%

18.5%

14.7%

–

9.9

3.5

3.5

2.9

2.7

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Key financial data
continued

US$ million (unless otherwise stated)

2009

2008

2007

2006(1)

2005(1)

2004(1)

Balance sheet
Intangible and tangible assets
Other non-current assets and investments(5)
Working capital
Other net current liabilities(5)
Other non-current liabilities and obligations(5) 
Cash and cash equivalents and borrowings(6)
Net assets classified as held for sale
Net assets
Minority interests
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Total capital(7)
Cash inflows from operations – continuing operations
Cash inflows from operations – discontinued operations
Cash inflows from operations – total Group
Dividends received from associates and financial asset  
investments – continuing operations
Dividends received from associates and financial asset  
investments – discontinued operations
Dividends received from associates and financial asset  
investments – total Group
Return on capital employed(8) – total Group
EBITDA/average total capital(7) – total Group
Net debt to total capital (gearing)(9)

37,974
7,303
2,165
(272)
(8,487)
(11,043)
429
28,069
(1,948)
26,121
39,064
4,904
–
4,904

639

–

639
14.6%
19.3%
30.8%

32,551
7,607
861
(840)
(7,567)
(11,051)
 195
 21,756
 (1,535)
 20,221
 32,799
 9,579
 –
 9,579

 659

 –

659
36.8%
38.0%
37.8%

25,090
9,271
1,966
(911)
(6,387)
(5,170)
471
24,330
(1,869)
22,461
29,569
9,375
470
9,845

311

52

363
37.8%
40.4%
20.0%

25,632
8,258
3,096
(1,430)
(5,826)
(3,244)
641
27,127
(2,856)
24,271
30,451
9,012
1,045
10,057

251

37

288
32.4%
38.7%
12.9%

33,368
5,585
3,538
(1,429)
(8,491)
(4,993)
–
27,578
(3,957)
23,621
32,571
5,963
1,302
7,265

468

2

470
19.2%
26.1%
17.0%

35,816
5,547
3,543
(611)
(8,339)
(8,243)
–
27,713
(4,588)
23,125
35,956
3,857
1,434
5,291

380

16

396
14.6%
21.2%
25.4%

(1)   Comparatives for 2006, 2005 and 2004 were adjusted in the 2007 Annual Report to reclassify amounts relating to discontinued operations where applicable.
(2)   Underlying earnings is net profit attributable to equity shareholders, adjusted for the effect of special items and remeasurements and any related tax and minority interests.
(3)   EBITDA is operating profit before special items, remeasurements, depreciation and amortisation in subsidiaries and joint ventures and includes attributable share of EBITDA of associates.
(4)   EBITDA interest cover is EBITDA divided by net finance costs, excluding other net financial income, exchange gains and losses on monetary assets and liabilities, amortisation of discounts on provisions, financing special items and 

remeasurements, but including attributable share of associates’ net interest expense.

(5)   Comparatives for 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 have been adjusted in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Improvements as described in note 1 Accounting policies.
(6)   This differs from the Group’s measure of net debt as it excludes the net debt of disposal groups (2009: $48 million; 2008: $8 million; 2007: $(69) million; 2006: $(80) million; 2005: nil; 2004: nil), and excludes the impact of 

derivative instruments that provide an economic hedge of assets and liabilities in net debt (2009: liabilities of $285 million; 2008: liabilities of $297 million; 2007: assets of $388 million; 2006: assets of $193 million; 2005: nil; 
2004: nil). For more detail see note 30 Consolidated cash flow analysis.

(7)  Total capital is net assets excluding net debt (excluding the impact of derivative instruments).
(8)   Return on capital employed is calculated as total operating profit before impairments for the year divided by the average of total capital less other investments and adjusted for impairments.
(9)  Net debt to total capital is calculated as net debt (excluding the impact of derivative instruments) divided by total capital less investments in associates. 

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Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

Summary by business operation(1)

Revenue(2)

EBITDA(3)

Operating profit/(loss)(4)

Underlying earnings

US$ million 

Platinum
Diamonds
Copper
Collahuasi
Anglo American Sur 
Anglo American Norte
Projects and corporate
Nickel
Codemin
Loma de Níquel
Projects and corporate
Iron Ore and Manganese
Kumba Iron Ore
Iron Ore Brazil
Samancor
Metallurgical Coal
Australia
Projects and corporate
Thermal Coal
South Africa
South America
Projects and corporate
Other Mining and Industrial
Tarmac(5)
Skorpion
Lisheen
Black Mountain
Scaw Metals
Copebrás
Catalão
Coal Americas
Tongaat Hulett/Hulamin(6)
Namakwa Sands
Projects and corporate
Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

2009

4,535
1,728
3,967
1,411
1,723
833
–
348
157
191
–
3,419
2,816
–
603
2,239
2,239
–
2,490
1,747
743
–
5,908
2,870
236
208
148
1,384
320
184
165
393
–
–
–

2008

6,327
3,096
3,907
1,134
1,965
808
–
408
198
210
–
4,099
2,573
–
1,526
3,119
3,119
–
3,051
2,210
841
–
8,951
4,399
279
196
115
1,927
655
141
245
817
177
–
–

3
24,637

6
32,964

2009

677
215
2,254
952
994
408
(100)
28
49
11
(32)
1,593
1,562
(135)
166
706
729
(23)
875
550
352
(27)
878
313
100
74
59
172
(9)
111
6
73
–
(21)
(172)

(124)
6,930

2008

2,675
665
2,104
682
1,265
288
(131)
150
132
48
(30)
2,625
1,632
(5)
998
1,319
1,353
(34)
1,200
814
419
(33)
1,513
488
132
40
37
309
244
80
42
115
59
(33)
(212)

(192)
11,847

2009

32
64
2,010
880
862
369
(101)
2
41
(7)
(32)
1,489
1,487
(141)
143
451
474
(23)
721
442
305
(26)
506
101
43
73
59
131
(40)
106
(8)
62
–
(21)
(172)

(146)
4,957

2008

2,169
508
1,892
613
1,157
255
(133)
123
123
30
(30)
2,554
1,583
(9)
980
1,110
1,144
(34)
1,078
736
375
(33)
1,082
229
88
22
26
274
217
78
29
92
59
(32)
(212)

(219)
10,085

2009

44
(90)
1,201
663
444
197
(103)
(13)
24
17
(54)
571
490
(119)
200
322
345
(23)
517
328
215
(26)
403
81
40
67
60
70
7
77
(12)
31
–
(18)
(167)

(219)
2,569

2008

1,256
256
1,044
367
699
113
(135)
(35)
94
(97)
(32)
1,150
523
(31)
658
764
797
(33)
754
543
243
(32)
734
173
85
15
28
165
105
70
25
53
46
(31)
(200)

(486)
5,237

(1)   Due to the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009, the segments have changed from those reported at 31 December 2008. Comparatives have been reclassified to align with current 
year presentation. The segment results include an allocation of corporate costs. A reconciliation of operating profit and underlying earnings by segment as reported in the 2008 Annual Report to the amounts reflected 
above is shown in the ‘Reconciliation of earnings by segment’.

(2)  Revenue includes the Group’s attributable share of revenue of joint ventures and associates. Revenue for copper and zinc operations is shown after deduction of treatment charges and refining charges (TC/RCs). 

(3) EBITDA is operating profit before special items, remeasurements, depreciation and amortisation in subsidiaries and joint ventures and includes attributable share of EBITDA of associates.

(4)  Operating profit includes operating profit before special items and remeasurements from subsidiaries and joint ventures and attributable share of operating profit (before interest, tax, minority interests, special items 

and remeasurements) of associates.

(5)  Tarmac is made up of the former Industrial Minerals segment and Yang Quarry, which was previously included in the Coal segment.

(6) The Group’s investments in Tongaat Hulett and Hulamin were disposed of in August 2009 and July 2009, respectively.

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Other information

Reconciliation of earnings  
by segment

The following tables reconcile operating profit and underlying earnings by segment as reported in the 2008 Annual Report to the comparative amounts 
reported in notes 2 and 3 respectively. The adjustments reflect the portfolio and management structure changes announced in October 2009.

Operating profit

US$ million

2008
Platinum
Diamonds
Base Metals
Copper
Codemin, Loma de Níquel
Catalão, Namakwa Sands, Copebrás, 
Zinc
Other
Ferrous Metals and Industries
Kumba Iron Ore, Iron Ore Brazil, 
Samancor
Scaw, Tongaat Hulett/Hulamin
Other
Coal
Australia
South Africa
South America
Canada
Projects and corporate
Industrial Minerals
Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

Underlying earnings

US$ million

2008
Platinum
Diamonds
Base Metals
Copper
Codemin, Loma de Níquel
Catalão, Namakwa Sands, Copebrás, 
Zinc
Other
Ferrous Metals and Industries
Kumba Iron Ore, Iron Ore Brazil, 
Samancor
Scaw, Tongaat Hulett/Hulamin
Other
Coal
Australia
South Africa
South America
Canada
Projects and corporate
Industrial Minerals
Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

Pre- 
restructuring

Structural 
changes

Divisional cost 
apportionment 

Corporate cost 
allocation 

As reported 
(note 2)

2,226 
508 
2,505 
2,017 
153 

490 
(155)
2,935 

2,590 
366 
(21)
2,240 
1,144 
736 
396 
8 
(44)
228 
(212)

(345)
10,085 

– 
– 

(67)
(19)

(490)
90 

– 
(366)
2 

(5)
372 
(396)
(8)
16 
881 
– 

(10)
– 

1,313 
256 
1,369 
1,171 
(3)

349 
(148)
1,396 

1,186 
218 
(8)
1,581 
797 
543 
257 
11 
(27)
173 
(200)

(651)
5,237 

– 
– 

(69)
(21)

(349)
83 

– 
(218)
(11) 

(4)
241 
(257)
(11)
(1)
588 
– 

29 
– 

(212)

Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

(92)
– 

228 
– 

(219)
10,085 

– 
– 

(5)
(5)

– 
65 

– 
– 
19 

– 
(4)
– 
– 
28 
(6)
– 

(57)
– 

(53)
(6)

– 
– 

(36)
– 
– 

(29)
(26)
– 
– 
– 
(21)
– 

– 
– 

(5)
(5)

– 
65 

– 
– 
19 

–
(4)
– 
– 
28 
(6)
– 

(57)
– 

(53)
(6)

– 
– 

(36)
– 
– 

(29)
(26)
– 
– 
– 
(21)
– 

2,169 

Platinum

508  Diamonds

1,892 

Copper
123  Nickel

– 
– 

2,554 
– 
– 

Iron Ore and Manganese

Thermal Coal

1,110  Metallurgical Coal
1,078 
– 
– 
– 

1,082  Other Mining and Industrial

1,256 

Platinum

256  Diamonds

1,044 

Copper
(35) Nickel

– 
– 

1,150 
– 
– 

Iron Ore and Manganese

Thermal Coal

764  Metallurgical Coal
754 
– 
– 
– 

734  Other Mining and Industrial
(200)

Exploration
Corporate Activities and Unallocated 
Costs

(92)
– 

228 
– 

(486)
5,237 

Pre- 
restructuring

Structural 
changes

Divisional cost 
apportionment 

Corporate cost 
allocation 

As reported 
(note 3)

182

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Reconciliation of subsidiaries’ and  
associate’s reported earnings to the  
Underlying earnings included in the  
consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2009

Note only key reported lines are reconciled.

US$ million

Anglo Platinum Limited
IFRS headline earnings (US$ equivalent of published)
Exploration
Exchange rate difference
Operating and financing remeasurements (net of tax)
Restructuring costs included in headline earnings
Other adjustments

Minority interests
Elimination of intercompany interest
Depreciation on assets fair valued on acquisition (net of tax)
Corporate cost allocation
Contribution to Anglo American plc underlying earnings

DB Investments 
De Beers underlying earnings (100%)
Difference in IAS 19 accounting policy
De Beers underlying earnings – Anglo American plc basis (100%)
Anglo American plc’s 45% ordinary share interest
Income from preference shares
Other
Contribution to Anglo American plc underlying earnings

Kumba Iron Ore Limited (Kumba)
IFRS headline earnings (US$ equivalent of published)(2)
Exploration
Other adjustments

Minority interests
Elimination of intercompany interest
Depreciation on assets fair valued on acquisition (net of tax)
Corporate cost allocation
Other adjustments
Contribution to Anglo American plc underlying earnings

(1)   Comparatives have been updated to include an allocation of corporate costs, where applicable.

(2) Kumba’s IFRS headline earnings for the year ended 31 December 2009 assume a minority interest of 20% in Kumba’s underlying mining assets (2008: 20%).

2009

2008(1)

84
17
–
27
27
2
157 
(31)
47
(83)
(46)
44

(220)
5
(215)
(97)
9
(2)
(90)

845
3
(2)
846 
(314)
(10)
(7)
(39)
14
490

1,607
36
64
17
–
(2)
1,722
(376)
8
(41)
(57)
1,256

515
18
533
240
13
3
256

872
8
12
892
(328)
–
(6)
(35)
–
523

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Other information

The business – an overview

Platinum

Overall ownership:

79.7%

100% owned
South Africa
Bathopele Mine
Khomanani Mine
Thembelani Mine
Khuseleka Mine
Siphumelele Mine
Tumela Mine
Dishaba Mine
Mogalakwena Mine
Western Limb Tailings Retreatment
Waterval Smelter (including converting process)
Polokwane Smelter
Rustenburg Base Metals Refinery
Precious Metals Refinery
Twickenham Mine

Trading and Marketing
The Diamond Trading 
Company

De Beers(1)

100% owned
South Africa
De Beers Group Services 
(Exploration and Services)
De Beers Marine

Canada
De Beers Canada
Snap Lake
Victor

Copper

100% owned
Chagres (Chile)
El Soldado (Chile)
Los Bronces (Chile)
Mantos Blancos (Chile)
Mantoverde (Chile)
Michiquillay (Peru)

(1)   An independently managed associate.

(2)  De Beers’ 78% holdings include a 4% indirect holding via the Key Employee Trust.

Other interests
South Africa
Union Section

Joint ventures or sharing agreements
Modikwa Platinum Joint Venture
Kroondal Pooling and Sharing Agreement
Bafokeng-Rasimone Joint Venture
Marikana Pooling and Sharing Agreement
Mototolo Joint Venture 
Masa Chrome Company

Associates
Bokoni (formerly Lebowa Platinum Mines)
Pandora
Anooraq
Lisinfo
Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells

85%

50%
50%
33%
50%
50%
74%

49%
42.5%
27%
25.4%
17.5%

Other interests
South Africa
De Beers Consolidated 
Mines(2)
Finsch
Kimberley Mines
Namaqualand Mines
The Oaks
Venetia
South African Sea Areas
(SASA)

Botswana
Debswana (Damtshaa, 
Jwaneng, Orapa and 
Lethlakane mines)

Overall ownership:

45%

78%
78%
78%
78%
78%

78%

50%

Namibia
Namdeb (Mining  
Area No. 1, 
Orange River Mines, 
Elizabeth Bay  
and Marine
concessions) 
De Beers Marine Namibia

Trading and Marketing
DTC Botswana
Namibia DTC

Industrial Diamonds
Element Six

Diamond Jewellery Retail
De Beers Diamond Jewellers

50%

70%

50%
50%

60%

50%

Other interests
Collahuasi (Chile) 
Palabora (South Africa)
Quellaveco (Peru)
Pebble (US) 

Overall ownership:

100%

44%
17%
81.9%
50%

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Nickel

100% owned
Codemin (Brazil)
Barro Alto (Brazil)

Iron Ore and Manganese

Kumba Iron Ore (South Africa) 
Minas Rio (Brazil) 
Amapá (Brazil) 
LLX Minas Rio (Brazil) 
Samancor (South Africa and Australia) 

Metallurgical Coal

100% owned
Australia
Callide 

Australia – other
Monash Energy Holdings Ltd

Thermal Coal

100% owned
South Africa
Goedehoop
Greenside and Nooitgedacht
Isibonelo
Kleinkopje
Kriel(1)
Landau
New Denmark
New Vaal
Zibulo(1)

Other interests
Loma de Níquel (Venezuela)

Other interests
Australia
Dartbrook
Dawson Complex 
Drayton 
German Creek 
Jellinbah East 
Moranbah North 
Foxleigh 

Australia – other
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd
Newcastle Coal Shippers Pty Ltd 

Other interests
South Africa
Mafube
Phola plant

South Africa – other
Richards Bay Coal Terminal

Colombia
Carbones del Cerrejón

Overall ownership:

100%

91.4%

62.8%
100%
70%
49%
40%

Overall ownership:

100%

83%
51%
88.2%
70%
23%
88%
70%

32%
20%

Overall ownership:

100%

50%
50%

27%

33.3%

(1)   Kriel and Zibulo form part of the Anglo Inyosi Coal BBBEE Company of which Anglo Coal will own 73%. The outstanding conditions precedent to the transactions are expected to be fulfilled in the first half of 2010 

following which the transaction will complete.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Other information

The business – an overview
continued

Other Mining and Industrial

100% owned
Aggregates and Building Materials
Tarmac Group (UK)
Tarmac France (France and Belgium)
Tarmac Germany
Tarmac Poland
Tarmac Czech Republic
Tarmac Romania
Tarmac Turkey
Tarmac International Holdings (Europe and Middle East)
United Marine Holdings

Zinc/Lead
Skorpion (Namibia)
Lisheen (Ireland) 

Niobium
Catalão (Brazil)

Other(1)

Other interests
Zinc/Lead
Black Mountain (South Africa)
Gamsberg (South Africa)

Steel products
Scaw Metals (worldwide)

Phosphate products
Copebrás (Brazil) 

Coal Americas
Peace River Coal (Canada) 
Carbones del Guasare (Venezuela)

74%
74%

74%-100%

73%

74.8%
24.9%

100% owned
Vergelegen (South Africa)

Other interests
Exxaro Resources (southern Africa and Australia) 

10%

(1)   Included within Corporate Activities and Unallocated Costs segment.

186

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
Shareholder information

Annual General Meeting
Will be held at 11:00 am on 22 April 2010, at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference  
Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE.

Shareholders’ diary 2010/11
Interim results announcement 
Annual results announcement 
Annual Report 
Annual General Meeting 

August 2010 
February 2011 
March 2011 
April 2011 

Shareholding enquiries
Enquiries relating to shareholdings should be made to the Company’s UK Registrars,  
Equiniti or the South African Transfer Secretaries, Link Market Services South Africa  
(Pty) Limited, at the relevant address below:

UK Registrars
Equiniti 
Aspect House 
Spencer Road 
Lancing 
West Sussex BN99 6DA 
England 
Telephone: 
In the UK: 0871 384 2026*
*  Calls charged at 8p per minute from a BT landline. Other telephony providers’ costs may vary.

From outside the UK: +44 121 415 7558

Transfer Secretaries in South Africa
Link Market Services South Africa (Pty) Limited 
11 Diagonal Street 
Johannesburg 2001, South Africa 
(PO Box 4844, Johannesburg 2000) 
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 630 0800

Enquiries on other matters should be addressed to the Company Secretary at the  
following address:

Registered and Head Office
Anglo American plc 
20 Carlton House Terrace 
London SW1Y 5AN 
England 
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7968 8888 
Fax: +44 (0)20 7968 8500 
Registered number: 3564138 
Website: www.angloamerican.co.uk

Additional information on a wide range of shareholder services can be found in the  
Shareholder Information section of the Notice of AGM and on the Group’s website.

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

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Other information

Other Anglo American publications

• 2008/9 Fact Book 
• Notice of 2010 AGM and Shareholder Information Booklet 
• 2009 Report to Society 
• Optima – Anglo American’s current affairs journal 
• Transformation Report 
• Good Citizenship: Business Principles
• Anglo Environment Way 
• Anglo Occupational Health Way 
• Anglo Safety Way 
• Anglo Social Way

The Company implemented electronic communications in 2008 in order to 
reduce the financial and environmental costs of producing the annual report. 
More information about this can be found in the attached Notice of AGM. 
In this regard we would encourage downloading of reports from our website.

Financial reports may be found on:
www.angloamerican.co.uk/aa/investors/reports/

Sustainable development reports may be found on:
www.angloamerican.co.uk/aa/development/sdreports/gr/

However, the 2009 Annual Report and the booklet containing the Notice of 
AGM and other shareholder information are available free of charge from the 
Company, its UK Registrars and South African Transfer Secretaries. 

If you would like to receive paper copies of Anglo American’s publications, 
please write to:

Investor Relations
Anglo American plc 
20 Carlton House Terrace 
London SW1Y 5AN 
England

Alternatively, publications can be ordered online at: 
www.angloamerican.co.uk/aa/siteservices/requestreport/

Charitable partners
This is just a selection of the charities which Anglo American, The Chairman’s 
Fund and the Anglo American Group Foundation have worked with in 2009:

188

Anglo American plc Annual Report 2009

 
 
Annual Report 2009

Our mission

Anglo American aims to be the 
leading global mining company 
– through world class assets in 
the most attractive commodities, 
operational excellence and a 
resolute commitment to safe 
and sustainable mining.

Find out more
Within this report we have included 
references to find out more information  
on certain sections, either within the  
report itself or online. 

For more information within  
this report

For more information online

Cover photo
Mantos Blancos in the Atacama 
Desert in Chile has been in 
operation for nearly 50 years. 
In 2009, the mine produced 
more than 90 kt of copper.

This page
Load haul trucks in the open pit 
at Los Bronces in Chile. The mine, 
which lies at 3,000-3,500 metres 
above sea level, and has extensive 
reserves, produced more than 
238 kt of copper in 2009.

Printed on Revive 50:50 Silk and Revive 100  
Offset paper. Revive 50:50 Silk is made from  
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Revive 100 Offset is made from 100% de-inked 
post consumer waste. Both have been independently 
certified in accordance with the FSC (Forest 
Stewardship Council). 

Printed at St Ives Westerham Press Ltd, ISO 14001, 
FSC certified and CarbonNeutral®

Designed by Addison 
www.addison.co.uk

Anglo American plc
20 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AN
England

Tel +44 (0)20 7968 8888
Fax +44 (0)20 7968 8500
Registered number 3564138

www.angloamerican.co.uk

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Annual Report 2009

 A strategy for 
 A strategy for 
 unlocking value
 unlocking value