eBusiness Weekly
Anglo American Plc curbed its plan to expand diamond production over the next two years after sales slumped in 2019 amid a wider industry crisis.
Anglo’s De Beers unit will mine 1 million carats less than previously forecast in both 2020 and 2021, according to an investor presentation recently. That equates to less than 1 percent of global output, but slows the pace of the company’s expansion as an oversupply of rough diamonds weighs on the industry.
De Beers’ buyers have grown increasingly frustrated with the cost of rough stones as the price of polished gems slump.
That’s led to wafer-thin margins and losses for some of the traders buying stones from De Beers and Russian rival Alrosa PJSC.
Diamonds disappoint
The crisis has spread to engulf the world’s diamond miners as well. De Beers, which dictates prices to its select group of clients, reported sales through November were more than $1,2 billion lower than the same period in 2018.
The company, which says it mines to meet demand, has responded by offering more flexibility to its customers, allowing them to reject some purchases. In November last year, De Beers cut prices across the board by about 5 percent.
Even so, the company’s production is still set to rise to as much as 34 million carats next year, from 31 million carats in 2019.
Other news from investor update:
The company said its Minas Rio iron ore mine in Brazil will produce 1 million tonnes less than previously forecast in the next three years.
Anglo will produce less coking coal over the next three years after selling a stake in one of its mines in Australia. There was no actual output change from its assets.
Palladium production expected to be at top end of forecast range in 2020 and 2021. Prices hit a record high this week.
Company expects to defer some 2020 copper production into 2021 due to water constraints at mines in Chile.
In total, Anglo said it will produce 3 percent more commodities in 2020 compared to this year, while costs will rise about 2 percent Bloomberg/Business Weekly .
