Zug, 28 July 2009
Highlights:
- Increased production volumes of copper, thermal coal, mined nickel and zinc compared to the first half of 2008
- Thermal coal production increased by 18%, due to higher production at the Newlands complex in Australia and the contribution of the acquired Prodeco operations in Colombia
- Solid operational performances and higher copper production from Mount Isa, Alumbrera, Collahuasi, Tintaya, Lomas Bayas and Kidd mines offset reduced production from Ernest Henry and Antamina
- Mined nickel production increased due to higher production from Raglan and Xstrata Nickel Australasia and high grade ores from initial production at Nickel Rim South, offsetting the impact of the closure of high-cost, end of life mines at Sudbury as part of Xstrata Nickel’s transformation into a low-cost producer and the suspension of Montcalm from March, due to geotechnical issues. The Falcondo ferronickel operation remained on care and maintenance throughout the first half
- Increased output from Mount Isa zinc and McArthur River expansions, together with growth from the new Perseverance mine, resulted in a 30% increase in zinc in concentrate compared to the first half of 2008
- The European benchmark ferrochrome price was settled at $0.89 per pound for the third quarter, up 29% from the second quarter. In July, the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture announced capacity utilisation had increased to 60% from 20%, in response to strengthening demand
Xstrata Alloys
Ferrochrome production in the first half was 60% lower than the same period in 2008, following the temporary suspension of up to 80% of production capacity through late 2008 and early 2009. As the industry leader, the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture acted swiftly to curtail production as demand for ferrochrome declined sharply from the third quarter of 2008 due to significant destocking in the stainless steel sector.
On 8 July 2009, the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture announced that, in response to improved ferrochrome demand, production had been resumed at 60% of the Venture’s total capacity through the re-commissioning of several furnaces across all five ferrochrome operations.
Overall PGM volumes increased marginally compared to the same period last year, despite production being adversely affected by a combination of above average rainfall, which halted production at Eland for several days, as well as unforeseen geological anomalies encountered at Mototolo, which negatively affected the head grade.
Ferrochrome
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| Attributable* saleable production (kt) | 244 | 615 | 1,126 |
| Indicative average published price (c/lb) (Metal Bulletin) | 74.0 | 156.5 | 175.8 |
| * Reflects Xstrata’s 79.5% share of the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture | |||
Vanadium
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| Consolidated* saleable production | |||
| Ferrovanadium (k kg) | 1,313 | 1,528 | 3,622 |
| Vanadium pentoxide (k lb) | 7,039 | 6,927 | 16,604 |
| Indicative average published price ferrovanadium ($/kg V) (Metal Bulletin) | 22.5 | 70.6 | 61.2 |
| Indicative average published price vanadium pentoxide ($/lb) (Metal Bulletin) | 5.2 | 14.4 | 13.5 |
| * Consolidated 100% | |||
Platinum
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| Consolidated** saleable production (oz) | |||
| Platinum | 63,508 | 64,518 | 138,098 |
| Palladium | 31,723 | 30,625 | 65,774 |
| Rhodium | 9,801 | 8,056 | 18,644 |
| Average (London Platinum and Palladium Market) Platinum price ($/oz) | 1,098 | 1,953 | 1,578 |
| Average (London Platinum and Palladium Market) Palladium price ($/oz) | 217 | 444 | 353 |
| Average (Johnson Matthey) Rhodium price ($/oz) | 1,290 | 8,862 | 6,558 |
| ** Consolidated 100% of Eland and 50% of Mototolo | |||
Xstrata Coal
Xstrata Coal’s production volumes for the six months to June 2009 increased by 4.2 million tonnes or 11% over the corresponding period in 2008. Australian thermal coal production increased by 11%, mainly from the highly productive Newlands Northern Underground mine in Queensland and due to New South Wales mines switching semi-soft coal production to thermal production. The increase more than compensated for lower production from South Africa due to the planned closure of Impunzi Underground and industrial action.
Production from Colombia increased due to the inclusion of the recently acquired Prodeco operation, which contributed 5 million tonnes from 1 January 2009, the effective date for its acquisition by Xstrata.
Longwall operations were suspended at Oaky No. 1 in December 2008 in response to weak demand from steelmakers and led to lower overall coking coal production in the first half. Average realised coking coal prices reduced from $166 per tonne to $143 per tonne in the first half, as a result of the deferral of high-priced coking coal contracts settled in 2008 and the impact of selling into the Chinese spot market at prices below contracted prices.
| (million tonnes) | Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 |
| Total consolidated production | 43.8 | 39.6 | 85.5 |
| Total thermal coal | 39.0 | 33.1 | 73.3 |
| Australian thermal | 18.8 | 16.9 | 40.2 |
| South African thermal* | 9.8 | 11.0 | 22.7 |
| Americas thermal** | 10.4 | 5.2 | 10.4 |
| Total coking coal (Australia) | 2.2 | 3.2 | 6.9 |
| Total semi-soft coking (Australia) | 2.6 | 3.3 | 5.3 |
| Average received export FOB coal price ($/t) | |||
| Australian thermal | 89.2 | 78.5 | 95.6 |
| South African thermal | 69.8 | 76.4 | 80.9 |
| Americas thermal | 76.8 | 71.1 | 78.4 |
| Australian coking | 142.6 | 165.9 | 232.5 |
| Australian semi-soft coking | 169.8 | 107.3 | 157.5 |
| * For production reporting DTJV is included for the first six months. For financial reporting DTJV will be excluded from Xstrata Coal’s ex-mine results as a result of the DTJV re-structuring announced on 3 March 2008 ** Includes Prodeco for the 6 months ended 30 June 2009 |
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Xstrata Copper
In the first half of 2009, total mined copper production increased by 1% compared to the corresponding period in 2008. Higher grades and increased recoveries at Alumbrera and Mount Isa, together with higher grades at Kidd Mine and increased throughput and recoveries at Collahuasi more than offset a significant production decline at Ernest Henry and lower copper production at Antamina. Mined cathode production at Lomas Bayas increased by 28% following the completion of an expansion at the end of 2008.
Output at Ernest Henry was significantly impacted in the first half by the impact of record wet season flooding that required extensive pit dewatering in the first half and by a higher rate of stripping required to access a new ore zone. At Antamina, copper production reduced by 5% as the mine plan entered a lower copper grade zone and metallurgical recoveries were lower due to the processing of partially oxidized ores, partly offset by increased mill throughput. Total copper production and sales are expected to be higher in the second half compared with the first half of 2009.
Total by-product gold production decreased by 11% due to the weather issues at Ernest Henry, partially offset by higher gold production at Tintaya. A global slump in demand for sulphuric acid, a by-product of the smelting process, left the Canadian operations overstocked in acid and unable to process all of the third party concentrates available, impacting custom copper cathode production volumes.
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| Argentina – Alumbrera* | |||
| Material mined (t) | 44,064,458 | 47,067,883 | 99,397,413 |
| Ore mined (t) | 13,679,496 | 8,457,363 | 28,070,827 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 0.49 | 0.45 | 0.50 |
| Gold head grade (g/t) | 0.56 | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| Ore treated (t) | 18,918,910 | 18,534,333 | 37,502,049 |
| Concentrate produced (t) | 293,944 | 268,320 | 614,810 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 76,465 | 65,674 | 156,893 |
| Gold in concentrate (oz) | 215,489 | 217,407 | 443,919 |
| Gold in doré (oz) | 35,500 | 28,001 | 60,484 |
| Total gold (oz) | 250,989 | 245,408 | 504,403 |
| Australia - Ernest Henry | |||
| Material mined (t) | 9,617,512 | 18,527,862 | 31,278,138 |
| Ore mined (t) | 954,372 | 7,848,977 | 12,164,437 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 1.16 | 1.08 | 1.07 |
| Gold head grade (g/t) | 0.61 | 0.54 | 0.53 |
| Ore treated (t) | 3,698,789 | 5,656,346 | 11,406,365 |
| Concentrate produced (t) | 74,356 | 195,061 | 387,803 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 20,651 | 55,739 | 110,890 |
| Gold in concentrate (oz) | 27,056 | 74,024 | 146,116 |
| Australia - Mount Isa | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 2,955,597 | 2,783,427 | 5,913,003 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 3.02 | 2.81 | 2.84 |
| Ore treated (t) | 2,985,404 | 2,783,426 | 5,881,244 |
| Concentrate produced from ore (t) | 316,817 | 272,802 | 583,937 |
| Copper in concentrate from ore (t) | 82,231 | 70,950 | 151,577 |
| Anode copper (t) | 111,130 | 110,733 | 236,210 |
| Copper cathode (t) | 131,057 | 119,142 | 266,517 |
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| Canada - Kidd Creek mine copper | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 1,080,426 | 1,308,572 | 2,565,112 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 1.99 | 1.68 | 1.88 |
| Ore treated (t) | 1,209,955 | 1,263,504 | 2,439,513 |
| Concentrate produced (t) | 82,752 | 69,999 | 156,796 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 22,248 | 19,488 | 42,723 |
| Copper cathode (t) | 32,201 | 63,768 | 87,327 |
| Canada – Horne | |||
| Concentrate treated (t) | 305,835 | 389,276 | 767,207 |
| Anode copper (t) | 65,793 | 86,582 | 171,483 |
| Canada - CCR Refinery | |||
| Refined copper (t) | 138,845 | 179,503 | 344,809 |
| Chile – Collahuasi** | |||
| Material mined (t) | 35,895,940 | 36,352,800 | 73,256,998 |
| Ore mined (t) | 12,650,365 | 11,818,840 | 25,387,918 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 1.08 | 1.15 | 1.18 |
| Ore milled (t) | 9,753,196 | 9,456,884 | 18,751,574 |
| Concentrate produced (t) | 368,125 | 324,327 | 692,587 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 99,520 | 87,347 | 182,585 |
| Copper cathode (t) | 9,551 | 11,124 | 21,732 |
| Chile - Lomas Bayas | |||
| Material mined (t) | 28,056,245 | 23,303,000 | 52,345,353 |
| ROM leach (t) | 20,234,501 | 12,568,000 | 31,109,378 |
| ROM copper grade (%) | 0.28 | 0.22 | 0.23 |
| Heap leach (t) | 6,498,747 | 6,793,000 | 13,670,161 |
| Heap leach copper grade (%) | 0.42 | 0.40 | 0.41 |
| Copper cathode (t) | 36,180 | 28,292 | 59,134 |
| Chile – Altonorte | |||
| Concentrate treated (t) | 442,346 | 435,003 | 822,836 |
| Anode copper (t) | 113,084 | 127,339 | 231,902 |
| Peru - Antamina Copper*** | |||
| Material mined (t) | 19,049,069 | 19,720,281 | 39,341,572 |
| Ore mined (t) | 6,437,680 | 6,025,238 | 12,853,862 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 1.20 | 1.30 | 1.25 |
| Ore treated (t) | 5,497,928 | 4,808,492 | 10,272,815 |
| Copper concentrate produced (t) | 187,700 | 198,954 | 409,659 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 53,978 | 56,908 | 115,997 |
| Peru – Tintaya | |||
| Material mined (t) | 40,511,265 | 38,773,288 | 78,539,821 |
| Ore mined (t) | 3,389,118 | 3,741,261 | 8,886,330 |
| Ore milled (t) | 3,353,675 | 3,401,373 | 7,109,747 |
| Copper grade in ore milled (%) | 1.22 | 1.22 | 1.38 |
| Gold grade in ore milled (g/t) | 0.24 | 0.21 | 0.27 |
| Concentrate produced (t) | 105,507 | 107,389 | 272,850 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 33,570 | 32,782 | 83,632 |
| Gold in concentrate (oz) | 16,814 | 12,256 | 36,693 |
| Copper cathode (t) | 13,115 | 12,178 | 27,263 |
| Total mined copper production (t) (contained metal) | 447,509 | 444,269 | 952,426 |
| Total mined gold production (oz) (contained metal) | 294,859 | 331,688 | 687,212 |
| Total copper cathode (t) (from mined and third party material) | 360,950 | 414,007 | 806,782 |
| Average LME copper cash price ($/t) | 4,046 | 8,126 | 6,956 |
| Average LBM gold price ($/oz) | 915 | 912 | 872 |
| * 100% consolidated figures ** Including Xstrata Copper's pro-rata share of Collahuasi *** Including Xstrata Copper's pro-rata share of Antamina |
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Xstrata Nickel
Total mined nickel production increased by 7% in the first half of 2009 due to increased production and higher grades from Raglan and Xstrata Nickel Australasia (XNA), and high-grade ores from initial production at the new, negative cash cost Nickel Rim South mine, which is on track to ramp up to 60% of full annual capacity by the end of 2009.
As a result of the restructuring of the Sudbury operations, which included the closure of the high-cost, end-of-life Craig and Thayer-Lindsley mines and the suspension of the Fraser Mine complex, mined ore from Sudbury was down by 70% compared to the first half year of 2008. However, the impact at the Strathcona Mill was limited to a 51% decline in ore treated, due to custom feed volumes and the processing of inventories from Sudbury mines.
Unplanned ground movements at the Montcalm mine in Timmins led to the mine being temporarily suspended from the end of March. The operation was indefinitely suspended in June, after a geotechnical review revealed an unacceptable risk profile for further activity. Mined ore from Montcalm subsequently fell by 59% compared to the same period last year. Despite these accelerated closures or suspensions, nickel in matte production from Sudbury increased by 3% during the same period, mainly due to increased feed and grade from Raglan and XNA.
Total mined ore at Raglan increased by 2% compared to the first half of 2008, surpassing 700,000 tonnes. Additional concentrate was shipped from Raglan and XNA following the Sudbury mine closures to sustain full utilisation of downstream facilities. Nickel in concentrate production at XNA increased by 185% over the same period last year due to increased ore production and higher head grades from the Prospero mine, and the commissioning of Sinclair.
Nickel production at the Nikkelverk refinery decreased by 4% to 41,972 tonnes in the first half of 2009 compared to 43,574 tonnes in the same period the previous year due to a decrease of 16% in third-party feed to the refinery, which was largely offset by increased grades from Raglan and XNA.
The Falcondo ferronickel operation in the Dominican Republic remains on care and maintenance.
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| North America – Sudbury Operations | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 262,496 | 882,151 | 1,641,687 |
| Nickel head grade (%) | 1.14 | 0.96 | 0.98 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 1.57 | 1.16 | 1.12 |
| Ore treated (t) | 510,878 | 1,033,141 | 1,914,763 |
| Nickel in concentrate (t) | 4,809 | 8,533 | 16,810 |
| Nickel in matte (t) | 31,442 | 30,488 | 64,906 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 8,534 | 10,785 | 19,138 |
| Copper in matte (t) | 8,408 | 9,245 | 17,811 |
| Cobalt in concentrate (t) | 137 | 270 | 538 |
| Cobalt in matte (t) | 1,181 | 1,190 | 2,648 |
| North America – Montcalm | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 208,681 | 503,896 | 953,871 |
| Nickel head grade (%) | 1.02 | 1.27 | 1.20 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 0.61 | 0.67 | 0.65 |
| Ore treated (t) | 226,399 | 463,491 | 927,158 |
| Nickel in concentrate (t) | 1,961 | 4,748 | 8,905 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 131 | 2,618 | 5,091 |
| Cobalt in concentrate (t) | 73 | 182 | 338 |
| North America – Raglan | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 701,809 | 686,836 | 1,314,191 |
| Nickel head grade (%) | 2.46 | 2.22 | 2.30 |
| Copper head grade (%) | 0.66 | 0.60 | 0.62 |
| Ore treated (t) | 683,034 | 650,594 | 1,300,133 |
| Nickel in concentrate (t) | 14,700 | 12,339 | 25,873 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 3,644 | 3,015 | 6,402 |
| Cobalt in concentrate (t) | 304 | 261 | 512 |
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | ||
| Australia – XNA* | ||||
| Ore mined (t) | 304,440 | 99,549 | 286,254 | |
| Nickel head grade (%) | 3.72 | 3.35 | 3.53 | |
| Ore treated (t) | 296,516 | 96,139 | 262,857 | |
| Nickel in concentrate (t) | 7,734 | 2,712 | 7,610 | |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 558 | 104 | 303 | |
| Cobalt in concentrate (t) | 272 | 33 | 120 | |
| Dominican Republic – Falcondo** | ||||
| Ore mined (t) | 0 | 2,090,601 | 2,745,612 | |
| Nickel head grade (%) | 0 | 1.17 | 1.14 | |
| Ore treated (t) | 0 | 1,326,795 | 1,707,958 | |
| Nickel in ferronickel (t) | 0 | 14,395 | 18,782 | |
| Europe – Nikkelverk | ||||
| Nickel metal (t) | 41,972 | 43,574 | 88,741 | |
| Copper metal (t) | 16,279 | 18,796 | 37,027 | |
| Cobalt metal (t) | 1,609 | 1,665 | 3,719 | |
| Total mined nickel production (t) (contained metal) | 28,505 | 26,610 | 54,523 | |
| Total mined ferronickel production (t) (contained metal) | 0 | 14,395 | 18,782 | |
| Total mined copper production (t) (contained metal) | 11,870 | 15,215 | 27,703 | |
| Total mined cobalt production (t) (contained metal) | 765 | 683 | 1,341 | |
| Average LME nickel cash price ($/tonne) | 11,690 | 27,320 | 21,104 | |
| Average LME copper cash price ($/tonne) | 4,046 | 8,126 | 6,956 | |
| Average Metal Bulletin cobalt low grade price ($/lb) | 12.95 | 45.46 | 35.16 | |
| * Consolidated from 31 January 2008 ** 100% consolidated figures |
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Xstrata Zinc
In the first half of 2009, zinc in concentrate production increased by 30% compared to the same period of 2008, due to the successful restructuring and expansion of the Mount Isa zinc operations which resulted in a 20% increase in zinc concentrate production at Mount Isa, despite severe weather in north Queensland at the start of the year. Production also increased from the new Perseverance mine and the Brunswick mine in Canada, more than offsetting the impact of the closure of the Lennard Shelf joint venture in 2008. The expansion of the open pit operation at McArthur River Mine led to increased volumes despite the temporary suspension of production in the first quarter, following the invalidation by the Australian Federal Court of approval for the open pit operation. Final approval for the expansion of the open pit at McArthur River was granted in February 2009.
Total zinc metal production was 3% lower compared to the same period in 2008, as a 9% increase in production at the San Juan de Nieva smelter was offset by an aggregated 14% reduction at the Nordenham, Kidd Creek and CEZinc smelters, implemented in response to constraints created by lower sulphuric acid demand and planned reductions to optimise power costs. Lead in concentrate production was 14% lower than the same period last year as a result of planned lower lead head grades at Mount Isa at both underground and open pit mines. Lead metal production was 7% higher, reflecting a continuous supply of crude lead to the Northfleet refinery compared to the prior period.
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| Australia – Mount Isa | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 3,168,683 | 2,891,174 | 6,357,981 |
| Zinc head grade (%) | 6.2 | 6.1 | 6.4 |
| Lead head grade (%) | 2.9 | 3.7 | 3.4 |
| Silver head grade (g/t) | 60.2 | 76.9 | 69.3 |
| Ore treated (t) | 3,476,765 | 2,843,197 | 6,099,914 |
| Zinc in concentrate (t) | 154,376 | 128,567 | 283,063 |
| Lead in concentrate (t) | 58,966 | 73,798 | 140,023 |
| Lead in lead/silver bullion (t) | 71,737 | 83,139 | 166,866 |
| Lead in purchased concentrate smelted(t) | 13,494 | 19,349 | 40,657 |
| Silver in crude lead (koz) | 4,274 | 5,263 | 10,197 |
| Silver in purchased concentrate smelted (koz) | 2,056 | 2,357 | 5,076 |
| Australia – McArthur River | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 872,383 | 1,021,473 | 1,977,476 |
| Zinc head grade (%) | 9.7 | 9.0 | 9.5 |
| Lead head grade (%) | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Ore treated (t) | 946,390 | 1,035,318 | 2,111,993 |
| Zinc in concentrate (t) | 69,165 | 66,562 | 142,460 |
| Lead in concentrate (t) | 15,898 | 18,002 | 36,560 |
| Silver in concentrate (koz) | 596 | 607 | 1,282 |
| Australia – Lennard Shelf* | |||
| Zinc in concentrate (t) | - | 12,422 | 15,385 |
| Lead in lead concentrate (t) | - | 3,632 | 4,507 |
| Europe – San Juan de Nieva | |||
| Zinc metal (t) | 243,608 | 223,454 | 450,381 |
| Europe – Nordenham | |||
| Zinc metal (t) | 69,877 | 78,737 | 151,096 |
| Europe – Northfleet | |||
| Mount Isa sourced lead (t) | 76,312 | 71,119 | 138,959 |
| Other lead (t) | - | 81 | 102 |
| Total lead (t) | 76,312 | 71,200 | 139,062 |
| Mount Isa refined silver (koz) | 4,405 | 4,031 | 7,907 |
| Total silver (koz) | 4,405 | 4,031 | 7,907 |
| Six months to 30.06.09 | Six months to 30.06.08 | Year ended 31.12.08 | |
| North America – Brunswick mine | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 1,745,616 | 1,675,866 | 3,311,624 |
| Zinc head grade (%) | 8.8 | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Lead head grade (%) | 3.4 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| Silver head grade (g/t) | 102.2 | 103.3 | 105.0 |
| Ore treated (t) | 1,721,549 | 1,662,290 | 3,300,726 |
| Zinc in zinc concentrate (t) | 122,296 | 107,517 | 222,033 |
| Zinc in bulk concentrate (t) | 10,887 | 8,660 | 20,445 |
| Lead in bulk concentrate (t) | 7,912 | 6,419 | 14,685 |
| Lead in lead concentrate (t) | 27,311 | 25,902 | 55,721 |
| Lead in lead concentrate to smelter (t) | 27,535 | 25,412 | 55,719 |
| Lead in other feeds to smelter (t) | 17,972 | 16,860 | 25,612 |
| Total refined lead (t) | 45,507 | 42,272 | 81,329 |
| Silver in bulk concentrate (koz) | 524 | 456 | 1,050 |
| Silver in lead concentrate to smelter (koz) | 1,319 | 1,307 | 2,838 |
| Silver in other feeds to smelter (koz) | 2,137 | 1,525 | 2,010 |
| Total silver in doré (koz) | 4,343 | 2,780 | 4,897 |
| North America – CEZ refinery ** | |||
| Zinc metal (t) | 31,985 | 35,945 | 72,895 |
| North America – Perseverance | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 524,764 | - | 511,341 |
| Zinc head grade (%) | 14.66 | - | 13.5 |
| Ore treated (t) | 515,055 | - | 492,263 |
| Zinc in concentrate (t) | 69,255 | - | 60,265 |
| Copper in concentrate (t) | 4,318 | - | 3,793 |
| North America-Kidd Creek | |||
| Zinc metal (t) | 55,783 | 73,807 | 121,193 |
| Peru - Antamina Zinc*** | |||
| Ore mined (t) | 6,437,680 | 6,025,252 | 12,853,862 |
| Zinc head grade (%) | 2.9 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Ore treated (t) | 5,497,942 | 4,808,497 | 10,272,815 |
| Zinc in concentrate (t) | 67,829 | 57,050 | 117,381 |
| Total zinc in concentrate production (t) | 493,808 | 380,778 | 861,033 |
| Total zinc metal production (t) | 401,253 | 411,943 | 795,565 |
| Total lead in concentrate production (t) | 110,086 | 127,753 | 251,496 |
| Total lead metal production (t) | 121,819 | 113,472 | 220,391 |
| Average LME zinc price(US$/t) | 1,322 | 2,269 | 1,870 |
| Average LME lead price (US$/t) | 1,332 | 2,601 | 2,084 |
| * Xstrata Zinc’s pro-rata share of Lennard Shelf production (50%), closure announced on 14 July 2008 ** Xstrata Zinc’s pro-rata share of CEZ production (25%) *** Xstrata Zinc’s pro-rata share of Antamina production (33.75%) |
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Ends
Xstrata contacts:
| Investors & analysts | ||||
| Claire Divver | Hanré Rossouw | |||
| Telephone | +44 20 7968 2871 | Telephone | +44 20 7968 2820 | |
| Mobile | +44 7785 964 340 | Mobile | +44 7879 455 885 | |
| cdivver@xstrata.com | hrossouw@xstrata.com | |||
| Pamela Bell | ||||
| Telephone | +44 20 7968 2822 | |||
| Mobile | +44 7799 626715 | |||
| pbell@xstrata.com | ||||
Notes to editors
About Xstrata plc
Xstrata is a global diversified mining group, listed on the London and Swiss Stock Exchanges. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc, with a growing platinum group metals business, additional exposures to gold, cobalt, lead and silver, recycling facilities and a suite of global technology products, many of which are industry leaders. The Group's operations and projects span 19 countries.