Anglo American plc rowed back on its plans to slash 14,000 jobs after pressure from the South African government, where the company is the larger private-sector employer. It will now shed only 6,000 jobs.

Anglo American plc reported production results for the first quarter of 2013. For the quarter, the company reported record production of export-quality metallurgical coal, which rose by 23% year on year to 4.6 million tonnes from 3.7 million tonnes. Heavy rainfall that caused flooding affected the company's coal mines in Queensland, Australia. Hardest hit by the floods in Australia were the Dawson and Callide operations, as the Moura rail line was shut down for over a month, affecting coal shipments to the port of Gladstone.

Anglo American plc announced interim management statement for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. During the period Iron Ore - Production from Kumba Iron Ore increased by 2% to 10.3 Mt due to a strong performance at Kolomela. Output increased by 15% compared to the previous quarter as production rates at Sishen continued to recover following the unprotected strike in the fourth quarter of 2012, in addition to higher output from Kolomela. Kolomela, which is on track to produce at annual design capacity of 9 Mt in 2013, produced 2.7 Mt for the quarter, an increase of 77%. Export sales volumes for the quarter decreased by 2% to 9.9 Mt, as a result of lower stockpiles due to the unprotected strike in the fourth quarter of 2012. Finished product stockpile levels amounted to 3.3 Mt, a decrease of 15% compared to first quarter of 2012. The Minas-Rio iron ore project in Brazil continued to progress in line with the target of achieving first ore on ship by the end of 2014. During the quarter, two further authorisations were obtained relating to the archaeological survey at the tailings dam and the works necessary for the commencement of pre-stripping at the mine site. Activities at the beneficiation plant, pipeline, filtration plant and port continued as planned. Manganese ore- Production decreased by 2% to 0.8 Mt, whilst marginally lower than the prior year the quarter benefited from an improvement in plant availability at GEMCO in Australia. Manganese alloy - Production increased by 4% to 57,300 tonnes due to higher production from South Africa. Metallurgical Coal - Metallurgical Coal achieved record first quarter production of 7.2 Mt due to record export metallurgical coal production which increased by 23% to 4.6 Mt. Moranbah, Foxleigh and Peace River Coal achieved record production through productivity improvements. This was partially offset by excessive rainfall causing flooding throughout the quarter which had a significant impact on production and waste removal at the Australian open cut operations, Dawson and Callide operations were the worst affected, as rain also caused the 43 day closure of the Moura rail line, affecting shipments from the Port of Gladstone. The floods and rail closure are expected to put pressure on production and unit costs for the remainder of the year. Export thermal coal production increased by 52% driven by a number of productivity improvements at the Drayton operation in New South Wales, Australia. The greenfield Grosvenor metallurgical coal project in Queensland, Australia continues to progress, with all permits and licences in place. Construction has commenced on site, with the access road complete and bulk earthworks under way. Longwall production is expected to be achieved in 2016.Thermal Coal - Export thermal coal production in South Africa increased by 6% to 3.9 Mt due to higher production at Zibulo after a reconfiguration of the wash plant to produce additional higher margin export coal, as well as improved machine availability at Mafube. Domestic thermal coal production increased by 4% to 9.6 Mt, owing to improved longwall production at New Denmark. Cerrejón's production decreased by 49%, largely due to a 32 day strike in February and March that preceded a successful resolution of a new three year wage agreement. Copper - Copper production increased by 1% to 170,400 tonnes. Production from Los Bronces increased by 5% to 98,300 tonnes, with higher throughput at both plants offset by expected lower ore grades. This higher throughput also resulted in a 3% production increase compared to fourth quarter of 2012. Collahuasi's production decreased by 13%, owing to lower grades and the commencement of a 45 day planned shutdown of SAG Mill 3 on 21 March. During the quarter, SAG Mill 3 operated at reduced capacity ahead of the planned shutdown. This mill is responsible for approximately 70% of plant throughput at Collahuasi. Production at El Soldado increased by 16%, as a result of expected higher grades and improved recoveries. Nickel - Production decreased by 48% to 6,200 tonnes, mainly owing to the permanent cessation of production and mining activities at Loma de Níquel in Venezuela in November 2012. Loma de Níquel produced 3,300 tonnes in First Quarter 2012. Barro Alto produced 4,100 tonnes, a decrease of 38%, driven by the planned stoppage of line 2 for the electric furnace sidewall rebuild and the subsequent heat-up being impacted by a metal run-out. This has now been repaired and heat-up is nearing completion. Line 1 has been operating around nominal capacity since late March 2013. Full run rate is targeted during 2013. Anglo American ceased production at Loma de Níquel in early September 2012, and the three remaining mining concessions expired in November 2012. Platinum - Equivalent refined platinum production decreased by 2% to 583,000 ounces, largely owing to the intermittent illegal strike action at the underground mines in South Africa, lower production at Unki in Zimbabwe and the suspension of the non-managed pooled and shared Marikana operation in second quarter of 2012. Equivalent refined platinum production at the Rustenburg mines was flat, while Amandelbult and Union reported decreases in output of 15%. Production at Unki decreased by 19% as a result of lower head grade and a decline in tonnes milled due to a depletion of pre-production stockpiles. This was partly offset by a 31% increase in production at the Western Limb Tailings Retreatment plant largely driven by improved head grades and recoveries. At Mogalakwena, output increased by 1% to 87,000 ounces because of increased throughput at the concentrators. Refined platinum production increased by 9% to 439,000 ounces owing to the impact of the prolonged shutdown at the converting plant in the first quarter of 2012. Diamonds - Production increased by 3% to 6.4 million carats, largely reflecting improved grades, offset by lower production due to planned plant maintenance at Orapa in Botswana. Production decreased by 21% compared with the prior quarter, with Venetia in South Africa disrupted by excessive rainfall causing flooding in the pit. The impact was partially mitigated through the processing of ore stockpiles, with the shortfall expected to be recovered in second half of 2013. Phosphates - Production increased by 15% due to improved performance following optimised maintenance scheduling, increased plant availability and enhanced performance at the acidulation and granulation plants. Niobium - Production was flat at 1,100 tonnes, with declining ore quality offset by improvements to both throughput and recoveries.