Glencore reported production of 30,100 tons of nickel in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 21 % year-on-year.

Glencore released its first quarter production report in 2018, and its own copper production increased by 7 % from 2017. The production of self-owned zinc decreased by 13 % year-on-year; Self-produced lead production decreased by 17 % year-on-year; Self-owned nickel production increased by 21 % year-on-year; Cobalt production increased by 11 per cent year-on-year.

Copper assets

In terms of Glencore's copper assets, its own copper production in the first quarter was 345,400 tons, an increase of 21,300 tons from 2017. The main reason for its increase may be the completion and resumption of ore leaching and production at the Katanga copper mine at the end of 2017, offsetting the impact of the repair and suspension of the Mount Isa copper smelter.

African region

Glencore Africa's copper production was 92,000 tons in the first quarter, up 36,000 tons, or 63 %, from 2017, mainly due to the launch of the first phase of the Katanga project in December 2017. The mine produced 27,700 tons in the first quarter of 2018.

Collahuasi Copper

The mine produced 60,600 tons of copper in the first quarter, an increase of 5 % from 3,000 tons of Gaochu in the first quarter of 2017.

Antamina Copper

The mine produced 36,500 tons in the first quarter, up 20 per cent from 2017, largely because of the receding impact of flood weather.

South American region

The mine produced 73,600 tons in the first quarter, down 8 % from 2017

Australia

Production at the mine was 47,800 tons in the first quarter, down 23 per cent from 2017, mainly due to the suspension of repairs at the Mount Isa copper smelter

Zinc assets

Glencore's own zinc production in the first quarter of 2018 was 242,700 tons, a decrease of 36,500 tons, or 13 %, from 2017.

Kazzinc

The mine's output in the first quarter of 2018 was the same as that of 2017. Its output was 49,800 tons, an increase of 1,700 tons over 2017, an increase of 4 %.

Australia

The region's production of 110,200 tons of zinc in the first quarter was down 5,600 tons, or 5 %, from 2017, mainly due to changes in mine planning.

North America

Zinc production in the region was 26,100 tonnes in the first quarter, down 25 per cent from 2017, largely due to the transition to lower grades and production at Kidd mines.

South American region

Zinc production in the region was 26,300 tonnes in the first quarter, up 1,400 tonnes, or 6 per cent, from 2017, reflecting stable mining operations in the region.

European region

Zinc production in the region was 190,000 tonnes in the first quarter, down 7,200 tonnes, or 4 per cent, compared with 2017, largely due to the disruption of short-term mining production in the region, but is expected to resume in the coming months.

Nickel assets

Glencore's own nickel production in the first quarter of 2018 was 30,100 tons, an increase of 5,200 tons from 2017, an increase of 21 %. The performance of the nickel mines in Murrin and INO has also been strong, mainly owing to the continued steady growth in the operation of the Koniambo nickel processing plant.

Integrated NickelOperations

The mine produced 15,100 tons of nickel in the first quarter, an increase of 7 % over the level of Gaochu in the same period.

MurrinMurrin

The mine produced 8,400 tons of nickel in the first quarter, up from 2,200 tons in the same period, an increase of 35 per cent, mainly due to the resumption of production.

Koniambo

The mine added two production lines at the end of last year and produced 6,600 tons of nickel in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 2,000 tons or 43 % over the same period.

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