Income rose 114% to $21.7 billion and revenue attributable to shareholders climbed to $5.2 billion, in contrast with $471 million in H1 final yr. It signifies that Anglo American greater than double what it made in 2020 as a complete.
Consistent with its goal of maximizing shareholder returns, the corporate declared dividends of $3.1 billion, or $3.31 cents a share, together with a $1 billion special dividend and $1 billion in share buybacks.
“The primary six months of 2021 have seen robust demand and costs for a lot of of our merchandise as economies start to recoup misplaced floor, spurred by stimulus measures throughout the key economies,” chief government Mark Cutifani mentioned. “The share buyback ought to inform you that we don’t assume that is pretty much as good because it will get.”
“The platinum group metals and copper – important to the worldwide decarbonization crucial as we electrify transport and harness clear, renewable vitality – and premium high quality iron ore for greener steelmaking, supported by an bettering marketplace for diamonds, all contributed to a file half-year monetary efficiency,” Cutifani famous.
Information of Anglo’s dividend follows rival Rio Tinto’s (ASX, NYSE, LON: RIO) posting a record $9.1 billion dividend, due to improved demand from China and robust costs for iron ore, one among its key commodities.
ESG points
It additionally comes towards the backdrop of an ongoing class action suit introduced on behalf of over 100,000 members of the group of Kabwe, Zambia, towards Anglo American South Africa.
Worldwide human rights attorneys revealed an announcement asking Anglo American to again its public commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance efficiency (ESG) with actions.
“Anglo has repeatedly mentioned it takes ESG critically, vowing to assist human rights and be accountable to communities, but its denial of duty for the well being disaster in Kabwe is at odds with this stance. We name upon shareholders to proceed asking critical questions concerning the true price to communities like Kabwe of Anglo’s monetary features,” mentioned Richard Meeran, associate and head of the Worldwide Division at Leigh Day.
“Anglo would far sooner distribute its income amongst administration and the Board than take care of communities blighted by its operations,” famous Zanele Mbuyisa, Companion at Mbuyisa Moleele.
The corporate reiterated its dedication to carbon neutrality throughout its operations by 2040. Anglo has persistently been offloading coal operations since 2014. Along with saying its intention to spin off its South African unit final yr, it made the decision to sell Cerrejón, its thermal coal subsidiary in Colombia.
It additionally mentioned discussions over potential will increase in taxes and royalties in Peru and Chile, the place Anglo has lots of its copper operations, have been extra “wise” than preliminary proposals.
Lawmakers in Chile are discussing an opposition-sponsored bill that might see taxes on miners soar by as much as 75% relying on the worth of copper, the nation’s key export. Peru’s new president Pedro Castillo, in flip, has vowed to squeeze more cash from miners.
When Cutifani joined Anglo in 2013, Peru’s then president Ollanta Humala “was alleged to be extraordinarily lef-twing, and we ended up having a really constructive relationship. And I’m hopeful that’s the place we’ll find yourself with Castillo as effectively,” Anglos’ boss mentioned, including that he’s already engaged in dialog with Peru’s new chief.