Anglo American Sees Copper and Diamond Output Slide as Restructuring Efforts Continue
Anglo American Reports 13% Drop in Copper Output and 26% Fall in Diamond Production Amid Sluggish Demand
Anglo American, the London-listed global mining giant, reported a 13% decline in copper production and a 26% drop in rough diamond output for the first half of 2025, reflecting continued weakness in global demand.
Copper output fell to 342,200 metric tons, down from the same period last year. However, the company reaffirmed its full-year copper production guidance of 690,000 to 750,000 tons, slightly lower than the 773,000 tons mined in 2024.
Copper remains a core focus for Anglo, especially as long-term demand is expected to rise with the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.
Rough diamond production dropped to 7.22 million carats, amid ongoing softness in demand and elevated inventory levels.
Earlier this year, Anglo cut its 2025 production forecast for De Beers to 20–23 million carats, down significantly from its previous target of 30–33 million carats.
In response to changing market dynamics and following a failed takeover attempt by BHP in 2024, Anglo American is undergoing a major restructuring to concentrate on core assets—primarily copper and iron ore.
As part of this strategy:
It has spun off its platinum business.
It has reached agreements to sell its nickel and coking coal divisions, though these transactions are still pending finalization.
These divested businesses will be reported as discontinued operations in the company’s half-year results, set for release on July 31.
Despite a production halt at one of the coking coal mines—caused by a fire earlier this year—Anglo expects the $3.78 billion sale to Peabody Energy to proceed as planned.
Additionally, Anglo confirmed that the formal sale process of its diamond subsidiary De Beers is progressing, even as the global diamond market faces prolonged challenges.
Amid these divestments, iron ore production rose modestly by 2% in the first half of 2025, reaching 31.38 million tons.
