Anglo American posts record operating profit

LSE-listed mining company Anglo American Plc has posted a record operating profit for last year following big advances in its coal and diamonds operations.

The group reported a record operating profit of $11.1 billion, up 14 percent on the year before.

Underlying earnings per share were 23 percent higher and the full-year dividend was raised 14 per cent to $0.74 per share.

However, its net profit declined 6 percent to $6.17 billion from $6.54 billion in 2010.

Chief Executive Cynthia Carroll said the group completed three major projects in 2011: the Kolomela iron ore mine in South Africa, the expansion of the Los Bronces copper mine in Chile and the Barro Alto nickel operation in Brazil.

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