[ferro-alloys.com]Global diversified natural resources company Glencore's third-quarter production of copper decreased 2% year on year to 346,600 mt, the company said Oct. 30.

The Switzerland-based company said January-September copper production decreased 8% year on year to 934,700 mt.

"Own sourced copper production of 934,700 mt was 81,100 mt (8%) lower than the comparable prior period, reflecting Mutanda [Democratic Republic of Congo] being on care and maintenance in the current period and the temporary suspension of operations at Antamina [Peru] in Q2, partly offset by a continued strong milling performance at Collahuasi [Chile] and Katanga's ramp-up [DRC]," the company said in a statement.

The company said current full year 2020 copper production guidance remains unchanged at 1.255 million mt, while tightening ranges to plus or minus 25,000 mt from plus or minus 35,000 mt.

Glencore said Q3 production of cobalt dropped 44% year on year to 7,300 mt, while January-September cobalt production decreased 37% year on year to 21,600 mt.

"Own sourced cobalt production of 21,600 mt was 12,800 mt (37%) lower than the comparable prior period, mainly reflecting Mutanda on care and maintenance, partly offset by Katanga's ramp-up," the company said.

The company said current full year 2020 cobalt production guidance remains unchanged at 28,000 mt, while tightening ranges to plus or minus 1,000 mt from plus or minus 2,000 mt.

Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg said in a statement: "Glencore has delivered a solid third quarter operating performance, including the continued successful ramp-up of Katanga, which remains on track to achieve design capacity by year end."

"We maintain our 2020 full year production guidance, except coal, which was adjusted for the extended strike at Cerrejon. We will provide a detailed business update, including progress on climate change initiatives at our Investor Update on Dec. 4," Glasenberg said.

(S&P Global Platts)

• [Editor:王可]