AngloGold Ashanti Earnings Surge to Record $342M; Ups Dividend

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/04/11 -- AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU)
posted record adjusted headline earnings* of $342m in the second quarter
after production and costs improved amid record gold prices.

'We did a good job of containing costs and growing production, despite some
difficult production issues,' Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutifani said.
'Our focus on driving free cash-flow generation and returns is evident in
these results and this positions us well as we grow through a prudent,
well-managed capital programme.'

AngloGold Ashanti eliminated the gold industry's last remaining major hedge
book in October, last year, improving cash flow and earnings by increasing
exposure to the rising gold price. The company is also in the process of
implementing a new operating model to improve productivity across its 20
existing operations and a portfolio of development projects as it expands
production by around 1Moz, to 5.5Moz in 2014/2015.

Adjusted headline earnings in the three months to June 30 were $342m, or 89
US cents a share, compared with $203m, or 53 US cents a share the previous
quarter. The Continental Africa operations were a significant contributor,
with the Geita and Obuasi mines both delivering cost and production
improvements. The South African operations increased production by 7% and
contained cost increases to 8%, despite inflationary pressures including
annual power-tariff increases and a stronger local currency.

Cash flow generated from the company's operating activities during the
first quarter rose 24% to a record $636m. Net debt** improved by another
22% to $866m, underscoring the improvement in AngloGold Ashanti's cash
generation, even after the company funded its capital expenditure
requirements. The improved cash flow allowed for a 38% increase in the
interim dividend to 90 South African cents a share. In dollar terms, the 13
US cents a share dividend represents a 44% improvement compared with last
year's interim payout.

Production was 1.086Moz at a total cash cost of $705/oz in the three months
to 30 June, compared with 1.039Moz at $706/oz the previous quarter, and
guidance of 1.09Moz at $760/oz.

Additional exploration at the Vogue discovery, beneath the Sunrise Dam
operation in Australia, returned high grade intersections reflecting
improved potential to increase the size of the deposit, as did drilling at
the Cerro Vanguardia mine in Argentina.

Tragically, three fatalities were recorded after an underground mining
incident in South Africa and separate accidents in Brazil and at an
exploration camp in North Africa. The company's long-term safety
performance remains markedly better than three years ago, when the new
safety strategy was launched. This is reflected in an improvement of around
80% in its fatality injury frequency rate over the period. Efforts continue
to push toward an elimination of workplace injuries.

Guidance of the year has been updated to around 4.45Moz at a total cash
cost of $725/oz to $740/oz(1). This production level reflects the impact of
floods at the Sunrise Dam mine in Australia, a decision to halt mining of
the VCR pillar at TauTona following a seismic event earlier in the year, a
drought at the Cripple Creek & Victor mine in the U.S. which impacted
output from the heap-leach pad, and a six-day strike which halted
production from the South African operations. Total cash costs are impacted
by the lower output, stronger local currencies and a higher fuel price.
Previous guidance was for 4.55Moz to 4.75Moz, at a total cash cost of
$660/oz to $685/oz.

Guidance for the second quarter is around 1.11Moz at $775/oz, assuming an
exchange rate of R6.75 to the dollar and Brent crude price of $115 a
barrel.

*Excludes cost of accelerated hedge buy-back

** Excludes mandatory convertible bonds

(1) assuming an exchange rate of R6.83/$ and an oil price of $114/barrel.

Certain statements made in this communication, including, without
limitation, those concerning the economic outlook for the gold mining
industry, expectations regarding gold prices, production, cash costs and
other operating results, growth prospects and outlook of AngloGold
Ashanti's operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the
completion and commencement of commercial operations of certain of
AngloGold Ashanti's exploration and production projects and the completion
of announced mergers and acquisitions transactions, AngloGold Ashanti's
liquidity, capital resources and capital expenditure and the outcome and
consequences of any litigation or regulatory proceedings or environmental
issues, contain certain forward-looking statements regarding AngloGold
Ashanti's operations, economic performance and financial condition.
Although AngloGold Ashanti believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that
such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results
could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking
statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in economic and
market conditions, success of business and operating initiatives, changes
in the regulatory environment and other government actions including
environmental approvals and actions, fluctuations in gold prices and
exchange rates, and business and operational risk management. For a
discussion of certain of these and other factors, refer to AngloGold
Ashanti's annual report for the year ended 31 December 2010, which was
distributed to shareholders on 29 March 2011 and  the company's 2010 annual
report on Form 20-F, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in the United States on May 31, 2011.  These factors are not
necessarily all of the important factors that could cause AngloGold
Ashanti's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors could
also have material adverse effects on future results.  AngloGold Ashanti
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to
these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after
today's date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  All
subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to
AngloGold Ashanti or any person acting on its behalf are qualified by the
cautionary statements herein.

This communication may contain certain 'Non-GAAP' financial measures.
AngloGold Ashanti utilises certain Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios
in managing its business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in
addition to, and not as an alternative for, the reported operating results
or cash flow from operations or any other measures of performance prepared
in accordance with IFRS.  In addition, the presentation of these measures
may not be comparable to similarly titled measures other companies may use.

AngloGold Ashanti posts information that is important to investors on the
main page of its website at www.anglogoldashanti.com and under the
'Investors' tab on the main page. This information is updated regularly.
Investors should visit this website to obtain important information about
AngloGold Ashanti.

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