Anglo American PLC received the next phase of its operating license for the tailings facility at its Minas Rio iron ore operation in Brazil.

The company's bulk commodities CEO, Seamus French, said Minas Rio is expected to produce 23 million tonnes in 2019 at a free on board unit cost of about US$24 per tonne.

The tailings dam uses a downstream construction design and is an embankment dam structure, according to a Dec. 23 release.

The company raised its 2019 production guidance for Minas Rio in November by 10% from the previous target of 20 Mt to 22 Mt, and it forecast production of 22 Mt to 24 Mt in 2020, 24 Mt and 26 Mt in 2021, and 23 Mt to 25 Mt in 2022.