Parting shot

According to the article, Anglo American's outgoing chief executive told mining industry investors to "rein in expectations or quit the sector."

The article names Cynthia Carroll as Anglo American's outgoing chief executive and reports she complained of a "disconnect" between mining firms and shareholders, saying shareholders need to realise "what it really takes to deliver projects."

The article describes the "disconnect" as a gap between what mining companies face when delivering projects and what shareholders expect; Cynthia Carroll says investors need to recognise the realities of delivering mining projects.

The article conveys her view that some shareholders may not appreciate "what it really takes to deliver projects," and that investors should adjust their expectations accordingly or consider leaving the sector.

Based on the article, everyday investors can take Cynthia Carroll's comment as a reminder to be realistic about the time, cost and challenges implied by mining project delivery and to factor that into investment decisions.

While the article doesn't list specific steps, it highlights Cynthia Carroll's call for shareholders to "realise what it really takes to deliver projects," implying better understanding and alignment between investors and mining companies is needed.

The article reports the strong advice from Anglo American's outgoing CEO, which could influence investor sentiment by prompting some to lower expectations or reassess their exposure to the mining sector.

The article's quote from Cynthia Carroll can be used as a prompt for investors to ask mining companies about project timelines, delivery risks and realistic return expectations before investing.