“Gold production of 830,000 ounces in the March 2011 quarter was 5
per cent higher than the corresponding quarter a year ago (793,000
ounces). The fall of 8 per cent from the previous quarter was due to
the traditional Christmas break in South Africa.
Sound cost control in all Regions has resulted in net operating costs
decreasing from R5,015 million (US$724 million) in the December
quarter to R4,878 million (US$699 million) in the March quarter as
operations continue to benefit from business process re-engineering
(BPR). This is the third quarter in a row that net operating costs have
been reduced. Despite the relatively high fixed cost nature of the
business, total cash cost increased quarter on quarter by only 4 per
cent from R161,894 per kilogram (US$728 per ounce) to R168,455
per kilogram (US$751 per ounce) despite lower production in the
March quarter compared with the December quarter. Cost
containment allowed Gold Fields to increase its NCE margin to 21
per cent. Our intention is to position the Group to generate
sustainable margins at a range of long-term gold prices.
Safety remains Gold Fields’ single most important operational and
sustainability issue. This is embodied in our promise that “if we
cannot mine safely, we will not mine”. To this end, we deeply regret
the five fatalities reported this quarter. Despite a significant reduction
in fatalities over the past three years, we have not shown an
improvement over the last three quarters. Subsequently we are
applying even greater rigour to our safety initiatives, centred mainly
around strategies to engineer out risks, increased focus on
compliance to standards and behavioural change.
Our growth strategy continues apace. Resource definition drilling
continues at the Chucapaca project in Peru, with twelve drills currently
on site. Drilling results demonstrate strong grade and structural
continuity within the current resource model, and suggest that
mineralisation is still open to the west. In parallel, work is ongoing on
collecting data for the feasibility study, including metallurgical test work
and the environmental impact assessment (EIA). A substantial
community engagement and socio-economic programme is underway
in the Chucapaca project area.
In the Philippines, exploration at the Far South East project is ramping
up with five underground diamond drill rigs operating. Three more rigs
are expected to be commissioned during the June 2011 quarter.
The metallurgical drilling programme at the Arctic Platinum project in
Finland was completed. Two 50 tonne ore samples are now available
for pilot plant flotation, which is scheduled to start in the June 2011
quarter and completed in the September 2011 quarter.
At the Yanfolila project in southern Mali, an inferred Mineral Resource
of 740,000 gold equivalent ounces was declared as at December 2010.
The resource delineation drilling programme is continuing and we
expect further meaningful increases in our resource position during
2011. In addition, a scoping study is planned for later in the year.
Due to the progress we have made on these projects we are well
positioned to achieve our goal of the Group having a profile of 5 million
ounces per annum either in production or in development by 2015.
At the end of the March quarter, Gold Fields Corona (BVI) Limited, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited made a voluntary
purchase offer to acquire the outstanding common voting shares and
investment shares of Gold Fields La Cima that were not already
owned. The offer closed on 15 April 2011 with a high percentage takeup
bringing our effective economic shareholding in La Cima (Cerro
Corona) to 98.5 per cent from 80.7 per cent. This transaction was
partially financed by a draw-down of existing debt facilities.
We have also entered into a binding agreement with IAMGOLD
Corporation to acquire its 18.9 per cent minority stake in our Tarkwa
and Damang mines in Ghana, for a cash consideration of US$667
million. The completion of the proposed acquisition, which is subject to
certain conditions precedent being met, including Gold Fields
shareholders approval, is expected by 31 July 2011.
These transactions are low risk acquisitions in line with our strategy of
increasing our offshore exposure and acquiring 100 per cent of our
operating assets where possible.
We have published our Integrated Annual Report for the six months
to 31 December 2010. This marks an important change for Gold
Fields, as it represents our first attempt at ‘integrated’ reporting,
blending our operational, sustainability and financial performance.
The integrated report provides a holistic understanding of Gold Fields
performance, risks and opportunities and exciting long-term
prospects. I encourage you to read the report.” |