OVERVIEW OF THE QUARTER AND THE YEAR
AngloGold's adjusted headline earnings 1 for the December quarter increased by 12% to $75m.
The operations overall maintained their sound performance in the fourth quarter of 2003, with adjusted operating profits 2 increasing marginally to $137m. Geita's results continued to improve and there were better performances from Sunrise Dam, Cripple Creek & Victor (CC&V) and Cerro Vanguardia. Kopanang, Mponeng and Morila all reported lower adjusted operating profit 2 than the previous quarter due to volume and grade reductions.
Gold production for the quarter was steady at 1.39Moz, although total cash costs were 5% higher at $249/oz, largely as a result of stronger operating currencies, with the rand strengthening by 9% over the US dollar since the previous quarter.
For the 12 months ended 31 December 2003, production declined by 5% to 5.6Moz, largely as a result of lower grades in all of the operating regions. Total cash costs were $229/oz or $68/oz higher for the year and adjusted operating profit 2 was 12% lower at $559m, mainly due to significantly stronger operating currency values against the US dollar. Adjusted headline earnings 1decreased by 23% to $282m over the period.
OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
SOUTH AFRICA
At Great Noligwa, volume mined rose by 12% due to the continued focus on improving production efficiencies,
with yield also increasing by 5% to 11.18g/t. Despite the improved efficiencies and higher grades, gold production
at 6,770kg (218,000oz) was only marginally higher than that of the previous quarter due to reduced tramming
efficiency during December. Tramming has subsequently been identified as an area of focus for
improvement at Great Noligwa in 2004. Total cash costs at R50,295/kg ($232/oz) decreased by 4% despite the
higher volumes mined, with most of these savings coming from lower power costs and the continued focus
on reducing costs at the operation. Adjusted operating profit 2
at R230m ($34m) fell by 11
%. The lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR)
improved by 26% although tragically, one employee died in a fall of ground incident.
Tau Lekoa's volume mined decreased by 3% as a result of lower than planned face advance. With yield steady at 4.04g/t, the 2% increase in tonnage milled from the surface stockpile enabled gold production to improve by 2% to 2,492kg (80,000oz). Total cash costs at R74,058/kg ($342/oz) went up by 2%, mainly as a result of increased gold production. The adjusted operating profit 2 decreased from R32m to a loss of R6m, mainly owing to an increase in amortisation charges of R36m ($6m). This arose from an adjustment made to the operation's reserves. The quarter saw a 14% improvement in the LTIFR.
Despite reductions in stoping width at Savuka in order to achieve higher productivity through mining less waste, a 7% improvement in volume mined was achieved for the quarter. In addition, several development ends were stopped which together with the reduced stoping width resulted in a 9% drop in tonnage milled. This was partially offset by an improved yield up by 4% to 5.71g/t. Gold production declined by 5% to 1,304kg (42,000oz). This led to a 2% increase in total cash costs to R117,763/kg ($544/oz). The drop in gold revenue increased adjusted operating losses 2 by 5% to R59m ($9m). Two employees died in accidents and there was a 3% deterioration in the LTIFR.
At Mponeng, the impact of increased seismicity on available panels is reflected in a 6% decrease in the volume mined. Gold production was down by 9% to 3,696kg (119,000oz) partly owing to the lower volumes mined, but also because of the lower tonnages delivered to the plant. Total cash costs increased by 7% to R63,437/kg ($293/oz) mainly as a result of the lower gold production which was partially offset by 2% from cost savings initiatives. Adjusted operating profit 2 at
At TauTona, improved face length and face advance resulted in an 11% increase in volume mined. The impact of the fire in the previous quarter resulted in a 7% reduction in yield to 12.21g/t. This drop in yield was only partially offset by a 4% increase in tonnes treated, resulting in a 4% decrease in gold production to 5,086kg (164,000oz). Despite the lower production, an 8% improvement in operating expenditure through the re- phasing of major expenditures and reduced power consumption, resulted in a 4% decrease in total cash costs to R45,014/kg ($208/oz). The 4% increase in adjusted operating profit 2 of R190m ($28m) reflects the benefit of these cost reductions. There was an 8% improvement in the LTIFR.
At Ergo, the warmer weather led to improvements in the thickening operations quarter-on-quarter. The tonnage throughput increased by 5% which, together with a yield that went up by 11% to 0.21g/t from higher head grades, and improved calcine gold contribution, resulted in a 14% rise in gold production to 1,597kg (51,000oz). Total cash costs were down by 19% to R79,185/kg ($365/oz), as a result of improved gold production as well as a reduction in planned major expenditures. The adjusted operating profit 2 of R2m (from the loss of R22m in the previous quarter) reflects the impact of the increased gold production and cost reductions.
EAST AND WEST AFRICA
Geita (50% attributable) increased production by 33% to 117,000oz, largely owing to an anticipated 37% increase in recovered grade to 5.26g/t. Total cash costs decreased by 28% to $136/oz due to the higher production whilst adjusted operating profit 2 rose by 111% to $19m. There were three lost time injuries recorded during the quarter.
Production at Morila (40% attributable) decreased by 40% to 48,000oz. As was anticipated and reported previously, recovered grade declined by 42% to 4.41g/t. The decrease in production, coupled with increased mining contractor costs resulted in total cash costs rising by 67% to $182/oz. Adjusted operating profit 2 for the quarter decreased by 71% to $4m. Commissioning of the plant expansion project was delayed to January 2004. There were four lost time injuries recorded during the quarter.
At Navachab, a 5% decrease in milled tonnage throughput coupled with a 2% decline in recovered grade, resulted in a 7% drop in gold production to 16,000oz. As a result, total cash costs went up by 15%
At Sadiola (38% attributable), production went up by 19% to 50,000oz as a result of a 9% increase in milled tonnage throughput, coupled with a 9% improvement in recovered grade. Total cash cost increased by 14% to $223/oz whilst adjusted operating profit 2 remained steady at $5m. The rise in cash costs was caused by higher reagent costs associated with the increased treatment of sulphide material and higher metallurgical plant maintenance costs. The mine had no lost time injuries for the quarter.
Production at Yatela (40% attributable) decreased by 15% to 17,000oz. An increase of 44% in tonnage stacked, as a result of the rectification of commissioning problems with the new crusher circuit during the third quarter, was offset by a decline in the recovered grade. The decrease in the grade was largely due to artificially high grades in the third quarter resulting from the low tonnages stacked. As a consequence of the lower production, total cash costs increased by 29% to $322/oz and adjusted operating profit 2 decreased by $3m. Yatela recorded one lost time injury for the quarter.
NORTH AMERICA
At Cripple Creek & Victor (67% ownership with 100% interest in production until the initial loans are repaid) production was up by 15% quarter-on-quarter at 76,000oz due to improvements in leach solution chemistry and production from Phase 4B of the leach pad, which is closer to the liner and therefore produces gold in a much shorter time. Total cash costs were 6% lower than those of the third quarter at $203/oz as production increased without a significant rise in costs. Despite increased production, adjusted operating profit 2 was $2m lower than that for the third quarter at $1m due to unfavourable gold prices and higher production costs. There were no lost time injuries for the quarter and three lost time injuries for the year.
The new processing facilities exceeded design capacity in each of the three months during the quarter, and haulage fleet availability ended the year only slightly below targeted levels. Phase 4B of the leach pad construction has ceased for the winter and will resume in June 2004. Stacking started during the third quarter on this area of the leach pad, which was then under irrigation for part of the fourth quarter.
As announced in the June quarter, AngloGold sold its interests in the Jerritt Canyon joint venture to
SOUTH AMERICA
At Cerro Vanguardia (92.5% attributable), gold production was 41% higher at 58,000oz due to a 20% improvement in recovered grade to 7.25g/t and a 17% increase in ore treated. This was as a result of changes to the production programme associated with the commissioning of the scrubber system in the grinding circuit, permitting the effective treatment of wet higher- grade material. Total cash costs were 20% lower than those of the previous quarter at $138/oz, mainly because of higher gold produced and silver by-product credits which were up by 21%. Adjusted operating profit 2 rose significantly to $7m largely as a result of increased sales volumes, higher received price and lower total cash costs. The mine recorded an LTIFR of 7.54 for the quarter.
At Morro Velho, gold production was 3% higher than for the previous quarter at 61,000oz, due to a 6% improvement in recovered grade to 6.87g/t. This was despite a 2% reduction in the ore treated. Total cash costs decreased by 1% to $144/oz mainly because of the increased gold production. Adjusted operating profit 2 remained steady at $9m. The mine had a 4.65 LTIFR.
At Serra Grande (50% attributable), gold production decreased by 4% from the previous quarter to 23,000oz. Total cash costs were 20% higher at $131/oz mainly owing to higher labour costs reflecting annual union agreement negotiations in November, energy cost increases and reduction in the gold produced. Adjusted operating profit 2 increased to $5m chiefly because of a 9% rise in sales volume. There were no lost time injuries at Serra Grande during the quarter.
The LTIFR (including contractors) for the region in the year was 4.48. This compares favourably with the Ontario underground metalliferous mines benchmark of 6.5.
AUSTRALIA
At Sunrise Dam, production during the quarter increased by 9% to 93,000oz. As forecast, mining in higher grade areas resulted in a higher recovery, from 80% in the previous quarter to 83% this quarter, with a resultant increase in recovered grade to 3.03g/t. Mining will return to some of the lower grade areas in the first quarter of 2004. Mill throughput for the quarter increased by 7%. Total cash costs decreased by 13% to A$321/oz ($230/oz) and adjusted operating profit 2 improved by 239% to A$16m ($12m) primarily due to a
Milling operations at Union Reefs shut down in October, with the majority of production reported for the fourth quarter from clean-up activities. Gold produced was 5,000oz compared with 23,000oz for the previous quarter and with no mining or milling, total cash costs decreased to A$254/oz ($179/oz). There were again no lost time injuries recorded for the quarter.
In November, AngloGold announced that it had reached a conditional agreement with Greater Pacific Gold Ltd to sell the Union Reefs mine, associated assets and tenements for a staged consideration of A$6.2m ($4.5m). In November, AngloGold reached agreement to sell its Western Tanami Project, which includes the Coyote deposit, to Tanami Gold NL. The consideration comprises A$9m ($7m) in cash, 25 million ordinary shares in Tanami Gold and a phased production royalty.
Work to update the November 2000 Boddington Expansion Feasibility Study project continued.
Note:
All references to price received includes the realised
non-hedge derivative gains (losses).
Rounding of figures may result in computational
discrepancies.
In the case of joint venture operations, all production and
financial results are attributable to AngloGold.
Exploration for satellite oxide mineralisation at Sadiola continued to focus on the FE3 Southern Extension and FE4 targets. Diamond drilling to test the gap between FE3 and FE4 intersected mineralisation. An initial sulphide drilling programme was completed at FE3 and FE4, intersecting the oxide limit at F4 deeper than expected at 200m.
In-fill drilling completed at Alamoutala, indicated that mineralisation could be extended to the north-east and south of the current pit.
Greenfields exploration continued at Kola, south of
Morila. Due to negative drilling results at Sinsin, east of Morila, the permit will be relinquished in
2004. At Garalo, located 100km SW of Morila, Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling of Rotary Airblast
(RAB)-delineated gold anomalies produced encouraging results requiring further drilling in 2004.
At the Banzana permit, located 140km SW of Morila on the Cote d'Ivoire border, soil sampling is in
progress with RAB-drilling scheduled for the second
quarter of 2004.
Greenfields exploration was conducted at several projects in the Tintina Gold Belt of central Alaska (USA) and at the west end of the Red Lake (Ontario, Canada) camp. In Alaska, AngloGold acquired 100% ownership of the West Pogo Joint Venture after purchasing Zeus Exploration's interest. In addition, AngloGold acquired new land parcels on several other targets within the Tintina Gold Belt. At Red Lake work focused on analysis of data from the rationalised properties at the west end of Belt. Further exploration is planned for all project areas in Alaska and Red Lake subject to a further review in 2004.
Drilling of the Cachorro Bravo orebody at Crrego do Stio has defined the down-dip limit of the principal mineralised horizons and has confirmed the flat (20 degree) northerly plunge of the mineralisation for a down-plunge length of 900m, which is still open ended. Seventy-five metres of underground exploration access strike development has been completed on the principal 200 ore horizon, with 26 face samples, assaying a weighted average of 14.32g/t over an average sampled true width of 3.31m.
The spot price for the metal reached over $417/oz during December and touched $430/oz in early 2004, although the market has since retraced to around $410/oz. The average gold price for 2003 of $363/oz was $53 or 17% above the average price for 2002. The gold price again mirrored moves in the currency markets, particularly the US dollar exchange rate against the euro, which fell steadily during the fourth quarter to reach an all-time low of $1.27 to the euro in December. This reflects a loss in value of almost 20% during 2003. The rand proved as volatile and the currency moved in a range of almost 20%, between R6.07 and R7.28 to the US dollar.
GOLD PRICE DRIVERS
The primary mover in gold continues to be strong
speculator and investor interest in the metal, driven by a number of fundamental
economic circumstances. Amongst these circumstances is most certainly the anticipated further decline in the value of the US
dollar. These same influences have pushed up prices of base metals and other commodities, although the extent of
investor interest in precious metals is relatively high compared with the rest of the metals sector. The
quarter again saw higher levels of open positions on the New York Commodity Exchange (Comex), reaching an
all-time high of 19Moz, or almost 600t, net long in
futures and options contracts combined.
During the final quarter of 2003, the spot gold price tracked the dollar/euro exchange rate particularly closely. This exchange rate is valuable as an indicator rather than a determinant of gold price direction, at least in part, because many of the same economic fundamental issues affect the dollar as they do the gold market.
The summarised group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and South African Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (SA GAAP), in compliance with the Listings Requirements of the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) and in the manner required by the South African Companies Act, 1973 for the preparation of interim financial information. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required by IFRS, SA GAAP and in the manner required by the South African Companies Act, 1973 for annual consolidated financial statements.