OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
SOUTH AFRICA
At Great Noligwa, volume mined dropped 14% as
planned, largely due to the slow start-up at the
beginning of the year. Yield was held to last
quarter’s level and gold production fell 11% to
5,598kg (180,000oz), as a consequence of the
fewer shifts worked.
A decreased by-product contribution from uranium
and the negative impact of lower gold production
combined to increase total cash costs by 18% to
R53,491/kg ($277/oz). These higher total cash
costs, together with lower revenue and unfavourable
inventory movements, resulted in gross profit
adjusted for the effect of unrealised non-hedge
derivatives decreasing 38% to R122m ($20m).
The Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) was
9.51 lost-time injuries per million hours worked (9.80
for the previous quarter). Regrettably, two
employees lost their lives due to falls of ground.
At Kopanang, volume mined was 5% lower than the
record level achieved in the previous quarter. Yield
improved by 4% to 7.49g/t with gold production
falling marginally to 3,737kg (120,000oz). Total cash
costs, at R59,318/kg ($307/oz), increased 7%
quarter-on-quarter. Gross profit adjusted for the
effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives
decreased 26% to R53m ($9m), reflecting the lower
gold output and higher costs.
The LTIFR was 12.45 (14.45). Regrettably, one
employee died from a fall of ground incident.
Tau Lekoa’s volume mined decreased by 15%
quarter-on-quarter due to a planned reduction in
mining below cut-off. Contract labour was moved
from low-grade pillar mining to higher grade areas to
help mitigate the effect of this reduction, resulting in
a slightly increased yield of 3.98g/t. Gold production
was unfavourably impacted by this quarter’s lower
volumes and fell 13% to 2,029kg (65,000oz).
Despite cost containment efforts and the
implementation of cost saving initiatives, the
benefits of which were reflected in the absolute
costs, total cash costs increased by 8% to
R83,401/kg ($432/oz).
The LTIFR was 10.77 (15.29). Two employees
regrettably lost their lives due to falls of ground.
Moab Khotsong’s improved gold production of
124kg (4,000oz) is not included in the South
Africa region's production, as the revenue
continues to be capitalised against pre-
production costs. Commercial production is
scheduled for 2006.
The LTIFR was 9.60 (8.41).
At Mponeng, volume mined decreased 7% due
to six fewer breaking shifts this quarter.
Increased mining in the higher grade areas
below the 109 level led to an 8% improvement
in yield to 8.31g/t, resulting in a 3% increase in
gold production to 3,571kg (115,000oz). Total
cash costs decreased marginally to R63,457/kg
($329/oz). Gross profit adjusted for the effect of
unrealised non-hedge derivatives increased
69% to R22m ($3m), reflecting the impact of the
lower costs and improved gold production.
The LTIFR was 15.82 (10.77).
At Savuka, volume mined dropped 9% due to
adverse ground conditions experienced in the
Ventersdorp Contact Reef from geological
structure problems. An increase in off-reef
mining and lower in-situ values resulted in a
17% decline in yield to 5.44g/t, which, together
with the lower volumes, resulted in a 23%
decrease in gold production to 1,000kg
(32,000oz). Total cash costs, which in absolute
terms decreased 8% quarter-on-quarter, were
nevertheless adversely impacted by the lower
gold output and consequently increased 20% to
R107,171/kg ($555/oz). Gross loss adjusted for
the effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives
increased by 88% to R32m ($5m),
predominantly due to the lower gold production.
Management is focused on a turn-around
strategy for Savuka, although continued
underperformance will likely result in early
closure.
The LTIFR was 13.59 (8.85).
At TauTona, volume mined increased 3% as
improved face advance more than offset a drop
in face length. Yield increased 2% to 10.31g/t
as a consequence of the higher face values.
Gold production declined marginally to 4,067kg
(131,000oz), mainly due to increased material
lock-up resulting from seismicity. Total cash
costs, at R52,492/kg ($272/oz), reflected a 3%
improvement. Gross profit adjusted for the
effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives
increased 27% to R61m ($9m).
The LTIFR was 8.84 (14.53).