OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
SOUTH AFRICA
At Great Noligwa, volume mined declined 3% this
quarter as complex geology resulted in lower face
length. Yield decreased 5% due to temporary
maintenance work that required waste development to
be passed through the reef ore system, resulting in
dilution. As a result, production declined 5% to
4,767kg (153,000oz). Combined with higher
expenditures on public holiday overtime shifts and
additional temporary support, the lower production led
to a 10% increase in total cash costs to R57,253/kg
($277/oz). Gross profit adjusted for the effect of
unrealised non-hedge derivatives increased 32% to
R295m ($45m), primarily as a result of a higher price
received.
The Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) was
9.48 lost-time injuries per million hours worked (10.60
for the previous quarter). Regrettably, one employee
died in a fall of ground accident.
At Kopanang, the release of previously locked-up
material led to a 5% volume improvement and yield
also increased 5%. Production consequently rose 11%
to 3,561kg (114,000oz) and total cash costs declined
5% to R60,958/kg ($295/oz), although higher labour
expenditure partially offset the effect of improved
production. Gross profit adjusted for the effect of
unrealised non-hedge derivatives, at R222m ($34m),
increased 90% quarter-on-quarter, due to both an
improved price received and a better cost
performance.
The LTIFR was 11.59 (15.45).
Gold production at Moab Khotsong rose 16% to
338kg (11,000oz) as a result of higher face values
mined and as part of the planned general build-up of
the operation. Total cash costs consequently improved
18% to R137,630/kg ($666/oz). Gross loss adjusted
for the effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives
improved 28% to R29m ($5m).
As noted last quarter, Moab Khotsong is a new
production unit and currently mining low volumes within
the context of a relatively high fixed cost structure.
Production is expected to increase by approximately
75% in 2007 and total cash costs are anticipated to
decline.
The LTIFR was 16.02 (17.61).
At Tau Lekoa, volume mined declined 17% in line with
the ongoing plan to downsize the operation, and
production accordingly decreased 10% to 1,289kg
(41,000oz). Total cash costs improved 9% to
R92,719/kg ($447/oz). Gross profit adjusted for the
effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives increased to
R16m ($2m) from a loss of R32m ($5m) in the previous
quarter, as a higher price received more than
offset the effect of the lower volume mined.
The LTIFR was 26.32 (18.55). Regrettably, one
employee died as a result of a fall of ground
accident.
At Mponeng, volume mined and yield improved by
10% and 6%, respectively. As a result, production
was 14% higher to 4,853kg (156,000oz) and total
cash costs, at R47,250/kg ($229/oz), improved 8%
on the previous quarter. Gross profit adjusted for
the effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives
increased 64% to R324m ($50m), due to a
significantly higher price received and lower cash
costs.
The LTIFR was 7.32 (7.53). Regrettably, one
fatality occurred after a sudden ore rush caused
an employee to lose his footing. He was
inundated by broken rock.
Production at Savuka, at 653kg (21,000oz), was
on par with that of the previous quarter. Total
cash costs, however, rose 3% to R73,967/kg
($359/oz) due to additional maintenance work and
reef development, both related to the decision to
postpone closure of the operation. Gross profit
adjusted for the effect of unrealised non-hedge
derivatives increased 48% to R34m ($5m),
primarily due to an improved price received.
The LTIFR was 20.58 (15.32).
At TauTona, gold production increased 9% to
3,718kg (120,000oz) due to a reduction in gold
lock-up. Total cash costs decreased 5% to
R55,276/kg ($267/oz). Gross profit adjusted for
the effect of unrealised non-hedge derivatives
improved 94% to R213m ($32m) as a
consequence of an improved price received.
The LTIFR was 14.71 (14.99). Regrettably, two
employees died this quarter in two separate fall of
ground accidents.
ARGENTINA
At Cerro Vanguardia (92.5% attributable), gold
production increased 23% to 64,000oz, primarily
due to higher feed grade. Total cash costs, at
$188/oz, were nearly on par with those of the
previous quarter, as the effects of higher
production and a better silver by-product credit
were partially off-set by the higher labour, fuel and
maintenance costs related to on-site labour action,
which has since been resolved. Gross profit
adjusted for the effect of unrealised non-hedge
derivatives, at $18m, was 125% higher than that of
the previous quarter, mainly due to a higher price
received.
The LTIFR was 2.04 (0.00).