Harmony Quarterly Report 2009 3
Chief Executive Officer’s Review
Overview
The first quarter of FY10 marked the start of our ‘Four-phase
Growth Path’, the objective of which is to produce more ounces
from those assets we have and to acquire further ounces through
acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
Safety
We are deeply saddened by the death of eight of our colleagues during
the quarter and I extend my hearfelt condolences to their families,
friends and workmates.
Those who died were: Phakisa employee Tokelo Maliba, a loader driver;
Masimong employee Letsema Hlaeli, a team leader; Unisel employees
Simiao Alexandre Bila, a miner, Thabiso Belekwane and Tseliso Lekeka,
both locomotive operators; Evander employee Boy Sikobi, a rock
drill operator; Elandsrand employee Samual Tsabedze, a stope team
leader; and Doornkop employee Clement Rantjelebane, an engineering
foreman.
Safety concerns are being addressed through: management leading by
example, improved communication and safety awareness campaigns.
Our safety strategy and initiatives have resulted in improved safety
statistics quarter-on-quarter, but we continue to strive for an even
safer working environment.
Gold market
Primarily a South African gold producer, we continued to experience
the negative impact of a strong South African Rand, and a consequent
lower average Rand gold price received, on revenue. In the quarter
under review, the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate averaged R7.78/US$
compared with R8.42/US$ in the previous quarter. The average Rand
gold price received during the period declined by 3% to R239 438/kg.
It is encouraging, nonetheless, to note the 7% improvement in the
US Dollar gold price – from US$935/oz at the start of the quarter to
US$996/oz at the close. This serves to underpin our confi dence in gold,
particularly during times of global economic stress.
None of the fundamentals supporting the metal have changed:
overall demand is little affected by increased scrap entering the
market; central banks continue to exercise prudence in respect of
their holdings; and supply of newly-mined gold is likely to continue
to be constrained by fewer new discoveries, as well as the costs and
timeframes associated with exploration, development and mining, and
by the availability of funding for new projects.
Operational performance
Total gold production increased by 6% to 11 615kg, refl ecting increases
in gold production from both underground and surface sources
and exceeding guidance provided in September 2009. While total
throughput was 4% lower at 4 484 000t, the average yield was 10%
higher at 2.59g/t.
Underground gold production was 5% higher at 10 724kg, resulting
from a 6% rise in throughput from underground to 2 392 000t. The
average underground yield was slightly lower at 4.48g/t. With the
exception of Evander and Virginia, all of the underground operations
delivered improvements in gold production. Particularly noteworthy
was Doornkop’s 28% increase in gold production. This was the
consequence of a 45% increase in yield, due largely to a remarkable
improvement in development metres achieved, which will ensure that
the build-up plan on the South Reef Project is achieved.
A 26% increase in surface yield to 0.43g/t more than offset the
impact of a 13% decrease in surface throughput, resulting in a 10%
increase in surface gold production to 891kg. The Kalgold open-pit
operation recorded a 16% increase in gold production on the back
of higher throughput due to improved plant availability, while the
surface retreatment operations, excluding Phoenix, showed a 61%
improvement in yield and delivered 14% more gold.
Financial performance
Higher gold production helped to overcome the negative impact of
a 3% drop in the average Rand gold price received to R239 438/kg.
Consequently, total revenue was 3% higher at R2.7 billion. After
accounting for an 11% increase in cash operating costs to R2.2 billion –
the main drivers of which were electricity and labour – cash operating
profi t was 26% down on the previous quarter at R552 million.
Labour costs increased by R162 million when compared to the previous
quarter, due to annual wage increases implemented and a once off
leave liability adjustment of R35 million. Electricity costs increased by
R135 million, R75 million of which was attributable to winter tariffs.
As previously advised, capital expenditure is beginning to edge
downward as the major projects reach advanced stages of
development and start to come on stream. The September quarter’s
capital expenditure was 17% down at R915 million.
Project progress
Our South African growth projects, Phakisa, Doornkop, Elandsrand and
the Tshepong decline are working towards contributing lower cost per
unit ounces. These projects are well on their way towards achieving
their targets.
Despite some setbacks during the commissioning phase, good
progress was made at Hidden Valley in Papua New Guinea. Completion
and commissioning of the conveyor is scheduled during the December
2009 quarter, with production expected to ramp up to commercial
levels during the December 2009 quarter.
Exploration
Generally, exploration results were pleasing and the drilling
programmes are on track. For more information see the exploration
section on page 11.