3
Chief Executive’s Review
Overview
During the course of the second quarter of financial year 2011 we
continued to see the benefits of the numerous management initiatives
coming through, with higher production and lower costs evident from
our growth projects, namely Doornkop, Phakisa and Hidden Valley.
It was particularly pleasing to see good progress in our Papua New
Guinean operations with improved production at Hidden Valley and
positive developments at Wafi-Golpu. However, we also faced certain
operational challenges, such as the unplanned production stoppage
at Kusasalethu during the quarter. The necessary measures to rectify
this issue are implemented and we are confident the operation will
meet its targets next quarter. Throughout the company our operational
management teams remain focused and as such we are confident
about meeting our long term production targets.
Safety
It is with deep regret we report that four of our colleagues died in
mining-related incidents during the quarter. They were Jackson
Morena (a rigger at Kusasalethu), Msiphani Mashwama (member of
the stope team) and Lehlohonolo Nchaka (rock drill operator), both
from Bambanani, and Petrose Rapeane (tramming supervisor at
Tshepong). We extend our deepest condolences to their families,
friends and colleagues.
Safety is the primary priority for every manager at Harmony and we
share a common vision with the union leadership with regard to safety
in the workplace. Progress on this front can only be addressed through
a co-operative approach that ensures that the right environment from a
systems, planning, communication and training perspective is in place,
combined with an acceptance of joint responsibility by management
and employees for our actions. It is important too that such an
environment empowers people; management, supervisors, workers
and union representatives to stop work and withdraw when they feel
it is unsafe, or prevent others from acting in an unsafe way. During
the past quarter Harmony restructured its central safety function by
transferring more senior and experienced personnel to assist and
advise operational teams. Our continued focus on safety has resulted
in an improved underlying safety performance (see page 5).
Gold market
In Rand per kilogram terms, the received gold price increased by
6% from R287 401/kg in the previous quarter to R303 354/kg in the
current quarter. Over the course of calendar year 2010, the gold price
in dollar terms increased by 29%. The strength of the Rand continues
to place pressure on the R/kg price which, in turn, continues to place
further pressure on gold miners whose costs are in Rand. We feel
the continued investment demand for gold will be the critical factor
supporting the gold price in 2011 and believe that even higher gold
prices may be achieved this year.
Operating performance
Production at Doornkop, Phakisa and Hidden Valley improved
substantially, by 19%, 34% and 23%, respectively. However, overall
total gold production for the past quarter decreased by 4% quarter
on quarter from 10 471kg to 10 055kg, mainly as a result of safety
stoppages at Bambanani and Kusasalethu. While volumes were 8%
lower than the previous quarter at 4 675 000t, the average yield was
4% higher at 2.11g/t. Underground gold production was 5% lower at
8 273kg, as volumes were 4% lower at 1 759 000t and the underground
grade declined by 2% to 4.6g/t.
Both Tshepong and Masimong showed a steady production
performance, with Masimong still the lowest cost producer at
R168 907/kg. Target 3 is back on track, with a 57% improvement in
tonnes mined, and Joel is also back in production. Following the
closure of Merriespruit 1, the Virginia operations, now comprising
solely of Unisel, produced net free cash of R43 million (the Virginia
operations recorded a loss of R36 million in the previous quarter),
validating the decision to close the loss-making shafts.
The gold production at Hidden Valley increased by 23% to 53 169oz
and silver production increased by 44% to 382 655oz quarter on
quarter (50% attributable to Harmony). Hidden Valley is a high value
asset for Harmony and it is particularly pleasing to see the improving
results after some commissioning problems.
Countering these production improvements was Evander 8, which
experienced a drop in face grade causing gold production to decrease
by 6%. Kalgold’s grade and volume was lower quarter on quarter and
gold production decreased by 8%. Bambanani’s volume was down by
19%, with grade only increasing by 3%. The Steyn 2 production plan
was revised and the major focus will now be to get the shaft pillar into
production by August 2011.
The rock/ventilation shaft accident which occurred in October 2010 at
Kusasalethu restricted hoisting and was the main contributor to the
group’s overall lower production. The shaft is now back to hoisting
capacity and the underground accumulations of the December 2010
quarter will be rectified.
Financial performance
The Rand per kilogram unit cost for the December 2010
quarter decreased by 5% quarter on quarter to R216 595/kg from
R228 658/kg. This is mainly attributable to the decrease in cash
operating costs, which decreased by R225 million (10%) quarter on
quarter. The primary factors for the decrease were the lower electricity
(winter tariffs of R147 million) and labour costs.
In Rand per kilogram terms, the gold price received increased by 6%
from R287 401/kg in the September 2010 quarter to R303 354/kg in the
current quarter. A decrease in the gold sold for the December 2010
quarter of 823kg (8%) to 10 046 kilograms resulted in a drop in revenue
of 3% compared to the previous quarter.
Capital expenditure increased by R88 million (12%) to R835 million in the
quarter under review compared with R747 million in September 2010
quarter, in line with the company’s mine plans.
Operating profit for the quarter increased by R215 million (33%) to
R867 million, compared with R652 million in the September 2010 quarter.
Wafi/Golpu
The Golpu resource continues to expand to the north as drilling
continues to define further mineralisation. A significant intersection
of 595m @ 2.03% copper and 1.65g/t gold (5.0g/t gold equivalent)