AngloGold Ashanti also continues to work toward realising the
potential of a challenging but promising operation at Obuasi,
which has a history of more than a century, in Ghana. The
company remains of the view that, with strong focus and intent,
this operation can be successfully turned around. The project
to access higher-grade areas via a newly constructed ramp and
the introduction of mechanised mining continues, with a tight
rein being kept on capital costs. We will continue to review all
options available to us in relation to this operation, taking into
account the interests of all stakeholders.
As I mentioned earlier, to support Project 500 in achieving its
target of major operational cost reduction, it was necessary
to reconsider our exploration activities in more than a dozen
jurisdictions and to maintain a focus on the most prospective
locations in Colombia, Australia and Guinea. Each of these
locations offers encouraging prospects for AngloGold Ashanti.
As we have previously noted, Colombia in particular has the
potential to become a world-class gold mining region, both in
terms of the magnitude of business potential and of the potential
benefits for communities and the country as a whole. We do,
however, face many challenges. For example, many citizens
fear that commercial-scale mining will threaten scarce water
resources. The challenge to AngloGold Ashanti is to offer credible
reassurance that that will not be the case and to support that
with actions that lend credence to these reassurances.
The executive also continues to focus its attention on sustainability,
safety and security issues at our global operations and on efforts
to improve relationships with surrounding communities. Sadly,
there was an increase in the deaths of artisanal miners carrying
out illegal work on our concession at Geita in Tanzania, while the
theft of goods such as fuel has become an increasing challenge.
We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to help
secure our mining properties in order to prevent access by illegal
miners, which exposes them to a range of hazards to be found
on an active, large-scale mine site.
An intensive investigation into the challenges in Tanzania has
been followed by the implementation of a comprehensive set of
programmes which, we hope, will bring positive results. One such
project of which we are particularly proud is the construction of a
water pipeline from nearby Lake Victoria, which should positively
change the lives of the people of Geita village.
In South Africa, the work of the AngloGold Ashanti Technology
Innovation Consortium (ATIC) has progressed. During 2013,
a test site established at TauTona has experimented with
reef boring and the application of ultra-high strength backfill.
Results to date have been encouraging. A successful outcome
will open up the potential for more efficient, deeper and safer
mining that would change the face of gold mining – and other
deep-level mining – in South Africa.
With respect to the board structure, I would like to welcome
to the board Richard Duffy, who was appointed Chief Financial
Officer in May 2013. Richard has had a long and distinguished
career within the company and I wish him all the best in this
new role. I thank Tony O’Neill for his stint, albeit a brief one, on
the board during which he served as acting joint interim Chief
Executive Officer before his departure.
I began this letter by referring to the severe challenges the
company faced at the time of Venkat’s accession to the
position, first as acting joint interim Chief Executive Officer,
then to his permanent appointment in May. It would be remiss
of me not to acknowledge the extraordinary job he has done
in these circumstances in leading his executive team and the
rest of the company to a position where the future is again
filled with promise.
On 17 February 2014, Mr. Tito Mboweni informed the board
that, given his increasing portfolio of professional commitments,
he would not stand for re-election as a non-executive director.
At the same time, he opted to stand down as Chairman. I would
like to join the board in wishing him well in his future endeavours
and thanking him for his service over the past four years. His
guidance, together with that of the board, has been invaluable,
particularly in navigating a time of intensive restructuring and
refocus – needed in response to the sharp drop in the gold
price – and in helping to facilitate the smooth transition in
executive leadership in early 2013.
In a show of trust and confidence in me, I was unanimously
elected by the board as Mr. Mboweni’s replacement. It is an
honour and a privilege for me to represent AngloGold Ashanti’s
shareholders in this capacity and to work with a group of
experienced and accomplished fellow directors and with a
seasoned executive team in their quest to safely and sustainably
generate growth in free cash flow as we continue to lift the
company’s performance. I give my assurance that the board and
the management team will continue to look at new and better
ways to improve the company’s value proposition for investors,
in line with the commitment to enhance shareholder value.
I cannot complete this letter without paying my and the
company’s respects to the departed former South African
President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. South Africa and her
people are forever grateful for the service and moral leadership
he gave to our country and, indeed, to the world.
Sipho M Pityana
Chairman
18 March 2014
SECTION SEVEN
SECTION SIX
SECTION FIVE
SECTION FOUR
SECTION THREE
SECTION TWO
SECTION ONE
11
INTRODUCTION