4
Results for the third quarter FY14
and nine months ended 31 March 2014
Message from the chief executive officer
1. SAFETY
Safe mining remains at the core of our values. The unprecedented and
tragic safety accidents of the quarter under review have led to various
actions and initiatives to reinforce our safety practices and behaviour –
one being an external review of Harmony’s safety and health strategy,
which is scheduled to be completed during May 2014.
During the quarter we reported on the various safety accidents
extensively (see http://www.harmony.co.za/investors/news-and-events/
company-announcements-2/announcements-2014). More information
on how we approach safety at Harmony can be found in our safety
fact sheet at: http://www.harmony.co.za/investors/news-and-events/
fact-sheets.
2. OPERATIONAL RESULTS
Gold production for the March 2014 quarter decreased by 12% to
8 368kg, from 9 515kg in the December 2013 quarter. Production
stoppages at Doornkop due to the accident in February 2014, flooding
of the shaft bottom at Joel and a slower turnaround and technical issues
at Kusasalethu were the main contributors to lower production quarter
on quarter.
Production at Steyn 2 was suspended six months earlier than the
planned life of mine, due to increased seismicity in the working areas.
Harmony’s underground recovered grade increased for a third
consecutive quarter. Quarter on quarter, underground recovered grade
was 5% higher at 5.10g/t (4.85g/t in the December 2013 quarter). The
underground operations recorded a production profit of R765 million.
The following operations showed an increase in production:
•
Tshepong (+62kg), mainly as a result of a 6% increase in tonnes
milled;
•
Phakisa (+46kg), due to a 6% increase in the recovered grade to
5.45g/t for the March 2014 quarter;
•
Hidden Valley (+44kg) increased recovered grade by 14% to 1.75g/t
for the March 2014 quarter. The increase in grade was partially
offset by an 8% decrease in tonnes milled quarter on quarter; and
•
Bambanani and Target 3 also increased production.
Gold production decreased at the following operations, when compared
to the December 2013 quarter:
•
Doornkop (–438kg) production was affected by the accident in
February 2014. Rehabilitation work is currently taking place on
192 level with the aim of re-establishing the working area for
production;
•
Joel (–329kg) production was hampered by flooding of the shaft
bottom, resulting in 61 000 tonnes less milled than in the previous
quarter;
•
Kusasalethu (–211kg) experienced production losses due to safety
stoppages and water availability during the quarter and milled
25% less tonnes than in the December 2013 quarter. The decrease
in tonnes was, however, partially offset by a 9% increase in the
recovered grade to 4.11g/t;
•
Dumps (–71kg) milled 135 000 tonnes less than in the December
2013 quarter and the recovered grade decreased to 0.25g/t,
compared to 0.30g/t in the previous quarter;
•
Target 1 (–68kg) milled 12 000 tonnes less than in the December
2013 quarter;
•
Kalgold (–60kg) was affected by a lower than expected grade and
excessive rain delaying blasting in higher grade blocks; and
•
Masimong and Steyn 2 also had lower gold production.
Lower gold production resulted in a 6% decrease in the company’s
production profit for the March 2014 quarter (from R986 million in the
December 2013 quarter to R924 million in the March 2014 quarter).
The rand gold price received increased by 8% to R450 528/kg in the
March 2014 quarter, compared to R415 532/kg in the December
2013 quarter. The rand weakened by 7% against the US dollar to
R10.83/US$, from R10.12/US$ in the December 2013 quarter. There
was a slight increase in the dollar gold price received quarter on quarter
(from US$1 277/oz in the previous quarter to US$1 294/oz in the March
2014 quarter).
Cash operating costs decreased by 2% (to R2.87 billion) in the March
2014 quarter. The decrease is mainly attributed to a decrease in
consumables for the South African operations. Capital expenditure for
the March 2014 quarter decreased by 10% to R579 million, compared
to R640 million in the December 2013 quarter.
Lower gold production resulted in a 7% increase in all-in sustaining unit
costs to R426 221/kg.
3. FINANCIAL RESULTS
Gross profit
The 13% decrease in the gold sold was partially offset by the higher
average gold price received, resulting in revenue decreasing by only 6%,
while production costs were lower mainly due to inventory movements
and cost savings. As a result gross profit was at a similar level compared
to the previous quarter.
Net profit/(loss)
The net profit for the March 2014 quarter was R31 million, compared
to a net loss of R91 million in the December 2013 quarter, mainly
due to a smaller foreign exchange translation loss recorded on the
US$-denominated loan. The profit in the current quarter was achieved
after expensing R29 million on the impairment of Steyn 2 and
R90 million on employment retrenchment and restructuring costs.
Impairment of assets
An impairment of R29 million was recorded on Steyn 2 following the
decision to cease mining at the operation.
Other expenses (net)
Included in other expenses (net) in the March 2014 quarter is a loss
of R29 million (December 2013 quarter R111 million) for the foreign
exchange movement on the US$-denominated syndicated loan,
resulting from the Rand weakening during the quarter.
Borrowings
A repayment of the drawn amount on the R1.3 billion Nedbank
Revolving Credit Facility of R467 million was made at the end of the
March 2014 quarter and is now fully repaid. The only outstanding
debt is the US$270 million drawn under the US$300 million syndicated
revolving credit facility.