5
In addition, total exchange traded funds’ holdings have stabilised
and physical demand rebounds strongly when the price declines. This
confirms gold’s long history as an investment tool and store of value. It
remains a secure investment and while the price may fluctuate, gold will
always be in demand.
The average rand gold price received decreased from R454 725/kg in
financial year 2013 (FY13) to R432 165/kg in financial year 2014 (FY14).
The decrease was the result of a 19% decrease in the US dollar gold price
received for FY14 – from US$1 603/oz to US$1 299/oz. The decrease
in the US dollar gold price was partially offset by the weakening of the
rand against the US dollar in FY14 to R10.35/US$ (R8.82/US$ in FY13).
5. OPERATIONAL RESULTS
Year on year
Gold production for FY14 increased by 3% to 36 453kg, compared to
35 374kg for financial year 2013, with a 4% decrease in all-in sustaining
costs from R431 745/kg in FY13, to R413 433/kg in FY14.
The following operations showed marked improvements year on year:
· Kusasalethu (+1 954kg) increased its recovered grade by 7% from
3.85g/t to 4.11g/t. The previous year was severely affected by strikes
and the increase in gold production in FY14 indicates the beginning
of a return to normal production levels.
· Bambanani (+970kg) increased its recovered grade by 28% to
12.50g/t, while tonnes milled increased by 26% year on year, as the
shaft pillar mining begins to ramp up.
· Hidden Valley (+648kg) had a significant turn around in its
performance during FY14. A 15% improvement in the gold recovery
grade was achieved (from 1.43g/t for FY13 to 1.65g/t in the year
under review), while 9% more tonnes (at 2 001 000t) were milled
during the year.
· Phakisa (+542kg) continues to build up its production, with a 13%
increase in tonnes milled at 577 000t year on year. The recovered
grade also improved by 9%, from 4.75g/t to 5.16g/t.
· Target 1 (+526kg) had a very good year, with a 5% improvement in
recovered grade to 5.83g/t, well above its reserve grade combined
with an 8% increase in tonnes milled at 771 000t.
The following operations’ year on year performance was less
encouraging:
· Doornkop (-1 028kg) – the accident in the March 2014 quarter and
the closure of the Kimberley reef section resulted in a 2% decrease in
recovered grade to 3.53g/t, while tonnes milled were also adversely
affected.
· Masimong (-898kg) underperformed during the year with a 3%
decrease in recovered grade and a 23% decrease in tonnes milled
(from 868 000t to 670 000t).
· Joel (-893kg) suffered losses due to the shaft bottom that was
flooded. Although this has been rectified, Joel’s recovery grade was
19% lower year on year at 4.26g/t and in FY14, tonnes milled for
FY14 also decreased by 10%.
· Dumps (-376kg) milled 13% less tonnes in FY14 and recovery grade
was 18% lower at 0.31g/t (FY13:0.38g/t).
· Target 3’s (-213kg) recovered grade decreased by 7% year on year
(from 5.03g/to to 4.69g/t) while tonnes milled decreased by 7% to
301 000t.
· Kalgold (-170kg) recorded a lower recovery grade for FY14 at 0.79g/t
and throughput increased by 5% to 1 472 000t.
Production profit for FY14 was R3.8 billion compared to R4.6 billion in
FY13, mainly due to a 5% decrease in the rand gold price received and
a 4% (R495 million) increase in cash operating costs for FY14.
Operational capital expenditure for FY14 decreased by 19%
to R2.5 billion as planned, compared to R3.1 billion in FY13, mainly
due to a decrease in capital expenditure at Hidden Valley in Papua New
Guinea (PNG).
Quarter on quarter
Gold production for the June 2014 quarter increased by 7% (567kg)
from 8 368kg in the March 2014 quarter to 8 935kg in the June quarter.
All-in sustaining costs remained steady at R428 383/kg.
Production profit for the quarter was R847 million compared to
R924 million in the March 2014 quarter, mainly due to a lower rand
gold price. The rand gold price received decreased by 3% from
R450 528/kg in the March 2014 quarter to R435 775/kg in the June
2014 quarter. The decrease was as a result of the rand dollar exchange
rate strengthening by 3% against the US dollar to R10.51/US$. The
US dollar gold price received for the June 2014 quarter of $1 289/oz,
was slightly lower than in the March quarter 2014.
Cash operating costs increased by 6% (R180 million) in the June 2014
quarter, mainly due to an increase in consumables as well as higher
winter electricity tariffs for the South African operations.
Capital expenditure for the June 2014 quarter increased by 17% to
R676 million, compared to R579 million in the March 2014 quarter,
mainly at the South African underground operations.
6. OUR FY15 BUSINESS PLANS
We completed our business plans for FY15 in August 2014. Particular
focus was placed on the following:
· improving operating margins
· robust and realistic operating planning
· increasing free cash flow through higher grades and cost control
· capital expenditure which ensures returns are made within a
reasonable period of time.
We believe that our FY15 business plans adhere to the factors set
out above. Every effort will be made to ensure that our performance
exceeds market expectations.
7. FINANCIAL RESULTS
Year on year
Revenue
The 4% increase in gold sold from 34 970kg in FY13 to 36 288kg in
FY14, was more than offset by a 5% decrease in average gold price
received, resulting in a decrease in revenue of R220 million year on year.
Production costs
The annual production cost increase was well contained from
R11.3 billion in FY13 to R11.9 billion in FY14, or 5%, despite high
electricity and labour cost increases.
Other items in cost of sales
Other items included in cost of sales for the year ended 30 June 2014
include employment termination and restructuring costs of R274 million
relating mainly to the voluntary retrenchment packages offered in South
Africa and the restructuring at the Hidden Valley operation.
Loss per share
The loss per share of 293 SA cents for the year ended 30 June 2014
reduced from the loss per share of 543 SA cents for the year ended
30 June 2013.