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MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
1. SAFETY
During the quarter, we continued our efforts to improve our safety.
These actions included regular visits by senior management to
underground workplaces, creating safety awareness through
increased communication and engagement with our employees
and enforcing safety accountability at each of our operations.
A majority of our operations reported safety achievements during
the quarter.
It is with deep regret that I report that two people were fatally
injured in two separate incidences. They were Mhanjelwa Cebani
(driller at Doornkop) and Mmaneo Florisa Muso (tramming crew
supervisor at Tshepong). My sincere condolences go to the families,
friends and colleagues of these employees.
2. GOLD MARKET
We are gold bulls and believe that the company must continue
to be competitive in times of low gold prices to ensure that when
the gold price strengthens, we will reap the benefits for all our
stakeholders.
During the September 2014 quarter the US dollar gold price
received remained stable at US$1 282/oz (US$1 289/oz in the June
2014 quarter). As a South African gold producer we continue
to benefit from a weaker Rand. A 2% weakening in the Rand
US dollar exchange rate to R10.77/US$ resulted in a 2% increase
in the Rand gold price received for the September 2014 quarter.
The Rand gold price received increased from R435 775/kg in the
previous quarter to R443 690/kg in the quarter under review.
Our business plans for the financial year (FY15) were designed
to ensure that the company is profitable and cash generative at
a gold price of R425 000/kg. As 91% of our gold production
is produced in South Africa, the Rand US dollar exchange rate
remains important.
We continue to assess our operational performance at current
gold price levels (see paragraphs 8 and 9 below). Corporate and
service costs have been reduced and we continue to look at ways
of further reducing it.
3. OPERATIONAL RESULTS
Harmony’s underground grade continued to improve quarter on
quarter. In the September 2014 quarter, underground recovered
grade improved by 4% to 4.84g/t, on the back of a 5% year-on-
year increase in recovered grade at the end of June 2014.
Quarter on quarter gold production increased by 6%
(500 kilograms) to 9 435kg. The following operations contributed
to higher gold production:
• Bambanani increased its tonnes milled by 20%, whilst recovered
grade improved by 10% to 12.32g/t
• Target 1 improved recovered grade by 18% to 5.69g/t while
tonnes milled decreased by 11%
• Target 3 improved recovered grade by 25% to 5.46g/t in the
quarter under review. Tonnes milled increased by 14%
• Phakisa increased its tonnes milled by 8%. Recovered grade
was 3% higher at 5.41g/t
• Doornkop increased its recovered grade by 38% to 4.55g/t
• Unisel improved both tonnes milled and recovered grade by
16% and 5% respectively
• Masimong increased tonnes milled by 19%, but recovered
grade decreased by 5% to 3.77g/t, due to increased stoping
width during the quarter. Masimong’s grade is expected to
return to its previous level in the next quarter
• Kalgold improved both tonnes milled and recovered grade by
1% and 20% respectively
• Phoenix tailings increased tonnes milled with 3% and improved
recovered grade from 0.12g/t to 0.14g/t
Gold production at Tshepong, Joel and Hidden Valley were lower
due to lower face grades being mined at Tshepong and Joel and
the ore blend between the Hamata and Kaveroi pits at Hidden
Valley. Kusasalethu did not achieve its planned production during
the quarter, due to equipment failures in the metallurgical plant.
Production at the surface dumps reduced by 1% (-3kg) mainly
due to a 2% decrease in tonnes milled while the recovered grade
remained stable at 0.35g/t.
4. FINANCIAL RESULTS
4.1 Revenue
Revenue increased by R668 million (18%) to R4 431 million as
a result of the 16% increase in gold sold to 9 987kg and a 2%
increase in the Rand gold price received at R443 690/kg in the
September 2014 quarter.
4.2 Production costs
The increase in production costs in the September 2014 quarter is
mainly as a result of gold stock movements of R301 million due
to more gold being sold than produced. Increases in electricity
costs (due to winter tariffs) and the annual labour cost increase
accounted for R272 million of the total increase.
4.3 Amortisation and depreciation
Depreciation increased by R124 million, mainly due to the increase
in production and an increase in the depreciation rates at certain
mines following the completion of the new business plans.
4.4 Other (expenses)/income – net
The increase to R187 million in expenses in the September 2014
quarter is mainly due to the foreign exchange translation loss of
R192 million recorded on the US dollar syndicated loan, resulting
from the Rand weakening from R10.61/US$1 at 30 June 2014 to
R11.32/US$1 at 30 September 2014.
4.5 Loss per share
The loss per share of 61 SA cents for the September 2014 quarter
reduced from the loss per share of 282 SA cents for the June 2014
quarter.
4.6 Borrowings
The drawn down amount on the US dollar syndicated loan
remained unchanged at US$270 million. However, the weakening
of the Rand against the dollar exchange rate resulted in an increase
in the balance in Rand terms. The balance is due at the end of
September 2015 and has been reclassified to current liabilities.
4.7 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash balances increased by R452 million to R2 281 million mainly
as a result of the increase in revenue from more gold produced and
sold, as well as increased receipts from debtors during the quarter.
5. RECOGNITION AWARD FOR HARMONY’S
CARBON DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING
Harmony has been recognised by the CDP South Africa as the
top scorer in the CDP South Africa Climate Change Report 2014
published on 15 October 2014. CDP represents 767 investors
globally who owns around US$92 trillion in assets.