Gold Fields sells mining block to AngloGold
18 Setembro 2003 - 1:09PM
UK Regulatory
Joint Announcement
Gold Fields Limited
AngloGold
Gold Fields sells mining block to
AngloGold for R315 million
Johannesburg 18 September 2003: Gold Fields Limited and AngloGold Limited
announced jointly today that agreement had been reached on the sale of a
portion of the Driefontein mining area from Gold Fields to AngloGold for a cash
consideration of R315 million . The mining area is Block 1C11, located on the
western boundary of Driefontein, and can be accessed from the adjacent Tau Tona
mining operation of AngloGold. The sale which is subject to the suspensive
condition that, to the extent necessary, the transaction is approved by the
Competition Commission.
Speaking after the signing of the sale agreement at Gold Fields' offices in
Johannesburg today, Ian Cockerill, the chief executive officer of Gold Fields
said: "We believe that this is not only a good deal at fair value for both
companies, but a win-win situation for the local gold mining industry. It is
yet another breakthrough in the removal of farm fences and is an example of
working together to optimise the extraction of ore bodies."
"The deal makes a lot of sense. For Gold Fields, it brings value forward and we
shall use the cash from the deal to invest in our current operations for the
benefit of all Gold Fields' stakeholders," said Cockerill.
Bobby Godsell, chief executive officer of AngloGold said today: "This deal is
consistent with AngloGold's value-adding growth strategy, adding low-cost gold
production to an already high margin operation. We are also sure that this kind
of transaction will lead to a more profitable and sustainable South African
gold mining industry".
Block 1C11 covers an area of 280,000 square metres. There are 1.4 million tons
of reserves at a grade of 12.7 grams a ton. This should result in recoverable
gold of 576,000 ounces. Driefontein would only have been able to mine this area
in about 10 years time from Driefontein's No 1 Tertiary Shaft System. Tau Tona,
however, which is already mining adjacent to this block, will gain access to it
towards the end of 2004.
(Suggest Mr Godsell's comments relate to the benefits to Tau Tona, AngloGold
and the industry as a whole)
ends
Enquiries:
Gold Fields Limited
Willie Jacobsz
Tel: +2711 644-2460
Cell: 082 493-1377
williej@goldfields.co.za
Cheryl Martin
Tel: +303 796-8683
Cell: +303 601-1605
camartin@gfexpl.com
AngloGold Limited
Steven Lenahan
Tel: +2711 637 6248
Cell: 083 308 2200
slenahan@anglogold.com
Charles Carter
Tel: 091 212 750 7999
Cell: 091 914 498 0333
cecarter@anglogold.com
END