OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Thursday 11.15am.
GOLD mining giant Gold Fields on Thursday reported higher quarterly profits on the back of a stronger gold price and a turnaround at its key Driefontein mine.
The Johannesburg-based gold miner posted earnings after exceptional items of R192-million for the three months ended December 31.
That compares to a loss of R88-million in the previous quarter to September, which included costs related to buying back the company’s market hedges and job cuts.
”This significant improvement is attributable to a higher gold price achieved during the quarter, a turnaround at Driefontein and lower working costs,” Gold Fields said in a statement.
The gold price jumped to $296 per ounce in the December quarter from $269 per ounce in the previous quarter.
Earnings per share after exceptional items rose to 43 cents from a loss of 20 cents in the September period. The company declared an interim dividend of 20 cents a share.
Investors nudged Gold Fields’ stock up 20 cents to 26 rand on the Johannesburg bourse after the results were released. — Reuters