World number four gold-miner Gold Fields on Thursday reported net earnings per share of 47 cents for the June quarter, up from 26 cents in the March quarter.
For the year ended June, net earnings per share amounted to 92 cents from 121 cents for the year to the end of June 2004.
The group declared a final dividend per share of 40 cents, for a total dividend per share for the group’s 2005 financial year of 70 cents.
June-quarter gold output declined by 1% to 1,078-million troy ounces, from 1,088-million oz in the March quarter.
Total cash costs rose to R67 773 per kilogram in the June quarter from R64 957 per kilogram in the March quarter.
Gold Fields’ June-quarter headline earnings rose to R135-million, compared with R9-million in the March quarter and R129-million for the June quarter of 2004.
In dollar terms, headline earnings for the June quarter equated to $21-million, compared with $2-million in the March quarter and $20-million for the June quarter of 2004.
Net earnings excluding gains and losses on financial instruments and foreign debt net of cash and exceptional items were R230-million ($37-million) for the June quarter, compared with R128-million ($21-million) in the March quarter.
June-quarter operating profit was up 22% to R656-million ($103-million), including a 35% increase at the South African operations.
Attributable gold production increased 2% in the June quarter to 4,22-million ounces, while total cash costs of R66 041 per kilogram ($331 per ounce) were a 2% improvement on the previous year.
Commenting on the results, CEO Ian Cockerill said Gold Fields has delivered another solid operating performance for this year’s June quarter.
At the South African operations, Driefontein and Beatrix posted good performances with gold production increasing by 2% and 6% respectively. Kloof had a disappointing quarter due to lower grades mined.
Costs have remained well controlled and this, together with higher prices achieved, has contributed to a pleasing 35% improvement in operating profit from the South African operations, Cockerill said.
The international operations increased production by 4%, as the benefits of the completed expansion projects were realised. Tarkwa increased production by a further 8% quarter-on-quarter. The completion of the new mill and the closure of the old mill at St Ives in the June quarter means that it is now well positioned to produce at lower costs.
Damang and Agnew continue to deliver on the upside, with Agnew increasing production by 23% and Damang increasing production by 8%, he added.
“While financial 2005 has been a particularly challenging one for Gold Fields given the Harmony hostile bid and the strength of the rand, I am pleased to note that Gold Fields has remained focused on delivering against its stated objectives,” he said.
Group production for the year increased by 2% and costs have been well controlled with an improvement of 2% year on year, he added.
At the South African operations, production was marginally higher at 2,82-million ounces and costs were marginally lower despite wage increases at the start of the year that were above inflation.
“Cost performance has been excellent with Project 100 delivering 40% above targeted savings and Project Beyond delivering R103-million of contractual savings on historic baseline expenditure in its first year. The latter savings will be realised in costs in the next financial year.
“Our offshore organic growth projects have been well executed on time and on budget and are now delivering results,” he said.
Cockerill added that the group cash balance remains strong at R3,4-billion, providing Gold Fields with an excellent platform for future growth.
“These results underpin our focus on delivering value to shareholders. Our growth strategy of adding 1,5-million ounces of offshore production to our portfolio by 2009 remains unchanged, and we continue to focus on building a strong internationally diversified portfolio of high quality, long life assets,” he added. — I-Net Bridge