Wenn der Schein nicht trügt, halten sich die Verluste "im Rahmen".
gogh
Aus: MINING WEEKLY vom 28-01-2005
DRDGold's output up, SA contribution falls
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South African gold-miner DRDGold yesterday announced an increase in its total gold output in the quarter to end-December, while its South African gold production continued to fall.
The company reported a 13% increase in gold output at its non-South African mines, which accounted for 39% of total group production, while its South African operations saw a five per cent decrease in production.
DRDGold said that its South African mines continue to suffer from the effects of the strong rand but added that the decline was mainly due to restructuring at the Blyvooruitzicht operation, which reported a 12% decrease in gold production compared to the previous quarter.
This was attributable to an operational review resulting in a revised mining plan.
A positive spin-off of this review was an 11% improvement in the yield from underground operations.
Gold produced from surface operations at Blyvooruitzicht also increased from 3 858 oz or 120 kg, to 6 623 oz or 206 kg, as a result of higher production from the slimes dam project. Tonnage increased by 33% quarter on quarter.
“The project is beginning to deliver a return on investment but recoveries are not what were anticipated,” DRDGold said in a statement.
At the group's North West operations, the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines, production was also down slightly quarter-on-quarter.
DRDGold attributed this to an 8% decrease in underground production, while surface production increased by 80% quarter-on-quarter.
“Notwithstanding some positive indicators in respect of underground yield in the quarter, continuing poor results into December have necessitated the placement of the North West operations under operational review,” the company reported.
Production at DRDGold's Crown operation was down 5% due both to tonnage shortfall at the Knights and Crown plants and a decrease in grade.
At the ERPM operations, gold production from underground was down 21% as a result of wage-review-related work stoppages in December, as well as constraints placed on the operation as a result of the loss of a second outlet facility at the Far East Vertical (FEV) shaft, the company reported.
Production from the Cason dump reclamation increased by 95% as a result of high tonnage and improved sand face grade.
During this quarter, the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) granted ERPM a pumping subsidy of R1,6-million a month until the end of February, back-dated to April 2004. In addition, the DME approved a grant of R7-million for the first phase of a project to insert plugs in order to contain underground water ingress. The full three-phase, 44-month plugging project which is expected to cost some R29-million, is intended to allow mining from ERPM's FEV shaft, hoisting from its South East Vertical shaft, and pumping from is South West Vertical shaft to continue beyond the planned closure date of March 2005.
“Under certain gold price assumptions, these developments create potential for mining to continue for eight years, preserving some 2 000 jobs,” DRDGold said.
The company reported that overall higher production from its Australasian operations was mainly due to good results from Porgera and, for the first time, a full quarter's attributable ounces included from the Emperor mine.
DRDGold's cash operating unit costs improved quarter-on-quarter, indicative both of lower labour costs at Blyvooruitzicht and overall lower costs at its mines in Papua New Guinea and Australia.
“In respect of the South African operations, further interventions are anticipated in order to achieve cost levels that will deliver acceptable margins from the South African operations at a planned gold price of R82 000/kg,” the company said.
DRDGold is due to post its full interim financial results on February 24.
