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Gold Fields

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FY2011 Annual Report · Gold Fields
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Integrated Annual Review 2011

For the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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Contents

Introduction ............................................................Page 2

1. Overview and strategy .......................................Page 6
Vision of  the Chair ....................................................... Page 8
Q&A with the Chief  Executive Officer ....................... Page 11
Delivering on our objectives for 2011 and 2012 ........ Page 18

2. Transparency and accountability .....................Page 22
Corporate governance .............................................. Page 24
Risk management ..................................................... Page 36
Investors and stakeholder engagement .................... Page 40

3. Optimising our operations................................Page 44
Ensuring our mines deliver ........................................ Page 46
Our approach to operational excellence  .................. Page 48
The Gold Fields safety promise................................. Page 56
Respecting and protecting the environment ............. Page 61
Regional overview: Australasia ................................. Page 72
Regional overview: South Africa................................ Page 78
Regional overview: South America............................ Page 88
Regional overview: West Africa ................................. Page 92

4. Growing Gold Fields ........................................Page 98
Sustainability and the new growth environment ...... Page 100
Expanding our growth pipeline ............................... Page 108
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Statement . Page 119

5. Securing our future responsibly .....................Page 126
Becoming the employer of  choice .......................... Page 128
Promoting productivity, health and wellbeing ......... Page 136
Building mutually beneficial community relations ... Page 141
Forging strong relations through business ethics ... Page 154

6. First, second and third party assurance ........Page 160

Further resources

The Integrated Annual Report 2011 is made up of  the 
following three volumes:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Integrated Annual Review 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Annual Financial Report 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3)  Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves  

Overview 2011

For further details click below or visit our website at:  

 www.goldfields.co.za

2
Introduction

About Gold Fields

About this report

Gold Fields is one of  the world’s 
largest unhedged gold producers, 
with attributable annual production 
of 3.5 million gold equivalent 
ounces from eight operating mines 
in Australia, Ghana, Peru and 
South Africa. Gold Fields also has 
an extensive and diverse global 
growth pipeline with four major 
projects in resource development 
and feasibility, with development 
decisions expected in the next 12  
to 36 months. 

Gold Fields has total attributable 
gold equivalent Mineral Resources 
of 217.0 million ounces and Mineral 
Reserves of 80.6 million ounces. 
Gold Fields is listed on the JSE 
Limited (primary listing), the New 
York Stock Exchange (NYSE), 
NASDAQ Dubai Limited, Euronext 
in Brussels (NYX) and the Swiss 
Exchange (SWX).

The Gold Fields Integrated  
Annual Report 2011, which covers 
the 12 months to end-December 
20111, is made up of  the following  
three volumes:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Integrated Annual Review 

2011, which examines  
the integrated nature of   
our operational and  
sustainability performance

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Annual Financial Report 

2011, which fulfils our statutory 
financial reporting requirements

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Mineral Resources and 

Mineral Reserves Overview 2011, 
which provides detailed technical 
and operational information on 
our mines and growth projects

This Integrated Annual Review 
provides an overview of  Gold Fields 
eight global operations on a Group 
and mine-by-mine basis. The report 
also describes our exploration and 
business development activities. 

We do this using an integrated 
approach to reporting that examines 
our operational, sustainability and 
financial performance. 

The aim of  our integrated approach 
is to enable investors and other 
stakeholders – including host 
governments, local communities  
and our employees – to make a 
more informed assessment of  
the value of  Gold Fields and our 
ability to flourish in the new growth 
environments of  tomorrow.

1  Our previous Integrated Annual Report was 
for the six months to end-December 2010. 
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to 
years within the Integrated Annual Review 
2011 (e.g. 2009, 2010, 2011) refer to the  
relevant calendar year (e.g. 1 January to  
31 December 2009, etc.)

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

3
Introduction

“Strategy, risk, performance 
and sustainability have become 
inseparable; hence the phrase 
‘integrated reporting’” 
Mervyn E King, King Committee Chairman 

(King Code of  Governance Principles for South Africa 2009)

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We believe the Integrated Annual 
Review, together with additional 
documents held online, represents 
an A+ application of  the Global 
Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3.1 
Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, 
which is the widely recognised best-
practice benchmark for corporate 
reporting. Our auditors, KPMG, 
have provided independent 
assurance on selected sustainability 
information (p167) as well as our 
GRI A+ self-declaration.

This Integrated Annual Review also 
forms part of  our Communication 
on Progress to the United Nations 
Global Compact. A summary of  
our compliance with the GRI and 
the 10 Principles of  the United 
Nations Global Compact – as 
well as our alignment with related 
standards including the Millennium 
Development Goals (MDGs) and 
the International Council on Mining 
& Metals (ICMM) 10 Principles – is 
presented online.

 www.globalreporting.org 
 www.unglobalcompact.org 
 www.un.org 
 www.icmm.com 

Forward looking statements

Certain statements in this document 
constitute “forward looking 
statements” within the meaning of  
Section 27A of  the US Securities Act 
of  1933 and Section 21E of  the US 
Securities Exchange Act of  1934. 

Such forward looking statements 
involve known and unknown risks, 
uncertainties and other important 
factors that could cause the 
actual results, performance or 
achievements of  the company to 
be materially different from the 
future results, performance or 
achievements expressed or implied 
by such forward looking statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and other 
important factors include among 
others: economic, business and 
political conditions in Australia, 
Ghana, Peru, South Africa and 
elsewhere; the ability to achieve 
anticipated efficiencies and other 
cost savings in connection with past 
and future acquisitions, exploration 
and development activities; 
decreases in the market price 
of  gold and/or copper; hazards 
associated with underground and 
surface gold mining; 

labour disruptions; availability, terms 
and deployment of  capital or credit; 
changes in government regulations, 
particularly environmental regulation 
and new legislation affecting 
mining and mineral rights; changes 
in exchange rates; currency 
devaluations; inflation and other 
macro-economic factors; industrial 
action; temporary stoppages of  
mines for safety and unplanned 
maintenance; and the impact of  the 
HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa.

These forward looking statements 
speak only as of  the date of  this 
document. The company undertakes 
no obligation to update publicly 
or release any revisions to these 
forward looking statements to 
reflect events or circumstances 
after the date of  this document 
or to reflect the occurrence of  
unanticipated events.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
4
Introduction

Figure 3: Group operating statistics

Category

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable (kg)

 108,408 

 108,802 

 111,421 

 103,541 

 122,367 

Gold produced – attributable (‘000oz)

 3,485 

 3,497 

 3,582 

 3,329 

Total cash cost (R/kg)

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

 184,515 

 165,526 

 146,456 

 138,665 

 795 

 703 

 540 

 526 

 3,934 

 95,846 

 423 

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (R/kg)

 272,224 

 239,796 

 210,215 

 210,827 

 139,796 

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (US$/oz)

 1,173 

 1,019 

 776 

 800 

 618 

Gold price (R/kg)

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (Rm)

Operating costs (Rm)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

 364,216 

 287,150 

 261,517 

 228,160 

 157,275 

 1,569 

 21,112 

 21,312 

 50 

 25 

 1,220 

 14,469 

 20,082 

 42 

 161

 965 

 13,589 

 18,368 

 43 

 20 

 865 

 9,427 

 695 

 7,568 

 16,026 

 12,947 

 37 

 8 

 37 

 11 

Figure 4: Group sustainability statistics2

Category

Economic value distributed (Rm)

Economic value distributed (US$m)

Total taxation and royalties paid (Rm)3

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)3

Employee wages and benefits (Rm)

Employee wages and benefits (US$m)

Total employees 

Fatalities

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)5

Cyanide consumption  (tonnes)

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes)6
Electricity consumption (MWh)

Water withdrawal (million liters)

Socio-Economic Development spend (US$m)7

2011

 26,629 

 3,688 

 3,336 

 478 

 7,951 

1,101

 46,378 

 20 

4.69

 23,750 

 5,298

2010

 25,658 

 3,506 

 2,0514

 275 

 7,514 

1,027

 47,268 

 18 

4.39

 21,487 

 5,350

2009 

2008

 22,794 

 20,557 

 2,704 

 2,098 

 249 

 6,612 

784

 2,506 

 1,307 

 159 

 5,804 

708

 51,122 

 49,325 

 26 

 3.91 

 22,165 

 5,507 

 31 

 5.34

 18,922 

 5,212 

5,469,784

 5,580,332 

5,465,628 

5,185,927 

78,236

54

 76,326 

 67 

 72,403 

 11 

 75,950 

 14 

1 Restatement – previously reported as 17% 

2  Assured sustainability data for the 12 months ended 31 December 
2011 are provided alongside the third party assurance statement  
on p167

3  Excluding deferred tax

4 Restatement – adjusted from R2,202 million

5  Per million hours worked. Please note, the figures for 2009 and 2010 
are restatements due to the implementation of  a more accurate 
methodology for the calculation of  hours worked – as well as the 
identification of  past anomalies related to the shift from financial year 
to calendar year in 2010. Previously, these figures were reported as 
3.81 and 4.38 respectively

6  This includes Scope 1 and 2 emissions, but not fugitive mine  
methane emissions

7  See p143 for a definition of  Socio-Economic Development  
(SED) spend

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:8)(cid:11)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:13)(cid:8)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:8)

Category

Revenue (Rm)

Basic earnings – cents per share

Headline earnings – cents per share

Dividends declared – cents per share

Total assets (Rm)

Shareholders’ equity (Rm)

Cash and cash equivalents (Rm)

Cash flows from operating activities (Rm)

Cash generated/(utilised) (Rm)

EBITDA (Rm)

Net debt (Rm)

Net debt: EBIDTA

Net asset value per share (R)

Return on capital employed (%)

Average rate US$1 = R

Closing rate US$1 = R

Ordinary share price – high

Ordinary share price – low

Ordinary share price – year end

Average daily volume of  shares traded 
(million)

American Depository Receipts (ADRs) 
(US$) – high 

American Depository Receipts (ADRs) 
(US$) – low 

American Depository Receipts (ADRs) 
(US$) – year end

Average daily volume of  shares traded 
(million)

Number of  shares in issue (million)

Market capitalisation at year end (Rbn)

5
Introduction

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

 41,877 

34,391

31,772

25,360

20,470

 973 

 970 

 330 

 83,352 

 48,062 

 6,049 

 15,746 

(80) 

 21,112 

 9,460 

 0.45 

 115.17 

 29 

 7.22 

 8.13 

 143.00 

 95.60 

 124.60 

 2.2 

 18.55 

 13.80 

 16.28 

 4.0 

 723.7 

 90.2 

161

177

140

71,061

46,623

5,464

12,373

3,867

14,469

3,974

0.27

98.59

23

7.32

6.75

125.90

83.80

120.60

2.3

18.49

11.08

18.13

4.9

720.8

86.9

492

611

130

66,276

44,725

1,828

8,597

852

13,589

6,669

0.49

93.96

23

8.43

7.51

400

406

215

66,402

43,282

1,054

7,362

(533)

9,427

9,354

0.99

101.62

15

8.20

9.65

504

248

95

53,766

37,885

1,321

2,133

(975)

3,754

5,092

1.36

82.40

7

7.04

7.02

123.50

135.00

142.00

77.37

97.98

2.9

15.82

7.94

13.11

6.7

705.4

69.1

54.00

91.90

3.1

17.61

4.90

9.93

7.5

653.4

60.1

93.58

99.00

2.9

20.08

13.61

14.20

4.6

652.5

64.6

Figure 6: Attributable Mineral  
Resources by region  
(million Au-Eq oz)

Figure 7: Attributable Mineral  
Reserves by region  
(million Au-Eq oz)

Figure 8: Average exchange rates 
and commodity prices 

Australasia

South Africa

South America

West Africa

Growth projects

Australasia

South Africa

South America

West Africa

23.70

22.65

7.56

9.15

12.36

4.11

6.01

2011

2010

2009

7.22

1.03

7.32

0.92

8.43

0.87

 1,569 

1,220

965

364,216  287,150 261,517

 1,541 

1,323

1,236

R/US$

US$/A$ 

Gold 
(US$/oz) 

Gold  
(R/kg) 

Gold  
(A$/oz)

153.99

58.11

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

1. Overview  
and strategy

Our Vision is to be the global leader in sustainable gold mining. 
Supporting our Vision and directing the strategy are six core Values  
that apply to every decision we make and every action we take:

(cid:21)(cid:8) Safety: If we cannot mine safely, we will not mine

(cid:21)(cid:8) Responsibility: We act responsibly and care for the environment,  
each other, and our stakeholders – our employees, communities  
and shareholders

(cid:21)(cid:8) Honesty: We act with fairness, integrity, honesty and transparency

(cid:21)(cid:8) Respect: We treat each other with trust, respect and dignity

(cid:21)(cid:8) Innovation: We encourage innovation and entrepreneurship

(cid:21)(cid:8) Delivery: We do what we say we will do

Contents

1. Overview and strategy

Vision of  the Chair ....................................................... Page 8
Q&A with the Chief  Executive Officer ....................... Page 11
Delivering on our objectives for 2011 and 2012 ........ Page 18

Highlights

51% 

Production from outside of  South Africa

US$973m 

Record net earnings 

4th 

Ranking in the global mining category of  the 2011 Dow 
Jones Sustainability Index – the leading South African-listed 
mining company 

50% 

Rise in free cash flow to US$752 million

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8

Overview and strategy

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Furthermore, the growth and 
diversification of  Gold Fields 
production is underpinned by its 
world-class mining projects in Peru, 
Ghana and the Philippines, amongst 
others. I am confident that these 
will give rise to Gold Fields next 
generation of  mines within the next 
two to three years. My confidence 
in the future of  the company as a 
global leader in the industry is also 
rooted in its worldwide portfolio 
of  quality greenfields and near-
mine exploration projects – as well 
as its global Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves position 
(p119), which has few equals. 
Furthermore, Gold Fields future will 
be sustained by the excellence of  its 
management team and its continued 
investment in top talent. 

Gold price and 
share performance

The past year has seen gold 
retain its position as a ‘safe haven’ 
investment in the face of  continued 
global political and economic 
instability. Despite significant 
volatility, gold prices ended the year 
approximately 11% higher in US 
dollar terms (34% in Rand terms), 
whilst underlying fundamentals 
appear to indicate gold’s upside 
potential is greater than its downside 
risk. These fundamentals include 
strong investment demand, as well 
as continued economic growth in 
the emerging markets. 

Such growth is being led by China 
and India, where rising disposable 
incomes have supported some of  
their citizens’ natural affinity for gold 
jewellery and gold as an investment. 
On the supply side, relatively 
stagnant global gold production 
over the past decade, as well as an 
ongoing decline in the discovery 
of  large deposits, has also helped 
underpin the price of  gold. 

1.1  Vision of the Chair

Dear Shareholders

This year, Gold Fields turns 125 
years old. The company shares 
its history with that of  the modern 
South Africa, as Johannesburg is 
also celebrating its 125th anniversary 
in 2012. Gold Fields has been 
an integral part of  South Africa's 
mining sector, which has been 
instrumental in the development of  
the country's economy. 

Having operated proudly in South 
Africa since 1887, our intent is to 
remain in South Africa for at least 
the next 50 to 60 years, motivated 
largely by our investment in the 
lucrative South Deep project. South 
Deep may well be the ‘last man 
standing’ in the country’s gold 
mining sector, but our South African 
operations continue to present a 
unique opportunity for meaningful 
wealth creation and distribution – not 
just to our shareholders but also to 
our other key stakeholders in the 
country. This includes government, 
local communities and, most 
critically, our approximately 41,400 
employees and 4,300 contractors.

Building on this firm foundation 
makes us even more effective as 
a leading global gold company, 
as we continue to develop 
opportunities further afield 
to advance the geographical 
diversification of  our production. 

I am pleased to report that in 2011 
Gold Fields marked a significant 
milestone in these efforts. As 
recently as 2008, 62% of  our 
production came from South Africa, 
but since then we have added 
over half  a million ounces from 
our international regions and last 
year, for the first time, the majority 
(51%) of  our production came from 
outside South Africa. As a result, 
we are firmly on track to meet 
our Goal of  having 5 million gold 
equivalent ounces in production or 
development by 2015 – with plans 
for 40% to come from our South 
Africa region and 20% from 
each of  our international regions.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In this context, Gold Fields share 
price performance has been relatively 
disappointing. Last year, the share 
price rose by only 3% to R124.60 
by year-end. In US Dollar terms, 
the share price declined by 10% to 
US$16.28. At the point of  writing, the 
share price continues to languish 
at these levels. I do not believe this 
reflects the underlying value and 
growth potential of  the company. 

Nonetheless, there is some 
consolation for shareholders. In 
2011, Gold Fields paid a total 
dividend of  R3.30 (US$0.46) a 
share, at a yield of  2.6% – the 
highest amongst the leading 
global gold companies. 

Our financial results for 2011 
demonstrate that our management 
team can extract strong economic 
value from our mines, while also 
investing in the future growth of  the 
company. Highlights include a 50% 
rise in our free cash flow to R5.5 
billion (US$752 million) and a Group 
NCE (Notional Cash Expenditure) 
margin of  25% – in line with our 
long-term target, which we have 
achieved significantly earlier than 
anticipated. This demonstrates the 
ability of  Gold Fields management 
team to leverage the higher gold 
price to improve earnings and cash 
flow. I am confident that this solid 
financial performance, the continued 
optimisation of  Gold Fields existing 
operations and the realisation of  its 
future growth portfolio will deliver 
lasting returns to shareholders. 

Resource Nationalism

Over recent years, the calls for 
greater state intervention in the 
resources sector have grown louder 
and governments around the world 
are responding by raising taxes and 
tightening regulations. Over the past 
year, Gold Fields has had to deal 
with higher taxes – or is facing the 
prospect of  hardening tax regimes – 
in many of  the jurisdictions in which 
it operates. 

9

Overview and strategy

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To a great degree, this dynamic 
has been driven by the fairly rapid 
escalation of  metal and mineral 
prices over the past decade. I 
believe, however, it is also rooted 
in the common misconception that 
these prices feed straight through to 
the bottom line – to instantaneously 
enrich shareholders. What is often 
forgotten is the capital intensive, 
high-risk nature of  the mining 
industry. In this context, capital 
providers need to be rewarded 
with a significant return on their 
investment, which is often committed 
over decades rather than years. 
Similarly, gold prices do not rise 
in isolation from other commodity 
prices, which make up many of  our 
input costs, thus partially reducing 
the margin that the higher gold price 
brings about. 

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I firmly believe that the role of  
companies is first and foremost to 
create economic value with all the 
benefits that this can bring. In 2011, 
58% of  Gold Fields turnover of  
US$5.8 billion could be considered 
to contribute economically to the 
societies in which it operates. 
The company last year procured 
US$1,730 million in goods and 
services, spent over US$1,100 
million on salaries and benefits 
for its 46,378 employees, paid 
governments US$478 million in 
taxes and royalties, and spent 
US$54 million on Socio-Economic 
Development initiatives. 

Gold Fields creates significant 
economic value not just for 
employees, but also for its local 
communities and host governments 
through royalties, taxes and social 
upliftment programmes. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
10

Overview and strategy

This reflects the understanding  
that mineral rights are, justifiably, 
viewed as part of  each country’s 
national patrimony. In this context,  
Gold Fields not only has a duty to  
its investors, but also bears 
significant responsibilities in terms 
of  society more broadly. I believe 
that, by and large, it fulfils these 
responsibilities successfully. 

Leadership in sustainable  
gold mining

Gold Fields is already addressing 
the challenges of  resource 
nationalism through its commitment 
to sustainable gold mining. This 
means achieving durable production 
and growth, whilst contributing to 
nationally appropriate sustainable 
development wherever it operates. 
Our ability to bring our large, 
long-life Mineral Reserve base to 
account depends on a continued 
and demonstrable commitment to 
sustainable development, which 
underpins our social licence to 
operate with respect to our host 
governments and local communities.

Gold Fields has made important 
advances on this journey. This is 
illustrated by the fact that in 2011 we 
were the top-ranked South African 
mining company on the prestigious 
Dow Jones Sustainability Index 
(p27). This reflects the significant 
progress we have made in terms  
of  environmental management,  
our relationships with both 
neighbouring and labour-sending 
communities, our commitment to 
sound and transparent corporate 
governance, as well as long-term 
economic value-creation where our 
assets are invested.

Challenges remain, however. The 
most pressing one is the safety of  
our workforce and I am dismayed to 
report that we had 20 fatalities at our 
mines in 2011 – all but one of  them 
at our South African operations. 

This is particularly disappointing as 
we had made significant progress 
over the past few years in terms of  
engineering-out risks, entrenching 
rigid health and safety standards, 
and nurturing a safe mining culture. 

In response to these tragedies, 
the management team has 
strengthened its commitment to 
our most important Value: “If  we 
cannot mine safely, we will not 
mine”. We are determined to move 
beyond the stigma of  underground 
gold mining as an inherently 
dangerous activity by improving 
safety performance and consistently 
reducing the risk of  fatalities. We 
are complementing existing safety 
measures with programmes that 
enhance workforce competence 
through capacity building, as well 
as our proactive health, housing 
and welfare initiatives that focus 
on employee wellbeing 24 hours 
a day. Finally, we have established 
a sound relationship with both the 
government and the trade unions, 
who are the key stakeholders in  
our efforts.

A further challenge is the skills 
shortage confronting the industry 
and its ability to attract, retain and 
develop top talent. I am pleased to 
report that Gold Fields is making 
significant progress in this area 
through the launch of  a wide-
ranging and ambitious Group 
People Strategy, never embarked 
upon to such an extent before, 
thus reflecting that people are our 
business (p128).

This strategy is aligned with the 
company’s wider strategic goals  
and will augment Gold Fields 
existing skills development initiatives 
– led in South Africa by the  
Gold Fields Academy – through 
which thousands of  our employees 
receive training each year. The 
Academy also provides thousands 
of  workers and community members 
with skills ranging from basic literacy 
to artisanship. These are skills they 
can use after leaving the mining 
industry, allowing them to contribute 
elsewhere in the economy. We are 
also continuing to invest in ongoing 
partnerships with tertiary mining 
and technical institutions in all our 
host countries. In particular, we are 
leading the mining sector in terms  
of  our investment and commitment  
to tertiary mining education in  
South Africa.

Integrated Reporting

As I have broadly outlined above, 
Gold Fields strategy rests on three 
pillars: Optimising our operations; 
Growing Gold Fields; and Securing 
our future. This strategy is 
underpinned by a sound corporate 
governance framework, commitment 
to proficient risk management  
and effective engagement with  
our stakeholders. 

I believe that this Integrated Annual 
Review provides a transparent 
and systematic account of  our 
progress in all these areas. This is 
in line with the aim of  the King III 
Code of  Corporate Governance, to 
which we fully subscribe, to provide 
shareholders and other stakeholders 
with a full picture of  the company 
and its impact on society. 

Appreciation

I would also like to express my 
sincere appreciation to my fellow 
directors for the enthusiasm with 
which they have supported me, as 
well as their energetic and valuable 
contributions to Board deliberations. 
We owe a special thanks to Chris 
von Christierson, who retired from 
the Board in May 2011, after serving 
with dedication for 12 years. 

Finally, I would like to thank our 
Chief  Executive Officer, Nick 
Holland, his management team 
and all Gold Fields employees for 
their continued and unwavering 
commitment to the company and  
its Values.

Dr Mamphela Ramphele

Chair

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
1.2  Q&A with the 
(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:25)(cid:26)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:28)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:6)

Strategy

Q. What does Gold Fields Vision 
of ‘leadership in sustainable gold 
mining’ mean in practice – and why 
do you place such emphasis on 
sustainable development?

A. This is very much about 
effective risk management and 
‘business sustainability’. In 
practice, this means developing 
and implementing fully integrated 
strategies at operational-, regional- 
and Group-level to ensure we 
are identifying the risks and 
opportunities facing our business – 
and that we are managing these in 
a way that supports our long-term 
profitability and ensures the long-
term sustainability of  our business. 
This includes the commercial, 
technical, environmental, economic, 
social and political dynamics 
facing Gold Fields – and the 
interrelationships between them. 

This is most apparent in three 
key areas: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our pursuit of  ‘Zero Harm’ at our 
operations is not only the right 
thing to do, it also minimises the 
loss of  production caused by 
safety related stoppages – which 
directly impact on profitability

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our efforts to cut energy 

consumption and develop 
alternative energy sources not 
only reduce our costs, but also 
ensure we are able to thrive in a 
carbon-regulated future

(cid:2)(cid:3) The delivery of  shared mutual 
benefits to local communities 
and host governments is not 
purely philanthropic. It also 
directly supports our social 
licence to operate, our ability to 
demonstrate our value to host 
governments and our ability to 
enter into highly prospective 
and more challenging growth 
environments – whether in Peru, 
the Philippines or elsewhere

11

Overview and strategy

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We are able to ‘operationalise’ 
this approach by integrating 
broad sustainability measures 
into the balanced score cards of  
key decision-makers within our 
organisation. This means that 
aswell as pursuing shorter-term 
goals around production and cost 
performance, decisions are also 
being made on the basis of  our 
longer-term, ‘holistic’ performance.

In 2011, the practical application 
of  this philosophy can already be 
seen in our production practices. 
This includes the shift towards 
owner-mining, which supports the 
longer-term sustainability of  the 
business. It can also be seen in 
our shift from 12-month production 
planning to production planning 
of  24-months and beyond. This is 
with the aim of  balancing longer-
term capital investment and mine 
development against our shorter-
term pursuit of  higher NCE margins. 

We need to think this way, because 
ours is a long-term business. In 
2012, we mark our 125th anniversary 
– and we fully intend to be delivering 
value both to our shareholders and 
to our broader stakeholders well into 
the future. 

Q. You have set an ambitious target 
of 5 million gold equivalent ounces 
in production or in development by 
2015 – are you on track?

A. We are broadly on-track to 
achieving this important Goal – 
despite some short-term challenges. 

Although production from our 
mature operations in South Africa 
decreased in 2011, output for the 
Group remained broadly stable 
and at historical levels. We can 
build on this to achieve our 
long-term growth objectives.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
12

Overview and strategy

A significant step in this direction 
was the buy-out of  minority 
shareholders in Ghana and Peru 
during the second half  of  2011 
(p118), which also contributed 
to our strategic aim of  achieving 
100% ownership of  the assets in 
our portfolio. By raising our stake 
in Gold Fields La Cima from 80.7% 
to 98.5% and in our Tarkwa and 
Damang mines from 70% to  
90% at a combined cost of   
US$1.05 billion, we gained  
around 250,000 production ounces 
and over 3 million ounces in long-
life, low-cost reserves. 

We have also made good 
progress in terms of  our resource 
development and feasibility projects, 
which will underpin our ability to 
grow and geographically diversify 
our production, as well as our 
Mineral Resources and Mineral 
Reserves. The most advanced  
are our Damang Super Pit, 
Chucapaca and Far Southeast 
projects in Ghana, Peru and the 
Philippines respectively. 

At Damang we have generated a 
10 million ounce resource, most of  
which relates to the Super Pit, which 
on its own has a 7.4 million ounce 
Mineral Resource and 2.5 million 
ounce Mineral Reserve. This will 
help to underpin the doubling of  the 
mine’s production. 

Figure 1.2: Gold Fields strategy

Plans are in place to carry out a 
pre-feasibility study for the project 
in 2012, notwithstanding the 
potential commercial impacts of  the 
hardening fiscal regime in Ghana.

At Chucapaca we have increased 
the Indicated and Inferred Mineral 
Resource by 35% to 7.6 million 
ounces and plan to deliver the  
first Mineral Reserve in 2012, 
following the feasibility study for  
the project. We also expect to  
make a development decision 
before year-end.

In September 2011 we made our 
second down-payment of  US$66 
million at the Far Southeast project 
in the Philippines and in March 2012 
a third payment of  US$110 million, 
reflecting positive proof  of  concept 
and due diligence drilling results – 
as well as growing confidence in our 
ability to develop a new, world-class 
mine at the site. We now have a 40% 
interest in the project and under 
our option agreement with Lepanto 
and Liberty Express Assets a final 
payment of  US$110 million would 
raise our interest to 60%. 

Figure 1.1: Achieving our Vision

Free
Cash
Flow

Optimise our assets
- Grow cash flow margin per ounce

Grow Gold Fields
- Grow ounces per share

Secure our future
- Sustainability

5 million ounces in production or in development by 2015

Optimise our assets 

- 25% NCE margin target for existing assets

- Reserve replacement and growth

- Business Process Re-engineering

Grow Gold Fields

- 5Moz in production or in development by 2015

- Increase geographical diversification

- No M&A Heroics – opportunistic approach

- Organic growth and exploration

- Growth in production per share and NCE margin per ounce

Secure our future

- Sustainable development integrated into the business model

- If  we cannot mine safely, we will not mine

- Focus on people

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

The final payment is dependent on 
our ability to procure a Financial or 
Technical Assistance Agreement 
(FTAA), which allows foreigners to 
own a majority in a local project.  
We plan to deliver a maiden Mineral 
Resource model in 2012 and 
commence a pre-feasibility study.

We are also extending our extensive 
drill programme at the Arctic 
Platinum Project in Finland as part 
of  a pre-feasibility study to improve 
its financial profile. Meanwhile, at 
Yanfolila in Mali, we are carrying  
out additional drilling to advance 
to provide sufficient critical mass 
to progress the project beyond the 
advanced drilling stage.

Should these projects be successful, 
they should deliver sufficient 
new ounces in production and 
development to significantly outweigh 
likely production shortfalls at our 
South African legacy operations.  

Q. What are the big opportunities  
for the future?

A. We believe innovation and 
technology will provide opportunities 
for the exploitation of  our very 
substantial Mineral Resources 
in South Africa. The long-term 
sustainability of  the South Africa 
region has often been questioned, 
due to concerns that the deep-level 
nature of  our underground deposits 
will – over time – restrict our ability to 
bring these ounces into production 
in a safe and profitable way. 

We are already demonstrating 
the questionable nature of  this 
assumption at South Deep. Here, 
the application of  advanced mining 
techniques and the implementation 
of  mechanised underground mining 
is helping ensure its substantial 
Mineral Resources and Mineral 
Reserves (which account for 
35% and 45% of  the Group total 
respectively) will be brought to 
account at minimal risk to our 
employees – and at a cost that will 
help underpin the sustainability of  
the South Africa region as a whole. 

13

Overview and strategy

Case study

Why does Gold Fields use NCE to measure its  
cost performance?

Notional cash expenditure (NCE) is an ‘all-in’ performance measure 
developed by Gold Fields. It is aimed at introducing greater 
transparency around the all-in costs of  producing an ounce of  gold. 
This is particularly important for both producers and investors in a 
context of  ever-escalating input costs. NCE includes: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) All operating costs

(cid:2)(cid:3) All capital expenditure (e.g. growth and sustaining  

capital expenditure) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) All near-mine exploration expenditure

Gold Fields believes this provides a more accurate measure than the 
commonly used ‘total cash costs’. In part, this is due to NCE’s explicit 
inclusion of  ‘growth capital’. In doing so, NCE recognises the bulk of  
capital invested in new production is largely aimed at replenishing 
the industry’s declining output – rather than delivering growth per se. 
The objective is to provide the all-in cost. NCE per ounce influences 
how much free cash flow is available to pay taxes, interest, greenfields 
exploration and dividends. 

By using the total cash cost measure, many within the industry are 
claiming high operating profit margins that are not, in reality,  
supported by underlying cash flow. This may have had an impact on 
the number of  external stakeholders currently demanding a greater 
share of  (apparently) higher operating profit margins in a number of  
mining jurisdictions (p155-156).

The well-established nature of  the 
infrastructure at KDC – as well as 
its differing geology – means we 
cannot apply the same techniques as 
applied at South Deep. Nonetheless, 
we are in the process of  researching 
advanced, proprietary technology 
that could one day transform the 
future of  these mines, by allowing 
efficient, low-cost mining at extreme 
depths and in extreme conditions, 
without exposing our employees to 
safety or health risks. 

Although this research is at a 
relatively early stage, we are 
hopeful that in the longer-term this 
technology – as well as technology 
being developed in the open 
market – will help breathe new life 
into KDC. This would have strategic 
implications for the Group in terms 
of  leveraging the mine’s very large 
Mineral Resources (31% of  the 
Group total) – and help secure the 
future of  the region. 

Operational performance

Q. How would you evaluate  
Gold Fields business performance 
in 2011? 

A. In terms of  production, our 
performance has been broadly 
satisfactory. During 2011, total 
attributable production remained 
steady at 3.5 million gold equivalent 
ounces. This reflected higher 
production at our international 
regions, which offset lower output at 
our mature Beatrix and KDC mines, 
as well as stable production levels at 
South Deep. 

On a more positive note, we marked 
a major milestone in our efforts 
to advance the geographical 
diversification of  our production, 
49% of  which came from South 
Africa (2010: 53%) and 51% from 
our Australasia, South America and 
West Africa regions (2010: 47%). 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

14

Overview and strategy

This means that the majority of  our 
production ounces now come from 
outside of  South Africa. 

The picture has been more positive in 
terms of  our financials. NCE margin 
– which increased from 16% (or 
US$201/oz) to 25% (or US$396/oz) 
– is now aligned with our long-term 
NCE target. Although this was largely 
driven by higher gold prices, it also 
reflected the collective impact of  our 
wide range of  cost-saving initiatives, 
including R840 million (US$116 
million) in South Africa and US$43 
million in Ghana saved through 
Business Process Re-engineering 
during the course of  2011. 

This has helped contribute to a 50% 
increase in free cash flow from  
our operations to R5.5 billion  
(US$752 million) last year.

The fact that we are managing to 
contain our costs, means we are 
realising the higher gold price in our 
bottom line. This is illustrated by the 
fact that operating profits rose by 
46% to R21.1 billion (US$2.9 billion).

We have also achieved a degree 
of  consolidation in terms of  our 
operations. This includes, for 
example, our shift towards owner 
mining and maintenance at our 
Damang mine in Ghana and, in part, 
at our mines in Australia. This will 
help us reap greater rewards from 
our mines on an ongoing basis. 

Furthermore, our minority buy-out 
in Peru has given us almost total 
ownership of  the highly profitable 
Cerro Corona mine – with attendant 
benefits in terms of  additional 
attributable production, Mineral 
Resources, Mineral Reserves and 
future growth potential. 

In Ghana, our purchase of  
IAMGOLD’s indirect minority stake 
in Damang and Tarkwa (which 
has taken our interest to 90%) also 
means we are well positioned to 
benefit from the significant resource 
and reserve position, at Damang in 
particular. The buy-out has already 
secured us an extra 280,000 reserve 
ounces, as West Africa’s Mineral 
Reserves increased by 21% to 13.7 
million ounces during 2011.

Our promise that "if  we cannot mine 
safely, we will not mine" is integral 
to our safety culture and is acted 
upon on a daily basis. Our ‘Stop, 
Think, Fix, Verify and Continue’ 
approach encourages employees 
across the Group to halt work 
wherever there is a risk to health or 
safety and to examine if  there are 
alternative, safer ways to get gold 
out of  the ground. If  there is no 
safe alternative, we will leave the 
ounces in the ground rather than 
put our teams at risk. Over the last 
three years, we have written-off  
about 2 million ounces of  high-
grade reserves on this basis, though 
they still sit within our resource 
inventory. Despite the economic 
cost of  this approach – as well as 
our considerable expenditure on 
engineering-out risks – we believe 
this is not only the right thing to do, 
but also the realistic thing to do. 

In 2011, we had a total of  75, mostly 
shaft-specific, safety stoppages in 
South Africa – some of  them self-
imposed. This resulted in the loss 
of  52,500 ounces of  production, 
demonstrating the economic 
impact of  potentially avoidable 
safety incidents. Similarly, failure to 
demonstrate to our stakeholders – 
including our employees, organised 
labour and government – how 
serious we are about safety, could 
have strategic implications in terms 
of  our legal and social licence 
to operate. As a result, we have 
proactively engaged with government 
and the trade unions, meeting them 
in tri-lateral forums on a regular 
basis to find common solutions to 
safety issues. This approach has 
been far more productive than the 
more adversarial approach many in 
the industry have taken in response 
to the government’s ‘no-nonsense’ 
attitude towards safety in the  
mining sector.

As in 2010, 2011 saw a significant 
amount of  work take place to improve 
the sustainability of  Gold Fields. 
These efforts are starting to bear  
fruit – not only in terms of  supporting  
our sustainability performance  
and influencing new project 
development – but also in terms  
of  external recognition. 

In particular, we believe that 
our 4th position amongst mining 
companies in the global Dow Jones 
Sustainability Index shows we are 
on the right track. This is particularly 
the case given that it is the first time 
we have participated in the index 
– and that our score made us the 
strongest South Africa performer in 
the mining sector. We intend to build 
on this.

Q. You say "if we cannot mine  
safely, we will not mine". How 
realistic is this?

A. We have made it our objective  
to achieve ‘Zero Harm’ and mitigate 
the risks associated with deep 
underground mining at our  
South African operations. 

We believe that with the right 
leadership, safety culture, 
procedures and engineering 
controls, deep underground mining 
can be carried out in a way that 
does not put our employees at risk. 

That is not to say the task is not 
challenging – or that we have 
it right yet. As the 20 fatalities 
experienced by Gold Fields in 2011 
show, this is a fight that requires 
constant diligence – with no room 
for complacency. A total of  17 of  
these fatalities took place in the first 
seven months of  2011 – prompting 
us to accelerate a widespread 
programme to engineer-out risks, 
including installing in-stope bolting 
in stope panels, as well as initiatives 
around behaviour-change, safety 
compliance and leadership. This 
had a real effect, with a marked 
decline in fatalities in the second 
half  of  the year. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

15

Overview and strategy

Figure 1.3: Economic contributions by Gold Fields

Category (US$ million)

Operating costs (incl. procurement and contractors)

Salaries

Payment to capital providers

Payments to government

Socio-economic development (SED) spend1

2011

1,851

1,101

282

478

54

2010

1,924

1,027

243

312

67

2009

1,479

784

181

249

11

2008 

1,395

708

230

159

14

Total economic contribution

3,766

3,573

2,704

2,506

1 See p143 for new SED definition for 2010 and 2011

Q. Gold Fields places a lot of 
emphasis on ‘wellness’. What does 
this mean in practice? 

A. Issues around occupational 
health – and health in general – in 
the mining industry have rightly 
been subject to close scrutiny for 
a long time. Occupational health is 
particularly important in our South 
Africa region due to the deep, labour-
intensive nature of  our mines there. 
However, we feel that as an industry, 
we have focused on a narrow range 
of  measures that – although very 
important in their own right – only 
reveal part of  the picture in relation to 
employee wellbeing and productivity. 

This is the rationale behind  
our ’24 Hours in the Life of  a  
Gold Fields Employee’ programme 
– which deliberately focuses on 
employees’ holistic wellbeing, both 
at work and outside it (p140). In part, 
this is driven by a natural concern 
for the welfare of  those who work for 
us – often in demanding conditions. 
It is also driven by concerns that 
individuals’ safety performance can 
sometimes be undermined by their 
broader lifestyle. 

The 24 Hours programme covers 
employees’ accommodation, 
nutrition, sleep, psycho-emotional 
wellbeing and recreation. It 
is integrated with our broader 
health and safety initiatives, in 
recognition of  the holistic nature 
of  employee wellbeing – and the 
interrelationships between, for 
example, lifestyle, health, safety  
and disease. 

Our holistic approach does not 
mean we are taking our eye off  the 
ball in terms of  more traditional 
occupational health management 
measures or the prevention and 
mitigation of  diseases. 

In 2011, we progressed our 
extensive programme to physically 
‘engineer-out’ occupational health 
risks and to help us reduce noise 
and dust levels in line with South 
Africa’s Mine Health and Safety 
Council 2013 milestones (p137). 
Measures implemented last year 
focused on minimising the noise 
from our mining equipment to 
reduce sound pressure levels 
below the strict targets that will 
be applied from 2013 onwards. In 
terms of  reducing dust emissions, 
we are implementing the use of  
foggers to trap dust particles, 
footwall treatments to bind dust 
and extensive training among staff  
on the latest protection equipment, 
amongst other measures. 

HIV/AIDS remains a particularly 
serious issue in South Africa 
– and we continue to apply a 
comprehensive response in terms 
of  education and awareness-raising, 
Voluntary Counselling and Testing, 
the provision of  free Highly Active 
Anti-Retroviral Treatment and holistic 
support through our 24 Hours 
programme. As much as possible, 
we address HIV/AIDS through our 
mainstream medical services to 
avoid stigmatisation – and to ensure 
it is managed in the context of  a 
person’s overall wellbeing, health 
and lifestyle. 

Q. Gold Fields growth strategy 
appears to be taking the company 
into new locations that are seen as 
‘higher risk’. What is being done to 
manage these risks?

A. The success of  our new growth 
projects – which are by their nature 
capital intensive and long-term – is 
often highly dependent on our social 
and political licence to operate. 

Many of  the new growth environments 
present relatively challenging socio-
economic, environmental and political 
contexts. Nonetheless, we go where 
the gold is. 

In many cases, communities are 
wary of the entry of large-scale gold 
mining operators, due to a lack of  
understanding around likely impacts 
or negative experiences from the past. 
Similarly, communities can harbour 
unrealistic expectations about the role 
mining can play in alleviating poverty, 
providing employment or delivering 
public services. 

As a result, we take great care to 
minimise any negative impacts, 
demonstrate real contributions 
to local development, manage 
expectations, and maintain frank 
and respectful dialogue – at the 
earliest stages of  exploration. 
Failure to do so at the start can have 
serious implications for future project 
development – and it is very hard to 
‘undo’ past mistakes in this context.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

16

Overview and strategy

This is not enough on its own. We 
must ensure that it is in the interest 
of  local communities and host 
governments for our operations to 
run smoothly, efficiently and without 
disruption. As a result, we structure 
projects in a way that will benefit 
local communities through social 
investment, employment creation, 
capacity building and 
local procurement. 

The success of  this approach can 
be seen at our Cerro Corona mine 
in Peru, where we have helped 
build significant social, economic 
and environmental ‘capital’ 
since we acquired it in 2003 and 
commissioned it in 2008. 

This is part of  an integrated, 
long-term development approach, 
which includes, for example, the 
enhancement of  local dairy herds, 
active support for local enterprises 
and extensive re-forestation (p145). 
The results have been impressive – 
contributing to a thriving community 
in an area previously characterised 
by severe under-development and 
social unrest, which is still affecting 
other mining firms operating in Peru. 

Many of  the lessons learnt at Cerro 
Corona are being applied at the Far 
Southeast project in the Philippines. 
The Far Southeast Community 
Sustainable Development team is 
also using an active engagement 
approach – as well as innovative  
and comprehensive stakeholder 
identification, interaction and 
monitoring – to secure a firm social 
licence. This includes the Free,  
Prior and Informed Consent of   
local indigenous people in the 
affected area (p106-107).

External environment

Q. To what extent is  
Gold Fields being affected by 
resource nationalism?

A. We face resource nationalism  
to a varying degree at all our 
operating locations. This seems 
to be largely due to the significant 
income gaps that exist in many 
resource-rich countries as well as 
high commodity prices – and the 
(often misguided) belief  that these 
are generating ‘excessive’ profits for 
mining companies.

In Ghana, where we are the largest 
single tax contributor, we have faced 
a rise in royalty rates from 3% to 5% 
as well as the continuation of  the 
National Stabilisation Levy for 2011. 
In addition, Ghana’s new tax regime 
will see the mining sector subject to 
a 10% increase in Corporate Income 
Tax, a 10% Windfall Profit Tax and a 
significant hardening of  the capital 
allowance regime. 

We remain concerned about 
the impact of  these taxes on the 
commercial viability of  our proposed 
Damang Super Pit project – which 
would otherwise secure the future of  
a mine previously marked for closure, 
as well as create jobs and boost our 
public revenue contributions.

In Peru, the new government  
has raised royalties to between 
1% and 12% of  operating profits 
(previously 1% to 3% of  sales) 
and imposed a special mining levy 
of  between 2% and 8.4% on net 
profits. Although this is relatively 
modest compared to some previous 
projections – and will help pay for 
poverty reduction and infrastructure 
development – we would be wary of  
any further increases. 

The South African government has 
essentially taken nationalisation off  
the table, but is looking at other 
tax-based measures to extract more 
funds from the sector. Any further 
government imposts – for example 
in the form of  a resource rent tax – 
would do much to undermine the 
South African mining industry and its 
ability to generate employment. 

Furthermore, there is also no 
guarantee that higher taxes in 
nominal terms will lead to a greater 
income from the mining industry for 
the state as they tend to act as a 
deterrent to investment, particularly 
from the foreign investor community.

The ability of  any mining company 
to make sustained contributions 
to its local communities and host 
countries is almost completely 
dependent on its ongoing 
profitability. In the absence of  further 
increases in commodity prices, 
higher taxes and more stringent 
regulations will limit the ability of  the 
sector to make such contributions. 
But we also believe that if  we 
– and the mining sector more 
broadly – could better measure 
and communicate the very real 
economic benefits we deliver  
to our host societies and 
governments, then this fact  
would be better recognised. 

Q. Energy prices, carbon 
management and climate change 
are increasingly cited as key 
business priorities for the mining 
sector. How is Gold Fields 
addressing these issues? 

A. Higher energy costs are already 
having a direct impact on our 
operations – so this is far from 
an abstract issue for us. It is a 
particularly pressing issue in South 
Africa, due to challenges around 
national power infrastructure and 
sharp increases in national electricity 
costs. This is one of  the reasons 
why I set a clear target to continue 
reducing our electricity consumption 
in South Africa. From our 2007 
baseline to the end of  2011 we have 
already achieved a 17% reduction. 
The emphasis on reducing our 
electricity consumption will remain, 
despite the welcome decision by 
South Africa’s energy regulator to 
reduce average tariff  increases from 
26% to 16%. We hope this welcome 
reduction in tariff  increases will set 
the tone for future price changes. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Q. What are the key dynamics 
behind the gold price – and  
what predictions do you have for  
the future? 

A. Between 2001 and the end of  
2011, the price of  gold rose by 
about 650%. It is understandable 
why many are predicting a period 
of  consolidation. We believe 
changes in demand are the biggest 
determinant of  the gold price in 
the short- to medium-term – more 
so than supply. In 2011, demand 
continued to be driven by China and 
India – both in terms of  gold as an 
investment and gold jewellery. Last 
year, these two countries accounted 
for 42% of  demand for gold – 
compared to 39% in 2010 and 29% 
in 2009. We believe this trend is 
likely to continue in the medium-  
to long-term. 

Furthermore, in 2011 we saw central 
banks accelerate their purchases of  
gold, buying 440 tonnes – around 
five times more than in 2010. 
There is clearly appetite amongst 
the central banks to hold and 
accumulate gold. Currently, the vast 
majority of  gold reserves are held 
in the developed world – meaning 
there is also significant scope 
for central banks in developing 
economies to expand their gold 
reserves as they grow.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are 
another major source of  demand. 
Having started from nothing in 2004, 
ETFs are now worth around US$120 
billion, accounting for around 10% 
of  total investment demand for gold 
in 2011. This still represents only 
around 1% of  global funds under 
management – again meaning there 
is great scope for further expansion 
in the longer-term. 

Improved energy efficiency not  
only reduces our costs – it also 
reduces our carbon emissions. 
This is clearly positive from an 
environmental point of  view, but also 
has the potential to deliver material 
benefits to Gold Fields in the future. 
In 2011, the Australian government 
introduced carbon taxes and 
the South African government 
announced in the 2012 Budget that 
it will do so beginning in 2013 (p68). 

We are not in favour of  carbon 
taxes as they are a headline cost 
that is likely to increase our cut-
off  grade and sterilise our Mineral 
Reserves. In addition we are already 
spending considerable sums on 
reducing our carbon footprint. We 
are doubtful that carbon taxes will 
result in the environmental benefits 
that governments are seeking, as 
we question whether revenue from 
carbon taxes will be ring-fenced to 
fund nationwide carbon adaptation 
and mitigation strategies.

Reflecting the close link between 
energy consumption and carbon 
emissions, we are in the process 
of  implementing a fully integrated, 
Group-level Energy and Carbon 
Strategy and management plan. We 
are also embedding our new Carbon 
Management Policy, under which 
each of  our regions has been tasked 
with developing tailored strategies 
and management plans to address 
carbon management and reporting, 
the mitigation of  carbon pricing risks 
and adaptation to potential climate 
change-related risks (p67).

Furthermore, we have integrated 
carbon pricing into financial 
planning at our mines and within 
our growth pipeline to ensure all 
our business decisions contribute 
to future sustainability. This will be 
embedded for the first time into our 
2013 budget process. In addition, 
we are pursuing a range of  specific 
projects to generate Certified 
Emission Reductions (CERs) that will 
either generate additional cash or 
be used to help off-set some of  our 
own carbon emissions (p68).

17

Overview and strategy

Given the four- to five-fold increase 
in the price of  gold over the last 
decade, it might be expected that 
supply would be booming. But, over 
the past 10 years, the compound 
annual growth in gold production 
has been 1% per year – despite a 
4% increase in production in 2011. 
This is because the size of  gold 
discoveries has fallen significantly. 
Analysis of  the last 30 years shows 
that discoveries of  10 million ounce 
deposits – which once made up 
the majority of  new finds – are 
becoming increasingly rare.  

Over the same period, grade levels 
have also declined significantly. Gold 
is not only getting harder to find, it is 
also getting more expensive to find. 
Again, over the last 30 years, the 
cost of  discovering an ounce  
of  gold has risen from around 
US$10 to an estimated US$75. Gold 
Fields cost of  Reserve discovery 
through exploration has averaged 
around US$33/oz over the past  
10 years. 

In addition, the gold mining industry 
is facing rising costs, led by 
higher energy prices, sharp wage 
increases for scarce skills and 
ever-rising prices for input materials. 
Despite outwards appearances, the 
sector is not making as much money 
as the gold price would suggest. 
This means there is a fundamental 
dynamic – rising global demand 
and moribund global supply – that 
could help underpin future gold 
prices. Furthermore, gold has 
regained its status as an asset 
class, the world monetary base is 
likely to continue to significantly 
increase (with commensurate 
effects in terms of  future inflation) 
and uncertainty around a range of  
major global economies shows little 
sign of  abating. In this context, we 
believe the fundamentals for gold 
remain positive.

Nick Holland

Chief  Executive Officer

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
18

Overview and strategy

1.3  Delivering on our objectives for 2011 and 2012

Figure 1.4: Progress on 2011 objectives

2011 objectives

2011 performance

Progress

1

2

3

Achieve safe and stable 
production at the KDC 
and Beatrix mines

Production at KDC decreased by 9% from 1.2 million ounces to 1.1 million 
ounces. There were 13 fatalities at KDC (2010: 11), whilst the Lost Time Injury 
Frequency Rate increased to 7.95 (2010: 6.31) (p82). Both production and safety 
levels improved in the second half  of  the year.

Continue the build-up at 
South Deep to achieve a 
safe production run rate 
of  750,000 ounces of  
gold by the end of  2014

Continue business 
re-engineering across 
the Group to achieve a 
sustainable free cash 
flow and an NCE margin 
of  20% at each mine  
in the short-term and 
25% in the medium- to 
long-term at sustainable 
gold prices

Production at Beatrix decreased by 8% from 377,000 ounces to 347,000 ounces. 
There were five fatalities at Beatrix (2010: five), whilst the LTIFR fell to 2.95  
(2010: 3.31) (p84).

There was one fatality at South Deep. The operation achieved two million fatality 
free shifts by January 2012. Production at South Deep remained steady at 
273,000 ounces (2010: 274,000 ounces) (p86-87).

Challenges around the slow build-up of  de-stress cut mining activities 
largely related to poor fleet availability and logistics. These are being urgently 
addressed. We have adjusted our production goal for South Deep to a 700,000 
ounce annual run-rate by the end of  2015.

Cost controls were successfully implemented across the Group, particularly 
in South Africa where cost increases in 2011 were limited to 3% despite high 
electricity tariff  hikes. This contributed to an NCE margin of  25% for the Group. 
Each mine achieved the following NCE margin:

 (cid:2) Agnew: 32% (p76-77)

 (cid:2) St Ives: 19% (p74-75)

 (cid:2) Beatrix: 25% (p84-85)

 (cid:2) KDC: 23% (p82-83)

 (cid:2) Cerro Corona: 60% (p90-91)

 (cid:2) Damang: 33% (p96-97)

 (cid:2) Tarkwa: 42% (p94-95)

4 Maintain and increase 
our production profile 
through major  
near-mine projects

In 2011, we spent around US$75 million (2010: US$57 million) on near-mine 
exploration. This resulted in the significant advancement of  near-mine exploration 
at Agnew, St Ives and Damang. It also contributed to a higher Mineral Reserve 
position at Damang and Tarkwa, as well as a stable Mineral Reserve inventory 
(post-depletion) at our two Australian mines.

5

Increase our production 
profile through major 
resource development 
and feasibility projects

6

Increase our production 
profile through 
greenfields exploration

In 2011, we achieved the following milestones:

 (cid:2) Arctic Platinum Project, Finland: Successful bulk-testing of  Platsol ® technology 

on our deposits – and scope for additional resource positions (p112-113)

 (cid:2) Chucapaca, Peru: A 35% increase in Mineral Resources to 7.6 million  
gold equivalent ounces – with a potential development decision in  
late 2012 (p113-114)

 (cid:2) Damang Super Pit, Ghana: Completion of  the second phase of  resource 
definition drilling, leading to an increase in the Mineral Reserves for the  
Super Pit from 1.1 million ounces to 2.5 million ounces (p114-115), as well as 
a 7.4 million ounce Mineral Resource position

 (cid:2) Far Southeast, Philippines: A third down-payment of  US$110 million on our 60% 
option – informed by extensive proof-of-concept and due diligence drilling and 
the identification of  extensions at depth. Since year-end we have made a further 
US$110 million payment and vested 40% in the project (p116-118)

In 2011, we spent a total of  US$115 million (2010: US$90 million) on greenfields 
exploration, which led to further progress being made at the following targets:

 (cid:2) Argentina (Taguas, p109)

 (cid:2) Australia (East Lachlan and Delamarian, p110)

 (cid:2) Canada (Woodjam, p110)

 (cid:2) Chile (Salares Norte, p111) 

 (cid:2) Ghana (Asheba, p111)

 (cid:2) Guinea (Telikan, p111)

 (cid:2) Kyrgyzstan (Talas, p112)

 (cid:2) Mali (Yanfolila, p111)

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

19

Overview and strategy

Figure 1.4: Progress on 2011 objectives

2011 objectives

2011 performance

Progress

7

Implement a ‘sustainable 
gold’ programme 
that addresses both 
the concerns of  
stakeholders, as well as 
emerging business and 
sustainable development 
risks in our future  
growth environments

Highlights in 2011 include the following:

 (cid:2) Development of  an integrated Carbon and Energy Strategy and  

management plan (p66-67)

 (cid:2) Integration of  carbon pricing into our financial planning (p67-68)

 (cid:2) Generation of  Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) through our Beatrix 

Methane Project (p68)

 (cid:2) Introduction of  our enhanced Code of  Ethics (p25) 

 (cid:2) Introduction of  our online Sustainable Sourcing Dashboard to assist with risk-

based supplier-screening (p156)

 (cid:2) Development of  integrated, risk-based Sustainable Development strategies 

and actions across the Group (p24, online)

 (cid:2) Publication of  our first Integrated Annual Report

 (cid:2) A fourth place ranking in the global mining category of  the 2011 Dow Jones 

Sustainability Index (DJSI), making us the leading South African-listed mining 
company on the DJSI

Other achievements are listed on p27.

Figure 1.5: Objectives for 2012

2012 objective

2012 planning

1

2

3

Achieve tangible 
improvements with 
respect to all safety and 
health metrics

We plan to continue working in South Africa towards Zero Harm through:

 (cid:2) Engineering-out risk 

 (cid:2) Compliance with safe operating standards and procedures

 (cid:2) Cultural/behavioural change

 (cid:2) Improved stakeholder engagement

Reduce the rate of  
production decline at 
KDC to between 3% and 
5% against 2011

Regain momentum  
in the ramping up  
of  production at  
South Deep

 (cid:2) Our 24 Hour in the Life of  a Gold Fields Employee wellness initiative

 (cid:2) Working towards the 2013 Mining Industry Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) targets

At our international operations the focus will be on reduced Lost Time Injury Frequency Rates, as 
well as improvements in occupational health performance – including dust emissions and Noise 
Induced Hearing Loss.

We intend to increase surface processing capacity at KDC for waste rock and tailings. In 
addition, we will maintain our focus on efficiency projects, including:

 (cid:2) Improved quality mining volumes through our Full Shaft Potential programme

 (cid:2) Increased mechanised flat-end development 

 (cid:2) Improved safety performance (see above)

In 2012, we plan to complete construction of:

 (cid:2) The Vent Shaft

 (cid:2) The plant expansion

 (cid:2) The plant tailings backfill infrastructure

This will help us to achieve our medium- to longer-term production objectives at South Deep. In 
the short-term the focus is on:

 (cid:2) Improving fleet availability and logistics

 (cid:2) Increasing de-stress mining to open up new ore bodies and work spaces

 (cid:2) Increasing the number of  de-stress projects from six to 12 across all four mining corridors

In addition, we are in the process of  establishing a dedicated, on-site mechanised mining 
training centre to support operations at South Deep.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

20

Overview and strategy

Figure 1.5: Objectives for 2012

2012 objective

2012 planning

4

Ensure every mine 
achieves an NCE margin 
of  at least 20%

Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) will continue across all operations. The second phase 
of  the programme in South Africa has identified further cost reductions of  R500 million  
(US$63 million) over the next two years through:

5

Increase momentum 
on growth projects 
to achieve our Goal 
of  5 million ounces 
in production or 
development by 2015

 (cid:2) Optimisation of  staff  structures

 (cid:2) Reductions in non-specialised contractors

 (cid:2) Lower electricity consumption

 (cid:2) Enhanced supply chain management

We also plan to maximise the benefits of BPR at our Australian, Peruvian and Ghanaian mines through:

 (cid:2) Reductions in energy intensity

 (cid:2) Embedding the benefits of  owner mining

 (cid:2) Improved utilisation and availability of  our mining equipment

Plans include the following:

 (cid:2) Chucapaca, Peru: Completion of  a feasibility study and making a development decision

 (cid:2) Damang Super Pit, Ghana: Completion of  a pre-feasibility study and updating of  the Mineral 

Resource and Mineral Reserve position

 (cid:2) Far Southeast, Philippines: 

 (cid:2) Completion of  the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) licencing process

 (cid:2) Exercise of  our 60% option

 (cid:2) Completion of  a maiden Mineral Resource position

 (cid:2) Commencement of  a pre-feasibility study

 (cid:2) Arctic Platinum Project, Finland: Completion of  the drilling programme at Suhanko North and 

finalisation of  the pre-feasibility study

 (cid:2) Yanfolila, Mali: Completion of  our drilling programme, updating of  the Mineral Resource 

position and compilation of  a scoping study at Kangare

6

Ensure Gold Fields has 
the financial capacity to 
fund growth projects in 
2012 and beyond

Plans include the following:

 (cid:2) Continued focus on strong operational cash flow generation

 (cid:2) The securing of  additional long-term funding

 (cid:2) Changing of  the maturity profile of  our long-term debt

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

21

Overview and strategy

u
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Figure 1.5: Objectives for 2012

2012 objective

2012 planning

7

8

9

Ensure sustainability 
is fully integrated 
into the business 
and is appropriately 
communicated

We plan to achieve this through:

 (cid:2) Ongoing development, implementation and monitoring of  Sustainability Development 

strategies at Group-, region- and project-levels

 (cid:2) Incorporation of  Sustainable Development measures into the balanced score cards of  key 

decision-makers across the Group

 (cid:2) Voluntary adoption of  the World Gold Council Conflict-Free Gold Standards

 (cid:2) Additional integrated internal and external reporting

 (cid:2) A dedicated Sustainable Development communications programme 

Ensure climate change 
initiatives, carbon 
mitigation and adaptation 
strategies, and energy 
efficiency initiatives are 
fully incorporated into 
the business

The best proxy for carbon emission reduction is a concomitant reduction in energy usage, which 
will be the focus of  our efforts in 2012 and beyond. Specific plans include:

 (cid:2) Development of  a fully integrated, Group-level Carbon and Energy strategy, including the 

creation of  a Carbon and Energy division 

 (cid:2) Development, implementation and monitoring of  Carbon Management Plans by each region, 
including the integration of  carbon pricing into our financial and operational planning as well 
as decision makers’ balanced score cards

Increase focus on the 
attraction, retention and 
development of  people 
and skills

 (cid:2) Reduced electricity consumption, particularly at our South African operations, as 
this accounts for 96% of  energy use and is largely responsible for our Scope 2 
carbon emissions

 (cid:2) Rolling out of  carbon emission reduction projects

Full implementation of  our new People Strategy, including specific focus on:

 (cid:2) Enhanced branding

 (cid:2) Increased talent development

 (cid:2) Establishment of  an integrated Human Resources Data Management System

 (cid:2) Adoption of  more competitive remuneration strategies

 (cid:2) Enhanced internal and external skills pipelines

 (cid:2) Mobility strategy to improve career path development

 (cid:2) Encouragement of  more flexible working arrangements and improved work-life balance

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
22

Transparency and accountability

2. Transparency and 
accountability

(cid:28)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:30)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:18)(cid:7)(cid:16)(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:19)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:13)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:18)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:8)!(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:6)(cid:7)"(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:7)(cid:31)(cid:8)
in our management approach. This explicitly recognises the ‘integrated’ 
(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:18)#(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:20)’(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:31)’(cid:15)(cid:16)!(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:8)
business. Our approach also recognises that the effective and ‘holistic’ 
management of these often inter-related dynamics is essential for our  
(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:4)*(cid:20)(cid:7)(cid:6)!(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:14)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:20)’+(cid:8)

Sustainability is essential given the long-term, capital intensive nature of 
our mining projects – and the contexts in which we need to operate. It 
(cid:15)(cid:12)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:18)’(cid:8)(cid:6)(cid:7)/(cid:5)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:12)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:19)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:30)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:14)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:18)(cid:7)#(cid:8)(cid:30)(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:12)(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:8)<(cid:7)(cid:8)
(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:7)(cid:16)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:12)!(cid:3)(cid:17)#(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:27)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:15)!(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:30)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:8)<(cid:23)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:8) 
we operate.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

23

Contents

2. Transparency and accountability

Corporate governance .............................................. Page 24
Risk management ..................................................... Page 36
Investors and stakeholder engagement .................... Page 40

Highlights

Updated Code of Ethics

Joint 1st place 

Ernst & Young Excellence in Corporate Reporting 2011 
awards (for JSE listed companies)

Launch of Social and 
Ethics Committee 

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
24

Transparency and accountability

2.1  Corporate governance 

Our management approach is 
underpinned by our commitment 
to sound and robust corporate 
governance standards, which 
is essential to operational and 
strategic success. 

2.1.1  Key internal 
standards and principles

Everything that we do to achieve 
our Vision of  becoming the global 
leader in sustainable gold mining 
is informed by our Values. These 
are applied by our directors, as 
well as employees at every level 
of  the company.

The Board of  Directors takes 
ultimate responsibility for 
the company’s adherence to 
sound corporate governance 
standards and ensures that all 
business judgements are made 
with reasonable care, skill and 
diligence. The Board of  Directors’ 
Charter articulates the objectives 
and responsibilities of  the Board 
(p29). Likewise, each of  the Board 
committees operates in accordance 
with written terms of  reference, 
which are regularly reviewed by 
the Board. These are available on 
our website or, on request, from our 
secretarial office.

Gold Fields is placing particular 
emphasis on the ongoing 
development of  its sustainable 
development systems and structures. 
This includes the establishment of  
a unified Sustainable Development 
Framework based on best 
practice, as well as our operational 
requirements. This framework will 
assist us in our ongoing efforts to 
secure a long-term competitive 
advantage by mitigating our risks 
before they materialise, and by 
capitalising on opportunities before 
they pass.

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The framework, which is governed 
by an overall Sustainable 
Development Policy, is made up 
of  the following pillars – each of  
which is underpinned by a formal 
corporate policy:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Carbon and 

energy management

(cid:2)(cid:3) Communities and 
indigenous people

(cid:2)(cid:3) Environment

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ethics and 

corporate governance

(cid:2)(cid:3) Human rights

The Gold Fields Code of  Ethics 
is informed by our Values and 
commits the company, its 
directors and employees to 
conducting business in an ethical 
and fair manner, and promoting 
a socially and environmentally 
responsible culture. 

In 2011, we rolled out an updated 
Gold Fields Code of  Ethics as 
part of  our efforts to maintain 
consistency with relevant 
regulations, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) National legislation in all of  our 

countries of  operation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Material stewardship and supply 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The US Sarbanes-Oxley Act

chain management

(cid:2)(cid:3) Occupational health and safety

(cid:2)(cid:3) Risk management

(cid:2)(cid:3) The US Dodd Frank Act1

(cid:2)(cid:3) The US Foreign Corrupt 

Practices Act

(cid:2)(cid:3) Stakeholder engagement

(cid:2)(cid:3) South Africa’s Consumer 

Effective management in each 
of  these areas is integral to the 
achievement of  our strategic 
objectives by helping us optimise 
our operations, grow Gold Fields, 
and secure our future.

Case study 

Using a Group-level 
methodology to produce 
regional Sustainable 
Development Action Plans

Find out more online

Protection Act 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The OECD Convention on 

Combating Bribery of  Foreign 
Public Officials in International 
Business Transactions

(cid:2)(cid:3) The UN Convention 

on Corruption

(cid:2)(cid:3) Relevant human 
rights legislation

The Board’s Audit Committee is 
tasked with ensuring the consistent 
application of, and adherence to, the 
new Code of  Ethics, which has been 
translated into seven languages. 
More information on the Code of  
Ethics can be found on p25. 

 www.goldfields.co.za

1 With implementing rules still being finalised

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
Case study

A revised Code of Ethics for the Group 

In 2011, the Gold Fields legal team revised the Group Code of  
Ethics (2007). This was carried out to ensure Gold Fields alignment 
with the recommendations of  the King III Report on Corporate 
Governance – as well as evolving international best practice. 
This includes, for example: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) US legislation, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002), the 

Dodd-Frank Act (2010) and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 
(FCPA, 1977) – as well as UK legislation, such as the Bribery 
Act (2010)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of  Foreign Public 

Officials in International Business Transactions (1997)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The UN Convention against Corruption (2003)

(cid:2)(cid:3) South Africa’s Prevention and Combating of  Corrupt Activities 

Act (2004)

Furthermore, it was to ensure continued compliance with all relevant 
national and international legal requirements applicable to Gold Fields.

Under the latest version of  the Code, facilitation payments are 
prohibited, regardless of  whether it is legal or deemed to be 
‘accepted practice’ in a particular country or not. Facilitation payments 
involve the payment of  small sums to officials to expedite routine 
services to which Gold Fields would otherwise be legally entitled. This 
approach goes beyond FCPA guidelines, which permit facilitation 
payments of  up to US$250. 

The updated Code also prohibits contributions to political parties, 
either in cash or in kind, unless specifically approved by the 
Gold Fields Board of  Directors. This is the first time that the 
prohibition of  facilitation payments and political contributions has 
been written into Gold Fields policy, and represents a further step in 
promoting a zero tolerance approach to corruption and bribery.

In addition, other important areas covered in the updated Code include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Conflicts of  interest

(cid:2)(cid:3) Confidential information

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gifts and business courtesies

(cid:2)(cid:3) Entertainment and hospitality

(cid:2)(cid:3) Share dealings

The roll-out of  the updated Code to employees commenced in 2011 
and will be completed this year. New employees will sign the Code and 
receive related training during induction. Existing employees received 
the updated Code during the roll-out programme and will receive 
refresher training as required. Every employee has received a copy of  
the Code, which has been translated into seven languages. It is also 
available on the Group’s Intranet and website.

Transparency and accountability

25

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
26

Transparency and accountability

2.1.2  Key external 
standards and principles 

Our Sustainable Development 
Framework is guided by the 
International Council on Mining 
and Metals (ICMM). This includes 
adherence to its 10 Principles on 
sustainable development, as well 
as the commitment of  member 
companies to transparent public 
reporting, comprehensive risk 
management, sound corporate 
governance and independent, 
external assurance. Gold Fields 
also supports the principles 
and processes of  the Extractive 
Industries Transparency Initiative 
(EITI) through its membership 
of  the ICMM. We are committed 
to engaging constructively in 
countries that are committed to 
implementing the EITI. The ICMM 
also has observer status with the 
Voluntary Principles on Security and 
Human Rights. 

Gold Fields supports the efforts 
of  the World Gold Council, of  
which we are a member. We are 
also guided by the United Nations 
Global Compact, in which we 
are a participant. This includes 
implementation of  the Ten Principles 
across our business activities, as 
well as our annual submission of  a 
Communication on Progress 
(in the form of  this Integrated 
Annual Review).

Our reporting is guided by the 
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 
G3.1 Sustainability Reporting 
Guidelines as well as its 
associated Mining and Metals 
Sector Supplement and Reporting 
Guidance on HIV/AIDS. The GRI 
is an independent, internationally 
recognised sustainability reporting 
body. All of  our operations – as 
well as our exploration division 
– are certified to the ISO 14001 
environmental management system 
standard. All of  our mines are 
certified to the OHSAS 18001 safety 
management system standard. 

a
n
a
h
G

,

g
n
a
m
a
D

In addition, all of  our eligible 
operations are fully compliant with 
the requirements of  the International 
Cyanide Management Code. 
We were the first mining group 
registered as a signatory to the 
Code to obtain accreditation for 
all eligible operations.

Our primary listing on the JSE1 
Limited (JSE) means we are subject 
to the JSE Listings Requirements. 
The JSE has included certain 
aspects of  South Africa’s King III 
Report on Corporate Governance 
(King III) in its Listing Requirements. 
The Board has adopted the 
recommendations on good 
corporate governance contained 
in the King III Report, as well as 
the King Code of  Governance 
Principles for South Africa. This 
includes Principle 9.2, which states 
that “Sustainability reporting and 
disclosure should be integrated with 
the company’s financial reporting”. 
The 2010 Integrated Annual Report 
was the first annual report by 
Gold Fields to fully comply with 
this principle and we have again 
endeavoured to achieve this in the 
current annual report. Gold Fields 
is also a participant in the global 
pilot programme of  the International 
Integrated Reporting Committee.

We have implemented the King III 
principles and recommendations 
across Gold Fields, with the 
exceptions noted in Figure 2.1.

1 Johannesburg Stock Exchange 

The trading of  our shares on the 
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 
and registration with the United 
States Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) means we are 
subject to relevant NYSE disclosure 
and corporate governance 
requirements, as well as the terms 
of  the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002. 
Our secondary listing on NASDAQ 
Dubai Limited, Euronext in Brussels 
and the SWX Swiss Exchange 
means we are subject to each 
exchange’s disclosure requirements.

On 1 May 2011, South Africa’s 
Companies Act 71 of  2008 (as 
amended) came into force – 
replacing the Companies Act 61 of  
1973. Although already compliant 
with most of  the terms of  the Act 
prior to it coming into force, during 
2011 we took additional actions to 
ensure full conformance, including 
the establishment of  the Social & 
Ethics Committee (p35).

Furthermore, at our Annual General 
Meeting in May 2012, we will ask 
our shareholders to approve our 
Memorandum of  Incorporation 
(MOI), which will replace the Articles 
of  Association as required by the 
amended Companies Act. A draft of  
the salient principles of  the MOI can 
be found in the Notice of  the Annual 
General Meeting, which is attached. 

 www.icmm.com 
 www.gold.org 
 www.unglobalcompact.org 
 www.cyanidecode.org 
 www.sec.gov 
 www.jse.co.za 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
Transparency and accountability

27

Figure 2.1: Exceptions to the application of King III within Gold Fields

Item No.

King III Principle

1.

2.

“Employment contracts 
should not compensate 
executives for severance 
because of  change of  
control; however this  
does not preclude 
payments for retaining  
key executives during a 
period of  uncertainty.”

“…the Chairman and 
other non-executive 
directors should not 
receive share options or 
other incentive awards 
geared to share price or 
corporate performance…”

King III 
reference

2.25.165

Gold Fields approach

Reason(s) for applying a  
different approach

The employment contracts 
of  some senior executives, 
including the CEO and the CFO, 
have a provision for payments as 
a result of  change of  control. 

The contracts between Gold Fields and 
these senior executive employees were 
entered into before the guiding principle 
became effective. The Board, guided by 
the Remuneration and the Nominating 
and Governance Committees, agreed to 
maintain the provision in the contracts 
on the basis that the rules cannot be 
applied retrospectively. 

2.25.154

The non-executive directors were 
awarded restricted shares with 
a three year vesting period. The 
last allocation was approved by 
shareholders at the AGM held on 
4 November 2009 and will vest 
on 4 November 2012.

Following an appeal by the company to 
the JSE that the company had already 
awarded restricted shares to non-
executive directors, the JSE ruled that 
the requirement will only be effective 
from 1 April 2011 and shall not be 
applied retrospectively. 

2.1.3  Awards and 
external recognition

During 2011, Gold Fields won the 
following awards and recognition, 
amongst others:

(cid:2)(cid:3) An upgrading of  Moody’s Baa3 

rating outlook for Gold Fields from 
stable to positive 

(cid:2)(cid:3) First place in the open pit mining 

category of  the 14th National 
Mining Safety Contest of  Peru, 
a competition organised by the 
Mining Safety Institute of  Peru

(cid:2)(cid:3) Registration of  the Beatrix 

Methane Project as a Clean 
Development Mechanism (CDM) 
project by the United Nations 
Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Fourth place amongst global 

mining companies in the 2011 
Dow Jones Sustainability Index 
(DJSI), making Gold Fields the 
highest ranking South African-
listed mining company in the DJSI

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ranked first in the JSE Top  

100 Carbon Disclosure 
Leadership Index (CDLI) by 
the global Carbon Disclosure 
Project (CDP). In the CDP’s 
Carbon Performance Ratings, 
Gold Fields was one of  only two 
JSE companies to be placed 
in the top band for their climate 
mitigation and adaptation actions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Placed first among the top 300 

2.1.4  Board of Directors

companies operating in the BRICS 
(Brazil, Russia, India, China, 
South Africa) countries in the 
Environmental Tracking Carbon 
Rankings by the Environmental 
Investment Organisation.  
Gold Fields was ranked third in the 
Global Top 800 companies table

(cid:2)(cid:3) Rated by the JSE as one of  its 
best performers in the 'high 
environmental impact' category 
of  its Socially Responsible 
Investment index. This makes 
the company one of  only six 
consistent best performers for 
five years running

(cid:2)(cid:3) Receipt of  the 2011 Global 

Business Coalition Health Award 
in the category of  Workplace and 
Community Engagement for our 
wellness programme in Ghana

(cid:2)(cid:3) First place in the Mining and 
Industrial category at the 
Southern African Institute of  
Steel Construction (SAISC) Steel 
Awards 2011 for the new steel 
headgear at South Deep 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Global Reporting Initiative 

A+ compliance for our 2011 
Integrated Annual Review 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Achievement of  advanced-level 

reporting under the United 
Nations Global Compact

(cid:2)(cid:3) Joint first place in the Ernst & 

Young Excellence in Corporate 
Reporting 2011 awards for 
companies listed on the JSE

The Board is the highest governing 
authority of  the company. In terms of  
the Memorandum of  Incorporation, 
the number of  directors shall not be 
less than four and not more than 15. 
The Board comprises 14 directors, 
of  whom only two are executive 
directors and 12 independent 
non-executive directors. Advised 
by the Nominating and Governance 
Committee, the Board ensures 
that the election of  independent 
directors falls on reputable persons 
of  well-known competence and 
experience, who are willing to 
devote a sufficient part of  their 
time to the company. The role of  
non-executive directors, who are 
independent of  management, is 
to protect shareholders’ interests, 
including those of  minority 
shareholders. They also ensure that 
individual directors or groups of  
directors are subject to appropriate 
scrutiny in their decision-making.

Case study 

Gold Fields recognised as one 
of  the top-5 mining companies 
in the DJSI

Find out more online

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

28

Transparency and accountability

The Board of  Directors’ Charter 
articulates the objectives and 
responsibilities of  the Board  
(see below). Likewise, each of   
the Board sub-committees  
operates in accordance with 
written terms of  reference, which 
are regularly reviewed by the 
Board. The Board takes ultimate 
responsibility for the company’s 
adherence to sound corporate 
governance standards and sees to 
it that all business judgements are 
made with reasonable care, skill 
and diligence.

The Board is kept informed of  all 
developments at the company, 
primarily through the executive 
directors and the company 
secretary. The Board is also kept 
informed through a number of  other 
mechanisms, including employee 
climate surveys, newsletters and 
internal staff  communication, 
amongst others.

The roles of  the Chair of  the Board 
and the Chief  Executive Officer 
(CEO) are kept separate. Non-
executive director Dr Mamphela 
Ramphele was the Chair of  the 
Board and executive director Nick 
Holland was the CEO of  Gold Fields 
throughout 2011.

In 2011, there were three changes 
to the composition of  the Board. On 
25 February 2011, Sello Moloko was 
appointed as an independent non-
executive director. On 1 June 2011, 
Delfin Lapus Lazaro was appointed 
as an independent non-executive 
director, replacing Chris I von 
Christierson, who retired from the 
Board on 17 May 2011, following 12 
years’ service.

The Board is required to meet at 
least four times a year. During 2011, 
it convened six times.

Figure 2.2: Board meetings and attendance

Directors

16/02/11

18/05/11

02/08/11

04/08/11

09/11/11

29/11/11

MA Ramphele

NJ Holland

K Ansah

CA Carolus

R Dañino

AR Hill

DL Lazaro1 

RP Menell

MS Moloko2 

DN Murray

DMJ Ncube

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes Apology

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

RL Pennant-Rea

Yes Apology

PA Schmidt

CI von Chistierson 3

GM Wilson

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

1 Mr Lazaro was appointed to the Board on 1 June 2011

2 Mr Moloko was appointed to the Board on 25 February 2011

3 Mr Von Christierson retired from the Board on 17 May 2011

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes Apology

Yes Apology

Yes Apology

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes Apology

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes Apology

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Remuneration

Monitoring of performance

The remuneration of  non-executive 
directors is recommended to the 
shareholders by the Board after 
receiving external advice. The 
directors’ fees must be approved by 
shareholders at the annual general 
meeting of  the company for the 
ensuing year.

Non-executive directors only  
receive remuneration that is due 
to them as members of  the Board. 
Directors serving as members on 
Board sub-committees receive 
additional remuneration. 

Details of  the Directors' 
remuneration packages, as well as 
those of  the Prescribed Officers, are 
disclosed in the Directors Report of  
the Financial Review 2011.

In line with recommendations 
by King III, the Board carries 
out a rigorous evaluation of  the 
independence of  directors. 

The Chair is appointed on an 
annual basis by the Board, with 
the assistance of  the Nominating 
and Governance Committee, after 
a rigorous review of  the Chair’s 
performance and independence.

During the year under review, 
the Board and each Board Sub-
Committee underwent a detailed 
performance assessment by 
Deloitte. Deloitte found that 
the structures and processes 
governing the Board and its 
committees were well established 
and functioning well. Furthermore, 
the Board had fulfilled its role and 
responsibilities and had discharged 
its accountability to the company, 
shareholders and other stakeholders 
in an exemplary manner. Ongoing 
learning and education for directors 
was identified as an area of  
improvement. The results of  this 
assessment were discussed by the 
Board and the sub-committees. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

29

a
c
i
r
f

A
h
t
u
o
S

,

p
e
e
D
h
t
u
o
S

Rotation and Retirement from 
the Board

In accordance with our 
Memorandum of  Incorporation, one 
third of  the directors shall retire 
from office at each annual general 
meeting. The first to retire are those 
directors appointed as additional 
members of  the Board during 
the year, followed by the longest 
serving members. Retiring directors 
can be immediately re-elected 
by the shareholders at the annual 
general meeting. 

The Board, assisted by the 
Nominating and Governance 
Committee, can recommend the 
eligibility of  retiring directors 
(subject to availability and their 
contribution to the business) for 
reappointment. A director who 
has served on the Board for 
more than three years since 
their last election or appointment 
is required under the Memorandum 
of  Incorporation to retire at the 
next annual general meeting. 

Board of Directors’ Charter

The Board reviewed and approved 
the Board of  Directors’ Charter 
to align it to the recommendations 
of  King III. Our Board of  Directors’ 
Charter compels directors to 
promote the Vision of  the company, 
while upholding sound principles 
of  corporate governance. 
Directors’ responsibilities under 
the Charter include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Determining the company’s 

Code of  Ethics and conducting 
its affairs in a professional 
manner, upholding the core 
values of  integrity, transparency 
and enterprise

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluating, determining and 

ensuring the implementation of  
corporate strategy and policy

(cid:2)(cid:3) Determining compensation, 

development, skills development 
and other relevant policies 
for employees

(cid:2)(cid:3) Developing and setting best-

practice disclosure and reporting 
practices that meet the needs of  
all stakeholders

(cid:2)(cid:3) Authorising and controlling 
capital expenditure and 
reviewing investment capital 
and funding proposals

(cid:2)(cid:3) Constantly updating the risk 

management systems, including 
setting management expenditure 
authorisation levels and exposure 
limit guidelines

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reviewing executive succession 
planning and endorsing senior 
executive appointments, 
organisational changes and 
general remuneration policies. 
In this the Board will be guided 
by the Remuneration Committee 
as well as the Nomination and 
Governance Committee

  www.goldfields.co.za/pdfs/
charter.pdf

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
30

Transparency and accountability

Independent  
non-executive directors

1. Dr Mamphela Ramphele (64)

Chair

MBCHB, University of  Natal; PhD 
in Social Anthropology, University 
of  Cape Town; B Com Admin, 
University of  South Africa; Diploma 
in Tropical Health and Hygiene 
and a Diploma in Public Health, 
University of  the Witwatersrand

Dr Ramphele was appointed non-
executive director and Deputy 
Chair of  the Board of  Gold Fields 
on 1 July 2010 and Chair of  the 
Board with effect from 2 November 
2010. She is the founder of  
Letsema Circle, a Cape Town-
based specialist transformation 
advisory company and a director 
of  Remgro, Anglo American Plc 
and Medi-Clinic. Dr Ramphele was 
Vice-Chancellor of  the University of  
Cape Town, a post she took up in 
1996, having joined the university 
as a research fellow in 1986. She 
served as Managing Director of  
the World Bank from May 2000 to 
July 2004 with responsibility for 
human development activities and 
the World Bank Institute. She was 
Co-Chair of  the Global Commission 
for International Migration (GCIM) 
between 2004 and 2005.

She is a director of  a number of  
other public and private companies, 
including the World Wildlife Fund, 
and served as South Africa’s 
High Commissioner to the United 
Kingdom from 1998 to 2001. Ms 
Carolus was the CEO of  South 
African Tourism from 2001 to 2004 
and Chair of  the South African 
National Parks board for six years.

4. Roberto Dañino (61)

Master of  Law, Harvard Law 
School; Bachelor of  Law, Pontificia 
Universidad Catolica del Peru

Mr Dañino has been a director of  
Gold Fields since 10 March 2009. 
A former Prime Minister of  Peru 
and his country’s ambassador to 
the United States, he serves on 
various corporate and non-profit 
boards in Peru, Canada, the United 
Kingdom and the United States, 
including Gold Fields La Cima in 
Peru. On 1 January 2011, he was 
appointed executive director of  
Fosfatos del Pacifico S.A. Mr Dañino 
has practised for over 30 years 
as a partner of  leading law firms 
in Lima and Washington DC, was 
Senior Vice-President and General 
Counsel of  the World Bank as 
well as Secretary General of  the 
International Centre for Settlement 
of  Investment Disputes (ICSID).

>+(cid:8)@(cid:12)(cid:14)(cid:8)X(cid:15)(cid:19)(cid:16)(cid:23)(cid:8)YZ[\

5. Alan R Hill (69)

BSc (Mechanical Engineering), UST 
Ghana; MSc (Metallurgy), Georgia 
Institute of  Technology

BSc (Hons); MPhil (Rock 
Mechanics), Leeds University

Mr Ansah was appointed a director 
of  Gold Fields in April 2004. He  
is also a director of  Ecobank  
Limited (Ghana).

3. Cheryl A Carolus (53)

BA Law; Bachelor of  Education, 
University of  the Western Cape

Ms Carolus was appointed a 
director of  Gold Fields on 10  
March 2009. She is Executive  
Chair of  Peotona Group Holdings, 
an empowerment consortium, and 
also chairs the Board of  South 
African Airways. 

Mr Hill joined the Board on 21 
August 2009. On 2 October 2010, 
he was appointed the CEO and 
Chair of  Teranga Gold Corporation. 
After graduating, Mr Hill worked for 
a number of  mining firms before 
joining Barrick Gold in 1984. He 
spent 19 years with Barrick from 
which he retired in 2003 as Executive 
Vice-President: Development.

Z+(cid:8)](cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:8)^(cid:16)(cid:13)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:8)^(cid:16)_(cid:16)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:8)YZZ\

BS Metallurgical Engineering, 
University of  Philippines; MBA, 
Harvard Business School 

Mr Lazaro joined the Board on 
1 June 2011. He also serves on 
the Board of  Ayala Corporation, 
Insular Life Assurance Company 
Ltd and Manila Water Company 
Inc., amongst other companies. He 
served as the President and CEO of  
Globe Telecom from 1996 to 1998. 
Prior to this, he was head of  the 
Philippines Department of  Energy 
and served as the chairman of  
various entities from 1992 to 1994. 
He started his working career at 
Benguet Corporation in 1975 as 
a treasurer and held various other 
positions in the organisation until he 
was appointed vice chairman. He 
served in this role from 1989 to 1992.

7. Richard P Menell (56)

BA (Hons), MA (Natural Sciences 
Geology), Trinity College 
Cambridge; MSc (Mineral 
Exploration and Management), 
Stanford University, California

Mr Menell was appointed a director 
of  Gold Fields on 8 October 2008. 
He has over 34 years’ experience in 
the mining industry, including service 
as President of  the Chamber of  
Mines of  South Africa, President and 
CEO of  Teal Exploration & Mining  
as well as Executive Chair of   
Anglovaal Mining and Avgold. He is 
a director of  Weir Group Plc  
and Senior Advisor to Credit Suisse. 
He also serves as a director of  a 
number of  unlisted companies and 
non-profit organisations.

8. Matthews Sello Moloko (46)

BSc (Hons) and Post Graduate 
Certificate in Education,  
University of  Leicester; Advanced 
Management Programme, Wharton

Mr Moloko was appointed a 
director of  Gold Fields on 25 
February 2011. He is the executive 
Chair, founder and shareholder of  
Thesele Group and non-executive 
Chair of  Alexander Forbes Group. 
He has worked at a number of  
financial services companies, 
including Brait and Old Mutual, 
where he was CEO of  Old Mutual 
Asset Managers until 2004. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Other directorships include Acucap 
Limited and Sycom Property Fund 
and he chairs the Nelson Mandela 
Foundation Investment Committee.

12. Gayle M Wilson (67)

BCom; BCompt (Hons), University 
of  South Africa; CA (SA)

Mrs Wilson was appointed a 
director on 1 August 2008. She was 
previously an audit partner at Ernst 
& Young for 16 years. She is a non-
executive director of  Witwatersrand 
Consolidated Gold Resources. She 
was previously an audit partner at 
Ernst & Young for 16 years, where 
her main focus was on mining clients.

Executive directors

13. Nicholas J Holland (53)

(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:25)(cid:26)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:28)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:8)Y(cid:22)(cid:25)(cid:28)\(cid:8)

BCom, BAcc, University of  the 
Witwatersrand; CA (SA)

Mr Holland was appointed an 
executive director of  Gold Fields 
in 1997 and became CEO on 1 
May 2008. Prior to that he was the 
company’s CFO. Mr Holland has 
more than 30 years’ experience in 
financial management, of  which 22 
years were in the mining industry. 
Prior to joining Gold Fields, he 
was Financial Director and Senior 
Manager of  Corporate Finance 
at Gencor. He is also an alternate 
director of  the Rand Refinery.

14. Paul A Schmidt (44)

(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:28)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:8)Y(cid:22)(cid:2)(cid:28)\(cid:8)

BCom, University of  the 
Witwatersrand; BCompt (Hons), 
Unisa; CA (SA)

Mr Schmidt was appointed CFO 
on 1 January 2009 and joined the 
Board on 6 November 2009. Prior to 
this, he held the positions of  acting 
CFO from 1 May 2008 and Financial 
Controller from 1 April 2003. He has 
more than 16 years’ experience in 
the mining industry.

9. David N Murray (67)

BA Hons Econ; MBA, University of  
Cape Town

Mr Murray was appointed a director 
of  Gold Fields on 1 January 
2008. He has more than 37 years’ 
experience in the mining industry 
and has been CEO of  Rio Tinto 
Portugal, Rio Tinto Brazil, TVX Gold 
Inc, Avgold and Avmin. He is also a 
non-executive director of  Ivernia Inc.

10. Donald MJ Ncube (64)

BA Economics and Political Science, 
Fort Hare University; Postgraduate 
Diploma in Labour Relations, 
Strathclyde University, Scotland; 
Graduate MSc Manpower Studies, 
University of  Manchester Institute of  
Science and Technology; Diploma 
in Financial Management; Honorary 
Doctorate in Commerce, University 
of  the Transkei

Mr Ncube was appointed a director 
of  Gold Fields on 15 February 2006. 
Previously, he was an alternate 
director of  Anglo American 
Industrial Corporation and Anglo 
American Corporation, a director 
of  AngloGold Ashanti as well 
as non-executive Chair of  South 
African Airways. He is currently the 
Executive Chair of  Badimo Gas and 
CEO of  Zula Mining Supplies. 

11. Rupert L Pennant-Rea (64)

BA, Trinity College, Dublin; MA, 
University of  Manchester

Mr Pennant-Rea has been a director 
of  Gold Fields since 1 July 2002. 
He is Chair of  Henderson Group 
Plc and The Economist Newspaper 
Limited and a director of  Hochschild 
Mining Plc, Go-Ahead Group, Times 
Newspaper Holdings and various 
other companies. Previously Mr 
Pennant-Rea was the editor of  The 
Economist and the Deputy Governor 
of  the Bank of  England.

Transparency and accountability

31

1

3

5

7

9

2

4

6

8

10

11

12

13

14

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

32

Transparency and accountability

2.1.5  Board committees

Figure 2.3: Membership and attendance of the Nominating and  
Governance Committee

The Board has established a 
number of  standing committees with 
delegated authority from the Board. 
The committee members are all 
independent non-executive directors 
and the CEO is a permanent invitee 
to each committee meeting. Each 
Board committee is chaired by an 
independent non-executive director.

Committees operate in accordance 
with written terms of  reference. In 
addition, the committees are required 
to evaluate their effectiveness and 
performance on an annual basis and 
to report the respective findings to 
the Board for consideration.

Nominating and  
Governance Committee

It is the responsibility of  this 
committee, which has five 
independent directors, amongst 
other things, to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Develop the company’s approach 
towards corporate governance, 
including recommendations to 
the Board

(cid:2)(cid:3) Identify successors to the posts 
of  Chair and CEO, and make 
appropriate recommendations to 
the Board

(cid:2)(cid:3) Consider the mandates of  the 

Board committees, the selection 
and rotation of  committee 
members and Chairs, and the 
performance of  each committee 
on an ongoing basis

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluate the effectiveness of  

the Board, its committees and 
management, and report the 
findings of  this evaluation to the 
Board itself

Special meetings of  the Committee 
were held on 16 and 17 May 2011 
for the purposes of  interviewing 
prospective candidates for 
appointment to the Board.

Directors

15/02/11

16/05/11

17/05/11

07/11/11

MA Ramphele (Chair)

K Ansah

R Danino

RL Pennant-Rea

CI von Christierson1

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Apology 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes 

Yes 

Apology

Yes 

-

1 Mr Von Christierson retired from the Board on 17 May 2011

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee has updated, 
formal terms of  reference which  
are set out in the committee’s  
Board-approved Charter.  
The Board is satisfied that the 
committee has complied with 
these terms and with its legal and 
regulatory responsibilities as set  
out in the Companies Act No 71  
of  2008, as amended, the  
King Code of  Governance 
Principles 2009 (King III) and  
the JSE listing requirements.

The committee consists of  five 
independent directors and the 
Board believes that the members 
collectively possess the knowledge 
and experience to oversee and 
assess the performance of   
Gold Fields management and 
auditors, the quality of  Gold Fields 
financial controls, the preparation 
and evaluation of  Gold Fields 
financial statements and Gold Fields 
financial reporting.

The Board has established and 
maintains internal controls and 
procedures, which are reviewed on 
a regular basis. These are designed 
to manage, rather than eliminate, 
the risk of  business failures and 
to provide reasonable assurance 
against such failures.

It is the duty of  this committee, 
amongst other things, to monitor 
and review:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The effectiveness of  the internal 

audit function

(cid:2)(cid:3) The appointment of   

external auditors, audit  
findings and reports  

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reports of  both internal and 

external auditors 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluation of  the performance of  

the Chief  Financial Officer

(cid:2)(cid:3) The adequacy and effectiveness 

of  the company’s enterprise-
wide risk management policies, 
processes and strategies

(cid:2)(cid:3) The governance of  information 

technology (IT) and the 
effectiveness of  the company’s 
information systems

(cid:2)(cid:3) Quarterly and annual financial and 
operational reports, the annual 
financial statements and all other 
widely distributed documents

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Form 20-F filing with the  

US Securities Exchange 
Commission (SEC)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Accounting policies of  the Group 

and proposed revisions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Compliance with applicable 
legislation, requirements of  
appropriate regulatory  
authorities and the company’s 
Code of  Ethics

(cid:2)(cid:3) The integrity of  the Integrated 
Annual Report (by ensuring 
that its content is reliable and 
recommending it to the Board  
for approval)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Policies and procedures for 

preventing and detecting fraud

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

33

Figure 2.4: Membership and attendance of the Audit Committee 

Members

14/02/11

10/03/11

23/03/11

20/04/11

16/05/11

03/08/11

31/08/11

07/11/11

GM Wilson

RP Menell

MS Moloko2

DMJ Ncube

RL Pennant-Rea

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Apology

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Apology

Apology

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2 Mr Moloko was appointed to the Board on 25 February 2011 and to the Audit Committee on 18 May 2011

Internal and external auditors have 
unrestricted access to the Audit 
Committee, the Audit Committee Chair 
and the Chair of the Board, ensuring 
that auditors are able to maintain their 
independence. Both the internal and 
external auditors report at the Audit 
Committee meetings. The committee 
also meets with both internal and 
external auditors separately, without 
other invitees being present.

The committee is responsible for 
recommending the appointment 
of  a firm of  external auditors to the 
Board, who in turn will recommend 
the appointment to the shareholders. 
The committee is also responsible 
for determining that the designated 
appointee has the necessary 
experience, qualifications and skills, 
and that the audit fee is adequate.

The committee reviewed and 
assessed the independence of  
the external auditor, including their 
confirmation in writing that the criteria 
for independence as set out in the 
rules of  the Independent Regulatory 
Board for Auditors and international 
bodies have been followed. The 
committee is satisfied that KPMG is 
independent of  the group. An audit 
fee for the period of  R24 million 
(US$3 million) was approved, as 
well as R600,000 (US$75,000) for 
tax advisory compliance services 
and R5.1 million (US$706,000) 
in assurance services on bonds, 
sustainability reporting and 
other agreed-upon services. The 
committee determines the nature and 
extent of  non-audit services that the 
firm can provide and pre-approves all 
permitted non-audit assignments by 
the company’s independent auditor. 
The committee recommended the 
re-appointment of  KPMG as the 
company’s external auditor. 

The committee approved the audit 
plan presented by the external 
auditors and monitors progress 
against the plan. The audit plan 
forms the basis of  providing the 
committee with the necessary 
assurances on risk management, 
the internal control environments 
and IT governance. The committee 
recommends that KPMG is 
reappointed for the 2012 financial 
year with Mr Ian Kramer as the group 
audit engagement partner. 

The internal control systems of  the 
Group are monitored by internal 
auditors, who report their findings 
and recommendations to the 
Audit Committee and to senior 
management. The Audit Committee 
determines the purpose, authority 
and responsibility of  the internal audit 
function in an Internal Audit Charter. 
The internal audit function is headed 
by the senior manager, internal audit 
– who can be appointed or dismissed 
by the Audit Committee. The Audit 
Committee is satisfied that the senior 
manager has the requisite skills and 
experience and that he is supported 
by sufficient staff  with appropriate 
skills and training. 

Gold Fields Internal Audit (GFIA) 
is an independent assurance and 
consulting division designed to add 
value and improve the operations of  
the Gold Fields Group. 

GFIA operates in accordance with 
the International Standards for the 
Professional Practice of  Internal 
Auditing as prescribed by the 
Institute of  Internal Auditors (IIA). 
GFIA reports deficiencies to the 
committee every quarter together 
with recommended remedial 
actions, which are then followed 
up. Internal audit provided the 
committee with a written report, 
which assessed the internal financial 
controls, IT governance and the risk 
management process as adequate.

During the year an Internal Audit 
Maturity Assessment was carried 
out by an independent supplier, 
which found “a strong practice”. 

The Audit Committee is also 
responsible for oversight of  the risk 
management function. Enterprise 
Risk Management (ERM) processes 
are deeply embedded in the Group 
and during the year under review 
the committee ensured that the risk 
table was regularly challenged, 
assessed and updated and that the 
necessary measures were put in 
place to mitigate these risks. 

The Audit Committee is responsible 
for IT Governance on behalf  of  
the Board and review of  the IT 
manager’s report at each meeting. 

The Financial Director’s expertise 
was evaluated by the Audit 
Committee. The Committee is 
satisfied that the Chief  Financial 
Officer has the appropriate 
expertise and experience to carry 
out his duties as the financial 
director of  the company and 
is supported by qualified and 
competent senior staff.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

34

Transparency and accountability

Audit Committee statement

Figure 2.5: Membership and attendance of the Remuneration Committee

Based on information from and 
discussions with management  
and internal and external auditors, 
the Audit Committee has no reason 
to believe that there were any 
material breakdowns in the design 
and operating effectiveness of  
internal financial controls during  
the year and that the financial 
records can be relied upon as  
the basis for preparation of  the 
annual financial statements. 

The Audit Committee considered 
and discussed this Integrated 
Annual Report with both 
management and the external 
auditors. During this process,  
the committee:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluated significant judgments 

and reporting decisions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Determined that the going 

concern basis of  reporting  
is appropriate 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluated the material factors 

and risks that could impact on  
the annual report

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluated the completeness of  
the financial and sustainability 
discussion and disclosures

(cid:2)(cid:3) Discussed the treatment 

of  significant and unusual 
transactions with management 
and the external auditors

The Audit Committee considers 
that this Integrated Annual Report 
complies in all material respects 
with the statutory requirements of  
the various regulations governing 
disclosure and reporting of  the 
annual financial statements and 
that the annual financial statements 
comply in all material respects with 
the Companies Act 71 of  2008 (as 
amended) and IFRS. The Audit 
Committee has recommended to 
the Board that the annual financial 
statements be adopted and 
approved by the Board. 

Directors

15/02/2011

17/05/2011

03/08/2011

08/11/2011

RL Pennant-Rea (Chair)1

MA Ramphele

DMJ Ncube

CI von Chistierson2

GM Wilson

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

1 Mr Pennant-Rea was appointed Chair of  the Committee on 17 May 2011

2 Mr Von Christierson retired from the Board on 17 May 2011

Figure 2.6: Membership and attendance of the Safety, Health and Sustain-
able Development (SH&SD) Committee

Directors

15/02/11

17/05/11

03/08/11

07/11/11

DN Murray (Chair)

K Ansah

CA Carolus

R Dañino3

RP Menell

MA Ramphele

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Apology

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Apology

Yes

Yes

3 Mr Dañino was appointed as a member of  the SH&SD Committee on 18 May 2011

Remuneration Committee

It is the responsibility of  this 
committee, amongst other things, to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establish the company’s 
remuneration philosophy

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establish the terms and 

conditions of  employment 
for executive directors and 
other senior executives (which 
currently includes a short-term 
performance-linked bonus 
scheme and a long-term share 
incentive scheme)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Review remuneration policies on 

a regular basis

The notice periods of  the CEO and 
the CFO are two years and one 
year respectively. The company 
has a maximum exposure of  two-
and-a-half  years’ remuneration in 
respect of  the CEO and two years’ 
remuneration for other members of  
the Executive Committee, including 
the CFO. These limits apply when 
their services are terminated as a 
result of  a takeover or a merger.

Details of  Directors’ fees and equity 
settled instruments, as well as a full 
remuneration report, are contained 
in the Directors’ Report in the 
Financial Review 2011.

Safety, Health and Sustainable 
Development Committee

It is the responsibility of  this 
committee, amongst other things, to 
assist the Board in its oversight of  
the company’s environmental, health 
and safety programmes – as well as 
its socio-economic performance. 

In particular, this includes the 
monitoring of  the company’s 
efforts to minimise health, safety 
and mining related incidents 
and accidents, and to ensure 
its compliance with relevant 
environmental regulations. All 
members of  the committee have 
been selected on the basis of  their 
considerable experience in the field 
of  sustainable development. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

35

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (ExCo) 
is not a committee of  the Board. 
It is primarily responsible for 
the implementation of  company 
strategy, as well as carrying out the 
Board’s mandates and directives. 
ExCo meets on a regular basis 
to review company performance 
against set objectives and develops 
company strategy and policy 
proposals for consideration by  
the Board.

ExCo also assists the Board in 
the execution of  the company’s 
disclosure obligations. A series 
of  guidelines on disclosure have 
been disseminated throughout 
the company. Furthermore, a 
disclosure co-ordinator has been 
appointed at each operation to 
ensure appropriate implementation 
throughout the company.

Each of  Gold Fields operating 
subsidiaries has established 
Board and executive committee 
structures to ensure sound 
corporate governance practices 
and standards. At least one of  the 
company’s executive directors 
serves on the Boards of  the 
operating subsidiaries.

Members of  the Executive 
Committee, with the exception of  the 
Company Secretary, have also been 
identified as the Prescribed Officers 
of  the company in terms of  section 
66(10) of  the Companies Act 71 of  
2008 (as amended).

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

Figure 2.7: Membership and attendance of the Capital Projects Control and 
Review Committee

Directors

14/02/11

16/05/11

03/08/11

08/11/11

RP Menell (Chair)

AR Hill

Dl Lazaro4 

DN Murray

CI von Christierson5 

GM Wilson

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

- 

Yes

Yes

Yes

- 

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

4 Mr Lazaro was appointed to the Board on 1 June 2011 and this committee on 4 August 2011

5 Mr Von Christierson retired from the Board on 17 May 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields complies with the 
Employment Equity Act (as 
amended), the Broad Based Black 
Economic Empowerment Act (as 
amended) and the provisions of  
the 2014 Mining Charter

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields directors and staff  

comply with the company’s Code 
of  Ethics 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields practices labour and 
employment policies that comply 
with the terms of  the International 
Labour Organization (ILO) 
protocol on decent work and 
working conditions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields ensures the 

continued training and skills 
development of  its employees

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields performs its 

responsibilities in respect of  
social and ethics matters and that 
these policies are reviewed on an 
annual basis, or as required

The Social and Ethics Committee 
is comprised of  the chairs of  the 
Audit Committee, Remuneration 
Committee, the Safety, Health 
and Sustainable Development 
Committee and the Nominating and 
Governance Committee. Current 
members of  the committee, which 
had its first meeting on 14 February 
2012, are Ms Wilson, Mr Pennant-
Rea, Mr Murray and Dr Ramphele,  
in their respective capacities, while  
Mr Dañino is the Chair. 

Capital Projects Control and 
Review Committee

It is the responsibility of  this 
committee, amongst other things, to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Satisfy the Board that the 

company has used appropriate 
methodologies in evaluating and 
implementing capital projects  
in excess of  R1.5 billion or  
US$200 million

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ensure that adequate controls  
are in place to review such 
projects from inception 
to completion, and make 
appropriate recommendations  
to management and the Board

Social and Ethics Committee

It is the responsibility of  this 
committee, which was formed by 
the Board on 29 November 2011, to 
ensure, amongst other things, that:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields discharges its 

statutory duties in respect of  
section 72 of  Companies Act 71 
of  2008 (as amended), dealing 
with the structure and composition 
of  board sub-committees 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields adequately 

implements the 10 principles  
on sustainable development 
of  the International Council on 
Mining and Metals and the 10 
principles of  the United Nations 
Global Compact 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields upholds the goals 

of  the Organisation of  Economic 
Co-operation and Development 
(OECD) recommendations 
regarding corruption

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

36

Transparency and accountability

2.2  Risk management

Effective and integrated risk 
management sits at the heart  
of  true business sustainability.  
Gold Fields has a well-established 
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) 
process, which not only covers our 
‘traditional’ operational and business 
risks, but also our environmental, 
social, health and safety risks.

During the year, our international 
operations were surveyed by the 
IMIU (International Mining Industry 
Underwriters) and our South African 
mines by Zurich Risk Engineers, 
part of  Zurich Re. Both agencies 
noted continued improvement in risk 
management at these operations 
and all of  the mines are placed in 
the top quartile of  the approximate 
400 mines assessed. 

Gold Fields has operated for 11 
years without making a property 
claim into the insurance market.

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

The overriding purpose of  the 
ERM process is to help Gold Fields 
become more resilient in the global 
business environment and achieve 
its strategic objectives – to grow  
Gold Fields, to optimise its 
operations and to secure its 
future. It also supports our efforts 
to achieve the highest levels of  
corporate governance, as well 
as full compliance with the risk 
management requirements of  South 
Africa’s King III Code.

The ERM process is comprised  
of  two integrated and well-aligned 
components: operational risk 
management and strategic risk 
management (see Figure 2.8). 
It is aligned with the ISO 31000 
international standard on  
risk management. 

During 2011, the ERM process 
at Gold Fields was reviewed by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, which 
found that:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The ERM process is fully 
compliant with the risk 
management requirements  
of  King III

(cid:2)(cid:3) All the key principles of  the 

ISO 31000 risk management 
guidelines have been adopted

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields has established  
a mature risk management 
process that is leading many 
of  the approaches in the non-
financial sector

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)>+‘(cid:10)(cid:8)(cid:25)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:7)(cid:8){(cid:3)(cid:19)|(cid:8)}(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:4)(cid:7)!(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:8)~(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)

Enterprise Risk Management

Strategic risk management 
The identification, analysis, 
evaluation and treatment of 
significant or material risks which 
could have a profound effect 
on the sustainability of 
the business

Operational risk management
The identification, analysis, 
evaluation and treatment of hazards 
and risks in order to create a safer, 
healthier, more  productive, 
environmentally friendlier 
and sustainable 
working environment

Figure 2.9: Risk management review process

Audit Committee Risk Review

Disclosure of risks
to all Stakeholders

Risks from the
external environment

Group Executive Committee Risk Review

Regional, operational, service divisions and new project strategic risk reviews on a quarterly basis
Top 10 risks and risk mitigating actions discussed at quarterly business reviews

Baseline, initial or ‘whole of mine’ risk assessment and risk profile

Hazard identification
and risk assessment
in terms of SIMRAC
AUS\NZ 4360

Issue based risk assessment – Change Management

Ongoing or continuous risk assessment

Project risk 
management guidline
and HAZOPS  
– Exploration site 
risk assessments

FOUNDATION – If we cannot mine safely, we will not mine 

PRINCIPLE – Stop, Think, Verify, Fix and Continue

k
s
i
r

i

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g
e
t
a
r
t

S

t
n
e
m
e
g
a
n
a
m

t
n
e
m
e
g
a
n
a
m
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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
Transparency and accountability

37

Figure 2.10: Risk, strategy and performance (within the tolerance levels set by the Board)

Risk Area

Aspirations

Tolerance level

Targets

2010

2011

Optimise our assets

Safety

Health

Zero Harm

Zero Harm

Zero Harm

Zero Harm

FIFR – Zero
SIFR – 25% less1
LTIFR – 25% less1
MTIFR – 25% less1
2013 MHSC milestones 
for Silicosis & NIHL

Environment

Zero Harm

Zero Level 4 and 5 incidents

Zero

5Moz by 2015
NCE 25%

95% compliance 

3.5Moz
NCE 15% - 20%

0.11
2.22
4.392
7.162

0.12
2.64
4.69
5.68

On track On track

Zero

3.5
16%

Zero

3.5
25%

Gold Delivery

Securing our future

Human 
Resources

Licence to 
operate 

Ethics and 
Corporate 
Governance 

Pipeline of  scarce and 
critical skills
Global leader  
in sustainable  
gold mining
Full compliance – SOX and 
substantial compliance to  
King III 

60% – successor cover ratio 
for top 250 employees
Full compliance with all 
legal and community 
commitments

60%

50%

70%

Full compliance

100%

100%

No material / significant 
failures 

No material / significant 
failures 

Nil

Nil

Growing Gold Fields

Capital Projects

Mergers & 
Acquisitions

Exploration 

Project delivered on time / 
budget
Proper assessment of  risk 
and returns commensurate 
with the risk
Appropriate  
balance between geological 
potential & political risk

7% - 10% overrun

South Deep, Chucapaca, 
FSE, APP, Yanfolila

On track On track

IRR3 5% – Near-mine
 IRR 10% – Greenfields

Leaning towards greater 
geological potential in high  
risk areas

As per IRR

On track On track

As per GBAR4

On track On track

Targets achieved

Improved on previous year

Targets not achieved

1  South Africa only – other regions are subject to a 20% reduction  
target for SIFR, LTIFR and MTIFR

3 Internal Rate of  Return

4 Global Business Area Rating system

2  Restatement – LTIFR previously reported as 4.38 and MTIFR previously 

reported as 7.09. Please see p4 for explanation 

Risk review process

The multi-stage strategic risk 
management process starts with 
quarterly strategic risk management 
assessments at each of  our mines 
and service divisions. In addition, all 
sites regularly conduct operational 
risk assessments compliant with 
standards set by Simrac (Safety 
in Mines Research Advisory 
Committee) in South Africa and the 
AU/NZ Standard 4360 in Australasia. 
Key strategic risks are identified and 
analysed, and mitigating actions are 
put in place (or eviewed if  already 
in place). The regions’ top risks are 
forwarded to the egional executive 
committees, which review the risk 
register and decide on appropriate 
mitigating actions. 

The Group’s top strategic risks  
are then reviewed by the Gold Fields 
Executive Committee (ExCo) on  
a biannual basis. Mitigation 
strategies are developed on the 
basis of  this review, which are 
presented at the Audit Committee’s 
dedicated risk meetings and 
reviewed after six months.

The Board and company 
management are responsible for 
risk governance and management. 
Nonetheless, the integral involvement 
of  all line managers in the process is 
essential to ensure the effectiveness 
of  the system.

Risk management assurance

Our Risk Management Charter 
provides for four levels of  ERM 
process assurance: (1) Financial 
Internal Controllers review mitigating 
strategies on a regular basis to 
ensure they are being implemented. 
These reviews must be captured 
in the Cura risk management 
software system; (2) Internal 
Audit conducts an annual review 
on the effectiveness of  the risk 
management process; (3) Internal 
Audit provides assurance to the 
Board that the risk management plan 
is integrated into the daily business 
activities of  Gold Fields; (4) Internal 
Audit conducts an annual review of  
the mitigating strategies of  the top 
risks in the risk registers to ensure 
they are being implemented.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

38

Transparency and accountability

2.2.1  Top 10 Group heat map

The heat map below sets out the top 10 Group risks, as identified through our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) 
process (p36-37). This represents the Group’s ‘top’ operational, sustainability and financial risks, as extracted from 
regional and operational risk registers. ‘Severity’ is based on a pre-determined scale that uses defined measures 
depending upon the risk area being assessed. These include health and safety, business interruption, corporate 
image, environment and earnings/capital at risk. ‘Probability’ is based on both percentage probability (10% to 
100%) and frequency (once every 50 years to once a week).

Maximum

y
t
i
r
e
v
e
S

6

7

4

2

5

9

8

10

1

3

Negative investor perception of host countries

Occupational illnesses 

Non-delivery on project feasibility studies

Loss of social licence to operate 

Volatility in gold and copper prices and exchange rates

Erosion of NCE margin

Regulatory, political and socio-economic demands

Non-delivery on planned gold output

Minimum

Probability

Safety-related stoppages 

Skills shortage and retention

Maximum

Gold Fields risk review process 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Executive Committee of  each operation and region conducts a risk 
review of  the top risks and mitigating strategies on a quarterly basis

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Mine Manager presents the top 10 risks and mitigation actions to 

members of  the ExCo during quarterly business reviews. The impacts of  
relevant mitigating actions are noted

(cid:2)(cid:3) Next, the Group Risk Manager extracts all of  the top risks from the regional 
and operational registers in line with the tolerance levels, and compiles the 
Group risk register

(cid:2)(cid:3) The risks are then assessed and moderated in a Group context by the 

relevant risk owners and ExCo members

(cid:2)(cid:3) A top risk register review is conducted and Group-wide mitigating 
strategies are set and monitored during the ExCo Risk Meeting

(cid:2)(cid:3) A review of  the top risks is conducted by the Audit Committee twice  

a year

Note: All mitigation actions are evaluated in order to assess their effectiveness

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Assessment

Prediction

Prevention

Mitigation 

Management

Monitoring 

Transparency and accountability

39

Risk mitigating strategies

Risk: Safety-related stoppages 

1

 (cid:2) Renewed Safe Production Management approach, with a focus on engineering-out risk, capacity  

building and compliance

 (cid:2) Enhanced visible leadership and behaviour-based safety initiatives 

 (cid:2) Implementation of  a comprehensive strategy to achieve South Africa’s 2013 mining industry milestones

 (cid:2) Ongoing constructive engagement strategy with the Department of  Mineral Resources in South Africa

Risk: Non-delivery on planned gold output

2

 (cid:2) Implementation of  the Shaft Full Potential programme at our South African operations, as part of  the 

Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) project. This programme includes initiatives such as:

 · Reserve flexibility through accelerated underground development

 · Enhanced ore flow mapping and diagnostic analysis

 · Enhanced management of  mining mix procedures

Risk: Skills shortage and retention

Page(s)1

p56-60

p57-59

p56-60

p59

p48-49

3

 (cid:2) Competitive remuneration and benefits strategy, based on salary surveys and benchmarking

p128, 130-132

 (cid:2) Proactive support of  tertiary education through bursary programmes and sponsorship of  mining schools 

 (cid:2) Proactive leadership development and talent management programme

Risk: Erosion of NCE margin

4

 (cid:2) Implementation of  the BPR programme to achieve: 

 · Enhanced planning and sequencing to improve safety and efficiency 

 · Enhanced cost management and control systems

 · Advancement of  owner mining and maintenance at our Ghanaian and Australian operations

Risk: Regulatory, political and socio-economic demands

5

 (cid:2) Implementation of  empowerment transactions to meet transformation requirements in South Africa

 (cid:2) Implementation of  Employee Share Ownership Plan for selected employees in South Africa

 (cid:2) Ongoing review and implementation of  Social and Labour Plans (SLPs)

 (cid:2) Continued engagement with host governments

Risk: Non-delivery on project feasibility studies

6

 (cid:2) Board oversight of  projects through the Capital Investment Framework

 (cid:2) Enhanced strategic and capital planning processes

 (cid:2) Enhanced business and exploration risk assessment processes

Risk: Volatility in gold and copper prices and exchange rates

 (cid:2) Enhanced strategic and capital planning processes

7

 (cid:2) Increased geographical and currency diversification

 (cid:2) Ongoing cost control, including BPR implementation

Risk: Loss of social licence to operate 

8

 (cid:2) Full compliance with the commitments made to communities

 (cid:2) Proactive stakeholder engagement and community investment strategy

 (cid:2) Review of  our Sustainable Development strategy in our regions

Risk: Negative investor perception of host countries

9

 (cid:2) Improved production performance of  the South African mines

 (cid:2) Transparent engagement with investors on issues of  concern

 (cid:2) Increased geographic diversification

Risk: Occupational illnesses 

10

 (cid:2) Enforcement of  mandatory codes of  practice and enhanced noise- and dust-control measures

 (cid:2) Regular medical surveillance of  employees and contractors

p146

p130-132

p48-50

p155

p41

p144

p154

p104

p102-105

p103, 105

p102-105

p46, 100, 109

p48-49

p141-149

p40-44, 141-148

p24, online

p48-49, 78-87

p38, 40

p46, 100, 109

p137

p137

 (cid:2) Implementation of  a comprehensive strategy to achieve South Africa’s 2013 mining industry milestones

p136-140

1 See p18-19 and p19-21 respectively for associated business objectives for 2011 and 2012

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

40

Transparency and accountability

2.3  Investors and  
stakeholder engagement

The sustainability of  our business is 
highly reliant on proactive and frank 
stakeholder engagement. 

Our engagement with stakeholders 
falls into two types:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Direct engagement, including 

organised dialogues, roundtable 
discussions, one-on-one 
meetings, internal surveys and 
regular engagement with local 
communities at each operation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Indirect engagement, including 
the use of  external benchmarks 
and standards that are designed 
to reflect and address societal 
expectations (p26-27)

At a strategic level, our corporate 
and regional management  
teams likewise implement an 
ongoing programme of  direct  
and indirect engagement.

At an operational level, all our 
mines identify, prioritise and 
engage stakeholder groups that 
have the potential to affect their 
operational, sustainability or 
financial performance. They do so 
in accordance with the AA 1000 
Stakeholder Engagement Standard. 

Relevant outcomes from our direct 
stakeholder engagements are 
logged and communicated through 
our Enterprise Risk Management 
(ERM) process – and so form 
a vital part of  the Group’s risk 
management programme (p36-39).

Figure 2.11: Table of relevant and material issues raised by stakeholders and location in the Integrated Annual Review

Stakeholder issues

Stakeholders involved

Location(s)

Frequency  
of engagement

Current and future investors

Health, safety and impact  
on production

General 

All regions

Achievement of  2014 equity  
ownership targets

General 

Uncertainty around mining 
rights and security of  tenure

Labour intensity and 
productivity levels at our 
underground operations

General 

General 

Union activity, including strike 
action at our South African 
operations in June 2011

General 

High energy prices and 
threats to electricity supply

General 

South Africa

South Africa,  
Ghana, Peru

South Africa

Quarterly, as well as regular presentations, 
notices and  
meetings throughout the year

Investor presentations and releases, as 
well as meetings around Mining Charter 
compliance

As requested

Quarterly, as well as regular presentations, 
notices and  
meetings throughout the year

Ghana and  
South Africa

As requested and notices  
where relevant

Australia, Ghana  
and South Africa

Quarterly, as well as regular presentations, 
notices and  
meetings throughout the year

Increases in taxes and 
mineral royalties 

Regulatory and reporting 
compliance (including  
King III, SEC, NYSE, etc.)

Effective risk management 
(short-, medium-  
and long-term) and  
business sustainability

2011*

Impact of  climate change 
regulation, including  
carbon taxes

Delivery on our advanced  
stage projects

Impact of  potential silicosis 
litigation on the South African 
mining sector

General 

General 

All regions

All regions

General 

All regions

As requested and notices  
where relevant

As requested and notices  
where relevant

Quarterly, as well as regular presentations, 
notices and  
meetings throughout the year

General 

General

General

Australia and  
South Africa

As requested and in  
regular presentations

All regions

Quarterly, as well as regular presentations, 
notices and meetings throughout the year

South Africa

As requested

* Entries marked as ‘2011’ indicate ‘new’ stakeholder issues that have been identified during the course of  2011

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

41

Figure 2.11: Table of relevant and material issues raised by stakeholders and location in the Integrated Annual Review

Stakeholder issues

Stakeholders involved

Location(s)

Frequency  
of engagement

Unions and employees

Improved safety performance 
and two-way engagement 
between managers and 
mining teams

Increased remuneration 
across the workforce, 
including strike action at our 
South African operations in 
June 2011

Improvements to high-
density accommodation and 
management of  challenges 
around the payment of  living  
out allowances

Provision of  internationally 
competitive remuneration 
and benefits packages

Workforce transformation, 
including Ghanaian nationals, 
Historically Disadvantaged 
South Africans and women

Employee access to 
Voluntary Counselling and 
Testing (VCT) and Highly 
Active Anti-Retroviral  
Treatment (HAART)

2011*

Employee Share  
Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Governments

Empowerment, 
transformation and 
adherence to the revised 
Mining Charter

More effective safety 
management to eliminate 
fatalities and serious injuries

Energy efficiency  
and supply

Enhanced taxation and 
royalty payments amid high 
commodity prices and weak  
public finances

Effective water management 
and regulation, including 
water quality, availability  
and compliance

Approval of  mining and  
other permits

National Union of  
Mineworkers, Solidarity 
and the United 
Association of   
South Africa

Ghana Mineworkers' 
Union and National 
Union of  Mineworkers

South Africa

At mine level – daily, weekly and monthly. At 
senior level at least twice a year

Ghana and South Africa Wage increases discussed every two years 

in South Africa, and annually in Ghana

National Union  
of  Mineworkers

South Africa

Regular interaction at mine level and during 
remuneration negotiations (see above)

Managers  
and engineers

General

All regions

Regular engagement as  
part of  routine human  
resources procedures 

Ghana and  
South Africa

Regular engagement during routine union 
meetings

General

South Africa

Regular engagement during routine union 
meetings

General

South Africa

Union representation  
on ESOP Trust

South Africa

South Africa

Frequent, close cooperation,  including 
participation in the Mining Industry Growth, 
Development and Employment Task Team 
(MIGDETT)  
and presentation to Parliament

Frequent, close cooperation throughout the 
year, including guidance on meeting 2013 
Health and Safety Milestones

Ghana and South Africa Regular engagement throughout the year, 

Department of  Mineral 
Resources (DMR), 
Parliamentary Sub-
Committee on  
Mineral Resources

Mine Inspectorate  
of  the DMR

Relevant energy 
departments, the 
Electric Company of  
Ghana, the Volta River 
Authority and Eskom

Relevant finance 
departments

All regions

including through the Energy Intensive 
Users Group, the South African Chamber of  
Mines and directly

At least once/twice a year through local 
Chambers of  Mines, and directly and more 
frequently  
where required

Regular engagement through routine 
water quality monitoring and high level 
engagement through local Chambers of  
Mines

Engagement as required 

Relevant environmental 
departments and  
water utilities

All regions

Relevant  
government 
departments

All regions, including 
Resource Development 
and Feasibility projects

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

42

Transparency and accountability

Figure 2.11: Table of relevant and material issues raised by stakeholders and location in the Integrated Annual Review

Stakeholder issues

Stakeholders involved

Location(s)

Frequency  
of engagement

Governments (continued)

Disclosure and management 
of  carbon emissions, 
including carbon taxation

Enhanced transparency 
around payments in mineral 
value chains, as well as the 
sourcing of  conflict minerals

Reducing the risk of  future 
Acid Mine Drainage from 
closed mines in the West Wits 
Rand area

Native title  
and traditional  
heritage issues

Australian Department 
of  Climate Change 
and the South African 
Department of  Energy

Government of  the 
United States

Australia and  
South Africa

Formal submission and engagement, 
directly and through relevant business 
organisations

All regions

At least once/twice a year via the World 
Gold Council

Department of   
Water Affairs

South Africa 

Frequent engagement throughout the year, 
in some cases monthly – both directly and 
via the South African Chamber of  Mines

Department of  
Indigenous Affairs, 
Government of  Western 
Australia

Australia

As required, including registration of  
identified heritage sites

Environmental impact of  
mining activities

Environmental 
Protection Agency

Ghana

At least once a year

2011*

Trespass of  artisanal and 
small-scale miners at our 
Damang mine

Regional and national 
government, including 
public security services

Ghana

Engagement  
as required

Local communities at 
Damang and Tarkwa  
in Ghana, the El 
Tingo and Hualgayoc 
communities in 
Peru, the West Rand 
communities in South 
Africa, communities 
around Yanfolila (Mali), 
Chucapaca (Peru)  
and Far Southeast  
(Philippines)

Tarkwa communities in 
Ghana, the El Tingo and 
Hualgayoc communities 
in Peru, communities 
in Mankayan in the 
Philippines and the 
West Rand communities 
in South Africa

General

Local communities

Generation of  direct 
employment opportunities  
for local people

Maintenance of  local water 
quality through pollution 
control, infrastructure 
development and  
community monitoring

Broader access to socio-
economic development 
programmes, including 
education and healthcare 
services, as well as 
agricultural support 
programmes

Ghana, Peru,  
South Africa and 
exploration locations

Frequent engagement throughout the year, 
in some cases weekly

Ghana, Philippines, 
Peru and South Africa

Regular engagement throughout the year

Ghana, Peru,  
South Africa and 
exploration locations

Regular engagement throughout the year, in 
some cases monthly

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

43

Figure 2.11: Table of relevant and material issues raised by stakeholders and location in the Integrated Annual Review

Stakeholder issues

Stakeholders involved

Location(s)

Local communities (continued)

Identification and protection 
of  indigenous heritage

Indigenous communities 
near the Agnew mine

Australia

Frequency  
of engagement

As required

Management of  the  
impact of  mining  
activities on local  
farming, including 
compensation  
and resettlement

2011*

Local communities 
at Damang and 
Tarkwa in Ghana, and 
communities around 
South Deep mine in 
South Africa

Ghana and South Africa Frequent engagement throughout the year, 

in some cases weekly

Artisanal and small-scale 
mining activity on lease areas

Communities at 
Damang and the 
Yanfolila project, Mali

West Africa

Regular engagement  
and as required

Granting of  Free Prior and 
Informed Consent (FPIC) 
for mining activities from 
indigenous communities 

Kankana-ey 
communities  
in Mankayan

NGOs and Associations

Water quality at Gold Fields 
operations, including specific 
concerns around Acid  
Mine Drainage and  
uranium pollution

Wonderfonteinspruit 
Action Group, 
Federation for a 
Sustainable Environment

Philippines

Regular engagement

South Africa

At least twice a year

Preservation of  biodiversity 
inside and outside our 
concession areas

Ghana Wildlife Society, 
Leadership for 
Conservation Africa

Ghana

Regular participation on LCA Ghana 
steering committee 

Carbon disclosure  
and management

Carbon Disclosure 
Project

Australia, South Africa 

Once a year

Prevention of  'conflict gold' 
from entering the global gold 
value chain

2011*

Water quality/availability,  
land stability and local 
economic development

World Gold Council 

All regions

As required 

Various civil society 
groups in Mankayan 

Philippines

Comprehensive and  
on-going engagement

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

44

Transparency and accountability

3. Optimising  
our operations

‘Optimising our operations’ means bringing our attributable Mineral 
Resources of 217.0 million gold equivalent ounces and attributable 
Mineral Reserves of 80.6 million gold equivalent ounces to account in  
a way that is cost effective, safe and environmentally responsible.  
Gold Fields has eight world-class mines. It is fundamental to the 
attainment of Group strategy for each mine to produce to its potential 
and maintain stability, predictability and consistency. In particular, our 
focus is on:

(cid:21)(cid:8) Pursuing ‘Zero Harm’ through the Group's Safe Production philosophy, 
with a particular focus on a safe and healthy working environment and 
the development of a safe working mentality amongst employees 

(cid:21)(cid:8) Maximising the operational potential of our mines, through investment 
(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:8)!(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)#(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:24)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:5)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:13)!(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)#(cid:8)!(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:8)"(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:30)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:20)’(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)
reserve development

(cid:21)(cid:8) Minimising our environmental impact, by effectively managing  
our pollution risks, energy consumption, carbon emissions and  
closure-planning

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Transparency and accountability

45

Contents

3. Optimising our operations

Ensuring our mines deliver ........................................ Page 46
Our approach to operational excellence  .................. Page 48
The Gold Fields safety promise................................. Page 56
Respecting and protecting the environment ............. Page 61
Regional overview: Australasia ................................. Page 72
Regional overview: South Africa................................ Page 78
Regional overview: South America............................ Page 88
Regional overview: West Africa ................................. Page 92

Highlights

25% 

Group Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) margin – in line 
with long-term target

US$159m

Savings through Business Process Re-engineering 
during 2011 

17%

Energy savings in South Africa by end-2011 
(against 2007 baseline) 

a
n
a
h
G

,

g
n
a
m
a
D

t
a
e
r
o
g
n
k
c
u
r
T

i

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
46

Optimising our operations

3.1  Ensuring our  
mines deliver

During 2011, we maintained our 
equivalent attributable production 
at 3.5 million ounces of  gold (2010: 
3.5 million ounces), despite slightly 
lower production from KDC and 
Beatrix, by:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increasing our percentage 

interest in our Ghanaian and 
Peruvian operations (p118), which 
raised our attributable production 
for 2011 by 133,000 ounces

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increasing production in the 
Australasia region to 659,000 
ounces (2010: 620,000 ounces)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Maintaining production at South 
Deep in South Africa at 273,000 
ounces (2010: 274,000 ounces)

Increased production outside of  
the South Africa region has further 
advanced Gold Fields status as 
a truly global company. In 2011, 
the output ratio with respect to our 
non-South African and South African 
operations was 51:49 (2010: 47:53), 
moving us closer to our targeted 
60:40 production ratio.

Looking to the future, our Goal of  
having 5 million quality ounces in 
development or production by 2015 
relies on:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Broadly stable production  
at our mature KDC and  
Beatrix underground mines  
in South Africa

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  our South Deep 
project, which aims to achieve 
an annual production run rate of  
approximately 700,000 ounces by 
end-2015

(cid:2)(cid:3) Development of  near-mine 

organic growth opportunities in 
our Australasia, South America 
and West Africa regions

(cid:2)(cid:3) A strong growth pipeline headed 
by four advanced stage projects 
that are expected to reach 
development decisions within the 
next 12 to 36 months (p112-118)

Production growth and 
diversification are not ends in 
themselves, however. We must also 
continue to deliver value. In 2011, 
this was reflected in a range of  
measures, including: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) 
margin, which rose strongly to 
25% (2010: 16%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ounces produced per share, 
which dropped marginally  
to 0.0048 ounces (2010:  
0.0049 ounces)

Our performance took place in  
a context of  substantial and  
ongoing investment in the 
construction and development of  
our South Deep mine. 

Finally, our production growth 
– and value creation – must be 
sustainable. Whatever we do  
now must not compromise our  
long-term performance, but must 
instead support the delivery of  our 
Group strategy.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

47

Optimising our operations

u
r
e
P

,
a
n
o
r
o
C
o
r
r
e
C

3.1.1  Group operational performance

Figure 3.1: Attributable gold 
production (’000oz)

Figure 3.2: Total cash cost 
(US$/oz)

Figure 3.3: NCE margin (%)

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

4
3
9
,
3

2
8
5
,
3

7
9
4
,
3

5
8
4
,
3

9
2
3
,
3

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

5
9
7

3
0
7

6
2
5

0
4
5

3
2
4

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

30

20

10

0

5
2

0
2

6
1

1
1

8

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 3.4: Group operational performance

Key operating statistics

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable (kg)

Gold produced – attributable (‘000oz)

Total cash cost (R/kg)

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

Notional Cash Expenditure (R/kg)

Notional Cash Expenditure (US$/oz)

Gold price (R/kg)

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (Rm)

Operating costs (Rm)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

1 Restatement – previously reported as 17% 

108,408

3,485

184,515

795

272,224

1,173

364,216

1,569

21,112

21,312

50

25

108,802

3,497

165,526

703

239,796

1,019

287,150

1,220

14,469

20,082

42

161

111,421

3,582

146,456

540

103,541

3,329

138,665

526

122,367

3,934

95,846

423

210,215

210,827

139,796

776

800

618

261,517

228,160

157,275

965

13,589

18,368

43

20

865

9,427

16,026

37

8

695

7,568

12,947

37

11

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
48

Optimising our operations

3.2  Our approach to 
operational excellence

3.2.1  X(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:27)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:8)
through business re-engineering

Gold Fields has implemented 
comprehensive Business Process 
Re-engineering (BPR) programmes 
in our Australasia, South Africa 
and West Africa regions. BPR 
involves the optimisation of  our 
mines’ organisational and cost 
structures, infrastructure footprint 
and production processes – from the 
stope to the mill, with the ultimate aim 
of  achieving an NCE margin of  20% 
at each mine in the short-term and 
25% in the medium to long-term. This 
has entailed a focus on operating 
costs, the rationalisation 
of  mine and regional overhead 
cost structures and a review of  the 
mine-to-mill process. 

Australasia

In 2011, we continued to implement 
a number of  actions to help drive 
down costs and improve production 
efficiency. Efforts included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Transition to owner-operation 

at both of  our Australian mines 
(underground only at St Ives)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The rehabilitation and upgrading 
of  our heap leach processing 
infrastructure to de-risk our future 
production profile

(cid:2)(cid:3) The introduction of  improved 

short-term interval controls on 
haulage to increase levels of  ore 
trucked from underground and 
surface open pits 

a
n
a
h
G

,

g
n
a
m
a
D

Figure 3.5: Total cash cost 
(US$/oz) – Australasia region

Figure 3.6: Total cash cost 
(US$/oz) – South Africa region

1,000

5
1
8

8
6
9

8
3
8

1,000

800

600

8
4
5

3
5
7

9
2
7

9
6
6

400

200

0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced management of  mill 
feed and heap leach mixes 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mine optimisation analysis to 
inform enhanced mine and 
equipment scheduling

South Africa

The nature of  our mature, deep 
underground mining operations 
in South Africa means BPR has a 
particularly important role to play in 
protecting and improving our NCE 
margin in the region. Key initiatives 
include the following

Shaft Full Potential programme

This is aimed at improving quality 
mining volumes by increasing face 
advance by 5% to 10% each year 
– and to deliver the full potential of  
every available workface. 

800

600

400

200

0

9
6
5

9
1
5

1
2
4

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

It is built around three key strategies:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Processes and systems to 
manage safe production 
(including behavioural-based 
interventions (p57-59))

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced labour management 

to optimise the availability 
of  in-stope crews (including 
appropriate mixes of  skills)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Training and procedures to 

improve the effectiveness of  
rock breaking (including 
improved advance per blast, 
better fragmentation and 
reduced dilution)

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
Developing Full Potential programme

This technology-based initiative, 
which aims to mechanise all flat-end 
development at KDC and Beatrix, 
has largely been implemented 
and will be embedded this year to 
achieve increased development. 
By doing so, we expect to improve 
safety, reduce development costs 
and deliver greater flexibility. During 
2011, mechanised development 
accounted for 89% of  flat-end 
development meters at KDC and 
Beatrix. Mechanised development 
has significantly improved our safety 
performance, but has not yet yielded 
the expected benefits in terms of  
increased development.

These savings have been 
achieved without any compulsory 
redundancies and without 
compromising our operational 
sustainability. 

West Africa

BPR continues to play an important 
role at both Damang and Tarkwa, 
due to a number of  cost challenges. 
These include a hardening fiscal 
environment (p155-156), rising waste 
stripping costs and increased 
hard ore production. 

Figure 3.7: Total cash cost 
(US$/oz) – West Africa region

NCE Full Potential programme

The second phase of  this initiative 
(previously known as Project 3M) 
was implemented in 2011. This 
builds on what has already been 
achieved during the first phase in 
2010 – including the combining of  
the Kloof  and Driefontein operations 
into KDC. Following the reduction 
in operating cost of  R840 million 
delivered in 2011, the second phase 
aims to reduce costs at our mature 
KDC and Beatrix mines by a further 
R500 million (US$63 million) over the 
next two years – and improve our 
ability to absorb rising input costs.

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

4
9
5

0
9
5

6
2
5

2
2
5

4
0
4

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

49

Optimising our operations

In 2011, we undertook a range of  
initiatives to address these issues. 
These include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Further advancement towards 
full owner-operation with the 
implementation of  owner 
maintenance of  heavy mining 
equipment to complement the 
owner mining status

(cid:2)(cid:3) The commissioning of  three new 
tertiary crushers to optimise our 
throughput at the Heap Leach 
facility

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improved utilisation and 
availability of  our mining 
equipment, including new 
shift patterns

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  our mining 
fleet and reductions in 
fuel consumption

(cid:2)(cid:3) The application of  improved 

drilling and blasting techniques

(cid:2)(cid:3) The renegotiation of  major 

supply contracts

Together, these initiatives achieved 
savings and baseline improvements 
of  more than US$40 million over the 
course of  2011. This did much to 
counter rising input costs.

During 2011, we took a range 
of  measures under this 
programme, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing consolidation – and 

leveraging – of  the KDC 
organisational merger

(cid:2)(cid:3) Footprint reduction and 
optimisation, including 
both surface and 
underground infrastructure

(cid:2)(cid:3) Initiatives to enhance crew 

productivity and accelerating 
off- and on-reef  development 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued reductions in 

employee numbers through 
natural attrition and voluntary 
separation (p128)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced supply 
chain management

(cid:2)(cid:3) Energy efficiency initiatives 

(p50-51)

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
50

Optimising our operations

Improving energy 

3.2.2 
(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:17)’(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:4)’(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:20)’(cid:8)

Rising energy costs and increased 
international emphasis on carbon 
management prompted us to task 
each of  our regions to reduce their 
electricity consumption over the 
course of  2011. This was with the 
aim of  reducing energy costs and 
improving energy security – without 
compromising production. This has 
the added benefit of  reducing our 
carbon emissions; an increasingly 
important issue in the light of  
growing efforts to tax emissions or 
introduce cap and trade schemes 
(p68). It is in this context that we are 
developing a fully integrated Carbon 
and Energy Management Strategy 
for the Group (p66-67). 

Given the increased depth of  mining 
and lower grades, especially in 
South Africa, our efforts have been 
focused on limiting the rise in energy 
intensity at our operations. In South 
Africa electricity consumption fell 
by 3% in 2011, while the average 
energy consumption at our 
Australian mines was down by 5%.

Australasia region

In the Australasia region, relevant 
initiatives included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The upgrading of  Agnew’s entire 
ventilation system, using more 
energy efficient technologies

(cid:2)(cid:3) Installing high efficiency and 
renewable energy lighting

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing piloting of  efficiency-
improving fuel additives at St 
Ives, as well as rationalisation of  
the mine’s truck fleet

(cid:2)(cid:3) Investigating pre-heating water 
for the elution circuit to reduce 
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 
consumption and increase 
recovery at St Ives

Figure 3.8: Group direct and indirect energy consumption (terajoules)

Energy consumption

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Direct

Indirect

Total

6,081

19,691

25,772

5,529

20,089

25,618

5,239

19,676

24,915

5,224

18,669

23,893

South Africa region

Electricity accounts for 95% of   
our energy consumption in the  
South Africa region. Plans by  
public energy utility Eskom to 
significantly raise electricity prices 
over the next three years – as well 
as concerns around security of  
supply – makes reducing electricity 
consumption a priority. Indeed, 
the nature of  our mature, deep-
underground mines means this is  
an essential component in the  
South Africa region’s long-term 
operational sustainability.

It is in this context that our BPR 
programme in South Africa 
is targeting reduced energy 
consumption of  around 5% in 2012. 
This will build on a 17% reduction 
in electricity consumption already 
achieved between 2007 and 2011. 
Although this will not fully negate the 
impact of  Eskom’s price increases, 
it will reduce the risk of  production 
losses as a consequence of  higher 
pay-limits.

Relevant initiatives included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Introducing enhanced systems 
for compressor management to 
improve efficiency and reduce 
operational time in line with 
requirements for compressed air

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  our pumping 
using automated monitoring 
systems to control efficiency, 
maintenance and replacement

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  our surface 

refrigeration plant through the 
use of  an energy management 
control system

Australia’s Energy Efficiency 
Opportunities Act 2007  
requires that both mines report to the 
Department of  Resources, Energy 
and Tourism. Their submissions 
list a number of  energy efficiency 
opportunities, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Achieving a possible 30% saving 
on air-conditioning running costs 
through the replacement of  all 
hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants

(cid:2)(cid:3) Initiation of  the in-pit tailing 
storage facility at St Ives, 
considerably reducing  
electricity costs 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Rolling-out energy mass balance 

tools to accurately measure 
energy usage and waste in 
mining and processing facilities

Both of  our mines in Australia face 
strategic challenges around energy 
costs and supply. With our current 
electricity supply contract with BHP 
Billiton due to expire in 2014, the 
nature of  the Western Australian 
gas market means alternative 
arrangements are likely to entail 
significantly higher prices. During 
2011 we completed a feasibility 
study examining the different energy 
supply options available to us – 
including contract renewal, potential 
self-generation and the development 
of  a large scale wind-energy project 
on Lake Lefroy at St Ives (p68). 
Negotiations with BHP Billiton are 
ongoing and will help determine the 
final outcome.

Future increases in energy prices 
could have a significant impact 
on the economics of  our mines. 
In particular, higher electricity 
prices may increase our focus 
on production from open pit and 
shallow underground sources, which 
are less dependent on electricity for 
ventilation, pumping and drilling.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

51

Optimising our operations

Our energy strategy continues 
to be informed by the ongoing 
identification of  large ore bodies 
at Damang, which is expected to 
significantly expand its life of  mine 
from 2018 until 2024 (p114-115). 
We are examining, for example, the 
potential for generation from waste 
gas, supplied by independent power 
producers. In addition, we are also 
in the process of  developing future 
renewable energy sources, with a 
focus on biomass and solar energy.

During 2011, our West African 
operations, which consume around 
100 million liters of  diesel each  
year, also faced a 25% increase 
in fuel costs. As a result, energy 
efficiency efforts were primarily 
focused on their respective truck 
fleets – including enhanced 
maintenance, utilisation of  high 
quality fuel and the installation of  
more efficient fuel filters.

 www.ecgonline.info
 www.vra.com 

Investing in 
3.2.3 
(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)

We are making constant efforts 
to improve the efficiency of  our 
conventional processing circuits 
– in terms of  cost, reliability and 
recovery. During 2011, this included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The commissioning of  three new 
tertiary crushers at our North 
Heap Leach Facility at Tarkwa to 
improve recovery rates in the face 
of  harder ore feed blend 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The ‘bedding-down’ of  our new 
High Pressure Grinding Rollers 
(HPGRs) at Tarkwa

In addition, we are planning to install 
a secondary crusher at Tarkwa’s 
CIL plant in early 2012 to mitigate 
the impact of  an increase in ore 
hardness with pit depth.

In addition, we are investigating 
opportunities for the development of  
‘compressed air-less’ mines, using 
hydraulics and electricity to power 
drilling and other activities (thus 
avoiding the significant latent power 
wastage of  pneumatic systems). 

Plans are also being finalised for 
the implementation of  an ice-based 
underground cooling system at KDC 
to reduce pumping demands. The 
higher cooling potential of  the ice 
means much less water needs to be 
pumped back to surface. In addition, 
solid ice is less prone to warming 
than water as it gains kinetic energy 
during its descent (i.e. the Joule 
Thompson effect). Application of  this 
technology is expected to achieve 
average savings of  up to 10MW per 
year. Plans are also in place for its 
application at South Deep by 2015.

We are continuing to work with 
Eskom in the pursuit of  further 
energy efficiency and energy 
security measures. These are being 
financed with the help of  around 
R200 million (US$28 million) from 
Eskom’s Demand Side Management 
(DSM) programme. This includes, 
for example, high-efficiency auxiliary 
fans at KDC to replace our existing 
45kW auxiliary fans. Following a 
pilot, we have placed an order for 
1,000 units, which have been shown 
to use 30% less electricity than the 
existing fans. These will be fitted 
at KDC, South Deep and Beatrix. 
Collectively they are expected to 
save 13MW per year.

Our engagement with Eskom on 
wider issues, such as the security 
of  supply and tariffs for the mining 
industry, is conducted through the 
Energy Intensive Users Group and 
the South African Chamber  
of  Mines. 

The safety implications of  a potential 
cut in power at our operations 
means Eskom will only apply a 
modest curtailment of  supply to our 
operations during load-shedding, 
instead of  a total suspension.  
This means the worst electricity 
security risk we face is a 20% 
reduction in supply for the duration 
of  an Eskom supply shortage,  
rather than a full shutdown.

 www.eiug.org.za 
 www.eskomidm.co.za 

West Africa region

Our West African operations 
also took steps to address their 
electricity costs, which rose by 54% 
during 2011. This was partly due 
to rising demand within the wider 
Ghanaian economy, a reduction in 
the availability of  hydro-generated 
electricity to deregulated mining 
companies and increased reliance 
on costlier thermal-generated power. 
During 2011, we negotiated – both 
bilaterally and through the Chamber 
of  Mines – with the Electricity 
Company of  Ghana (ECG) and  
the Volta River Authority (VRA)  
over future supply options and  
tariff  structures.

Damang experienced a number 
of  power supply interruptions in 
2011, due to weak local power 
infrastructure and severe weather 
events. As a result, the mine has 
on occasion been required to 
rely on its on-site diesel back-up 
generators, resulting in an average 
loss of  production of  1,000 ounces 
a quarter. The ECG has provided 
assurances as to the reliability of   
our future supply and we are 
enhancing our power generation 
capacity to mitigate the impacts of  
any future outages. 

Case study 

Pioneering energy-efficient fan 
technology in South Africa

Find out more online

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

52

Optimising our operations

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Externally-developed 
processing technology

We are also applying externally-
developed processing technology 
to both enhance our long-term 
production at KDC, and to improve 
potential recovery rates at our 
Arctic Platinum Project (APP) in 
Finland (p112-113). 

At KDC, we commissioned 
the innovative Gold Recovery 
Opportunities from Waste Treatment 
Holistically (GROWTH) Project. This 
uses the transportable ‘Python’ 
gravity concentration plant to 
process low-grade surface rock 
dumps. Together with automated 
Optical Ore Sorting of  the reef  
fraction, this significantly enhances 
the gold grade – at relatively low 
cost. As part of  our Long-Term 
Processing Strategy for South Africa 
(LTPSSA), we are installing an 
additional Python plant, which will 
free-up one of  our existing surface 
plants (DP3) to process lower-grade 
historic tailings instead of  waste rock. 

The ultimate aim of  the LTPSSA 
is to expand our Python capacity 
to the point where the remaining 
two plants that process waste rock 
dumps (DP2 and KP1) instead 
reprocess tailings, which will be 
re-deposited at our Centralised 
Tailings Storage Facility (p64-65). 
This is expected to de-risk our 
future production profile and reduce 
the rate of  production decline, 
minimise costs and assist with the 
minimisation of  our final closure 
liabilities. Beyond this, we are 
looking at the potential installation 
of  Python plants underground to 
further reduce processing costs. 

At APP, we have been piloting the 
application of  Platsol® processing 
technology to improve metal recovery 
during hydrometallurgical processing 
of  concentrates produced from 
conventional floatation. 

The results of  the bulk-level 
pilot have confirmed significant 
improvements to overall recovery of  
20% – which has had a significant 
impact in terms of  the potential 
feasibility of  this otherwise relatively 
marginal project. 

What is Platsol®? 

Platsol is a patented 
technology developed to 
process platinum group 
metal sulphide floatation 
concentrates. It leaches base 
and precious metals in a 
single process using oxygen 
in sulphate media under total 
oxidation conditions. It keeps 
platinum group metals in 
solution, whilst rejecting 
base metals.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
Case study

The GROWTH project: Unlocking value 
from waste rock 

High gold prices have presented Gold Fields with new opportunities to 
unlock value from the gold reserves in low-grade surface rock dumps 
(SRDs) at its KDC mine in South Africa. During 2011, Gold Fields 
launched the Gold Recovery Opportunities from Waste Treatment 
Holistically (GROWTH) project to provide a cost effective and energy 
efficient method for processing these reserves. The GROWTH 
project uses a fully mobile, modular unit known as the ‘Python’ gravity 
concentration plant. One of  these plants has been installed at KDC 
East and during 2011 processed about 140,000 tonnes of  waste rock 
per month, producing a monthly average of  56kg of  gold. A proposed 
plant upgrade will see the plant processing around 153,000 tonnes of  
waste rock and producing around 92kg of  gold a month.

Two additional Python plants are scheduled for installation at KDC 
in 2012 to support Gold Fields Long-Term Processing Strategy 
for South Africa (LTPSSA). This will free up one of  KDC’s existing 
surface plants to retreat historic tailings, which are more suited to 
conventional processing methods. The ultimate aim of  the LTPSSA 
is to expand Python capacity to the point where the remaining two 
plants that currently process waste rock dumps reprocess existing 
tailings instead. Once full Python capacity has been installed, these 
reprocessed tailings will be re-deposited at Gold Fields proposed 
Centralised Tailings Storage Facility (CTSF) near South Deep’s existing 
Doornpoort TSF (p64-65). In addition to bringing forward extra ounces 
at reduced cost, the LTPSSA will also minimise final closure liabilities 
by transferring tailings from dolomitic land (i.e. the location of  some 
of  Gold Fields current and historical TSFs) onto competent geological 
sub-strata (i.e. the location of  the CTSF). 

Gold Fields has approximately 15 million tonnes of  SRDs at KDC, 
which will take about three years to process, though a programme 
is underway to verify volumes of  other waste rock dumps that could 
add to the total available for processing. Beyond this, Gold Fields is 
investigating the potential installation of  Python plants underground. 
This would remove the substantial costs associated with transporting 
waste rock to surface. It would also allow for processed waste rock 
and tailings to be used underground as backfill, reducing wastage 
and minimising Gold Fields surface footprint. 

In January 2012, Gold Fields and Gold One International announced 
that they have entered into a Memorandum of  Understanding to 
investigate the viability of  concurrently reprocessing their combined 
surface tailings deposits, located on South Africa’s West Rand (p65).

53

Optimising our operations

Proprietary processing 
technology

Gold Fields has two proprietary 
processing technologies that have 
the potential to significantly improve 
processing efficiency and recovery 
rates – both for the company and for 
the wider sector: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) ASTERTM is a biologically-based 
process, which removes cyanide 
and thiocyanate from residue 
streams after the leaching 
process. This offers important 
benefits in terms of  environmental 
stewardship, water management, 
efficiency and safety (63-66).
We are examining its potential 
application in both Ghana 
and Peru

(cid:2)(cid:3) BIOX® is a process used to pre-
treat refractory sulphide gold 
ores to increase gold recovery 
rates. There are a total of  10 
gold processing plants using 
the technology under licence in 
South Africa, Ghana, Peru, China, 
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and 
Australia. Although not currently 
in use at our own operations due 
to the nature of  our ore bodies, 
we are investigating its potential 
application at Cerro Corona and 
Chucapaca in Peru

 www.gekkos.com

Case study 

Enhanced cyanide 
management through ASTERTM 
process technology

Find out more online

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
54

Optimising our operations

Case study

BIOX® process technology: Creating 
commercial opportunities from refractory ore  

High gold prices and globally depleting levels of  oxide ore mean that 
harder-to-process refractory ore bodies are playing an increasingly 
important role in global gold production. This dynamic is creating 
new opportunities for the commercial application of  BIOX®. This 
proprietary Gold Fields technology is licenced to third-parties for the 
pre-treatment of  refractory sulphide gold ores, prior to conventional 
cyanide leaching. 

Refractory ores are naturally resistant to standard recovery 
methods, as the gold is ‘locked’ within sulphide minerals that inhibit 
leaching. BIOX® uses naturally occurring bacteria to destroy these 
sulphide minerals and expose the gold for subsequent cyanidation. 
Recovery rates for refractory ore typically run at less than 70%. 
After treatment with BIOX®, however, recovery rates can be as high 
as 97% – depending on ore characteristics. In addition, the limited 
environmental impact of  BIOX® makes it fully compliant with ever 
stricter environmental standards around the world.

There are currently 10 BIOX® processing plants in operation in seven 
countries worldwide, with additional opportunities being explored in 
the Philippines, Colombia and China – amongst others. Gold Fields 
portfolio does not currently contain any refractory ore bodies, but 
opportunities are being explored for the application of  BIOX® to 
recover residual gold in low grade pyrite at its Cerro Corona mine 
in Peru.

Development of  Generation 4 of  BIOX® is ongoing and focuses 
on improving the energy efficiency of  the process, enhancing the 
durability of  the tank agitation and bacterial consortium, and achieving 
a 15% reduction in capital and operating costs. The full roll-out of  
Generation 4 is scheduled for 2014, whilst many of  the planned 
improvements will be incorporated into Generation 3 of  BIOX® within 
the next two years.

 www.goldfields.co.za 

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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This aims to disseminate 
technological innovation across the 
Group and to improve the take-up and 
transfer of off-the-shelf technologies. 
It also aims to develop new 
technologies, where relevant, and to 
build collaborative partnerships with 
third parties to accelerate technology 
development and implementation. 
GTS is also represented on the 
Capital Projects Steering Committee 
to support the successful execution of  
our major growth projects (p112-118).

Innovative mine development at 
South Deep

The scale, depth and positioning 
of  the South Deep ore body raises 
a number of  unique technological 
challenges. Successful development 
of  this mine will underpin the long-
term commercial sustainability of  
our South Africa region – and will 
take production beyond 2050. As a 
result, we have made considerable 
investments to meet these 
challenges. These include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The application of  fully 

mechanised, deep underground 
mining, which has significantly 
improved productivity and 
reduced employee exposure to 
fall-of-ground and heat

(cid:2)(cid:3) Accelerated implementation 

of  the horizontal de-stress cut 
methodology is speeding up the 
rate at which we can open up 
the ore body. This mitigates risks 
associated with the geotechnical 
stress regime and will improve 
future production volumes

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establishment of  a specialised, 
on-site training facility, using 
advanced training packages 
and electronic simulators to 
produce a cadre of  world-class 
underground mechanised 
miners. This is expected to be 
commissioned in early 2012

(cid:2)(cid:3) The maximisation of  existing 
hoisting capacity through the 
refurbishment and conversion of  
the linked South Shaft complex 

3.2.4  Pursuing innovative 
and high quality mining

Driving Group-wide best practice

In 2011, we completed a significant 
reorganisation that resulted in the 
creation of  the Group Technical 
Services (GTS) function. GTS enjoys 
a well-resourced team covering 
the core technical disciplines of  
Mineral Resource Management, 
Engineering, Mining, Geotechnical, 
Metallurgy, Energy and Carbon 
Management, and Technology and 
Innovation. It is specifically intended 
to work with our operations and 
regional technical functions to: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ensure appropriate strategic 

focus for the technical disciplines

(cid:2)(cid:3) Provide thought-leadership and 
technical support to the regions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Manage Group risks through 

technical reviews

(cid:2)(cid:3) Promote best technical practice 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhance technical  
talent management 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Prioritise technology 

implementation and innovation

GTS is expected to play a key role 
in driving us towards our Goal of  
5 million ounces in production 
or development by 2015 and in 
supporting the execution of  our 
international growth projects  
(p112-118).

During 2011, GTS carried out 
technical reviews of  our 2012 
operational and life of  mine plans 
to ensure that our long-term plans 
and the resulting strategic initiatives 
have both rigour and integrity. GTS 
is also examining opportunities 
for the adoption of  Group-wide 
mine management, planning and 
reporting software. This will help 
ensure that each of  our regions 
operates as part of  a cohesive 
global group by driving flexibility 
between operations, enhanced 
movement of  personnel and more 
homogeneous decision-making.

As part of this reorganisation, we also 
established a Group Technology and 
Innovation Steering Committee, with 
representation from all of the regions 
and capital growth projects. 

55

Optimising our operations

Once complete, South Deep 
will represent the first of  a new 
generation of  sustainable, deep 
underground mines in South Africa 
and will constitute the foundation 
for the region’s long-term role in our 
production portfolio.

Case study 

South Deep installs award 
winning steel headgear

Find out more online

Remote mechanised mining  
in Australia

Mechanised underground mining is 
already well established at Agnew 
and St Ives. We are now moving 
towards the next phase of  innovation, 
which is mine automation. 

Agnew is already piloting the use 
of  an automated loader (controlled 
by a surface operator), as well as 
an automated drill-rig. At St Ives, 
we are laying the ground for the 
implementation of  this technology, 
including examination of  the 
potential for remote-bogging, which 
would allow for the quick clearance 
of  post-blasting areas and make 
productive use of  shift handovers. 

The rolling out of  automation 
technology – which has the potential 
to allow employees to carry out their 
work in remote locations – would 
mark a major step-change and is 
likely to require significant time and 
investment. Nonetheless, it has the 
potential to significantly reduce 
the safety hazard exposure of  our 
employees, minimise handover times 
and enhance productivity. It also has 
the potential – for example through 
remote operation from Perth – to 
transform labour dynamics, which 
are currently dominated by the 
short-term physical movement of  
workers via the highly competitive 
‘fly-in, fly-out’ Western Australian 
labour market (p130-131). 

We have already installed the 
necessary fibre optic technology 
and bandwidth at Agnew as a first 
step in this direction – and plan to 
implement a regional automation 
programme in 2012.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

56

Optimising our operations

3.3  The Gold Fields  
safety promise

Our promise that “if  we cannot mine 
safely, we will not mine” reflects our 
prioritisation of  employee safety and 
wellbeing. This is primarily driven 
by our moral imperative to protect 
those who work for us – as well as 
the need to protect our reputation 
and avoid operational disruption. 
Our approach is based on the 
pursuit of  ‘Zero Harm’ and is driven 
by our determination to prove that 
deep underground gold mining 
can – when properly managed – be 
carried out safely. 

We will choose to leave gold in 
the ground rather than putting our 
employees at risk. Over the last 
three years we have written-off  
about 2 million ounces of  high-
grade reserves due to safety 
concerns. We are confident that this 
is both the right thing to do – and 
will pay longer-term reputational and 
operational returns. 

The challenge is both significant  
and ongoing. During 2011, there 
were a total of  20 workplace 
fatalities at Gold Fields – 19 of  
which took place in South Africa. 
Regretfully, this marked a regression 
on 2010, during which we had 
18 fatalities. This has given fresh 
impetus to our efforts to eradicate 
fatality risks in our operations – and 
highlights the need for constant and 
proactive vigilance. Our approach 
has shown some encouraging 
results, as only two of  these 20 
fatalities occurred in the final five 
months of  2011. Despite the short-
term regression during 2011, our 
longer-term trend continues to be 
downwards – with an average 9% 
decline a year in fatalities since 
2008. We are committed to further 
improving this trend.

Figure 3.9: Group safety performance

Group

Fatalities

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate

Medically-Treated Injury Frequency Rate

3.3.1  Safety 
performance in 2011

We set ourselves a target of  
reducing all our safety indicators 
(i.e. FIFR2, MTIFR3 and LTIFR4) by 
25% in South Africa during 2011– 
and by 20% in our Australasian, 
South American and West African 
regions. Though our long-term 
safety performance is showing 
improvement, our performance in 
2011 has been mixed: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) In South Africa, LTIFR rose by 

10%, MTIFR fell by 17% and FIFR 
increased by 14%

(cid:2)(cid:3) In Australasia, LTIFR fell by 31%, 

MTIFR fell by 53% and FIFR 
remained at zero

(cid:2)(cid:3) In South America, LTIFR 

increased from 0.00 to 0.18, 
MTIFR fell by 41% and FIFR 
remained at zero

(cid:2)(cid:3) In West Africa, LTIFR fell by 57%, 

MTIFR fell by 41% and FIFR 
remained at 0.04

3.3.2  Safety management

Although safety remains a priority 
in all of  our regions, the higher risks 
posed by our more labour intensive, 
deep underground operations 
means we place particular focus 
on safety management in South 
Africa. The South Africa region 
accounted for 95% of  fatalities in 
2011 (2010: 94%). Of  these, fall of  
ground incidents – whether resulting 
from gravity or seismic activity – 
accounted for 63% (2010: 53%). 

Our operations in South Africa 
are supported by a range of  
safety management measures 
that fall under our Safe Production 
Management Programme (SPMP). 

2011

20101

20091

2008 

20

4.69

0.12

5.68

18

4.39

0.11

7.16

26

3.91

0.16

8.91

31

5.34

0.16

13.50

Figure 3.10: Group LTIFR, FIFR 
and MTIFR performance

14.00

12.00

10.00

8.00

6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00

LTIFR

FIFR

MTIFR

13.50

8.91

7.16

5.34

4.39

3.91

5.68

4.69

0.16

0.16

0.11

0.12

2008

2009

2010

2011

Figure 3.11: LTIFR by region5

2008

2009

2010

2011

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

8
4
.
6

0
8
.
65
2
.
3 5
7
.
4

7
0
.
4

2
8
.
2

5
8
.
1

6
7
.
1

1
2
.
0

2
3
.
0

0
0
.
0

8
1
.
0

7
2
.
0

4
1
.
0

9
4
.
0

1
2
.
0

Australasia S. Africa S. America W. Africa

1  Restatement – figures for 2009 and 2010 

previously reported as 3.81 and 4.38 
respectively. FIFR for 2009 previously 
reported as 0.14. MTIFR for 2009 and 
2010 previously reported as 8.91 and 7.09 
respectively. Please see p4 for explanation 

2 Fatal Injury Frequency Rate

3 Medically-Treated Injury Frequency Rate

4 Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate

5  Restatement – 2009 and 2010 figures for 

Australasia previously reported as 1.18 and 
4.08 respectively; 2009 figure for South Africa 
previously reported as 4.54; 2009 figure  
for South America previously reported as 
0.00; 2010 figure for West Africa  
previously reported as 0.44. Please see  
p4 for explanation 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

57

Optimising our operations

What are the impacts of a 
mine-wide safety stoppage?

Mine-wide safety stoppages 
are imposed in the event of  
a fatality under Section 54 of  
South Africa’s Mine Health 
and Safety Amendment Act 
2008. This allows time for the 
investigation of  the relevant 
incident. In addition, it acts 
as an administrative incentive 
to avoid fatalities due to the 
loss of  production incurred 
during such a stoppage. It 
is estimated, for example, 
that each stoppage halts 
production for two days and 
it can take up to a week to 
restore full production.

What is the OHSAS  
18001 standard? 

OHSAS 18001 is an 
internationally-recognised 
standard that guarantees an 
organisation has implemented  
an occupational health and  
safety management system.  
This must incorporate a 
number of  elements including, 
amongst other things: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Risk assessment

(cid:2)(cid:3) Definition of  health and  

safety policy

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  a safety 

management system 
(including indicators) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Technical and  

regulatory assessments

(cid:2)(cid:3) Training 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establishment of  a health  

and safety committee

(cid:2)(cid:3) Internal auditing

(cid:2)(cid:3) Certification is subject to  

third-party auditing 

The SPMP aims to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Achieve a safe mining culture that 
is in total compliance with our 
safety standards and procedures 
– including our Group-wide Safe 
Production Rules

(cid:2)(cid:3) Create a safe mining environment 
by engineering-out safety risks

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improve the safety performance 

of  employees through our 
wellbeing programmes

As part of  the SPMP, our high-
level Safety and Health Production 
Management Task Team 
monitors safety management and 
performance. The Task Team includes 
two members of  our executive 
committee and is chaired by the 
Executive Vice President of  the South 
Africa region. The Group CEO also 
attends the quarterly SPMP meetings. 

A particular focus of  our efforts is 
the mitigation of  fall-of-ground and 
seismic-related incidents through 
initiatives such as centralised-
blasting, pre-conditioning, selective 
cessation of  night-shifts and 
continuous improvement and 
innovation in seismic monitoring.

Despite these efforts, as well as 
closer cooperation with the Mining 
Inspectorate of  the DMR, in 2011 
we experienced a total of  75 safety 
stoppages in South Africa, some of  
them self-imposed. It is estimated 
that this resulted in the loss of  
around 52,500 ounces of  production 
– highlighting the close relationship 
between strong safety management 
and continuity of production. 

By comparison, the relative safety 
risks posed by our Australasian, 
South American and West African 
operations are lower. This is due to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Higher levels of  mechanisation 
and shallower depths at our 
underground operations in 
Australia, which reduces 
employee exposure to fall  
of  ground

(cid:2)(cid:3) The reduced risks associated 
with open pit mining in Ghana 
and Peru, with vehicle accidents 
and hand injuries accounting for 
most safety incidents 

Despite this, our contractor fatality  
at Tarkwa demonstrates that 
continued vigilance in these  
regions remains essential.

All of  our operations are certified 
to the OHSAS 18001 international 
safety management standard.

 www.dmr.gov.za
 www.bsigroup.com

3.3.3  Achieving a 
safe mining culture

We are actively countering 
perceptions around the ‘latent’ 
dangers of  underground gold 
mining through the promotion of  
a ‘Safe Production Mentality’. This 
is based on instilling the belief  
amongst employees that mining can 
– if  approached in the right way – 
be carried out without the need for 
exposure to risks. 

This is supported by our ongoing 
enforcement of  our Safe Production 
Rules, as well as constant promotion 
of  our ‘Stop, Think, Fix, Verify and 
Continue’ practice.

South Africa

In South Africa, the SPMP is 
continuing to help transform 
the safety mentality of  our 
employees through high quality, 
two-way engagement. It is vital 
that we collectively achieve this 
transformation, as a significant 
proportion of  serious safety 
incidents and fatalities continue to 
result from risky behaviour, non-
compliance with standards or 
inadequate supervision/ leadership 
– rather than exogenous factors 
such as fall of  ground. In 2011, 
for example, 37% of  our fatalities 
resulted from non-fall of  ground 
incidents (2010: 47%). 

We are continuing to implement 
a range of  activities aimed at 
cascading our Safe Production 
philosophy throughout the  
entire workforce. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

58

Optimising our operations

Relevant new initiatives introduced 
in 2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Rolling out the practice of  
removing crews, which are 
experiencing safety problems, 
from the workface for a day to 
deliver high quality safety training 
to all operations

(cid:2)(cid:3) The continued holding of  

operation-level Indabas for two-
way safety discussions between 
overseers, supervisors and crews 
– as well as the development of  
defined action plans

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  a mine-wide 

safety recognition programme to 
actively reward safe behaviour

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  a Supervisory 

Skills and Leadership 
Development programme to 
address a number of  skills gaps 
identified through an internal 
audit – including those relating to 
safe production performance

(cid:2)(cid:3) Compliance interventions, 

including implementation of  a 
Priority Safety Disciplinary Case 
Procedure, increased inspection 
and audit activity, as well as a 
significant ramp-up in alcohol 
and drug testing 

We also continued a number of  
similar, pre-existing behavioural-
based initiatives, such as:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced Safety Alarm 

questionnaires to help crews 
analyse actual safety incidents

(cid:2)(cid:3) A Behavioural Safety Programme 
to encourage safety solidarity 
between supervisors and crews

(cid:2)(cid:3) Monthly ‘Shaft Communications’ 
for operations and underground 
managers to engage the  
entire workforce

A consistent increase in ‘Stop 
and Fix’ stoppages by employees 
in South Africa (which average 
1,000 per month) suggests these 
measures are starting to take effect. 
This illustrates the success of  our 
‘Stop, Think, Fix, Verify and Continue’ 
campaign, which is the practical 
application of  our most important 
Value: 'If  we cannot mine safely, we 
will not mine'.

At Damang, we also continued to 
embed our ‘safety referee’ system, 
while consolidating our cross-
departmental Fatal Risks Drive. This 
included the proactive management 
of  the 10 highest identified risks, 
such as those relating to vehicle 
accidents, fire and conveyor belts, 
amongst others.

At Tarkwa, we maintained efforts 
to encourage employees to 
identify and address potential 
hazards under our existing Near 
Miss Hazard Reporting System. 
In addition, weekly visits by the 
management team focusing on 
physical conditions and workforce 
engagement have helped drive 
down injury frequency rates on 
the mine – with formal corrective 
action reviews established where 
relevant. The mine also implemented 
a ‘Protect Your Hands’ campaign, 
which has significantly reduced 
related injuries, as well as a 
dedicated Supervisors’ Safety 
Training Course, which has been 
attended by 403 employees.

In addition – and in light of  the 
single contractor fatality that took 
place at the mine in 2011 – Tarkwa 
placed particular focus on traffic 
safety. This included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Intensification of  an ongoing 
traffic safety campaign,  
focused on regular road blocks, 
speed-checks, breathalyser-
testing and driver training – as 
well as the engagement of  public 
transport providers

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  on-board 

fatigue monitoring systems on  
our trucks to reduce tiredness-
related accidents and improve 
operator awareness

Australasia and West Africa

During 2011, we continued to 
promote behavioural change in 
our other regions. In Australia, for 
example, this included the extension 
of  our updated, psychology-based 
Zero Incident Process (ZIP) at St Ives 
– as well as the ongoing application 
of  our three-year Going for Gold 
programme to improve performance, 
enhance safety management 
systems and improve safety 
management maturity. All working 
areas are expected to achieve an 
externally-audited top rating (i.e. 
‘Gold’) by the end of  2014. 

St Ives also progressed training 
on the Incident Causal Analysis 
Method, which is designed to de-
personalise root cause investigation 
– and so help ensure the accuracy 
of  analysis. Work was also initiated 
on a project to document physical 
capabilities for individual roles. 

This is to ensure that pre-
employment medical assessments 
adequately investigate individuals’ 
capacity to do, without risk of  injury, 
the job for which they apply. 

In Ghana, we took specific 
measures to address the significant 
transition of  contractor personnel 
into our workforce as a result of  
our move towards owner-mining. 
This included the participation of  
97% of  all of  our employees in 
an industrial theatre campaign to 
help instil our Values – including 
our focus on safety. This was 
supplemented by the Yenshe Ase 
Foforo (‘We Start Afresh’) initiative, 
which was aimed at revisiting basic 
workplace safety practices. 

Damang implemented the ‘Walk 
the Talk’ initiative, which promotes 
direct interaction between the 
mine general managers and the 
workforce on a weekly basis. 
Discussions focus on safety, costs 
and production – including updates 
on safety statistics and performance. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

59

Optimising our operations

These measures are in addition to 
our existing efforts to ‘engineer-out’ 
health and safety risks, including: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The implementation of fully 

mechanised production at South 
Deep to improve production 
performance and reduce employee 
exposure to the safety risks posed 
by this deep level mine

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  ‘Project 31’ to 
reduce workplace temperatures 
to 31.0°C or less (32.5°C in 
trackless operations)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  ‘Project 10’ to 
reduce exhaust column leakage 
to below 10% for conventional 
development ends and below 
20% for trackless operations

We have already achieved a 
significant degree of  compliance 
against these measures. In addition, 
our Seismic Task Team continues 
to play a leading role in minimising 
underground risks within our existing 
operations, by pre-warning mining 
teams of  potential seismic-related 
fall of  ground and enhancing our 
blasting scheduling and techniques 
to minimise safety risks. The positive 
impact of  the Seismic Task Team 
remains evident. 

Although there was a short-term 
increase in fatal seismic fall of  
ground incidents from 0 in 2010 
to 5 in 2011 – the overall trend 
has nonetheless seen significant 
improvement, falling by 16% since 
the Seismic Task Team was formed 
in 2008. This is reflected in our long-
term fatality trends and is making an 
important contribution to our journey 
towards Zero Harm.

Safety engagement

All of  our employees receive 
both general and role-specific 
health and safety training during 
induction. This is supported through 
annual refresher training, risk-
specific training (where required) 
and regular safety awareness 
campaigns. Relevant safety 
targets included in managers’ 
Individual Balanced Scorecards 
determine approximately a third 
of  their variable bonuses and 
incentives. This helps ensure that 
our safety policies and guidelines 
are ‘mainstreamed’ into everyday 
thinking and practice.

A total of  97% of  employees in 
South Africa and 95% of  employees 
in Ghana are represented through 
their unions at various levels on 
joint health and safety committees 
– and on a range of  statutory and 
voluntary engagement forums 
between supervisors, line  
managers and organised labour. 

Our ability to promote safe 
production is supported by  
the active involvement of  
our employee representative 
organisations and unions, host 
governments and regulators.  
This includes the Department of  
Mineral Resources (DMR) in South 
Africa, which continues to provide  
us with valuable guidance on  
how to improve our safety 
performance and meet their Mine 
Health and Safety Council health  
and safety milestones. 

In February 2012 we held the  
Gold Fields Tripartite Health and 
Safety Summit, which involved our 
CEO, the Department of  Mineral 
Resources and the President of  the 
National Union of  Mineworkers.

 www.dmr.gov.za
 www.num.org.za

3.3.4  Creating a safe 
mining environment

The ‘engineering out’ of  safety 
risks at our deep underground 
mines in South Africa is a key 
senior management priority – as 
reflected by our comprehensive 
system of  reporting to the Safe 
Production Management Task Team, 
the Safety, Health and Sustainable 
Development Committee and the 
Board of  Directors.

New actions taken in 2011 in South 
Africa include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Region wide implementation of  

the Mining Industry Occupational 
Safety and Health (MOSH) leading 
practice for entry examination 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Full roll out of  safety nets during 
the drilling shift to protect stope 
face employees from fall of  
ground hazards

(cid:2)(cid:3) Elimination of  night shifts, 

where the mining layout and 
configuration could result in 
elevated risk

(cid:2)(cid:3) The rolling out of  roof  bolting to 
all stope panels, to supplement 
the pre-existing safety netting. 
Bolting has been completed at all 
up dip panels and wide raises, 
whilst bolting of  all breast panels 
is due for completion in early 
2012. This is specifically aimed at 
trying to prevent a resurgence in 
fall of  ground fatalities

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mechanisation of all of our flat-end 
South African development tunnels 
to improve productivity and reduce 
employee risk exposure

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluation of  auto-coupling and 
guard communication systems  
to reduce tramming-related 
 risks, as well as the initiation 
of  work to introduce proximity 
warning systems

Figure 3.12: Fatalities from Fall of Ground (FOG) in the South Africa region

Calandar Year

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

2006

FOG (Gravity) fatals

FOG (Seismic) fatals

Non-FOG fatals

Total fatals

7

5

7

19

9

0

8

17

3

10

13

26

3

11

17

31

4

6

26

36

17

5

12

34

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

60

Optimising our operations

All of  our project feasibility 
assessments include occupational 
health risk management. Relevant 
risks are addressed through 
targeted design interventions to 
ensure all infrastructure, equipment 
and processes are safe before they 
become operational.

At our new-generation South 
Deep mine, for example, we are 
‘building-in’ safety measures from 
the start – particularly in relation 
to the technically sophisticated 
de-stress cut methodology. This 
includes, for example, the installation 
of  yielding bolts in the de-stress 
excavations, the preconditioning of  
the de-stress faces and the use of  
semi-automated drilling machines 
for the installation of  support in the 
de-stress panels.

3.3.5  Recording and 
analysing safety performance

We seek to continuously improve 
the recording and analysis of  our 
safety performance through the 
following means: 

Holistic measurement of all 
safety incidents 

During 2011, we continued to 
record Total Incident Frequency 
Rates (TIFR) at St Ives, which 
include a broad range of  safety, 
environmental and operational 
measures. This a) delivers a 
holistic, risk-based view of  safety 
performance; and b) reduces over-
reliance on Lost Time Injury (LTI) 
reporting, which can discourage 
employees and managers from 
pursuing the early and effective 
treatment of  some injuries.

In addition, our Australasia 
region removed Medical Treatment 
Injury Frequency Rate (MTIFR) as 
a performance metric in employees’ 
Individual Balanced Scorecards. 
This is with the aim of  encouraging 
employees to seek early 
medical attention. 

a

i
l

a
r
t
s
u
A

,

w
e
n
g
A

t
a
g
n
n
a
r
t

i

i

y
t
e
f
a
s

e
r
i
F

Integrated risk management 

Incident Causal Analysis

St Ives has extended its use of  
CURA Risk Management software 
to integrate their operational risks. 
This required the installation of  a 
new database, the modification of  
their risk matrix, training for system 
users and the incorporation of  
risk management into individuals’ 
balanced score cards, in addition 
to safety.

Both of  our mines in Australia 
continued to apply the Incident 
Causal Analysis method. This 
‘blame-free’ system helps identify 
the root causes of  safety incidents 
to avoid repetition and promote 
accident prevention.

Peer analysis

Our Cerro Corona mine participates 
in monthly meetings with the 
National Society of  Mining, 
Petroleum and Energy in Peru, 
where we work with peers to analyse 
serious safety incidents in the sector 
and identify lessons learned.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
61

Optimising our operations

Figure 3.14: Group environmental performance

Group

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Environmental incidents (Level 2 and 3)1

56

143

235

330

Water withdrawal (Ml)

Water quality (mS/m)2

Water discharge (Ml)2

78,236

76,326

72,403

75,950

77

71

42,482

48,080

n/a

n/a

366

n/a

n/a

304

Closure costs (provisions) (US$m)

440

443

CO2-e emissions (scope 1 and 2)  
('000 tonnes)3

CO2-e emissions (scope 3)  
('000 tonnes)3

 5,298 

5,350

5,507

5,212

792

782

458

n/a

Carbon intensity (tonnes CO2-e/oz)4
NO, SO and other emissions (tonnes)

Ozone depleting emissions5

1.43

5,358

n/a

1.39

5,871

n/a

1.41

5,379

n/a

1.49

5,528

n/a

Cyanide consumption (tonnes)

23,750

21,487

22,165

18,922

Mining waste ('000 tonnes)

189,409

193,577

167,569

103,856

Materials ('000 tonnes)

336

325

269

264

Implementing 

3.4.2 
environmental stewardship 
throughout the mine lifecycle

We integrate proactive and 
responsible environmental 
management into every stage 
of  the mining lifecycle. By doing 
so, we minimise our long-term 
environmental liabilities and maintain 
strong relations with our host 
governments, local communities and 
business partners. 

From exploration to operation

All of  our exploration projects 
incorporate environmental risk 
assessment and closure processes.

If  exploration develops into 
project implementation, we then 
conduct a more extensive baseline 
environmental study (to identify the 
social and environmental status of  
an area, as well as related risks). 
Our projects are also subject to 
environmental/social screening and 
impact assessments, environmental 
management programmes and 
preliminary closure plans, depending 
on how advanced they are.

What is the ISO 14001 
standard? 

ISO 14001 is an internationally 
recognised standard that 
sets out how to implement 
an effective Environmental 
Management System (EMS).  
Its elements include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) General requirements 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Environmental policy 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Planning implementation 

and operation 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Checking and  

corrective action 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Management review

It is aimed at helping 
organisations identify activities 
that impact on the environment, 
produce objectives for 
improvement and establish  
a management system to 
achieve these objectives – 
with ongoing monitoring for 
continual improvement.

3.4  Respecting and  
protecting the environment

Our Vision, Values and risk 
management strategy – as well as 
increasingly stringent environmental 
regulation – means we remain  
highly committed to the  
continuous improvement of  our 
environmental performance.

A significant proportion of  our efforts 
are focused on the prevention of  
post-closure Acid Mine Drainage 
(AMD), the prevention of  leaching 
from our tailings and the minimisation 
of  our carbon emissions.

3.4.1  Managing the 
environmental impact 
of our operations

Our approach to managing the 
environmental impacts of  our 
operations and exploration activities 
is defined by our sustainable 
development framework, as well 
as the ISO 14001 international 
environmental management 
standard. In 2011, we spent a total 
of  US$54 million on environmental 
management. All of  our operations 
are ISO 14001 certified.

Figure 3.13: Environmental  
incidents (Levels 2 and 3)1

0
3
3

5
3
2

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

3
4
1

6
5

2008

2009

2010

2011

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

1 There were no Level 4 or Level 5 environmental incidents in 2011

2 Data not available for 2008 and 2009

3 2010 figures restated in light of  the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Figures exclude fugitive mine 
methane emissions and include Tech. Transm./Distrib. losses (excl. theft) with respect to electricity 

4  Carbon intensity for 2008 to 2010 restated due to the revised basis of  reporting with respect to 

ounces produced

5  Although no data exists for ozone-depleting emissions by weight, this has not been identified as 
a relevant/material issue under our ISO 14001-compliant Environmental Management Systems

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

62

Optimising our operations

Figure 3.15: Details of Level 3 environmental incidents (including spills)

Operation

Date

Description

Impact

Remedial action

KDC

9 February 2011

Possible subsidence and 
ground movement 

South Deep

6 June 2011

Damage to the gearbox 
and bearing of  the wheel 
that drives the clarifier 
bridge. This stopped 
automatically stopped its 
operation and no return 
activated sludge was 
recalculated 

Cracks affecting two 
houses and the pooling of  
water in Letsasing Village. 
Drilling and grouting 
subsequently completed 

Release of  6.6 million liters 
of  untreated sewage water 
into the Leeuwspruit

KDC

17 June 2011

Suspected ingress of  
external water into the 10 
Shaft water system

Discolouration of  fissure 
water and the discharge of  
water from 10 Shaft into the 
bio-monitoring dam

South Deep

2 December 2011

Power failure at the sewage 
works followed by a 
reporting delay

Release of  4.7 million liters 
of  untreated sewage water 
into the environment

KDC

6 December 2011

Progressive failure of  all 
tailings extraction pumps 
(e.g. associated with 
thickener transfer, CIP feed, 
CIP residue, disposal, 
George Dam, Brick Dam 
and No. 9/10 spillage)

Overflow of  tailings from 
sumps and bunded areas 
to the Brick Dam, which 
also overflowed outside 
the plant into the river and 
nearby shops - resulting in 
a spillage of  40 tonnes

Drilling and grouting 
completed to ensure 
ground stability

Daily monitoring, 
the undertaking of  a 
toxicological study and 
implementation of  third 
party audits. The issue was 
reported to the National 
Nuclear Regulator, the 
Department of  Mineral 
Resources and the 
Department of  Water Affairs

Chorine dosage was 
increased and chlorine 
tablets were added to the 
water to render it safe. The 
issue was reported to the 
Department of  Water Affairs

Power was restored to the 
sewage works and chlorine 
tablets were used to help 
disinfect the effluent

The plant was stopped to 
prevent further spillage. 
Samples were taken 
and subject to analysis, 
whilst a temporary dam 
was constructed outside 
the plant to contain the 
spill and prevent further 
impacts on the local river 
and shops. The issues was 
reported to the Department 
of  Water Affairs

Each of  our operations is subject 
to a tailored, ISO 14001-certified 
Environmental Management  
System (EMS). 

These help us identify and manage 
the impacts of  our activities  
and infrastructure, continuously 
improve and monitor our 
environmental performance and 
generate data for our centralised 
environmental database.

Closure and rehabilitation

Closure plans are in place at all of  
our mines, with the majority already 
being implemented – for example 
through concurrent rehabilitation. 
Our closure plans use ‘worst case 
scenario’ budgeting based on 
premature closure and excluding 
potential scrap values. This ensures 
that our financial provision for 
the responsible closure of  our 
operations remains robust.

We have made provision in 
our financial statements for 
environmental rehabilitation costs  
of  R3.19 billion (US$442 million). 

A dedicated trust fund to support 
these provisions is currently valued 
at R1.31 billion (US$181 million), 
with the unfunded portion of  these 
costs to be financed over the life of  
the operations.

Where we make significant changes 
to our operations, we work with local 
stakeholders to review and update 
our closure plans. Our planning is 
also subject to annual revision by 
our regional and group management 
teams, revision by third party 
experts, as well as annual internal 
and external audits 

Additional content online 

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

3.4.3  Using and discharging 
water responsibly

Water management represents a 
key risk in all of the regions in which 
we operate. It also forms a key 
component of each of our operations’ 
EMS – through which water use 
and quality is assessed, managed, 
monitored and reported on.

Water use and quality

In 2011, we withdrew 78,236 Ml 
(2010: 76,326 Ml) and discharged 
42,482 Ml (2010: 48,080 Ml). 

The average quality of  water 
discharged was 77 milli-siemens/
meter (mS/m) (2010: 71 mS/m). 
Although this is within international 
standards, we are working to bring 
this within the 60 mS/m medium-
term limit set by our water licences 
in South Africa.

Figure 3.16: Group water 
withdrawal (million liters)

90,000

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

0
5
9
,
5
7

3
0
4
,
2
7

6
2
3
,
6
7

6
3
2
,
8
7

2008

2009

2010

2011

None of  our operations are currently 
located in water-stressed areas, 
but we are actively monitoring all 
water discharges and the quality 
of  these discharges. 

AMD risks

AMD risks are subject to rigorous 
evaluation from the exploration stage 
onwards, with AMD management 
plans covering both operation and 
closure. We will only proceed with a 
project if  we are confident we can 
responsibly manage its AMD risks. 

63

Optimising our operations

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Despite its potential, AMD has 
not been detected at any of  
Gold Fields operations. Gold Fields 
has commissioned several technical 
studies to identify the steps required 
to prevent AMD at its facilities but 
none of  these studies have allowed 
Gold Fields to generate a reliable 
estimate of  the potential impact of  
AMD. Gold Fields has adopted a 
proactive approach by directing all 
studies and rehabilitation projects 
going forward to focus on AMD risk 
management.  All actions in this 
regard are premised on a regional 
and integrated approach, with a 
long term objective of  mine closure 
without residual liabilities.   

It is within this context that we are 
taking a leadership role in efforts 
to address the long-term impact of  
AMD, through a number of  initiatives 
including the Liquid Gold project 
and the Centralised Tailings Storage 
Facility (p64-65). 

AMD is considered a potential 
risk in Cerro Corona in Peru. 
We are, however, taking a range 
of  actions to manage this risk, 
through the implementation of  a 
full lifecycle risk mitigation strategy, 
continuous and comprehensive 
leach testing and the integration 
of  relevant design measures into 
its Tailings Storage Facility. In 
addition, AMD management has 
been fully integrated into the mine’s 
environmental management systems.

AMD in the Witwatersrand 
Water Basin

The historical legacy of  gold mining 
in the Witswatersrand Water Basin 
in South Africa means AMD is a 
significant issue that continues to 
attract elevated levels of  public and 
media attention. 

Gold Fields has identified a risk of  
potential long term AMD issues at 
our mines in the West Wits area, 
which are currently experienced 
by peer mining groups. AMD 
relates to the acidification and 
contamination of  naturally occurring 
water resources by pyrite bearing 
ore contained in both underground 
mines and rock dumps and tailings 
dams on the surface.  

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64

Optimising our operations

Other relevant actions taken in 
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) A review of  different emergency 
scenarios in the event of  local 
flooding, including the interaction 
of  our shaft systems with those 
of  other operators (both current 
and historical) and the potential 
AMD impacts

(cid:2)(cid:3) Active participation in the Mining 
Interest Group (of  which we are 
a founder), which represents the 
industry in the public steering 
committees set up to deal with 
legacy issues in the area. It also 
conducts public engagement 
and water monitoring in the 
Wonderfonteinspruit region

(cid:2)(cid:3)  Expansion of  a continuous water 
monitoring and analysis system 
across the West Wits catchment 
area – as well as the identification 
and analysis of  groundwater 
plumes within the region

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing support of  local water 

forums, through which we engage 
local farmers, water consumers 
and other interested parties

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced engagement with 

environmental monitoring groups, 
such as the Federation for a 
Sustainable Environment

(cid:2)(cid:3) Active cooperation with external 
consultants in the development 
of  a public-sponsored 
action plan

In September 2011, we hosted 
a delegation from the National 
Council of  Provinces (NCOP) to 
demonstrate our water management 
and environmental systems at KDC. 
The NCOP was visiting communities 
and mines in the region to familiarise 
itself  with the environmental issues 
surrounding local gold mines 
and their potential impact on 
communities – with a particular 
focus on AMD.

Liquid Gold 

Our most important initiative for 
addressing our potential long-term 
water liabilities in South Africa 
is the Liquid Gold project – which 
is expected to be a key element 
in our integrated water 
management strategy. 

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a
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This regionally-focused project 
envisages the production of  potable 
water from the fissure water (as 
well as process water) produced 
by our KDC and South Deep 
mines. By doing so, it offers the 
opportunity of  mitigating a potential 
contingent liability, by establishing 
an economically sustainable model 
that addresses the key issues in an 
affordable manner. 

During 2011, we completed a full 
pre-feasibility study for the project 
and our environmental impact 
assessment was approved by 
the Department of  Environmental 
Affairs. We are now in the process 
of  a full feasibility study which, on 
completion, could lead to a water 
treatment agreement, as well 
as developing an environmental 
management plan (p65).

 www.environment.gov.za 

Centralised Tailings 
Storage Facility

We are examining the potential for 
the reprocessing and centralisation 
of  some of  our 13 current and 
historical Tailings Storage Facilities 
(TSF) in the West Wits area into a 
new Centralised Tailings Storage 
Facility (CTSF) adjacent to South 
Deep’s existing Doornpoort TSF. 
This project – known as the Tailings 
Treatment Project (TTP) – would 
seek to extract gold from the 
existing tailings, whilst also reducing 
our long-term tailings management 
costs and minimising our future 
environmental liabilities. 

The economics of  the TTP – 
including the potential cost 
savings offered by the utilisation of  
innovative Python processing plants 
in this process (p53) – are still under 
examination, with a final decision to 
be made in 2012.

Whether the TTP proceeds or not, 
tailings from the South Deep mine 
will be stored in the large-volume 
CTSF. The CTSF would offer a 
number of  important advantages 
in terms of  mitigating our long-term 
environmental liabilities. 

In part, this is because (like South 
Deep’s Doornpoort TSF) it would 
sit on geological strata that 
pose only minimal risks of  
groundwater contamination. 

This is in contrast to the prevailing 
dolomitic geology of  the West Wits 
area, on which 13 of  our current 
and historical TSFs sit, which hosts 
naturally occurring dolomitic aquifers. 

The CTSF would be modelled on 
similar lines to the Doornpoort 
TSF, which incorporates a number 
of  innovative features to minimise 
potential contamination incidents. 

These include, for example:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pre-isolation of  the most acidic 
water before it enters the dam

(cid:2)(cid:3) On-site water treatment to reduce 
the risk of acid drainage and spills

(cid:2)(cid:3) Full plastic-lining of  the return 
water dam, as well as a robust 
leak detection system

(cid:2)(cid:3) Extensive earth bund walls and 

emergency catchment paddocks 
to contain spillages

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
Case study

Liquid Gold: Mitigating future liabilities and 
enhancing water security

Liquid Gold is Gold Fields long-term strategy for developing and 
implementing a sustainable business solution for water management 
in the South Africa region. It aims to establish a sustainable revenue 
stream to fund the on-going management of  key water issues at 
the KDC and South Deep mines in the Far West Rand area of  South 
Africa – whilst at the same time delivering potable water to local 
communities that face potential water shortages in the future. These 
issues include the long-term de-watering of  Gold Fields mines in the 
Wonderfonteinspruit river catchment area – as well as the mitigation of  
any potential future Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) risks. 

It is envisaged that potable water will be produced from fissure water 
(as well as process water) discharged by KDC and South Deep. 
This will be processed using leading-edge, customised treatment 
technology and robust monitoring systems that will ensure high levels 
of  water quality. The technology used includes:

(cid:2)(cid:3) A Crystalactor® to reduce calcium levels and produce mine-

usable lime as a side-product. This is a pellet reactor that softens 
water and enables the crystallisation of  a variety of  (heavy metal) 
carbonates, phosphates, halides, sulphates and sulphides

(cid:2)(cid:3) A cationic ion exchange to reduce residual calcium and magnesium 

(cid:2)(cid:3) A de-gassing tower to remove carbon dioxide

Gold Fields is collaborating with an independent water services 
provider to ensure these technical processes fully satisfy relevant 
quality standards for potable water. Gold Fields also plans to establish 
a water treatment agreement. It is envisaged that the water will then 
be delivered by local municipalities, or other agreed service providers, 
using established infrastructure. This will help ensure that dewatering 
continues at economically and environmentally sustainable levels – 
even after the closure of  Gold Fields mines on the West Rand. 

It is envisaged that the sustainability of  the Liquid Gold project 
will be further augmented through the production of  marketable 
chemicals – such as calcium magnesium nitrate (used to make 
fertiliser) – as a by-product of  the water treatment processes.  
Gold Fields is investigating the establishment of  third-party  
off-take agreements for these by-products.

“By implementing our Liquid Gold project, 
<(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)*(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:18)’(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:18)’(cid:8)
positioning ourselves to avoid potential  
AMD-related issues.” 

Peter Turner, Executive Vice-President: South Africa Region

65

Optimising our operations

Subsequent to the year-end,  
Gold Fields entered a Memorandum 
of  Understanding (“MoU”) with  
Gold One International to investigate 
the viability of  concurrently 
reprocessing the two companies’ 
combined surface tailings deposits, 
located on the West Rand region 
of  South Africa. Under the MoU, 
Gold Fields and Gold One will 
jointly investigate the feasibility of  
establishing a joint venture into 
which both will contribute surface 
assets for retreatment. These assets 
are expected to comprise in excess 
of  700 million tonnes. A detailed 
scoping study is expected to be 
completed by mid-2012, following 
which a decision will be taken on 
whether to advance the study to a 
feasibility level. The intention of  the 
joint venture, should it proceed, is 
to reclaim and retreat historic and 
current tailings material to recover 
residual gold, uranium and sulphur.

During 2012, we hope to advance 
our tailings treatment strategy  
to achieve a clearer outcome – 
having examined all the options  
set out above.

Additional water risks

Australasia region

In Australia, our primary water risks 
relate to availability. In 2011, we 
continued to diversify our supply 
of  process quality water away from 
the bore-fields we have relied on in 
the past. Agnew sources  its water 
both from a nearby decommissioned 
open pit and from underground. 
The mine also carries out extensive 
water recycling, including that of  
tailings water, pumped underground 
water and domestic waste water. 

In 2011, St Ives sourced 
approximately 25% of  its water 
for processing from a freshwater 
dam. It also commissioned a 
detailed, third-party study of  the 
future viability of  its current bore-
field – with particular focus on 
future consumption patterns and 
alternative sourcing. The operation 
recycles up to 30% of  its water, 
depending on tailings deposition 
locations and climatic conditions.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

66

Optimising our operations

We have identified the early 
development of  an underground salt 
plume at a ‘legacy’ TSF at Agnew. 
We have implemented a study and a 
survey to inform additional actions to 
be taken. 

South Africa region

In South Africa, which faces 
potential future water shortages, 
our operations source their water 
from local utilities and from 
naturally occurring water found 
underground.  The water from 
underground constitutes a much 
larger volume - in total more than 
100 million liters per day. The larger 
portion of  this volume is pumped to 
surface, without the mining process 
impacting on it, and released into 
the natural environment.

Our mines have a comprehensive 
monitoring programme that is 
used to continually check both the 
volume and quality of  the water 
that is discharged into the natural 
environment. This requires regular 
sampling of  all discharges through 
which salt and heavy metal levels 
are checked to ensure legally 
permissible volume and quality levels 
are not exceeded.  We also have 
hundreds of  sampling boreholes that 
are carefully positioned to monitor 
underground water and the potential 
pollution thereof.  

Through this process, we can 
identify anomalies and rectify any 
problems that may arise from time to 
time.  All such incidents are reported 
to the authorities and resolved in 
a transparent and collaborative 
manner.  We are currently in the 
process of  introducing continuous 
monitors on all of  our surface 
discharges, which should assist 
us even further in identifying and 
mitigating risks  associated with our 
water discharges.

South America region

In Peru, water use at our Cerro 
Corona mine is minimised through 
the use of  a closed circuit water 
system. This means we do not use 
water from local rivers – instead 
relying on rain and groundwater  
– and only consume 17% of  the 
water we are permitted to use  
under our licence. 

Water quality represents a highly 
sensitive issue within communities 
in the Hualgayoc region, due to 
the negative environmental legacy 
of  previous mining operators and 
heavy local reliance on agriculture. 
As a result, we are involved in a joint 
water monitoring programme led 
by the National Water Authority. This 
multi-stakeholder initiative, which 
carries out regular testing of  the 
Tingo and Hualgayoc rivers, involves 
local water consumers, the regional 
director for agriculture and the local 
water authority. 

Despite the joint water monitoring 
programme – as well as the fact 
that all of  our discharges are within 
regulated limits – downstream 
communities continue to raise 
concerns around water quality.  
As a result, in 2011 we continued 
efforts to build community 
confidence, including: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The seeking of  government 
verification of  downstream  
water quality

(cid:2)(cid:3) Minimisation of  the non-toxic 
sediments in our discharges

(cid:2)(cid:3) Support for two public water 

treatment plants

(cid:2)(cid:3) Precautionary water quality 

monitoring at two local springs 

West Africa region

In Ghana, we face potential water 
risks in terms of  both availability 
and quality. In 2011 we made good 
progress in reducing our water use 
through the application of  closed-
circuit water processes during the 
heap leaching process, as well  
as water recycling. For example,  
at Tarkwa we recycle approximately 
35% of  water used in the  
CIL process. 

In terms of  quality, we are 
implementing a number of  initiatives 
to further minimise the risk of  water 
contamination. During 2011, we 
completed the construction of  the 
TSF3 tailings storage facility at 
Tarkwa, which incorporates a range 
of  control measures such as an 
impermeable clay base and pen 
stock, extensive water monitoring 
boreholes, as well as enhanced 
embankments. We also installed a 
water clarification plant to remove 
suspended solids in the water to 
support our heap leaching process 
at Tarkwa. This – along with longer 
retention times – has helped 
ameliorate community concerns 
about our past discharge of  limited 
amounts of  non-toxic silt into the 
local water system.

3.4.4  Reducing our 
carbon and managing 
climate change impacts 

Growing international concern 
about climate change, as well as 
the increasing likelihood of  carbon 
regulation in a range of  jurisdictions, 
means we place strong emphasis 
on carbon and climate change 
management. In addition, rising 
energy costs mean that any success 
in reducing our energy consumption 
delivers important commercial 
benefits, while at the same time 
cutting our emission levels.  
Carbon-based electricity  
generation accounts for the bulk  
of  our Scope 2 emissions.

As a result, we are developing 
a fully integrated, Group-level 
Energy and Carbon Strategy and 
management plan. This is with the 
objective of  ensuring regulatory 
compliance, defining our energy 
usage, identifying key mitigation 
measures for reducing carbon 
emissions and energy consumption, 
embedding relevant management 
strategies and confirming reporting 
requirements and protocols. Training 
and awareness, as well as regular 
performance reviews, will be integral 
components of  this new strategy.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

In 2011, we embedded our new 
Carbon Management Policy, 
which commits us to reducing our 
carbon footprint, improving our 
energy efficiency and managing 
the risks posed by climate change. 
Under this policy, our regions are 
responsible for developing a Carbon 
Management Strategy tailored to 
local context and based on the 
following three pillars: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Management and reporting, 

including carbon accounting, 
reporting and communication 
(p50-51) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Adaptation, including the 

development of  a strategy  
to manage climate change  
risks (p69)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mitigation, including the 

mitigation of  carbon pricing risks, 
which will impact on our cost 
structures and NCE, as well as 
focus on the opportunities offered 
by the generation and sale of  
carbon credits (p68)

Figure 3.17: Group CO2-e  
emissions (tonnes)1

7m

6m

5m

4m

3m

2m

1m

0

3
2
7
,
6
0
5
,
5

6
7
5
,
1
1
2
,
5

3
4
2
,
0
5
3
,
5

1
6
9
,
7
9
2
,
5

2008

2009

2010

2011

Figure 3.18: Group CO2-e  
emissions by type (%)1

Scope 2

Scope 1

Scope 3

12%

14%

74%

Figure 3.19: Carbon intensity  
(tonnes CO2-e/oz)2

Emission intensity 
Weighted emission intensity 
(corrected for ore grade)

Weighted emission intensity (corrected 
for ore grade and mining depth)

1.60

1.40

1.20

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

0

1
4
.
1

2
4
.
1

0
4
.
1

9
3
.
1

9
2
.
1

3
1
.
1

3
4
.
1

5
2
.
1

6
9
.
0

2009

2010

2011

Figure 3.20: Group NOx and SOx  
emissions (tonnes)

NOx (tonnes)

SOx (tonnes)

During 2011, we started integrating 
carbon pricing into our financial 
planning. Although we are not 
currently subject to cap and trade 
carbon pricing schemes, we  
have taken this step to ensure we 
are well placed to thrive in a  
carbon-rationed future. Carbon 
pricing will also be included in our 
2013 budgeting process – with 
specific carbon reduction targets 
to be determined by the Group 
Executive Committee. 

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

6
0
3
5

,

7
5
1
5

,

5
3
6
5

,

5
0
1
5

,

2
2
2

2
2
2

6
3
2

3
5
2

2008

2009

2010

2011

67

Optimising our operations

Carbon emissions

Our reliance on coal-generated 
power for our deep-level mines in 
South Africa accounts for the majority 
of  our carbon emissions (89% of  
Scope 1 and 2 emissions). Much of  
the remainder is accounted for by 
our truck fleets in our other regions. 

During 2011, our total emissions 
(Scope 1, 2 and 3 including mine 
methane) amounted to 6.6 million 
tonnes CO2-e (2010: 7.1 million 
tonnes). As part of  our reporting 
under the Carbon Disclosure 
Project, we have broken our 
emissions down as follows: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Scope 1 including mine methane 
emissions3: 1.01 million tonnes 
CO2-e (2010: 1.40 million tonnes)
(cid:2)(cid:3) Scope 1 excluding mine methane 
emissions: 0.46 million tonnes 
CO2-e (2010: 0.44 million tonnes)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Scope 24: 4.84 million tonnes 

CO2-e (2010: 4.91 million tonnes)5

(cid:2)(cid:3) Scope 36: 0.79 million tonnes 

CO2-e (2010: 0.78 million tonnes)5

In 2011, Gold Fields was ranked first 
in the Top 100 Carbon Disclosure 
Leadership Index (CDLI) for the 
Johannesburg Stock Exchange 
(JSE). The CDLI rates JSE-listed 
companies on the disclosure of  
their carbon emissions and is 
carried out annually by the global 
Carbon Disclosure Project. Our 
disclosure rating of  98% is within 
1% of  the best score in the world, 
placing us among the best of  the 
3,700 companies surveyed by the 
CDP. Furthermore, Gold Fields 
was ranked joint first for Carbon 
Leadership Performance, which 
measures how companies set 
carbon reduction targets and how 
they perform against them. 

1  Scope 1 and 2 emissions only. Excludes 

fugitive mine methane emissions 

2  Carbon intensity for 2008/2010 restated due 

to revised reporting re ounces produced

3  i.e. All direct greenhouse gas emissions

4  i.e. Indirect emissions from consumption of  

purchased electricity, heat or steam

5 Figures for 2010 have been restated in light 
of  the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Please refer 
to footnote 3 on p61 for an explanation

6  i.e. Other indirect emissions, such as 
transport-related activities in vehicles 
not owned or controlled by Gold Fields, 
outsourced activities, waste disposal, etc. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

68

Optimising our operations

Carbon regulation and  
alternative energy

Emerging carbon regulation in 
Australia and South Africa makes 
it particularly important that we 
continue to reduce our energy 
consumption, reduce our carbon 
emissions and generate Certified 
Emissions Reductions (CERs).

Australia’s Clean Energy Act is due 
to introduce a carbon tax that prices 
carbon at A$23 per tonne. A national 
cap and trade scheme will be 
gradually introduced to replace the 
tax. Although we do not directly fall 
under this scheme, the legislation 
will also adjust fuel tax credits and 
excise duties to apply an equivalent 
carbon price to our diesel. We 
expect this to introduce additional 
costs of  between A$6 and A$8 
million (US$6 and US$8 million) 
a year at current levels of  fuel 
consumption. Should we become 
subject to the cap and trade scheme 
in future, Gold Fields could possibly 
‘import’ CERs where necessary – 
including self-generated CERs from 
our South Africa and West Africa 
regions. In 2011, we actively worked 
to understand the full impact of  the 
Clean Energy Act and to identify any 
related opportunities. 

In October 2011, the Government of  
South Africa approved the National 
Climate Change Response Policy, 
which envisages the imposition 
of  carbon emissions caps on the 
country’s largest emitters within the 
next two years – including those 
in the mining sector. This is with 
the aim of  contributing to a cut in 
carbon emissions growth by 34% in 
the next decade and 42% by 2025. 
In the 2012 Budget, the government 
announced plans to introduce 
carbon taxes in 2013 at R120/
tonne, although nearly two-thirds of  
emissions will be tax-exempt until 
2020. Again, we are investigating 
opportunities to mitigate the 
impact of  such regulation through 
the generation of  CERs within 
South Africa, as well as from our 
Australasia and West Africa regions.

Our efforts to mitigate our carbon 
emissions have been given support 
by the continuation of  the Kyoto 
Protocol as agreed by the United 
Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (Cop 17) in Durban 
in December 2011. This will enable 
us to continue our efforts to generate 
carbon credits to fund some of  our 
energy efficiency projects. We are 
already in a relatively good position 
to participate in future carbon 
markets, with a number of  alternative 
energy projects either active or in the 
pipeline. These include the following:

Beatrix Methane Project

In 2011, our cutting-edge 
Beatrix Methane Project was 
registered under the Clean 
Development Mechanism (CDM). 
It was estimated that the flaring of  
underground methane gas and the 
surface bore-holes generated a 
total of  30,000 Certified Emission 
Reductions (CERs).

The value of  these CERs on 
the international carbon trading 
market in 2011 totalled R1.2 million 
(US$166,000). We also advanced 
plans to construct a co-generation 
plant that will use this gas as a 
feedstock to generate approximately 
4MW a year of  electricity. It is 
expected that this could prevent the 
emission of  approximately 12,000 
tonnes of  methane a year, equivalent 
to 252,000 tonnes of  CO2-e. In 
financial terms, this would be 
equivalent to around R10.4 million 
(US$1.4 million) in CERs a year – 
and R2.5 million (US$346,000) in 
annual energy savings. 

Over the current first phase of   
the project (which will last to  
around 2020) we expect to generate 
around R85 million (US$11 million) 
in CERs and about R70 million 
(US$9 million) in energy savings at 
current CER prices and Rand-Euro 
exchange rates.

During 2011, we initiated work 
to establish a second methane 
extraction system, including a flare 
installation at Beatrix West, with 
construction to start in mid-2012. 

This would approximately double 
the amount of  methane extracted 
from underground and the 
electricity generated.

Solar generation at Beatrix

In addition, we are investigating the 
potential for large scale, third-party 
solar power generation on our land 
at Beatrix, which would be subject 
to the South African feed-in tariff, a 
tariff  that subsidises generation of  
electricity using alternative energies, 
such as solar and wind.

Bio-energy generation at Tarkwa 

Plans are in place to establish a 
new 10 - 15 MW biomass energy 
plant on the boundary of  our Tarkwa 
mine – with all power generated at 
the plant to be utilised by the mine. 
It is expected that the plant, which 
will initially use feedstock from 
maturing rubber plantations, will be 
commissioned in 2013. 

We are analysing opportunities 
for the future sourcing of  biomass 
from local communities. The project 
benefits from funding assistance 
through the international Clean 
Development Mechanism (CDM), 
and has the potential to produce up 
to 45,000 CERs a year, either to sell 
or to off-set carbon emissions from 
our other operations.

Wind generation at Lake Lefroy

At St Ives, we are continuing to 
collect wind data on nearby Lake 
Lefroy to assess the potential for 
large-scale wind-generation. This 
produced a wind resource model 
during 2011, which indicated a 
reliable wind resource and strong 
potential for wind farming. This will 
assist with the development of  a 
wind farm feasibility study in 2012. 
The study will include analysis of  the 
potential for the generation of  CERs, 
which would considerably enhance 
project economics.

 www.cop17-cmp7durban.com
 www.cdm.unfccc.int

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

69

Optimising our operations

Climate change impacts

Figure 3.22: Group input materials (tonnes)

Although it is difficult to establish 
direct causation, there are signs 
that climate change may already be 
affecting our operations in Ghana. 
We have observed deviations from 
established weather patterns – with 
implications in terms of  the intensity 
of  rainfall during certain periods. 
This has had a limited impact on 
the ‘washing out’ of  our waste rock 
dumps and rehabilitated sites. We 
are currently analysing potential 
actions to ensure such risks are 
mitigated in future. Likewise, in 
mid-2011 Tarkwa’s Teberebie pit 
was subject to flooding, which 
temporarily impacted production. 
Pump capacity at the pit has 
subsequently been upgraded (p95).

In addition, we are carrying 
out certain projects under the 
‘adaptation’ pillar of  our Carbon 
Management Strategy, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Designing chilling plants for  
higher daytime temperatures

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increasing the freeboard in  

slimes dam design to mitigate  
flash flood risks

3.4.5  Managing 
materials responsibly

We are committed to the safe and 
responsible management of  our 
input and output materials.

Figure 3.21: Group mining waste 
(million tonnes)

160.00

140.00

120.00

100.00

80.00

60.00

40.00

20.00

0

Tailings

Waste rock

.

7
4
4
1

.

8
3
3
1

.

2
1
3
1

.

4
0
8

.

3
6
3

4
.
3
2

.

7
8
4

5

.

5
5

2008

2009

2010

2011

2008

2009

2010

2011

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

Timber

Blasting
agents

HCI

Lime

Cement

Caustic
soda

Our most significant input materials 
include timber, blasting agents, 
Hydrogen Chloride, lime, cement 
and caustic soda. However, cyanide 
represents the most potentially 
hazardous input material, meaning 
we place particular emphasis on 
its management. All our eligible 
operations have full accreditation 
under the International Cyanide 
Management Code (ICMC). This 
accreditation extends to our 
transport providers.

Our most significant output  
materials include tailings, waste 
rock, chemical waste and 
hydrocarbon waste.

Each of  our mines has a life of  
mine tailings management plan, 
supported by relevant tailings 
management procedures and 
guidance. Our tailings storage 
facilities (TSFs) – as well as their 
associated pipelines and pumping 
facilities – are subject to daily 
inspections, as well as formal 
annual reporting. In addition, they 
are inspected for technical integrity 
by independent engineers at least 
once every three years – or more 
frequently where required by local 
circumstances or relevant permit or 
licence conditions.

Our TSFs are subject to a range  
of  measures to minimise the risks 
they pose to the environment 
– including robust physical 
modelling and engineering. They 
are also subject to ISO 14001 
certified, externally audited tailings 
management systems. 

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

What is the International 
Cyanide Management  
Code (ICMC)? 

The ICMC is a voluntary 
gold industry programme to 
promote the responsible use 
of  cyanide, protect human 
health and reduce potential 
environmental impacts. 
Signatories to the Code are 
subject to third-party auditing 
to ensure their compliance. 
Compliance with the Code is 
recognised as best practice 
for cyanide management 
by the World Gold Council, 
the Council for Responsible 
Jewellery Practices, the 
International Finance 
Corporation and the G8  
group of  countries.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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Optimising our operations

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

71

Optimising our operations

In Ghana, for example, we 
implement a total ban on hunting 
on our land holdings and have 
strict controls to protect local 
water bodies. Because of  this, 
our operations act as de facto 
sanctuaries for local wildlife and 
enjoy high levels of  biodiversity 
compared to their surrounds. 

Gold Fields is a corporate member 
of  the Ghana Wildlife Society, and 
their guidelines continue to inform 
our management of  biodiversity 
at site-level. We are also a 
founding member of  Leadership 
for Conservation in Africa (LCA), 
an organisation through which 
business, governments and 
environmental organisations work 
together to promote conservation-
led socio-economic development.

Likewise, the shores of  Lake Lefroy 
near St Ives in Australia represent 
an area of  sensitive biodiversity. 
Internal and external permitting and 
monitoring systems are in place 
to assess the cumulative impacts 
of  the operation’s lake-based 
mining and to minimise related 
ecological impacts. The expansion 
of  St Ives’ lake-based operations 
has been assessed by the Office 
of  the Environmental Protection 
Authority and ministerial approval 
was granted – with conditions – in 
November 2011. 

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

 www.ghanawildlifesociety.org

Specific risk management 
measures include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pollution containment facilities to 

capture any runoff

(cid:2)(cid:3) Recycling systems to enable 
tailings water to be reused in 
metallurgical processes (including 
closed circuit systems)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Dust and erosion control 

measures, including vegetation 
and/or dust palliatives on 
slope faces

Although most of  our tailings are 
stored in TSFs, a proportion 
is recycled as paste fill (in 
combination with cement) in 
line with best practice rock 
engineering requirements.

In South Africa, we recycle a 
substantial amount of  waste 
rock through reprocessing and 
use in construction projects 
carried out by our contractors. 
The remainder is kept in managed 
dumps, which are subject to 
comprehensive rehabilitation. 

3.4.6  Respecting and 
promoting biodiversity

Our management of  fauna and flora 
is based on an understanding of  
the complex relationships between 
biodiversity, climate change and 
water – as well as the need to 
manage ecosystems in their entirety. 
Where feasible, we aim to have a net 
positive impact on biodiversity. 

All of  our mines evaluate direct and 
indirect biodiversity risks under their 
EMSs and as part of  mine lifecycle 
management. Where relevant, we 
work with local communities and 
environmental NGOs to develop 
biodiversity management plans – 
and to carry out joint monitoring of  
our biodiversity risks and impacts. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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P

,

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o
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72

Optimising our operations

3.5  Regional overview: 
Australasia

3.5.1 

Introduction

Gold Fields operational activities 
in the region are centred on our St 
Ives and Agnew mines in Western 
Australia. Gold Fields also has an 
extensive greenfields exploration 
portfolio in the region, including 
the East Lachlan joint venture 
projects in New South Wales and 
the Delamarian project in South 
Australia (p109-110). The most 
promising growth project in the 
region is the highly prospective 
gold-copper Far Southeast project in 
the Philippines (p116-118).

In March 2012, we made a third 
down-payment of  US$110 million 
under our US$340 million option 
agreement to acquire a 60% interest 
in the Far Southeast project. The first 
payment of  US$54 million was made 
in September 2010 and the second 
of  US$66 million in September 
2011. If  we exercise our option, the 
final payment of  US$220 million is 
expected to be paid in 2012. Our 
extensive surface and underground 
drilling programme at Far Southeast 
continues to show promising results 
– supporting both the known core of  
mineralisation, as well as lateral and 
vertical extensions. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

In 2011, we continued to stabilise 
our mining operations in Australia to 
provide a solid platform for near-
mine production expansion – and 
to create a more robust regional 
NCE margin. Actions undertaken to 
support these goals included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  Business 

Process Re-engineering (BPR)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing near-mine reserve 

replacement

(cid:2)(cid:3) Achievement of  full production 
at our Athena underground 
operation at St Ives and the 
Songvang open pit at Agnew

(cid:2)(cid:3) Construction of  the Hamlet 

underground deposit at St Ives

We have implemented a tailored 
recruitment and retention programme 
to address the competitive, ‘fly in, 
fly out’ labour market in Western 
Australia. Although our staff  turnover 
rate is steady at 28% (2010: 30%), 
we expect the positive impacts of  
this programme to become apparent 
in the next few years. 

Both St Ives and Agnew retained 
their OHSAS 18001 and ISO 
14001 certification, and remained 
compliant with the International 
Cyanide Management Code.

Production and NCE margin

Attributable production in Australia 
increased by 6% in 2011 to 659,000 
ounces (2010: 620,000 ounces). 
This reflected stable mill throughput 
at St Ives, as well as higher output 
from the underground Kim ore body 
and maiden production from the 
newly commissioned Songvang 
open pit at Agnew.

Over the same period, the regional 
NCE margin improved to 23% 
(2010: 20%). In part, this was due 
to improved output and higher gold 
prices, offset by increasing costs 
and capital expenditure.

Outlook for 2012

The regional target of  1 million 
ounces in production or development 
by 2015 remains our core objective. 
In 2012, we plan to achieve gold 
output of  between 630,000 and 
660,000 ounces at a total cash 
cost of  A$890/oz and an NCE of  
A$1,415/oz (including the one-off  
cost to convert to owner mining at 
St Ives’ open pit operations). We are 
confident that considerable amounts 
of  our development ounces will 
come from our Far Southeast project 
in the Philippines. 

Opportunities

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continuous improvement of  

health and safety performance

(cid:2)(cid:3) Highly prospective sites with 
scope for further development

(cid:2)(cid:3) Leveraging of  internal technical 
competencies to further improve 
productivity and costs

Figure 3.23: Attributable gold pro-
duction (000’oz)

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2
5
6

6
1
6

2
0
6

0
2
6

9
5
6

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 3.24: NCE margin (%)

3
2

1
2

0
2

30

25

20

15

10

9

2
1

5

0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 3.25: LTIFR1

10.00

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

7
0
4

.

2
8
2

.

6
7
1

.

5
8
1

.

2008

2009

2010

2011

1  Restatement – figures for 2009 and 2010 

previously reported as 1.18 and 4.08 
respectively. See p4 for explanation 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

73

Optimising our operations

3.5.2  Top 10 Australasia region heat map

The heat map below sets out the top 10 Australasia region risks, as identified through our Enterprise Risk 
Management (ERM) process (p36-37).

Maximum

Travel risks associated
with senior managers
flying to the mine sites

9

Illegal use of explosives by 
third-parties

10

5

4

y
t
i
r
e
v
e
S

Employee turnover

Failure to achieve operational plan 

Impact of the high cost base and adverse gold 
price/exchange rate fluctuations on profitability

2

1

3

Continuity of energy supply after expiry of 
current sourcing arrangement

Inability to execute mine construction 
and/or expansion projects

Critical infrastructure failure

8

7

6

Rising input costs

Failure to maintain improvements in 
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate

Probability

Maximum

Minimum

Risk mitigating strategies

1

2

3

 (cid:2) Aggressive and ongoing implementation of  Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) to achieve targeted NCE margins

 (cid:2) Implementation of  our production reporting tool to analyse production performance

 (cid:2) Enhanced focus on inputs and outputs with a focus on improved mine planning and reporting 

 (cid:2) Negotiation of  new power purchasing agreement

 (cid:2) Investigation of  alternative supply sources, including self-generation

4

 (cid:2) Provision of  a competitive employee value proposition

 (cid:2) Acceleration of  our graduate development programmes 

 (cid:2) Enhanced focus on leadership development as well as individual employee development

5

 (cid:2) Prioritisation of  maintenance activities

 (cid:2) Technical review and assurance by Group Technical Services

 (cid:2) Engagement of  specialist consultants

6

 (cid:2) Prioritisation of  health and safety resourcing 

 (cid:2) Enhanced enforcement of  health and safety standards

7

8

 (cid:2) Ongoing implementation of  BPR to control cost escalation

 (cid:2) Appointment of  designated, qualified Project Managers for relevant projects

 (cid:2) Implementation of  improved project reporting systems

9

 (cid:2) General review of  company travel procedures

 (cid:2) Prohibition on a ‘critical mass’ of  managers travelling together

10

 (cid:2) Focus on strict explosive magazine procedures, including auditing

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

74

Optimising our operations

3.5.3  Operation 
overview: St Ives

The lease area of  our St Ives mine is 
located near the town of  Kambalda 
in Western Australia – 80km south 
of  Kalgoorlie. It produces from four 
underground mines, three open pits 
and 10 surface stockpile sources, 
with processing taking place 
through a carbon in leach plant  
and a heap leach plant. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

Notable achievements in  
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commercial levels of  production 
at our new Athena underground 
operation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commissioning of  the Mars/

Figure 3.26: Key operating statistics St Ives

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable (‘000oz)

Total cash cost (A$/oz)

465

873

468

776

415

816

415

739

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (A$/oz)

1,248

1,064

1,056

1,014

Gold price (A$/oz)

Operating profit (A$m)

Operating costs (A$m)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

1,532

1,336

1,241

1,033

312

403

44

19

273

376

44

20

180

345

35

15

116

301

27

12

451

582

806

832

105

257

28

3

Figure 3.27: Key sustainability statistics St Ives

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (A$m)

Employee wages and benefits (A$m)

Total employees 

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

18

47

466

0

2.86

2.79

21

43

319

0

5.031

2.60

183.8

1,805

29

36

315

0

0.82

3.00

16

32

271

0

1.60

3.10

198.1

1,919

212.1

1,980

Minotaur and Paddy’s open pits

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reaching full production at the 

Formidable open pit

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)
Energy consumption (TJ)

174.7

1,718

(cid:2)(cid:3) Successful transition to  
owner-mining at our  
underground operations

We continued to focus on managing 
the strip ratio, disciplined scheduling 
and enhanced mining plans. During 
2011, our mining flexibility and 
our production sustainability were 
enhanced by the fact that we: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Progressed our two new open 

pits into production 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commissioned our Athena 

project and reached commercial 
levels of  production

(cid:2)(cid:3) Advanced the construction of  the 
Hamlet decline and completed 
relevant surface infrastructure

(cid:2)(cid:3) Extended the life of  our Cave 

Rocks underground operation  
by 1-2 years as a result of  
extensive drilling

(cid:2)(cid:3) Carried out extensive 

maintenance on our 15-year old 
Heap Leach Facility

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completed a paste-fill plant 

for Athena and Hamlet, due for 
commissioning in March 2012. 
This will deliver greater mining 
flexibility and help improve safety

Water withdrawal (million liters)

10,686

16,309

23,291

22,159

Figure 3.28: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves St Ives

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves St Ives

2011

 % of Group total

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

5.31

2.81

2%

4%

1 Restatement – figure previously reported as 5.05. See p4 for explanation

St Ives also implemented a range of  
BPR initiatives. These included:

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:8) 
carbon emissions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improvements to short-term 
interval controls, which have 
increased throughput at the  
heap leach plant

(cid:2)(cid:3) Identification and implementation 

of  a range of  initiatives – 
including analysis of  the heap 
leach and milling mixes, as well 
as mine scheduling – following 
an externally conducted 
optimisation study 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  owner-mining 

for all underground ore  
extraction, whilst maintaining 
contractor development. This 
included the integration of  
contractor employees, truck  
fleet and equipment

During 2011, we progressed efforts 
to improve energy efficiency and 
reduce our carbon emissions. Aside 
from the direct cost savings this is 
likely to offer, such efforts are likely to 
offset changes to be made to fuel tax 
rebate credits under Australia’s Clean 
Energy Act (p68, 155). In addition, 
we are using fuel additives to improve 
the burn efficiency of  our truck 
engines and are exploring automated 
weighing systems to improve truck 
loading efficiencies. 

In terms of  processing, we 
implemented the heating of  pre-
treatment water using solar vacuum 
tube and heat pump technologies 
to improve productivity and lower 
energy consumption. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

We also advanced the installation 
of  Variable Speed Drives to mill 
water pumps to reduce wear 
and electricity consumption. 
Furthermore, we continued our 
two-year assessment of  the St Ives 
wind resource and large-scale wind 
generation on Lake Lefroy. This 
produced a positive pre-feasibility 
study based on accumulated site 
data, in addition to potential turbine 
locations and costs (p68).

Production, development and 
NCE margin

Production performance remained 
relatively steady through 2011, with 
output reaching 465,000 ounces 
(2010: 468,000 ounces). Our focus 
has been on maintaining similar 
levels of  production at the mine, 
whilst reducing its costs. 

At the underground operations, ore 
mined increased from 1.61 million 
tonnes at 5 g/t in 2010 to 1.77 million 
tonnes at 4.7 g/t in 2011 – with 
increased tonnage from Athena 
replacing the Belleisle mine, which 
closed in May 2011.  At the open pit 
operations, ore mined decreased 
from 5.42 million tonnes at 1.7 g/t in 
2010 to 4.31 million tonnes at 1.8 g/t 
per tonne in 2011 – with a decrease 
in the open pit mining fleet and 
greater use of  stockpiled ore.

Gold production from Lefroy 
decreased from 439,000 ounces 
to 433,200 ounces as a result of  
reduced underground grade and 
greater use of  stockpiled ore. At the 
heap leach facility, gold production 
increased from 28,900 ounces to 
31,400 ounces due to throughput 
improvements and a slightly higher 
average grade of  ore stacked.

Operating costs rose at the start 
of  the year due to higher waste 
normalisation costs after drawing-
down on inventory to supplement 
lower production. The NCE margin 
declined marginally from 20% to 
19% in 2011 as a result of  higher 
capital expenditure, offset in part by 
improved gold prices.

75

Optimising our operations

Outlook for 2012

This plan assumes: 

We plan for St Ives to produce 
between 440,000 and 460,000 
ounces of  gold at a total cash cost 
of  A$935/oz (US$935/oz) and an 
NCE of  A$1,540/oz (US$1,540/oz), 
which includes the one-off  cost to 
convert from contractor to owner 
mining at the open pit operations. 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The achievement of  a full 

production run rate at Athena 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  a new paste-fill 

plant to support the Hamlet and 
Athena operations

(cid:2)(cid:3) Bringing Hamlet into production 

by mid-2012

(cid:2)(cid:3) Identifying ongoing opportunities 
to grow and consolidate our open 
pits in light of  stable gold prices

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued implementation 

of  BPR

a

i
l

a
r
t
s
u
A

,
s
e
v
I

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S

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
76

Optimising our operations

3.5.4  Operation 
overview: Agnew

Agnew is located 23km west of  
Leinster, which is itself  375km north 
of  Kalgoorlie. The mine produces 
from the Kim, Main and Rajah ore 
bodies, which form part of  the 
Waroonga underground mining 
complex as well as the Songvang 
open pit. Ore is processed through  
a carbon in pulp plant. 

Performance in 2011

Overview 

Notable achievements in  
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Consolidation of  owner-mining, 
with commensurate productivity 
and cost benefits

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commencement of  surface 

mining at the Songvang open pit

(cid:2)(cid:3) Significant development work on 

the Main Vent Shaft

(cid:2)(cid:3) Extensive drilling on the Main 

Lode ore body to support long-
term mine sustainability 

Our focus has been on operational 
stabilisation, following the 
implementation of  owner-mining. 
The first half  of  the year was 
relatively challenging as a result of:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Short-term challenges around 

the consistency of  our paste fill 
cement, which limited our ability 
to bring stopes into sequence 
at Kim Lode – the highest 
grade section of  the Waroonga 
complex. We have since achieved 
improvements in this respect

(cid:2)(cid:3) A lack of  open pit ore

Nonetheless, production recovered 
as a result of:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improved underground grade, 

resulting from effective planning

(cid:2)(cid:3) The commissioning of  the 

Songvang pit, which helped us 
utilise available mill capacity and 
improve operational flexibility

Figure 3.29: Key operating statistics Agnew

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable (‘000oz)

Total cash cost (A$/oz)

194

675

152

684

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (A$/oz)

1,062

1,098

188

536

799

201

524

701

Gold price (A$/oz)

Operating profit (A$m)

Operating costs (A$m)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

1,564

1,326

1,241

1,034

175

134

58

32

96

105

48

17

133

99

57

36

98

101

47

32

200

472

646

841

74

98

44

23

Figure 3.30: Key sustainability statistics Agnew

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (A$m)

Employee wages and benefits (A$m)

Total employees 

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)
Energy consumption (TJ)

8

27

235

0

2.72

0.71

49.6

439

0

21

212

0

1.11

0.44

40.6

339

0

20

158

0

2.13

0.53

42.9

356

0

21

136

0

2.23

0.80

45.7

368

Water withdrawal (million liters)

1,287

1,213

1,564

1,096

Figure 3.31: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Agnew

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Agnew

2011

% of Group total

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

3.84

1.30

2%

2%

Our transition to owner-mining has 
started to show benefits in terms 
of  efficiency, with production costs 
falling by 1.3% on a per ounce basis. 

This puts us in a strong position for 
the future as we look to develop the 
Kim ore body at depth. 

In addition, during 2011 we focused 
on improving mine flexibility and 
sustainability through an extensive 
planning and development 
programme. This included the 
construction of  the New Vent Shaft, 
which is essential for the future 
development of  the Kim ore body. 
The Kim ore body is currently being 
operated at 900 meters but extends 
as deep as 1,500 meters. 

We have already initiated early work 
to examine potential automation of  
our mining processes, including the 
trial operation of  a remotely operated 
drill-rig and the ongoing development 
of  our fibre optics infrastructure. 

Such technology will become 
increasingly important as we mine  
at deeper levels.

The New Vent Shaft will also be 
necessary if  we develop the 
prospective Main Lode beneath 
the current Main ore body, which 
we are in the process of  drilling. 
If  successfully developed, the 
potentially high-grade Main Gap 
ore body will play a key role in 
supporting future production levels.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

77

Optimising our operations

During 2011, Agnew implemented 
a range of  BPR initiatives. 
These included:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing optimisation of  our 
owner mining arrangements, 
including a focus on short-term 
interval controls to improve 
the amount of  ore trucked from 
underground – as well 
as equipment scheduling 
and resourcing

(cid:2)(cid:3) Introduction of  owner maintenance 
to improve equipment availability 
and reduce costs. This means only 
development activity is currently 
undertaken by contractors at 
the mine

(cid:2)(cid:3) An increase in the capacity of  the 
gravity plant to improve recoveries 
and process efficiency

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:8)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:8)
carbon emissions

During 2011, Agnew upgraded the 
Waroonga underground ventilation 
system, resulting in further electricity 
savings. This included the fitting of  
Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) to 
underground fans to tailor ventilation 
and temperatures. In addition, we 
commenced the installation of  VSDs 
to the surface high voltage fans. 

Production, development and 
NCE margin

During 2011, total production 
increased to 194,000 ounces 
(2010: 152,000 ounces). Overall, 
our production performance was 
supported by the continuation of  our 
approach to mining taken in 2010, 
which was characterised by a focus 
on disciplined mine scheduling and 
enhanced mining plans.

At the underground operations, 
ore mined increased from 594,000 
tonnes at 8 g/t in 2010 to 621,000 
tonnes at 9.7 g/t in 2011. Open pit 
operations recommenced in 2011, 
with a cutback on the Songvang pit 
delivering 586,000 tonnes at 1.6 g/t.  

Total tonnes processed increased 
from 815,000 tonnes at a yield of  
5.8 g/t to 935,000 tonnes at a yield 
of  6.5 g/t. 

a

i
l

a
r
t
s
u
A

,

w
e
n
g
A

t
a

k
c
u
r
t

p
m
u
D

This reflected improved underground 
mining performance and the greater 
availability of  surface stockpiles after 
the Songvang cutback.

Lower levels of  production at 
the start of  the year pushed up 
our operating costs, as did the 
commissioning of  the Songvang 
pit. Nonetheless, the impact on the 
mine’s NCE margin was ameliorated 
by new production at Songvang, 
as well as higher gold prices. As 
a result, the mine’s NCE margin 
improved markedly from 17% to 32%.

Outlook for 2012

We plan for Agnew to produce 
between 190,000 and 200,000 
ounces of  gold at an NCE of  
A$1,120/oz (US$1,120/oz) and 
a total cash cost of  A$785/oz 
(US$785/oz). This plan assumes: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increased flexibility through 
the use of  both high-grade 
underground production and 
lower-grade open pit production

(cid:2)(cid:3) The initiation of  mining at the 

Cinderella pit

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
78

Optimising our operations

3.6  Regional overview: 
South Africa

3.6.1 

Introduction

The South Africa region not only 
represents our historical centre 
but it also continues to play a key 
role in the Group as a whole. This 
is reflected by the fact that in 2011 
the region accounted for 49% of  
our attributable gold output (2010: 
53%), 68% of  our Mineral Resources 
(2010: 75%) and 72% of  our Mineral 
Reserves (2010: 79%).

Our operations are concentrated 
within the historical gold producing 
region of  the Witwatersrand Basin. 
This includes both our mature, 
deep underground Beatrix and 
KDC mines, which are mined using 
conventional methods. The latter is 
the largest mine in South Africa in 
terms of  gold production. 

The region is also home to our 
fully-mechanised South Deep 
project – the most significant gold 
development project in South 
Africa. South Deep, which is still 
undergoing development and 
ramping up production, is set to 
offer a mechanised, efficient and 
low cost operation focused on a 
world-class ore-body. This will help 
underwrite the region’s long-term 
status as a critical contributor to 
Group performance. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

In 2011, we continued to pursue our 
longstanding strategy of  improving 
the operational sustainability of  our 
mature South African mines – both 
in terms of  enhancing efficiency and 
addressing a declining production 
trend. This is with the aim of  
leveraging the region’s substantial 
Mineral Resource and Reserves 
(p120-121) well into the future.

In particular, we aim to achieve 
between 1.8 and 2 million ounces in 
production or development by 2015 
– as part of  our broader Group Goal 
of  5 million ounces. 

This aim will depend on: 

Figure 3.32: Attributable gold  
production (000’oz)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The stabilisation of  production 
and the improvement of  NCE 
margins at our mature KDC  
and Beatrix mines

(cid:2)(cid:3) Successful development and 

production ramp-up at our South 
Deep mine

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ramping up surface production

(cid:2)(cid:3) Recapitalisation of  KDC  
East 4 Shaft to enhance  
higher grade production

During 2011, we undertook a range 
of  improvements to reduce our costs 
and maximise production at KDC 
and Beatrix, including:

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

8
8
6
,
2

6
6
0
,
2

5
9
0
,
2

6
6
8
,
1

0
2
7
,
1

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) A reduction in electricity 

consumption at KDC and  
Beatrix of  3% 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued cost reductions as 
a result of  our strategic BPR 
programme (p48-49), including 
the achievement of  an NCE 
margin of  23% at KDC (2010: 
9%) and 25% at Beatrix (2010: 
11%). This was partly due to cost 
reductions flowing from actions 
taken in 2010, as well as more 
recent initiatives such as ongoing 
workforce reduction efforts. 
Overall employee numbers 
continued to decline as a result 
of  natural attrition, voluntary 
severance and the replacement 
of  non-specialised contracting 
services by internal staff

(cid:2)(cid:3) The embedding of  our Shaft Full 
Potential (SFP) programme to 
improve the delivery of  ore to the 
processing plants at KDC (p48). 
The SFP programme is now fully 
integrated into our management 
of  production, and has realised 
significant improvements in face 
advance, rock fragmentation and 
mining quality during the latter 
part of  2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Extensive and ongoing  
efforts to promote Safe 
Production throughout our mines, 
to avoid safety incidents and 
production stoppages  
(see below and p56-60)

Figure 3.33: NCE margin (%)  
– excluding South Deep

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

2
2

1
2

9
1

3
2

9

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 3.34: LTIFR1

10.00

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

8
4
6

.

0
8
5

.

6
2
5

.

3
7
4

.

2008

2009

2010

2011

1 Restatement – figure for 2009 previously 
reported as 4.54. See p4 for explanation

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

In addition, we have extended 
mechanisation to the majority of  flat 
development ends at the long life 
shafts, reducing employee exposure 
to safety risks. As a result of  these 
efforts, we are continuing to address 
a development backlog dating from 
2009, when crews were diverted 
to install secondary support 
throughout our mines. 

All of  our mines in South Africa 
are OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 
certified, and are compliant with the 
International Cyanide Management 
Code. The Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves are compliant with 
the SAMREC 2007 Code.

Safety

Despite a long-term trend of  
improving safety performance, 
2011 saw a short-term regression 
in terms of  fatalities. We had a total 
of  19 fatal injuries in South Africa 
– accounting for 95% of  the Group 
total. This marked a 12% increase 
on 2010 (17 fatal injuries) but 
remains significantly lower than the 
average in the preceding five years. 
As a result of  this latest regression, 
we placed renewed focus on a 
range of  programmes, including: 

The engineering-out of  as many 
risks as possible through: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The adoption of  enhanced 

support systems in seismically 
active mining areas intersected 
by geological structures 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The introduction of  stope netting 
to protect face employees from 
falls of  ground

(cid:2)(cid:3) The adoption of  enhanced roof  
bolting patterns in development 
ends to address the risk of  fall  
of  ground

(cid:2)(cid:3) Comprehensive bolting of  the 
face area of  all stope panels, 
which will be completed by  
the end of  the first quarter  
of  2012 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The rolling out of  safety systems 
on all underground rail-bound 
equipment – including guard 
communication and proximity 
warning systems – over the next 
two years

79

Optimising our operations

Figure 3.35: South Africa fatalities

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

36

31

26

17

19

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

The impact of  such measures over 
the course of  2011 can be seen in 
the fact that whilst 17 fatalities took 
place in the first seven months of  
the year, only two took place during 
the remainder of  the year. 

Safety will remain the top  
priority for Gold Fields, principally 
due to the moral obligation to 
pursue Zero Harm, but also due 
to the operational impacts of  
incidents, which have the potential 
to undermine our efforts to achieve 
sustainable production.

A range of  new leadership and 
behavioural change programmes  
to ensure the prioritisation of   
safety and compliance to  
standards through:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The introduction of  more intense 
workplace safety audits and the 
monitoring of  hazard remediation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increased application of  the 
“Stop. Think. Fix, Verify and 
Continue” practice

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establishment of  the Priority 
Misconduct Unit to prioritise  
and fast track disciplinary  
action with respect to safety 
related offences

(cid:2)(cid:3) Adoption of  the Mining Industry 
Occupational Safety and Health 
(MOSH) leading practice for  
entry examination 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Stronger enforcement of  the ‘No 
Go Zone’ standard, particularly 
during face cleaning operations

(cid:2)(cid:3) Deployment of  behavioural  
based safety teams and  
coaches at all shafts 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Review of  the bonus system to 
ensure greater employee focus 
on health and safety

(cid:2)(cid:3) Tripartite, multi-level safety 

engagement with the 
Department of  Mineral 
Resources and relevant  
labour organisations (p59)

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

80

Optimising our operations

a
c
i
r
f

A
h
t
u
o
S

,

C
D
K

Production and NCE margin

Outlook for 2012

Opportunities

(cid:2)(cid:3) Future leveraging of  our strong 
Mineral Reserve position and 
well-established infrastructure

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing opportunities for cost 
reductions and efficiency gains 
through BPR 

(cid:2)(cid:3) An increase in the generation 

of  carbon credits by the Beatrix 
Methane Project, the extension 
of  methane extraction to Beatrix 
West and the future production of  
low cost energy

(cid:2)(cid:3) A long-term strategy for 

developing and implementing a 
sustainable business solution for 
water management and key water 
issues at KDC and South Deep 
through the Liquid Gold 
project (p65)

1 At an exchange rate of  R/US$8.00

In 2011, gold production in the 
South Africa region declined to 
1.72 million ounces (2010: 
1.87 million ounces). This reflected:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Lower production at KDC 
at 1.10 million ounces 
(2010: 1.22 million ounces)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Lower production at Beatrix 

at 347,000 ounces 
(2010: 377,000 ounces)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Similar output at South Deep at 
273,000 ounces (2010: 274,000 
ounces) with increased mining 
volumes offset by lower grades

Overall production in South Africa 
was affected by the loss of  43,000 
ounces after five days of  industrial 
action in July 2011 (not including 
production wind-down and ramp-
up). It was also impacted – in the 
case of  Beatrix and KDC – by the 
loss of  52,500 ounces of  production 
as a result of  safety stoppages.

Nonetheless, the South Africa region 
saw a significant improvement in its 
NCE margin (excluding South Deep 
and its related development costs), 
which increased to 23% (2010: 9%), 
demonstrating the impact of  the 
higher gold price received, as well 
as our ongoing cost-saving efforts.

Our target remains to continue 
making progress towards production 
of  between 1.8 and 2 million ounces 
from the South Africa region by 2015, 
whilst stabilising safe production at 
an NCE margin of  20% (excluding 
South Deep) in the short-term and 
25% in the medium- to long-term. 
In 2012, we plan to achieve gold 
output of  between 1.715 million and 
1.820 million ounces at a total cash 
cost of  US$997/oz and an NCE of  
US$1,473/oz.1

More specifically, we plan to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Resume our long-term downward 

trend in fatalities through the 
safety actions outlined above

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continue development and 

production ramp-up at South 
Deep, which will partially offset 
potentially reduced production 
from KDC and Beatrix – whilst 
also replacing higher-cost output 
from these two mines with lower 
cost production

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ensure stable and safe 

production at KDC and Beatrix 
and, at worst, reduce the rate of  
production decline

(cid:2)(cid:3) Further reduce our energy 
intensity to off-set planned 
increases in Eskom’s electricity 
prices (p50-51)

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
81

Optimising our operations

3.6.2  Top 10 South Africa region heat map

The heat map below sets out the top 10 South Africa region risks, as identified through our Enterprise Risk 
Management (ERM) process (p36-37).

Maximum

Operational failure to deliver on planned gold output

Non-delivery on the Mine Health and Safety Council’s 2013 occupational health milestones

Mine accidents and related safety stoppages

Ageing infrastructure and catastrophic shaft accidents

Volatility in gold price and currency exchange rates

9

10

8

4

6

1

5

y
t
i
r
e
v
e
S

Failure to deliver on Mining Charter and Social
and Labour Plan (SLP) requirements

Syndicated gold/copper theft and illegal mining

3

2

7

Erosion of NCE margin

Negative investor perceptions around resource nationalism in South Africa 

Skills shortages and lack of experience amongst key personnel

Minimum

Risk mitigating strategies

Probability

Maximum

1

 (cid:2) Enhanced focus on the ‘engineering-out’ of  safety risks

 (cid:2) Oversight through the Safety and Health Production Management Task Team (SHPMTT) 

 (cid:2) Improved safety compliance through the Safe Production Management Programme (p56-57)

 (cid:2) Cultural transformation through effective leadership and safety behaviour

2

3

 (cid:2) Full realisation of  the benefits of  our Shaft Full Potential Programme (p48), including relevant initiatives relating to crew 

performance, quality and stope panel availability

 (cid:2) Implementation of  new training initiatives through the Gold Fields Academy

 (cid:2) Enhancement of  our Employee Value Proposition and Talent Management Framework

4

 (cid:2) Adoption of  relevant Mining Industry Occupational Safety & Health practices to reduce noise and dust exposure

 (cid:2) Implementation of  occupational health interventions 

 (cid:2) Proactive tailoring of  our occupational health strategy to ensure alignment with the revised milestones

5

 (cid:2) Ongoing identification of  cost saving opportunities 

 (cid:2) Removal of  R500 million (US$63 million) from our costs over the next two years via Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)

 (cid:2) Implementation of  energy conservation measures

 (cid:2) Improved face advance/mining quality via the Shaft Full Potential programme and review of  organisational structure

6

7

 (cid:2) Implementation of  protection measures at source

 (cid:2) Intelligence gathering, investigation and increased use of  detection technology

 (cid:2) Engagement with government, directly and through the Chamber of  Mines 

 (cid:2) Enhanced local and national communication around our contribution to sustainable development

8

 (cid:2) Enhanced internal reporting on SLP performance to senior management

 (cid:2) Ongoing, high level review of  each mine’s SLP and Mining Charter obligations and performance

9

 (cid:2) Structural integrity audits on engineering infrastructure and project management of  repair/refurbishment programmes

 (cid:2) Inspection, repair and maintenance in line with our comprehensive Planned Maintenance Strategy

10

 (cid:2) Optimisation of  operating cost structures through BPR 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

82

Optimising our operations

3.6.3  Operation overview: KDC

KDC was established in 2010 as a 
result of  a business merger of  our 
Kloof  and Driefontein mines. It is a 
large, well-established intermediate 
to ultra-deep-level gold mining 
complex, with its lowest working 
level around 3,350 meters below 
surface. It consists of  a total of  11 
producing shaft systems and five 
processing plants and is located 
around 60km west of  Johannesburg. 
Despite KDC’s long history of  
production, it retains considerable 
Mineral Resources and Mineral 
Reserves of  67.5 million ounces and 
16.6 million ounces respectively. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

Notable achievements in  
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The embedding of  the merger 
between Kloof  and Driefontein 
through the clustering of  shafts 
into five operating units and the 
combination of  all reef  and waste 
plants under one structure

(cid:2)(cid:3) A reduction in power 

consumption of  approximately 
8MW a year through a range of  
energy saving initiatives (p50-51)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued reduction in the labour 
force through natural attrition and 
voluntary severance

(cid:2)(cid:3) A record achievement of  over 
two million fatality free shifts in 
the fourth quarter

During 2011, KDC continued to 
implement its Shaft Full Potential 
programme. This is optimising 
operational dynamics such as:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Crew performance (e.g. reduced 

safety incidents and quality 
blasting of  available face length)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mining quality (e.g. optimal 

fragmentation and application of  
our management principles to 
high-grade panels)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Panel availability (including 
improved access to the  
stope face)

Figure 3.36: Key operating statistics KDC

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced –  
attributable (kg)

Gold produced –  
attributable (‘000oz)

 34,218 

37,790

45,362

46,430

59,948

 1,100 

1,215

1,458

1,493

1,927

Total cash cost (R/kg)

219,642  193,948

145,177

125,503

86,955

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

 946 

824

536

476

384

Notional Cash Expenditure 
(NCE) (R/kg)

Notional Cash Expenditure 
(NCE) (US$/oz)

285,017  262,141

198,646

173,500

121,684

 1,228 

1,114

733

658

538

Gold price (R/kg)

368,309  287,499

261,611

228,856

156,916

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (Rm)

Operating costs (Rm)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

 1,587 

 5,150 

 7,452 

 41 

 23 

1,222

3,398

7,467

31

9

965

4,969

6,898

42

24

868

4,505

6,121

42

24

693

3,937

5,470

42

22

Figure 3.37: Key sustainability statistics KDC

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (Rm)

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)

895

124

348

48

834

99

674

82

Employee wages and benefits (Rm)

4,119

4,303

3,896

3,313

Total employees 

26,335

31,033

32,196

28,693

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

0.17

7.95

2.34

0.13

6.31

2.37

0.24

5.26

1.96

0.18

6.72

1.64

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2) 3,295.9
12,126
Energy consumption (TJ)

3,348.2

3,492.3

3,311.7

12,293

12,334

12,066

Water withdrawal (million liters)

38,971

36,859

22,797

27,182

Figure 3.38: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves KDC

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves KDC

2011

 % of Group total

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

67.50

16.58

30%

21%

The programme is also addressing 
issues such as production planning, 
leadership development and 
infrastructure rehabilitation. In 
addition, a number of  practical 
operational initiatives were 
advanced that will help improve the 
longer-term sustainability of   
the mine. 

These included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued use of  around  

40 mechanised rigs on flat- 
end development at the long- 
life shafts

(cid:2)(cid:3) Introduction of  a modular, mobile 
Python processing system for 
accelerated treatment of  surface 
rock waste material (p53)

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) The K4 Shaft rehabilitation 

project, which is focused on 
upgrading infrastructure and 
shaft capacity to accelerate 
higher-grade production

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Mpilo project to recover 
residual gold from previously 
mined areas

(cid:2)(cid:3) The dropdown of  KDC West 

Hlanganani (formerly Driefontein 
5) Shaft below 50 level, which is 
in feasibility 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing rehabilitation of  steel 

work in shafts 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Examination of  the potential for 

mechanised mining of  remaining 
high grade pillars, including 
2 million ounces that were 
previously written off

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:8) 
carbon emissions

Production, development and  
NCE margin

During 2011, production at KDC fell 
to 1.10 million ounces (2010: 1.22 
million ounces), due to a number of  
factors, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Unplanned mine-wide safety 
stoppages and a number of  
localised safety stoppages, which 
resulted in the loss of  47,000 
ounces of  production

(cid:2)(cid:3) Interventions aimed at  

reducing employees exposure  
to potential seismic and fall-of-
ground accidents

(cid:2)(cid:3) Five days of  lost production 

resulting from industrial action in 
July 2011, which led to a loss of  
43,000 ounces 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reductions in the face length and 
area available for mining, mainly 
due to safety considerations

Around 18% of  KDC’s total costs 
relate to energy. The mine undertook 
a number of  measures to address 
energy efficiency in 2011, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Revised work organisation to 
improve safety, including the 
removal of  the night shift in high 
risk areas 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commissioning the first of   

our three chamber pipe feed 
system to improve pumping 
efficiency, which will realise full 
savings in 2012

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pilot operation of  an energy 
recovery turbine to generate 
electricity from downcast water

(cid:2)(cid:3) Introduction of  high efficiency 

ventilation fans

(cid:2)(cid:3) Sealing of  isolated and  

mined-out areas to reduce 
ventilation demands

(cid:2)(cid:3) Auditing of  underground air and 

water leaks 

As a result of  such measures, we 
have reduced power demand by 
8MW a year from 2010. This has 
off-set some of  the 26% increase in 
electricity tariffs imposed by state 
energy utility Eskom. Furthermore, 
they are helping reduce our carbon 
profile in South Africa – a key issue 
as the government has announced 
plans to introduce taxes on carbon 
emissions from 2013 onwards (p68).

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reduced grades at selected 

shafts at KDC West

Production is derived from 
underground mining as well as the 
processing of  surface waste rock 
dump material. The area mined 
averaged 62,888 m2 per month 
during 2011, with underground 
ore processed at 401,000 tonnes 
per month and surface material 
treated at 501,000 tonnes per 
month. Underground tonnage of  4.8 
million tonnes was processed at an 
average yield of  3.2 g/t.

KDC advanced 45km of  main 
development in 2011. On-reef  
development totalled 7.7km at an 
average centimeter grammes per 
tonne (cmg/t) of  2,100 cmg/t. 

At the start of  2011, the mine’s 
operational costs fell as a result of  
our cost-savings initiatives, including 
workforce reduction, lower electricity 
consumption and decreased store 
costs. They subsequently rose, 
however, as a result of  the increase 
in electricity tariffs and additional 
mine support costs. 

83

Optimising our operations

Nonetheless, the mine’s NCE margin 
rose to 23% (2010: 9%) – supported 
by the higher gold price received, 
our energy efficiency measures and 
natural attrition among the workforce.

Outlook for 2012

We plan for KDC to produce 
between 1.06 and 1.13 million 
ounces of  gold at an NCE of  
US$1,360/oz and a total cash cost 
of  US$1,000/oz. This will rely on:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Further reducing fatalities and 

other key safety indicators

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ramp up in production from low 
cost surface sources through 
additional Python plants

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increased development and 

improvements in mining volumes, 
mix and quality

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued implementation of  

BPR to save around R500 million 
(US$63 million) over two years 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Further improvements in energy 
efficiency, including investigation 
of  the potential for a ‘compressed 
air-less’ mine and an ice-based 
underground cooling system to 
reduce pumping demands

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improvements to flat-end 

development advance rates 
through enhanced mechanised 
development performance

(cid:2)(cid:3) More efficient movement of  
people, materials and rock

Beyond this, we are implementing 
a longer-term mine sustainability 
strategy based on production 
optimisation, cost minimisation and 
safety excellence. Execution of  this 
strategy will rely on, for example:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Appropriate infrastructure 
(including equipment and  
capital investment) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) An effective and ‘fit for the future’ 
workforce, supported by the ‘24 
Hours’ programme (p140), strong 
training, appropriate incentives 
and behavioural support

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

84

Optimising our operations

3.6.4  Operation 
overview: Beatrix

Our underground Beatrix mine 
has been in production since 
1985. Beatrix was established, 
in its current form, following the 
incorporation of  the St Helena  
Gold Mine into Freegold in 2002.

Performance in 2011

Overview

Notable achievements in  
2011 include:

Figure 3.39: Key operating statistics Beatrix

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced –  
attributable (kg)

Gold produced –  
attributable (‘000oz)

10,787

11,715

12,443

12,696

15,022

347

377

400

408

483

Total cash cost (R/kg)

222,073

194,406

169,847

142,045

102,323

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

957

826

627

539

452

Notional Cash Expenditure 
(NCE) (R/kg)

Notional Cash Expenditure 
(NCE) (US$/oz)

279,957

255,066

228,128

196,282

147,963

1,206

1,084

842

745

654

Gold price (R/kg)

371,772

287,187

259,126

231,750

157,249

Gold price (US$/oz)

(cid:2)(cid:3) An improvement in the NCE 

Operating profit (Rm)

margin from 11% to 25% through 
the effective management of  face 
length flexibility, labour, volume 
and grade 

Operating costs (Rm)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

1,602

1,602

2,409

40

25

1,220

1,026

2,339

30

11

956

1,021

2,203

32

12

879

1,052

1,891

36

15

695

746

1,616

32

6

(cid:2)(cid:3) Generation of  R1.2 million 

(US$166,000) through the sale 
of  30,000 Certified Emissions 
Reductions (p68)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced ore reserve 

development – including the 
introduction of  hydro-powered, 
remote controlled flat-end 
development rigs at 3 Shaft – 
resulting in greater flexibility

(cid:2)(cid:3) Accelerated extraction of  the  

2 Shaft pillar

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:8) 
carbon emissions

Like KDC, Beatrix undertook a 
number of  measures to address 
rising energy costs in South Africa 
– as well as potential carbon 
regulation. These included:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing application of  energy-
efficient drill rigs and rock drills  
at 3 Shaft – reducing reliance  
on energy intensive compressed 
air infrastructure 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gradual reduction of  its 
underground footprint

(cid:2)(cid:3) More efficient trucking of  waste 

rock and ore 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Targeted sealing of  isolated  
and mined out areas at the  
South Section to reduce 
ventilation demands

Figure 3.40: Key sustainability statistics Beatrix

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (Rm)

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)

Employee wages and benefits (Rm)

Total employees 

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)3
Energy consumption (TJ)

35

5

1473

9,151

0.19

2.95

0.88

798.6

3,234

18

3

2

0

1

0

1422

1307

1141

9,485

10,327

11,151

0.18

3.31

0.92

845.3

3,325

0.101

3.922

0.88

901.8

3,470

0.08

4.74

0.81

892.8

3,508

Water withdrawal (million liters)

10,226

10,834

14,866

16,678

Figure 3.41: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Beatrix

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Beatrix

2011

 % of Group total

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

11.28

4.96

5%

6%

In addition, the Beatrix Methane 
Project became partially operational, 
flaring 200 liters of  methane a 
second from underground sources 
and 120 liters a second from surface 
exploration boreholes. We plan to 
raise this to 800 liters a second 
through the ramp-up and installation 
of  a second extraction system and a 
new flare at the Beatrix West section. 

Longer-term we are planning to 
develop a power generation plant 
using the methane to potentially 
produce 6 MW of  power for Beatrix 
– around 8% of  its current total 
usage (p68).

1 Restatement – figure previously reported as 0.06. See p4 for explanation

2 Restatement – figure previously reported as 3.71. See p4 for explanation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  our surface fans 

3 Excludes fugitive mine methane

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

85

Optimising our operations

a
c
i
r
f

A
h
t
u
o
S

,
x
i
r
t
a
e
B

Outlook for 2012

We plan for Beatrix to produce 
between 350,000 and 370,000 
ounces of  gold at an NCE of  
US$1,280/oz and a total cash cost 
of  US$960/oz. This will rely on: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced focus on safety to 

eliminate fatalities and reduce 
safety-related stoppages

(cid:2)(cid:3) Stronger focus on mining quality 
through reduced underground 
dilution and gold loss

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  reef  and waste 

processing to reduce ore 
re-handling costs and extract 
incremental ounces

(cid:2)(cid:3) Maintenance of  capital 

expenditure on definition drilling 
to minimise geological and 
grade risk 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Extension of  methane extraction 

to Beatrix West and completion of  
the energy generation feasibility 
study for the Beatrix Methane 
Project (p68)

Production, development and 
NCE margin

During 2011, Beatrix produced 
347,000 ounces (2010: 377,000 
ounces) – marginally short of  its 
production target. The stability of  
its performance was temporarily 
undermined by a number of  
factors, including: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The presence of  smectite, 

which impeded production at 4 
Shaft – as well as a number of  
equipment failures 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Five lost days of  production 

in July as a result of  industrial 
action

(cid:2)(cid:3) An increase in fatality-related 

safety stoppages (as well as a 
number of  localised stoppages), 
which resulted in the loss of  
5,500 ounces of  production 

In an effort to address the increase 
in fall-of-ground fatalities at the mine 
we installed in-stope roof  bolting 
at 1, 2 and 3 Shafts and ‘blast-on 
props’ at 4 Shaft.

Underground tonnes milled totaled 
2.34 million tonnes at a yield of  4.4 
g/t, due to a low mine call factor. 
Various initiatives to improve the 
mine call factor, including improved 
fragmentation and water control, are 
being implemented. A change in 
explosives during the fourth quarter 
resulted in a marked improvement 
in fragmentation. Furthermore all 
hydropower drilling machines at 
the North Section were fitted with 
connections to capture 60% of  the 
water used during drilling. A total 
of  1.48 million surface tonnes were 
milled at a yield of  0.3 g/t.  

Total main development for 2011 
was 23.4km, of  which 5.7km was 
on-reef  – returning a value of  
1,237 cmg/t. 

Operating costs remained relatively 
steady, but were impacted by the 
28% annual increase in electricity 
prices   as well as the annual 
wage increase. This was partially 
off-set by strong cost controls – 
including a particular focus on 
energy efficiency. In addition, high 
gold prices mean we have been 
able to process low grade surface 
stockpiles profitably. As a result, the 
mine’s NCE margin improved from 
11% to 25%.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
86

Optimising our operations

3.6.5  Operation 
overview: South Deep

South Deep is a long-life, deep-level 
mechanised gold mine operating 
at between 2,000 and 3,000 meters 
below surface. The mine, which is 
still undergoing development, was 
acquired by Gold Fields in 2006 
and is located 45km south-west of  
Johannesburg. South Deep is one 
of  the greatest undeveloped ore 
bodies in the world. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

Production at South Deep was  
at similar levels to 2010. Notable 
achievements in 2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) A 15% increase in managed 

Mineral Reserves to 39.6 million 
ounces (Dec 2010: 34.5 million)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  the Centralised 

Tailings Storage Facility  
(p64-65) and the first deposition 
of  tailings 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  the sinking of  the 

Ventilation Shaft 

Figure 3.42: Key operating statistics South Deep

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced –  
attributable (kg)

Gold produced –  
attributable (‘000oz)

8,491

8,524

7,373

5,124

8,630

273

274

237

165

278

Total cash cost (R/kg)

249,146

215,157

183,358

226,776

138,944

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

1,073

914

677

860

614

Notional Cash Expenditure  
(NCE) (R/kg)

Notional Cash Expenditure  
(NCE) (US$/oz)

485,314

431,335

379,004

403,044

214,629

2,091

1,833

1,398

1,529

948

Gold price (R/kg)

363,538

288,022

259,921

231,187

156,899

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (Rm)

1,566

1,224

948

584

959

509

877

-24

693

120

Operating costs (Rm)

2,138

1,871

1,408

1,209

1,242

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

31

-34

24

-50

27

-46

-2

-74

9

-37

Figure 3.43: Key sustainability statistics South Deep

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (Rm)

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)

Employee wages and benefits (Rm)

15

2

934

0

0

0

0

0

0

742

565

578

Total employees 

3,503

3,077

2,683

2,488

(cid:2)(cid:3) Innovative installation of  the 

award-winning A-frame headgear 
at the Vent Shaft (p55, online)

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  1 million fatality 

free shifts in August 2011

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)
Energy consumption (TJ)

Water withdrawal (million liters)

0.04

1.67

0.81

546.7

2,092

4,674

0.07

2.87

0.55

572.5

2,171

2,926

0.08

2.74

0.47

559.1

2,039

2,770

0.94

12.45

0.76

463.0

1,719

3,870

(cid:2)(cid:3) Progress in the implementation 
of  South Deep’s Social and 
Labour Plan

In 2011, we invested a total of  
R1.98 billion (US$275 million) in 
the development of  South Deep, 
which is on-schedule in all key 
areas. For example, development 
below 95 Level exceeded the 2011 
operational plan by 3% by the end 
of  the year. Progress has been 
supported by continual re-modelling 
of  the ore-body to enhance mine 
design, improved scheduling, the 
application of  our rigorous Capital 
Investment Framework, as well as 
full mechanisation. 

Figure 3.44: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves South Deep

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves  
South Deep

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

2011

 % of Group total

75.22

36.58

35%

45%

The completion of  the Vent Shaft 
to enhance our hoisting capacity 
remains on-track for commissioning 
by the second half  of  2012. In 2011, 
we completed the final portion of  
shaft sinking from 100a Level to 110 
Level – with commissioning on-
track for mid-2012. This will add the 
substantial new hoisting capacity 
needed to boost future production. 
This year also saw the completion 
of  the head gear at the Vent Shaft, 
using one of  the largest fabricated 
steel head gear frames in the world. 

This marked the completion of  
our ‘early lift’ strategy and de-
bottlenecked final shaft construction 
and commissioning activities 
scheduled for 2012. 

We also initiated the expansion 
of  the South Deep Metallurgical 
Plant, which is being constructed 
on an accelerated schedule – with 
commissioning planned for the 
second half  of  2012. This will 
increase capacity from 220,000 to 
330,000 tonnes per month.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

87

Optimising our operations

Figure 3.45: Capital projects progress at South Deep

Major progress on key infrastructure: On budget and on time

2010

2011

2012E

2013E

2014E

2015E

Status

94 Level Refrigeration Plant

Twin Vent Shaft Deepening

Tailings Storage Facility

Plant Expansion

Backfill Infrastructure

New Mine Development

Although there have been delays 
around the Full Plant Tailings (FPT) 
backfill project, these are not 
expected to have a material impact 
as there is excess capacity at the 
Classified Cycloned Tailings backfill. 
The first FPT backfill placement is 
due in late-2012. We are intensifying 
our monitoring of  the FPT backfill 
project to avoid further delays. 

Production, development and  
NCE margin

Production was maintained at 
273,000 ounces (2010: 274,000) – 
largely as a result of  lower grades 
of  ore mined and processed. This 
was short of  our target, though we 
are confident of  achieving an annual 
production run-rate for South Deep 
of  700,000 ounces by end-2015. 

Production build-up was slower 
than anticipated due to delays in 
the application of  the de-stress 
methodology that is required to open 
up the ore body. This was largely 
due to shortfalls in the availability 
and utilisation of  the mechanised 
fleet and occasional shortages 
of  relevant skills. Plans are in 
place to augment existing on-site 
training with a dedicated surface 
training centre for operators and 
maintenance personnel, which will 
be completed in 2012. Furthermore, 
additional underground workshops 
should be ready by early 2013.

Furthermore, as with our other 
operations in South Africa, South 
Deep lost five days of  production  
as a result of  industrial action in  
July 2011.

During 2011, underground reef  
tonnes processed increased by 
12% to 1.6 million tonnes. The 
underground yield decreased 
from 4.8 g/t in 2010 to 4 g/t in 
2011, primarily due to increased 
infrastructure development 
through the lower grade reefs. This 
development was necessary to 
access additional de-stress mining 
projects and to provide excavations 
for the movement of  ore to the new 
mine area.

Development increased from 
10,848 meters in 2010 to 12,018 
meters in 2011.  New mine capital 
development in Phase 1, sub 95 
level, increased from 3,384 meters 
to 4,284 meters, development in the 
current mine areas above 95 level 
improved from 6 570 meters to 6,730 
meters and vertical development 
was extended from 894 meters to 
1,004 meters. Operational costs at 
the mine increased during 2011. 
This reflected the carrying out of  
maintenance work early in the year, 
a 28% increase in annual electricity 
prices, as well as increased costs 
associated with the maintenance of  
mechanised equipment.

As expected, South Deep’s NCE 
margin remained negative at 
–34% due to the significant capital 
investment that is still taking place at 
the mine. Nonetheless, this was an 
improvement on 2010, when it was 
at -50%. 

Commissioned

On-track

Commissioned

On-track

On-track

On-going

We expect South Deep to be cash 
positive during 2013 (at current gold 
prices), as production increases 
and the capital development phase 
is completed.

Outlook for 2012

We plan for South Deep to produce 
between 305,500 and 328,000 
ounces of  gold at an NCE of  
US$2,090/oz and a total cash cost 
of  US$1,030/oz. This will rely on: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The achievement of  targeted 
levels of  de-stress mining

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued sub-95-level 

development, with a target of  
about 4,500 meters a year

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commissioning of  the Vent 

Shaft to gradually build-up to 
full hoisting capacity of  195,000 
tonnes a month. This will raise the 
combined ore-hoisting capacity 
of  South Deep’s three shafts to 
330,000 tonnes a month

(cid:2)(cid:3) Commissioning of  the expanded 
South Deep Metallurgical Plant to 
mill 330,000 tonnes per month

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establishment of  an on-site 
mechanised mining training 
centre

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  the FPT  

backfill project

The removal of  hoisting, milling 
and backfill constraints in 2012 
will eliminate key bottlenecks 
– and will help ensure there is 
sufficient infrastructure, ventilation 
and cooling in place to ramp-up 
production in the next three years to 
deliver 330,000 tonnes per month to 
the mill.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

88

Optimising our operations

3.7  Regional overview: 
South America

3.7.1 

Introduction

Our South America region currently 
has only one operation, the Cerro 
Corona copper and gold mine, in 
which we hold a 98.5% interest 
through our subsidiary company 
Gold Fields La Cima S.A.A. This 
follows an offer to minorities at 
the beginning of  2011 when our 
shareholding in La Cima was 80.7% 
(p118). La Cima remains separately 
listed on the Lima Stock Exchange. 

Peru is also home to our 
Chucapaca advanced exploration 
project, which is located in the south 
of  the country. This project is 
being managed by our subsidiary 
exploration company Canteras del 
Hallazgo S.A.C., in which we hold a 
51% interest and Peruvian mining 
group Buenaventura holds a 
49% interest. 

It is expected that we will reach a 
development decision on Chucapaca 
in 2012. In anticipation of  this 
decision, we are implementing an 
extensive, early-stage community 
engagement and socio-economic 
plan to gain the support of  
surrounding communities.

Opportunities

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing potential to convert 

Mineral Resources into Mineral 
Reserves at Cerro Corona 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Well-established and supportive 
relations with local stakeholders 
at Chucapaca and Cerro Corona

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued government 

promotion of  mining investment 
in South America’s fastest 
growing economy

u
r
e
P

,
a
n
o
r
o
C
o
r
r
e
C

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Figure 3.46: Attributable gold 
equivalent production (’000oz)

6
5
3

8
2
3

8
6
2

500

400

300

200

100

0
6

0

2008

2009

2010

2011

Figure 3.47: South America region 
NCE margin (%)

0
6

6
5

80

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

5
3

7
3
1
-

-137%

2008

2009

2010

2011

Figure 3.48: LTIFR1

10.00

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.00

1
2
0

.

2
3
0

.

0
0
0

.

8
1
0

.

2008

2009

2010

2011

1 Restatement – figure for 2009 previously 
reported as 0.00. See p4 for explanation

 
 
89

Optimising our operations

3.7.2  Top 10 South America region heat map

The heat map below sets out the top 10 South America region risks, as identified through our Enterprise Risk 
Management (ERM) process (p36-37).

Maximum

Increased tax burden and regulatory scrutiny 

Turnover of qualified employees

1

2

3

Increased social and political instability

y
t
i
r
e
v
e
S

Erosion of our NCE margin as a result of rising unit costs 

4

5

Road traffic accidents affecting employees, contractors and communities

Dynamic legislative environment and the replacement of state officials

Contractor non-compliance with relevant Gold Fields 
labour requirements

9

10

Potential security threats to executive personnel

8

7

6

Dependency on limited pool of local suppliers and contractors

Increased government auditing of the mining sector

Minimum

Probability

Maximum

Risk mitigating strategies

1

 (cid:2) Direct engagement with government 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

 (cid:2) Participation in industry engagement efforts through the Chamber of  Mines

 (cid:2) Development of  a dedicated talent management programme with Group support

 (cid:2) Focus on the maintenance of  a strong Employee Value Proposition

 (cid:2) Ongoing implementation of  high-impact socio-economic initiatives

 (cid:2) Enhanced focus on transparency around – and delivery of  – our socio-economic commitments

 (cid:2) Implementation of  cost containment initiatives

 (cid:2) Renewed negotiations with contractors 

 (cid:2) Implementation of  road safety training, as well as the monitoring of  driving behaviour and road conditions

 (cid:2) Implementation of  accident prevention and mitigation programmes

 (cid:2) Increased focus on internal auditing to pre-empt compliance with regulatory requirements 

 (cid:2) Enhanced analysis and awareness-raising around evolving regulatory requirements

 (cid:2) Renegotiation of  contracts and supplier training

 (cid:2) Ongoing market research and identification of  additional suppliers of  key materials and services

 (cid:2) Enhanced co-ordination with authorities 

 (cid:2) Ongoing and proactive participation in relevant industry associations

9

 (cid:2) Implementation of  preventative contractor reviews to avoid non-compliance

 (cid:2) Ongoing local and external auditing of  contractors

10

 (cid:2) Implementation of  a threat-awareness programme for key personnel

 (cid:2) Implementation of  the Regional Crisis Management Team

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

90

Optimising our operations

3.7.3  Operation 
overview: Cerro Corona

Cerro Corona, which is currently the 
most profitable mine in our Group, 
is located in the highest part of  the 
western Cordillera of  the Andes 
Mountains in northern Peru and 
produces gold and copper from 
a large open pit. The copper-gold 
concentrate is trucked to the port  
of  Salaverry for export.

Performance in 2011

Overview

Notable achievements relating to the 
Cerro Corona mine in 2011 include:

Figure 3.49: Key operating statistics Cerro Corona

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable  
equivalent (‘000oz)

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (US$/oz)

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (US$m)

Operating costs (US$m)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

356

328

268

60

n/a

437

592

363

532

1,463

1,201

403

157

72

60

341

146

71

56

361

626

970

206

122

62

35

380

1,560

658

19

32

43

-137

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Figure 3.50: Key sustainability statistics Cerro Corona

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

(cid:2)(cid:3) A first place award in the open-
cast Peruvian Annual Mining 
Safety competition for the second 
year running

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)

Employee wages and benefits (US$m)

Total employees 

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  the third raise of  

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

our tailings dam

(cid:2)(cid:3) A 15% increase in the Mineral 
Reserves to 6.1 million gold 
equivalent ounces

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)
Energy consumption (TJ)

Water withdrawal (million liters)

126

49

367

0

0.18

0.13

70.8

1,006

3,582

73

33

350

0

0.00

0.14

49.4

895

574

46

22

337

0

1

9

n/a

0

0.321

0.21

0.08

22.8

425

187

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

This recently established mine 
continues to perform strongly. 
In 2011, it exceeded its design 
capacity and base case planning  
in the following respects:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Plant throughput of  802 tonnes 
per hour compared to a design 
capacity of  775 tonnes/hour

(cid:2)(cid:3) Plant availability that is just  

ahead of  the design availability 
of  91.32%

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold equivalent production  

that is ahead of  budget

Figure 3.51: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Cerro Corona

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves  
Cerro Corona

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

2011

7.56

6.01

 % of Group total

4%

7%

During 2011, the mine benefited 
from a processing optimisation 
programme initiated in late 2010. 
Results show that the programme 
– which included improved reagent 
dosing – increased recoveries by 
2%-3%. Recovery is currently 65% 
for gold and 83% for copper. 

A number of  new projects 
have been implemented by our 
Metallurgical Task Team to further 
improve recoveries and throughput. 
These include improved mechanical 
slurry conditioning, gravimetric 
concentration and automatic 
reagent dosing.

A total of  15,000 meters of  infill 
drilling has been carried out on the 
mine since 2010, with special focus 
on the confirmation of  mineral 
reserves at depth. In addition, we 
investigated the feasibility of  an 
expansion of  our tailings and waste 
storage capacity, which resulted 
in an increase in the Mineral 
Reserves from 5.3 million ounces 
to 6.1 million ounces during 2011. 
Cerro Corona is OHSAS 18001 and 
ISO 14001 certified and compliant 
with the International Cyanide 
Management Code.

1 Restatement – figure previously reported as 0.00. See p4 for explanation

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

91

Optimising our operations

u
r
e
P

,
a
n
o
r
o
C
o
r
r
e
C

Production, development and 
NCE margin

Managed production at Cerro 
Corona decreased by 6% to 383,000 
gold equivalent ounces (2010: 
406,000 ounces). This comprised 
gold production of  161,000 ounces 
(2010: 152,000) and copper 
production of  38,641 tonnes 
(2010: 41,402). Despite an increase 
in the absolute amount of  gold 
produced, the copper price fell 
relative to the previous year – 
reducing gold equivalent production. 
Attributable production, however, 
was up from 328,000 ounces to 
356,000 ounces as a result of  the 
buyout of  minority shareholders.

During 2011 a total of  12.59 million 
tonnes were mined compared with 
13.24 million tonnes in 2010, in line 
with the operating plan. At 6.58 
million tonnes, ore mined during 
2011 was 6% up on the previous 
year, while gold and copper yields 
during 2011 were similar to the 
previous year at 0.8 g/t and 
0.6 g/t respectively.

The mine’s NCE margin increased 
from 56% in 2010 to 60% in 2011. 
Cerro Corona continues to have 
the highest NCE margin of  all our 
operations – as well as the lowest 
costs (at US$592/oz NCE). As a 
result, it remains a major cash-
contributor to the Group.

Outlook for 2012

In 2012, we plan to produce 
between 325,000 and 350,000 
gold equivalent ounces at an NCE 
of  U$780/eq-oz and cash costs of  
US$515/eq-oz. This plan will rely on:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing process plant 

optimisation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  a feasibility study 
for a heap leach process for the 
existing stockpiled oxide ores

(cid:2)(cid:3) Investigation of  a potential 

expansion at our sulphide plant

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  a drilling 

programme to support the future 
expansion of  Cerro Corona

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
92

Optimising our operations

3.8  Regional overview: 
West Africa

Attempts to improve our cost 
structure were supported by:

Figure 3.52: Attributable gold  
production (’000oz)

3.8.1 

Introduction

Production in the West Africa 
region is focused on our Damang 
and Tarkwa open pit mines, which 
are located near one another in 
south-western Ghana. Tarkwa is 
Africa’s largest open pit gold mine 
by production, with a substantial 
and well-defined Mineral Resource 
position. Damang, which is smaller, 
is expected to play an increasingly 
important role due to successful 
near-mine exploration. 

Gold Fields has a major exploration 
prospect at Yanfolila in Mali (p111). 
A further increase in its defined 
Mineral Resources and completion 
of  an updated scoping study are 
expected by the end of  2012. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

During 2011, we completed a 
US$667 million acquisition of  
IAMGOLD’s 18.9% indirect stake 
in the Tarkwa and Damang mines. 
This raised our interest in both 
operations from 71.1% to 90% – with 
the Government of  Ghana holding 
the balance.

We maintained our focus on growing 
production in line with our 2015 
Group Goal, whilst optimising 
our NCE margin. This is within a 
context in which we are seeking to 
ensure the long-term commercial 
sustainability of  our operations in 
Ghana, through: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Growth of  our Mineral  

Resources and Mineral  
Reserves at Damang

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  production and 
leveraging of  assets at Tarkwa

The cost base of  our Ghanaian 
operations is facing a number of  
upward pressures, including rising 
input costs (including labour), an 
increase in royalties from 3% to 5% 
and a range of  new taxes on the 
mining sector (p155-156). 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The ‘feed-through’ of  existing 

Business Process Re-engineering 
(BPR) efforts at both mines (p49)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The entrenchment of  owner-
maintenance at Tarkwa (p94)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The introduction of  owner mining 
and the entrenchment of  owner-
maintenance at Damang (p96)

Damang and Tarkwa are OHSAS 
18001 and ISO 14001 certified and 
compliant with the International 
Cyanide Management Code.

Production and NCE margin

Managed production in West Africa 
declined by 3% in 2011 to 935,000 
ounces (2010: 963,000 ounces) but 
attributable production improved 
by 9% to 750,000 ounces (2010: 
685,000 ounces), due to the buyout 
of  the minorities. Over the same 
period, the regional NCE margin 
improved to 39% (2010: 29%). 

Outlook for 2012

The regional target of  1 million 
ounces in production or 
development by 2015 remains 
our core objective. In 2012, we 
plan to achieve managed gold 
output of  between 930,000 and 
970,000 ounces at a total cash 
cost of  US$700/oz and an NCE of  
US$1,091/oz. In particular, we are 
planning to: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continue near-mine exploration  

at Damang

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued drilling at Yanfolila to 
establish the minimum Mineral 
Resource of  1.5 million ounces 
required for project development

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implement a drilling programme 
to further define the cut-back 
potential of  Tarkwa’s active pits

Opportunities

(cid:2)(cid:3) A strong social licence to operate 

amongst local communities

(cid:2)(cid:3) Potential for further production 

growth through near-mine 
exploration and development  
at Damang

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

0
5
7

5
8
6

5
9
5

7
8
5

6
1
6

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 3.53: NCE margin (%)

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

-5

9
3

9
2

6
2

5

3
-

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 3.54: LTIFR1

10.00

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.00

7
2
0

.

4
1
0

.

9
4
0

.

1
2
0

.

2008

2009

2010

2011

1 Restatement – figure for 2010 previously 
reported as 0.44. See p4 for explanation

93

Optimising our operations

3.8.2  Top 10 West Africa region heat map

The heat map below sets out the top 10 West Africa region risks, as identified through our Enterprise Risk 
Management (ERM) process (p36-37).

Maximum

Hardening fiscal regime

Increasing cost pressures and the ‘sterilisation’ of ounces 

Domestic skills shortages and the retention of national staff

6

3

Delayed environmental permitting processes

Sub-optimal management of input supply and demand 

1

2

y
t
i
r
e
v
e
S

8

4

Increased mine waste stripping

5

Heightened socio-economic expectations amongst stakeholders

Rising energy costs and energy insecurity

Sub-optimal execution of capital projects

9

7

Non-payment of tax refunds

10

Minimum

Probability

Maximum

Risk mitigating strategies

1

2

3

 (cid:2) Enhanced communication of  the national and local economic benefits delivered by Gold Fields

 (cid:2) Direct engagement of  government in support of  a ‘level fiscal playing field’

 (cid:2) Ongoing efforts to maintain transparent and constructive relations with the permitting authorities

 (cid:2) Implementation of  employee development programmes to enhance long-term incentives

 (cid:2) Improved remuneration and benefits, as well as regular surveys of  sector norms

4

 (cid:2) Investment in support infrastructure to ensure heavy mining equipment is maintained to required standards 

 (cid:2) Ongoing application of  Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) to reduce costs

 (cid:2) Implementation of  heavy mining equipment ‘swing units’ to maintain production capacity during major rebuilds

5

 (cid:2) Enhancement of  internal sustainable development structures and operating models

 (cid:2) Ongoing, proactive engagement with communities, local officials and other stakeholders

 (cid:2) Compliance to environmental monitoring requirements by regulators

6

 (cid:2) Implementation of  BPR to reduce costs

 (cid:2) Implementation of  energy efficiency measures

 (cid:2) Enhancement of  our capital project management approach

7

8

 (cid:2) Comprehensive review of  project execution processes and performance

 (cid:2) Enhancement of  capital project management approach

 (cid:2) Enhancement of  supply chain management structures

 (cid:2) Regular review of  minimum/maximum inventory levels

9

 (cid:2) Ongoing identification of  additional/alternative energy supply options

 (cid:2) Implementation of  energy efficiency measures

 (cid:2) Ongoing monitoring of  the domestic power sector

10

 (cid:2) Engagement of  the Government of  Ghana through the Chamber of  Mines

 (cid:2) Direct engagement of  the Government of  Ghana in support of  an equitable fiscal environment 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

94

Optimising our operations

3.8.3  Operation 
overview: Tarkwa

Our Tarkwa mine is located in south-
western Ghana, about 300km west 
of  Accra. It consists of  six open 
pits, two heap leach facilities and a 
CIL plant. The operation is currently 
mining multiple-reef  horizons from 
open pits and there is potential for 
underground mining in the future. 

Performance in 2011

Overview

Notable achievements in  
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  transition to  

owner maintenance

(cid:2)(cid:3) Achieving stable throughput of  
11.4 million tonnes a year at the 
CIL plant

(cid:2)(cid:3) A world class CIL recovery rate 

of  97%

(cid:2)(cid:3) Installation of  tertiary crushers at 
the North Heap Leach facility to 
maintain output

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing implementation of  BPR, 
achieving material cost savings 
and efficiency improvements that 
largely mitigated the impact of  
higher fuel and power costs 

During 2011, we completed 
a number of  processing 
enhancements at Tarkwa to help 
maintain its status as a world-
class gold mine. This included the 
commissioning of  three new tertiary 
crushers at the North Heap Leach 
Facility. Along with efforts to reduce 
crushing and process downtime, 
this reduced bottlenecks around 
our existing processing plants and 
improved the ability of  the mine to 
process higher grade, hard ore. 
These crushers produce a finer 
product size, which help maintain 
existing recoveries and throughput. 

Figure 3.55: Key operating statistics Tarkwa

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable (‘000oz)

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (US$/oz)

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (US$m)

Operating costs (US$m)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

576

556

913

523

573

831

1,565

1,223

752

436

67

42

480

416

53

32

473

488

719

966

320

342

50

26

447

494

926

863

231

324

43

-7

467

373

637

695

212

259

46

8

Figure 3.56: Key sustainability statistics Tarkwa

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)

Employee wages and benefits (US$m)

202

55

110

45

31

36

37

32

Total employees 

2,575

2,073

1,917

1,748

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)
Energy consumption (TJ)

Water withdrawal (million liters)

0.05

0.21

14.2

270.5

3,853

3,684

0.06

0.43

12.2

246.7

3,743

4,610

0.00

0.13

13.0

225.2

3,397

6,023

0.00

0.31

10.1

215.2

3,130

4,528

Figure 3.57: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Tarkwa

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Tarkwa

2011

 % of Group total

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

13.61

9.31

6%

12%

We also ‘bedded-down’ the 
piloting of  High Pressure Grinding 
Roll (HPGR) technology at our 
South Heap Leach Circuit, which 
increased our recovery by between 
5% and 10% and has added 50,000 
ounces of  gold to our 2011 output. 
As a result of  these strong results, 
we are evaluating the application of  
this technology to the North Heap 
Leach Circuit, where it is expected 
to further enhance recovery. Plans 
are also in place to evaluate the 
potential use of  this technology to 
reprocess the decommissioned 
South Heap Leach pads. Based on 
heap leach performance records 
these are believed to contain 
between 400,000 and 500,000 
ounces of  residual gold. 

In addition, construction was 
completed on Tarkwa’s TSF3  
tailings storage facility, which will 
support expanded production at  
the mine by addressing increased 
CIL throughput.

We also implemented a range of  
BPR initiatives at Tarkwa to address 
higher input costs. These included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Suspension of  contract waste 

mining as part of  an overall move 
to full owner-operation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Removal of  operational 

bottlenecks through improved 
utilisation and availability 
of  mining equipment. This 
maximised the supply of  high 
quality ore to the processing 
plants and improved capital  
strip tonnages

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Optimisation of  the mining fleet 
and fuel consumption, including 
through the implementation of  
localised ‘satellite’ fuelling, fuel 
monitoring systems, vehicle 
optimisation systems and vehicle 
tracking and management 
systems. These actions helped 
improve truck availability by 8%

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhancement of  drill yield 

through the use of  more powerful 
explosives, improved drill patterns 
and higher blasted capital waste 
bench heights

(cid:2)(cid:3) Strategic sourcing, as well as 
the renegotiation of  supply 
agreements relating to 
chemicals, explosives, grinding 
media and mill liners

Production, development and 
NCE margin

In 2011, managed production at 
Tarkwa dropped to 717,000 ounces 
(2010: 735,000 ounces), while 
attributable production improved 
by 10% to 576,000 ounces (2010: 
523,000 ounces) as a result of  
the larger shareholding owned 
by Gold Fields. The decline in 
managed production was due to 
the harder ore blend, power supply 
interruptions and extensive rainfall 
that slowed down mining activities.

Production was also temporarily 
affected by flooding in the high-
grade Teberebie pit, which has 
been fitted with enhanced pump 
capacity as a result. The use 
of  six open pits – as well as the 
stockpiling of  ore from the Teberebie 
pit – means we have considerable 
operational flexibility in this respect. 
Nonetheless, a further period of  
heavy rainfall in the third quarter 
had a negative impact on planned 
running hours, which had a marginal 
effect on production.

Total tonnes mined, including 
capital stripping, decreased from 
137 million tonnes in 2010 to 115.8 
million tonnes in 2011 – largely as 
a result of  the haul fleet rebuild 
programme. Ore mined also 
decreased slightly from 22.2 million 
tonnes to 21.9 million tonnes, while 
the total strip ratio dropped from 5.2 
to 4.3 in 2011. 

CIL plant throughput increased 
slightly from 11.3 million tonnes 
to 11.4 million tonnes, leading to 
higher gold production from the 
plant of  518,000 ounces in 2011 
(2010: 508,900 ounces). The feed 
to the North and South Heap Leach 
decreased from 12.4 million tonnes 
in 2010 to 11.7 million tonnes in 
2011 due to a harder ore blend. The 
North Heap Leach tertiary crushing 
circuit upgrade was commissioned 
in May 2011. Gold production at 
the South Heap Leach section 
increased from 46,800 ounces to 
51,800 ounces, but gold output at 
the North Heap Leach section fell 
from 179,300 ounces to 147,500 
ounces during 2011.

During 2011, operational costs 
increased as a result of  escalating 
fuel and electricity prices, but 
higher gold prices and the benefit 
of  cost savings initiatives helped 
the mine raise its NCE margin to 
42% from 32% in 2010. Such efforts 
will do much to ensure the ongoing 
commercial sustainability of  
Tarkwa’s world-class deposit.

Outlook for 2012

In 2012, we plan to produce 
between 720,000 and 750,000 
ounces at an NCE of  US$1,050/oz 
and a total cash cost of  US$675/oz. 

95

Optimising our operations

a
n
a
h
G

,
a
w
k
r
a
T

This plan will rely on: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Successful commissioning and 
ramp-up of  the CIL secondary 
crusher in the first quarter 
of  2012

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improved equipment availability 

and utilisation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued success of  the BPR 
programme, which is now well 
embedded in the operation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Stable fuel and power prices

(cid:2)(cid:3) A positive outcome in negotiations 
with the Government of  Ghana 
around the new tax regime

We expect to further enhance the 
long-term sustainability of  Tarkwa 
by adding a secondary crusher to 
our CIL plant in early 2012. This 
would enhance the plant’s ability 
to process significantly harder ore 
over the remaining life-of-mine at the 
planned rate of  12.3 million tonnes 
per year. 

We are working to secure additional 
tailings storage capacity to deal 
with the increased volume of  tailings 
this will produce. We are also 
examining other options such as 
the co-disposal of  tailings and in-pit 
tailings deposition. 

Beyond this, we are examining 
how to leverage future processing 
options, which along with near-mine 
exploration, will help guarantee the 
long-term future of  the mine. This 
potentially includes increased focus 
on CIL processing in favour of  heap 
leaching to raise recovery rates – 
and so address increasing volumes 
of  lower grade, harder rock.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
96

Optimising our operations

3.8.4  Operation 
overview: Damang

Our Damang mine is located 30km 
north of  our neighbouring Tarkwa 
mine. It consists of  multiple open 
pits, surface stockpiles and a  
CIL plant.

Performance in 2011

Overview

Notable achievements in  
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ongoing drilling, which increased 
the Mineral Reserves at Damang 
from 2.1 million ounces to 3.4 
million ounces and delivered a 
new Mineral Resource position  
of  10 million ounces 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Delivery of  the proof  of  concept 
for the Damang Super Pit, an 
increase in the Mineral Reserves 
for the project from 1.1 million 
ounces to 2.5 million ounces 
and commencement of  the pre-
feasibility study. The successful 
development of  the project could 
increase the life of  Damang from 
2024 to 2029

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of  owner 

mining, which will support future 
production expansion whilst 
reducing long-term costs

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  our extensive 

capital strip programme, which 
has increased flexibility and  
lays the ground for future 
production growth

(cid:2)(cid:3) The maintenance of  stable 

secondary crusher availability  
to allow for increased hard- 
ore processing

Production at Damang was supported 
by the installation of a secondary 
crusher in 2010. This improved 
the mine’s ability to process hard 
ore – enhancing both its flexibility 
and output. Because this pushed 
our crushing output beyond our 
processing capacity, we examined 
how we could further enhance the 
plant. As a result, we carried out 
optimisation work on the SAG mill liner 
design and pebble ports.

Figure 3.58: Key operating statistics Damang

Key operating statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

2007

Gold produced – attributable (‘000oz)

Total cash cost (US$/oz)

174

701

Notional Cash Expenditure (NCE) (US$/oz)

1,056

162

660

973

Gold price (US$/oz)

Operating profit (US$m)

Operating costs (US$m)

Operating margin (%)

NCE margin (%)

1,565

1,230

201

142

59

33

134

146

48

21

144

635

698

963

71

122

36

28

140

629

783

863

45

134

26

9

128

520

735

696

31

99

25

-6

Figure 3.59: Key sustainability statistics Damang

Key sustainability statistics  

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Total taxation and royalties paid (US$m)

Employee wages and benefits (US$m)

Total employees 

Fatal Injury Frequency Rate (FIFR)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Cyanide consumption ('000 tonnes)

CO2-e emissions ('000 tonnes) (Scope 1&2)
Energy consumption (TJ)

Water withdrawal (million liters)

45

17

969

0

0.19

1.89

90.3

1,303

5,127

39

14

463

0

0.641

2.26

63.7

1,046

3,011

16

10

411

0

0.17

2.24

59.8

976

906

8

9

414

0

0.16

1.78

71.0

1,122

436

Figure 3.60: Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Damang

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Damang

2011

 % of Group total

Attributable Mineral Resources (million oz) 

Attributable Mineral Reserves (million oz) 

9.04

3.05

4%

4%

Production would potentially have 
been even higher, but for the 
temporary ‘sterilisation’ of  high-
grade ore around the East Ramp 
on the Main Cut-Back, due to safety 
risks associated with potential 
rock-fall. `The East Ramp, which 
was completed in December 2011, 
will allow access to additional ore 
supply by increasing the mining 
width. In addition, third quarter 
production was impacted by power 
supply interruptions linked to the 
Electricity Company of  Ghana 
(ECG). Our emergency power 
station has since been refurbished 
to minimise the impact of  such 
power outages – and the ECG 
has provided assurance on future 
supply reliability.

Damang’s strong production 
performance was further supported 
by our implementation of  owner-
mining, which meant we were 
able to effect a strong production 
recovery – through, for example, 
the alternative sourcing of  ore and 
flexibility improvements. In 2011, 
we completed our transition to 
owner-maintenance and expanded 
our truck fleet from 18 to 24 – with 
further growth to come in 2012.

During 2011, we fitted a ‘safe-start’ 
process to our mill at Damang, 
following successful implementation 
at Tarkwa in 2010. This will mitigate 
the risk of  ‘lock charges’, which can 
potentially stop production for weeks.

1 Restatement – figure previously reported as 0.47. See p4 for explanation

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

97

Optimising our operations

a
n
a
h
G

,

g
n
a
m
a
D

The mine also implemented a 
range of  BPR initiatives, including 
improved truck-loading practices 
and the optimisation of  cycle times.

Production, development and 
NCE margin

In 2011, managed production at 
Damang dropped by 4% to 218,000 
ounces (2010: 228,000 ounces), in 
part due to a fall in mill throughput, 
resulting from an unstable supply 
of  power. As a result of  Gold Fields’ 
larger shareholding attributable 
production rose by 7% to 174,000 
ounces (2010: 162,000 ounces). 

Total tonnes mined, including 
capital stripping, increased to 23.5 
million tonnes in 2011 (2010: 13.8 
million tonnes, as the mining strip 
programme was accelerated. Ore 
mined also increased from 4.2 
million tonnes to 4.8 million tonnes, 
while the total strip ratio improved 
from 2.2 to 3.9 in 2011. 

At 4.9 million tonnes the tonnage 
processed in 2011 was lower than 
the 5.1 million tonnes achieved in 
2010, as power interruptions led to 
lower mill availability.

Operational costs fell during the 
course of  the year due to the 
savings realised from owner-mining 
and increased gold-in-mining 
credit. This was partially offset by 
increased fuel and electricity costs. 
The NCE margin increased to 33% 
from 21% in 2010 as a result of  
higher gold prices received, as well 
as lower operating costs.

Outlook for 2012

We plan to produce between 
210,000 and 220,000 ounces of  
gold at a total cash cost of  US$785/
oz and NCE of  US$1,230/oz. This 
will rely on:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Successful implementation 
of  a four shift system to 
improve productivity 

(cid:2)(cid:3) An improvement in the 

mechanical availability of  our 
mining fleet

(cid:2)(cid:3) An improvement in the mine call 

factor from 89% to 92%

Beyond this, we plan to continue our 
near-mine exploration and feasibility 
studies to better define the Damang 
Super Pit project, as well as growth 
potential around the Greater 
Damang area (p114-115). 

Together with owner maintenance 
and mining, our extensive capital 
waste strip programme and ongoing 
resource and reserve drilling we 
will be well placed for the long-term 
development of  what looks like an 
increasingly large ore body. 

As a result, we are analysing the 
benefits of  a potential ramp-up 
in processing between 2011 and 
2015. This potentially includes the 
upgrading of  our existing plant, the 
installation of  a new processing 
plant – or even the utilisation of  
processing capacity at Tarkwa.

Our ability to pursue the expansion 
of  production at Damang is likely 
to be impacted, however, by the 
hardening fiscal environment in 
Ghana. This includes an increase 
in royalty rates from 3% to 5% in 
April, as well as a 2012 budget that 
looks set to raise the Corporate 
Income Tax for the mining industry, 
introduce a new Windfall Profit Tax 
and tighten capital allowances 
(p155-156). We are currently 
assessing the implications of  
these changes and engaging 
with government with the hope 
of  negotiating a more favourable 
tax regime. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
4. Growing Gold Fields

Growing Gold Fields is not only about increasing our production and 
(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:13)!(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)+(cid:8)(cid:132)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:19)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:18)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:6)(cid:12)<(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:14)(cid:20)(cid:19)#(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:16)(cid:6)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)
returns to shareholders on a per share basis – as well as our Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves. Furthermore, it is about augmenting our position 
as a truly global mining company that has moved beyond its historical 
base in South Africa.

In the medium-term, our target is to grow into a global gold producer with 
the aim of having approximately 1 million gold equivalent ounces a year 
in production or development in each of our Australasia, South America 
and West Africa regions, and approximately 2 million ounces in the South 
Africa region. 

Our growth strategy is built on three key pillars: 

(cid:21)(cid:8) Ongoing replacement and expansion of our Mineral Resources  

and Mineral Reserves at our existing operations through  
near-mine exploration 

(cid:21)(cid:8) Growth of the Group’s Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves and 

production through the execution of our major advanced stage projects  
in Finland, Ghana, Peru and the Philippines (p112-118)

(cid:21)(cid:8) Continued discoveries through highly effective and well-resourced 

(cid:4)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:13)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:23)(cid:7)(cid:31)(cid:8)X(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:16)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:16)#(cid:8)(cid:134)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:8)X!(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:8)
and West Africa regions – and in highly prospective locations such as 
Canada, Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines (p109-112)

In 2011, we bolstered our equity position in Cerro Corona through our 
US$382 million purchase of minorities’ shares in Gold Fields La Cima 
S.A.A. This took our economic interest from 80.7% to 98.5%. Likewise, 
our US$677 million purchase of IAMGOLD’s 18.9% indirect stake in the 
Damang and Tarkwa mines increased our holding to 90% (p118).1  

1 The remaining 10% is held by the Government of Ghana

Contents

4. Growing Gold Fields

Sustainability and the new growth environment ...... Page 100
Expanding our growth pipeline ............................... Page 108
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Statement . Page 119

Highlights

98.5%

Equity position in the Cerro Corona mine, Peru – following 
purchase of  minorities’ shares in Gold Fields La Cima S.A.A

40%

Ownership of  the Far Southeast project, Philippines – 
following third down-payment of  US$110 million 

80.6 Moz

Mineral Reserves as of  31 December 2011 
(an increase of  4 million ounces)

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100
Growing Gold Fields

4.1  Sustainability and the 
new growth environment

We believe that long-term, 
sustainable and value-added 
growth is best achieved through 
exploration. While we are still 
open to opportunities to acquire 
producing or late stage projects, 
this is not a core strategy and we 
will be opportunistic in this area. 
Our growth focus is largely organic, 
which requires us to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Proactively maintain and develop 
our industry-leading, in-house 
exploration expertise

(cid:2)(cid:3) Sustain a diversified and 

aggressive exploration portfolio

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ensure we are well-equipped to 
navigate potentially challenging 
new operating environments

(cid:2)(cid:3) Effectively transition our resource 

development and feasibility 
projects into production

(cid:2)(cid:3) Selectively buy-out minorities  
as this will offer us a greater 
return on our investment at  
these operations

The measure of  success for this 
approach will be the ongoing 
expansion and diversification of  
our Mineral Resources and Mineral 
Reserves base. With respect to our 
existing operations, this includes: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) A significant increase in our 
Group attributable Mineral 
Reserves from 76.7 million 
ounces in December 2010  
to 80.6 million ounces in 
December 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Raising our share of  both Mineral 
Reserves and Mineral Resources 
at Tarkwa, Damang and Cerro 
Corona after buying out minority 
shareholders during 2011 (p118)

(cid:2)(cid:3) An increase in our managed 
Mineral Reserves at Tarkwa, 
Damang and Cerro Corona

Beyond this, growth has been most 
marked with respect to: 

Figure 4.1: Gold Fields  
(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:31)(cid:5)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)

(cid:2)(cid:3) A 5.0 million ounce increase in 
Mineral Reserves at South Deep

(cid:2)(cid:3) The first time inclusion of  2.9 
million ounces of  Mineral 
Reserves from the West Wits 
Tailings Treatment Project (p64) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) An increase in Mineral  

Reserves for our Damang  
mine from 1.1 million ounces  
to 2.5 million ounces 

(cid:2)(cid:3) A first-ever Inferred Mineral 

Resource of  1,060 million pounds 
copper declared for the Woodjam 
Project in Canada (p110)

(cid:2)(cid:3) An increase in Mineral 

Resources at our Chucapaca 
project from 5.6 million gold 
equivalent ounces to 7.6 million 
gold equivalent ounces

Particularly strong growth is taking 
place – or is due to take place 
– outside the well-established 
historical mining centres. These 
new operating environments offer 
potentially very rewarding but 
complex growth opportunities. 

As a result we place particular 
emphasis on effective and proactive 
risk management. This includes the 
establishment and maintenance of  
a strong social licence to operate, 
based on close stakeholder 
engagement and the generation of  
shared benefits.

2008 production¹

0%

16%

22%

2011 production1

10%

19%

22%

2015 production Goal²

20%

62%

49%

40%

20%

20%

South Africa

West Africa

Australia

South America

2015 production Goal²

South Africa 
Region
~ 2 Moz

Australasia 
Region

~ 1 Moz

West Africa 
Region
~ 1 Moz

South America 
Region
~ 1 Moz

1 Attributable gold equivalent ounces 

2  Goal of  5 million ounces in production  

or development

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

4.1.1  Strategy

Figure 4.2: Gold Fields growth pipeline

101
Growing Gold Fields

Our overall growth strategy is to use 
exploration to contribute towards our 
Goal of  having 5 million ounces a 
year in production or development 
by 2015 – and to expand our 
presence beyond our historic 
production base in South Africa.

More specifically, we aim to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Grow our Mineral Reserves and 
production on a per-share basis

(cid:2)(cid:3) Use our greenfields project 
pipeline to contribute to our 
2015 production/development 
Goal, two-thirds of  which is 
to come from outside of  our 
South Africa region

(cid:2)(cid:3) Support organic development 

and near-mine exploration in all 
our operating regions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pursue exceptional prospects 

in a small number of  
underexplored sites outside 
of  our operating regions

Our production growth will be 
underpinned by our existing 
operations, with our intent being to 
maintain existing production levels 
in the medium- to long-term as our 
legacy mines in South Africa decline 
after 3 to 5 years.

Growth Portfolio
Strong track-record of  delivery

Cerro
Corona

Production

South Deep

Construction

Chucapaca

Feasibility

Far Southeast

Arctic Platinum

Pre-feasibility

Yanfolila

Woodjam

Talas

Scoping

Exploration projects in 13 Countries

Exploration

Developing five new mines

Figure 4.3: Indicative project delivery schedule

Indicative delivery timeline

2011

2012E

2013E

2014E

2015E

2016E

Our production growth will also be 
underpinned by: 

South Deep
750kozpa Au

Construct3

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continuing production ramp-up at 

South Deep (p86-87)

Chucapaca
400 to 600kozpa Aueq

Explore4

Develop5

Construct

(cid:2)(cid:3) The leveraging of  Cerro Corona’s 

oxide project to increase 
production (p91)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Bringing Damang’s Super Pit 
project into production (p114-
115) subject to tax changes in 
Ghana (p155-156)

Beyond this, we have three 
additional resource development 
and feasibility projects – in Finland, 
Peru and the Philippines – that, once 
operational, will significantly boost 
Group production. 

Damang Super Pit
400 to 500kozpa Au

Explore

Develop

Construct

Yanfolila
180 to 250kozpa Au

Explore

Arctic Platinum
300 to 400kozpa 2PGE+Au

Explore

Far Southeast
4 to 25Mtpa ore

Explore

Develop Construct

Develop

Construct

Develop

Construct

Exploration Pipeline

3  ‘Construct’ includes all construction activity until commissioning and handover to 

operational teams

4 ‘Explore’ includes all exploration and study-related activity

5 ‘Develop’ includes all engineering, permitting, long lead orders and pre-construction activity

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

102
Growing Gold Fields

4.1.2  Approach

In 2011, we combined our 
Exploration and our International 
Capital Projects functions to form 
the new Growth and International 
Projects function. This aims 
to deliver seamless project 
development, from early exploration 
through to operation. 

It will do so whilst applying our 
commitment that ‘all new projects 
will be better than what we have’ 
– in terms of  their operational, 
sustainability and financial 
performance. 

The new function includes 
four teams:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Greenfields Exploration, which is 
responsible for the identification, 
assessment and development of  
opportunities – including potential 
joint-ventures and acquisitions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Concept and Studies, which 

conducts conceptual modelling 
to establish the strategic fit of  
discoveries and implements 
relevant scoping studies to take 
projects through to pre-feasibility

(cid:2)(cid:3) International Projects, which is 

responsible for the ‘physical’ part 
of  the exploration development 
pipeline, from pre-feasibility 
through to construction

(cid:2)(cid:3) Project Generation, which drives 
strategic exploration targeting on 
a global basis, as well as ‘step-
change’ thought-leadership for 
greenfields exploration, projects, 
and near-mine exploration at the 
established operations 

This new structure deliberately 
‘overlaps’ team responsibilities along 
the exploration development pipeline 
to ensure seamless integration. 

We aim to use this new structure 
to maintain a ‘steady-state’ growth 
pipeline based on reliable and 
repeatable models, so that at any 
point in time we have at least: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Three advanced drilling projects

(cid:2)(cid:3) Two resource 

development projects

(cid:2)(cid:3) One feasibility study

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Through this approach, we will 
always be constructing a new 
mine – and aim to establish a 
strong, predictable and repeatable 
track record for the execution of  
growth projects that will last well into 
the future.

Excellence in 
(cid:4)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:13)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)

Our exploration portfolio covers five 
continents and is co-ordinated and 
supported from our main Growth 
and International Projects centres in 
Perth, Australia and in Denver, United 
States. These are supported by a 
network of  local offices located in 
a range of  locations, from Santiago 
in Chile, Vancouver in Canada and 
Baguio in the Philippines.

We believe we have one of  the best 
greenfields exploration teams in the 
industry. In 2011, we drilled 227,344 
meters (2010: 187,713 meters) at 
an all-in drilling cost of  US$350/
metre (2010: US$366/meter). Over 
the past two years, our exploration 
efforts have added about 12.1 
million gold equivalent Mineral 
Resource ounces to Gold Fields, at 
an average cost of  approximately 
US$33/oz. These figures compare 
favourably with our peers.

The quality of  our team is a 
direct result of  our long-term 
investment in, and cultivation of, 
our in-house capabilities. 

Figure 4.4: The exploration 
development pipeline

1. Discovery

2. Scoping study

3. Pre-feasibility 

4. Feasibility

5. Design

6. Construction 

7. Operation

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
(cid:132)(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:19)!(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)

Figure 4.5: Variables used to evaluate advanced exploration opportunities

103
Growing Gold Fields

Mineral Reserve and production potential Development timeline

Operating and NCE margin

Net asset value

Payback period

Initial capital costs

Earnings

Cash flow

Our target portfolio is developed 
by reviewing and ranking the most 
prospective areas in the world, 
having assessed relevant country 
risks and strategic suitability.  
This includes the application of   
our unique Acquisition and  
Competitor Intelligence System 
(ACIS), as well as our  
proprietary Global Business Area 
Rating (GBAR) system. 

Gold Fields exploration is based 
on a disciplined assessment of  
opportunities to both improve the 
likelihood of  success and reduce 
project development timelines. 

Gold Fields maintains rigorous 
quality control and assurance 
protocols on all of  its exploration 
programmes. These use industry 
best practice in data acquisition, 
laboratory verification and sign-off  
by qualified persons under the 2007 
edition of  the SAMREC code.

Our approach has already proven 
its ability to create value for our 
shareholders by driving production 
and Mineral Reserve growth on a 
per-share basis – and will continue 
to do so.

Navigating the new  
growth environment

A legacy of  global underinvestment 
in grass-roots exploration over the 
last few decades, as well as the 
depletion of  traditional mining areas, 
means gold mining companies 
increasingly have to explore higher-
risk environments to ensure their 
future growth. This makes the ‘non-
technical’ aspects of  exploration 
ever more important.

Establishing a licence to operate

A number of  the prospective or 
underexplored areas that offer future 
growth opportunities are located 
in relatively under-developed 
locations with little history of  
large-scale, industrialised mining. 
In many cases, they can present 
complicated social, political and 
economic challenges that require 
careful and sensitive management. 
Because of  this, we place great 
emphasis on ensuring our teams 
have the right knowledge, skills 
and resources to secure our social 
licence to operate at the start of  
activities – and maintain it thereafter. 

This includes detailed internal 
and third-party analysis of  the 
risks and opportunities presented 
by the operating environment, 
the establishment of  dedicated 
community relations teams and 
the proactive engagement of  key 
stakeholders – including traditional 
leaders, local NGOs and officials at 
all levels of  government. 

Furthermore, it is our aim to 
establish situations where it is in  
the mutual interest of  both 
Gold Fields and our in-country 
stakeholders for our exploration 
projects to succeed – and to 
generate long-term shared benefits. 

Aside from supporting operational 
continuity, this approach supports 
our ability to win new licences. 
Experience has shown that many 
governments actively favour 
companies with a proven track 
record of  constructive community 
engagement and development. 

What is ACIS? 

Responsible exploration

In line with our Values, Gold Fields 
has an overriding commitment 
to responsible health and safety 
practices, as well as environmental 
stewardship, during the exploration 
process. In particular, we seek to 
create a mind-set and working 
environment that means employees 
know exploration can take place 
without incident – no matter where 
they are operating. 

This philosophy gets built into the 
‘DNA’ of  our exploration projects 
from the start – ensuring ‘best 
practice’ management of  each 
project’s unique safety, health, 
environment and socio-economic 
risks as it proceeds to development 
and construction. 

Our Environment, Health and Safety 
Management System is certified to 
ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001.

ACIS is an internal network-
based system that uses 
extensive databases covering 
global geophysical data, 
project data, mine data and 
Geographical Information 
System data – as well as 
internally-derived intelligence. 
It uses proprietary software 
to consolidate and analyse 
this data to produce value-
added analysis to inform our 
acquisition activities, as well 
as our interactions with other 
operators in the market.

What is GBAR? 

GBAR is an internal system 
that provides quantitative 
and qualitative analysis of  
potential exploration locations. 
This includes ‘prospectivity’ 
(e.g. geology, exploration 
maturity, etc.), as well as 
‘mineability’ (e.g. political risks, 
competitiveness, etc.). It uses 
a wide range of our existing 
data – as well as content from 
external experts.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

104
Growing Gold Fields

4.1.3  Capital investment

Figure 4.6: Capital Investment Framework phases

Bringing a project from early 
exploration to operation requires 
considerable management and 
investment. This takes place 
through our Capital Investment 
Framework (CIF), which provides a 
clear structure and process for the 
management of  capital investment 
in projects, including the definition 
of  roles and responsibilities, 
reporting and accountability.  

Investment

Operation

Commissioning

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Project implementation

Construction decision

BFS

PFS

Positive pre-feasibility study

Positive scoping study

Scoping

Strategic fit and merit

Conceptual

Positive economic intersection

Initial drilling

Target defined and available

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Target definition

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
105
Growing Gold Fields

4.3.5  Top 10 Growth and International Projects heat map

The heat map below sets out the top 10 Growth and International Project risks, as identified through our Enterprise 
Risk Management (ERM) process (p36-37).

Maximum

Key

Unfavourable changes to the regulatory and fiscal environment 

Non-delivery of exploration-led growth

Growth \ Exploration

International Projects

4

2

2

1

5

1

Loss of social licence 
to operate 

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Uncertainty around metallurgical recoveries 
and assumptions 

Access to land and land acquisition

Political risk associated with new growth environments 

Inability to replace Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves 
through near-mine exploration 

3

5

3

4

Local instability and insecurity 

Delays in environmental approvals and the granting of mining licences

Minimum

Risk mitigating strategies

Growth \ Exploration

Probability

Skills shortages and retention

Maximum

1

2

3

4

5

 (cid:2) Implementation of  the Gold Fields growth strategy

 (cid:2) Identification and management of  potential project challenges

 (cid:2) Stringent geographic and socio-political risk analysis

 (cid:2) Maintenance of  strong corporate governance

 (cid:2) Implementation of  growth strategy for near-mine exploration

 (cid:2) Enhanced human resource structures to support near-mine exploration

 (cid:2) Establishment of  crisis management plans

 (cid:2) Extensive community relations and stakeholder engagement programmes

 (cid:2) Stringent compliance with legal and non-legal obligations and commitments

 (cid:2) Effective monitoring of  political developments and regulatory changes

International Projects

1

2

3

4

5

 (cid:2) Implementation of  community relations and stakeholder engagement plans

 (cid:2) Focus on meeting all commitments made to communities

 (cid:2) Ongoing community engagement 

 (cid:2) Investigation of  alternative mining methodologies

 (cid:2) Competitive remuneration and benefits strategy

 (cid:2) Proactive support of  tertiary education through bursary programmes and sponsorship of  mining schools 

 (cid:2) Proactive leadership development and talent management

 (cid:2) Comprehensive sampling, test work and controls

 (cid:2) Implementation of  independent peer reviews

 (cid:2) Establishment and maintenance of  strong stakeholder relationships

 (cid:2) Continuous tracking of  project progress in relation to the environmental approval process

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Securing community support at 
Far Southeast 

The Far Southeast gold-copper project (located in northern Luzon in the Philippines) 
potentially represents one of the most exciting projects in Gold Fields growth portfolio. 
Nonetheless, it represents a relatively challenging socio-political environment. This 
means the project’s ultimate success is more dependent than most on close consultation 
with local stakeholders.

The Far Southeast 
Community Sustainable 
Development team
Far Southeast has established 
a particularly strong Community 
Sustainable Development (CSD) team 
made up of  52 people – or 21% of  the 
total project workforce. The majority of  the 
team is made up of  local and indigenous 
people from the Municipality of  Mankayan 
– where the ore body is located. The CSD 
team’s tasks include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ensuring a broad-based social licence to 

operate for the project 

(cid:2)(cid:3)  Securing the formal Free, Prior and 
Informed Consent (FPIC) of the 
indigenous Kankana-ey community for 
Far Southeast activities

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gaining access to land to carry 
out proof  of  concept and due 
diligence drilling

Community mapping

Engagement activities

Far Southeast’s approach to 
community engagement is informed by 
comprehensive community stakeholder 
mapping, carried out with the assistance 
of  the nearby Benguet State University 
(BSU). This was based on an innovative 
household survey of  almost all of  
Mankayan’s 35,000 residents, carried out 
using a team of  340 student volunteers 
and analysed using advanced geo-spatial 
software. 

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The community stakeholder mapping 
exercise – as well as subsequent work 
with local officials and the BSU to develop 
strategic Barangay1 development plans 
– helped inform Far Southeast’s targeted 
community programmes, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Communication campaigns to 

address negative perceptions around 
mining, land stability and water 
quality/availability

(cid:2)(cid:3) Engagement with local people and land 

claimants to expedite drilling

(cid:2)(cid:3) Support for local health missions, 
benefiting more than 8,600 people

(cid:2)(cid:3) Implementation of teacher training for 
133 high-school teachers, and 79 day 
care and pre-school teachers

(cid:2)(cid:3) ‘Cultural renewal’ activities, coordinated 
by local elders, to promote indigenous 
Kankana-ey tradition

(cid:2)(cid:3) Disaster management training for 

Barangay emergency response teams 
through the Philippine Red Cross 

1. Local administrative unit

 
 
 
 
 
 
FPIC and its relationship to Far Southeast

The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) requires development 
activities to be aligned with four key considerations:

 (cid:2) Recognition and protection of  ‘ancestral domain’: 
At Far Southeast, this includes all of  Mankayan

 (cid:2) Self-governance and empowerment: This includes FPIC 
– which underpins the right to accept or reject certain 
development activities

 (cid:2) Cultural integrity: This includes the right to indigenous culture, 

customs and traditions 

 (cid:2) Social justice and human rights: This includes access to 

basic social services

Far Southeast is currently seeking FPIC from Mankayan’s 
Kankana-ey communities to carry out further exploration 
activities. Although there is a less formal, faster route for obtaining 
FPIC directly, Far Southeast is applying the more transparent, 
consultative and formalised process that requires FPIC to be 
secured on its behalf by the National Commission of Indigenous 
Peoples. Despite the extra time and cost this entails, it is believed 
this approach will deliver a stronger social licence to operate.

The FPIC – and the acquiescence of local elected representatives 
– is necessary if Far Southeast is to convert its Mineral Production 
Sharing Agreement (MPSA) into a Financial or Technical Assistance 
Agreement (FTAA). Unlike an MPSA, an FTAA would allow for 
majority foreign ownership and control of the project.

At the time of writing, the process for obtaining FPIC was in motion.

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Far Southeast stakeholders

Land
claimants

Community
organisations

Ancestral
domain holders

Stakeholders
who are directly
impacted

NGOs

Stakeholders
with an interest
in the project

The Church

Project
outcome

Provincial
government
of Benguet

Local
communities

Stakeholders
who are indirectly
impacted

Government
of the
Philippines

Stakeholders granted
with decision-making
power

Municipal
government
of Benguet

Local
businesses

Indigenous
representatives

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
108
Growing Gold Fields

4.2  Expanding our 
growth pipeline

In 2011, Gold Fields invested almost 
US$300 million on exploration and 
growth, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Near-mine exploration: US$75 
million (2010: US$57 million)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Greenfield exploration: US$132 
million (2010: US$99 million)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Resource development and 

feasibility projects: US$87 million 
(2010: US$14 million)

In addition we spent US$1.06 billion 
on mergers and acquisitions (p118). 

Figure 4.7: Gold Fields near-mine growth pipeline

Strong pipeline in support of  growth strategy

Athena
(St Ives)

Production

Hamlet (St Ives)

Construction

Cerro Corona Oxides

Feasibility

Damang Super Pit,
Cerro Corona Resource Conversion Project
Argo-Athena Camp (St Ives), Agnew Life Extension,
Cerro Corona Sulphides Expansion
Regional Exploration at St Ives, Agnew,
Damang and Tarkwa

Organic growth at all international mines

Pre-feasibility

Scoping

Exploration

4.2.1  Near-mine exploration

St Ives

A significant proportion of  the 
increase in our international regions’ 
Mineral Resources (62%) and 
Mineral Reserves (47%) has been 
as a result of  our portfolio of  near-
mine exploration programmes. This 
not only adds to our total Mineral 
Reserve base, but ensures we are 
able to continue leveraging our 
existing mine infrastructure well into 
the future.

During 2011, the prospective Neptune 
and Revenge open pit expansion 
areas were subject to intensive 
resource development drilling. This 
included in excess of 25,000 meters 
of RC and diamond drilling, which 
delivered positive results. These 
were used to update final resource 
inventory models, which assisted 
with the optimisation of the Greater 
Neptune project area. 

Australasia region

Agnew 

During 2011, we continued our 
efforts to assess the various mining 
options for the Waroonga Main Lode 
using directional, surface-based 
drilling. In the course of  doing so, 
we identified three high-grade ore-
shoots at depth on the Waroonga 
Main Lode North; the Fitzroy, 
Bengal and Hastings shoots. These 
may intersect with the Porphyry 
Link target zone between the Kim 
and Main Lodes. The pattern of  
mineralisation between the Kim Lode 
and the Fitzroy shoot is scheduled for 
further investigation in 2012. 

Additional Reverse Circulation 
(RC) drilling was carried out on an 
up-dip extension at the Cinderella 
open pit project, which intersected 
shallow, high-grade mineralisation. 
Optimisation of  the Cinderella 
resource suggests a potentially 
economic open pit position. 

Additional resource development 
drilling totalling more than 130,000 
meters was completed at the Greater 
Santa Ana, Cave Rocks, Argo-
Athena and Leviathan areas. These 
programmes targeted potentially 
economic extensions to the 
established mining centres.

Further activity included: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Aircore drilling at the Incredible 
prospect, which identified an 
extensive and coherent zone 
of  anomalism – with follow-up 
diamond drilling confirming 
economic bedrock mineralisation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Framework drilling around the 

Victory complex, which identified 
prospective new mineralisation

(cid:2)(cid:3) Target definition drilling in the 

highly prospective Argo-Athena 
camp area

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reserve conversion and 

extensional drilling at Athena, 
Hamlet and Cave Rocks

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

South Africa region

At South Deep, six surface holes 
have been completed since drilling 
started in 2007. Of  the six surface 
holes currently being drilled, two 
will be completed by the end of  the 
first quarter of  2012, two by the end 
of  2012 and the remaining two by 
mid-2013. 

The intersections obtained so far 
continue to support our current 
understanding of  the position, 
geometry and grade distribution of  
the Upper Elsburg Reefs. The latest 
geological models incorporate these 
drilling results, providing greater 
confidence in terms of  grade and 
tonnage estimates. 

South America region

Over the course of  the year, we 
carried out infill and extensional 
drilling within the Cerro Corona 
pit. This was aimed at defining the 
geological parameters to support 
future mine planning, as well as 
the potential for higher-grade 
ore extensions in proximity to the 
current pit. The results of  this drilling 
programme generally confirmed the 
December 2010 resource model 
and were used to better define the 
mine’s Mineral Reserves. 

In addition, we identified localised, 
higher-grade zones, which may 
potentially provide short-term 
production grade increases over 
the life of  the mine. Drilling also 
identified a number of  intersections 
outside of  the planned pit designs, 
particularly at depth. This may offer 
potential Mineral Resource expansion 
opportunities for the future, which will 
be further explored in 2012.

We completed our Oxide Stockpile 
drilling project in June 2011. This 
confirmed the estimated grade and 
distribution of  the stockpile – as 
well as very low levels of  soluble 
copper. Full analysis and modelling 
of  the stockpiles was completed in 
July 2011. We are doing a feasibility 
study to investigate the potential for 
a heap leach facility to recover the 
oxide ores. 

In the third-quarter of  2011, we 
completed exploration drilling on 
the adjacent Sylvita project. This 
delivered localised indications of  
copper mineralisation in extensions 
to the Cerro Corona intrusive body.

West Africa region

During 2011, our near-mine 
exploration programme at Damang 
increased the mine’s Mineral 
Resource base by 56%. This has 
increased the life of  the mine from 
2024 to 2029.

In May 2011, we completed the 
first phase of  the Damang Super 
Pit proof  of  concept 29,000 meter 
drilling programme. This covered the 
entire strike length of  the geological 
complex to assess the cut-back 
potential of  the Huni, Damang and 
Juno deposits. Another 38,000 
meters were drilled in the second 
half  of  the year. The programme 
produced positive results and is 
being fed into a pre-feasibility study, 
which is explored on p114-115.

Beyond this, we carried out drilling 
targeted at the possible extension 
of  deposits in the Greater Amoanda 
area. Detailed geological studies 
produced as a result have identified 
opportunities for extension at both 
the Rex and Amoanda deposits. 

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:135)+‘(cid:10)(cid:8)(cid:22)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:30)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:18)’(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:12)

Canada
Woodjam  JV

Mali
Yanfolila

Finland
Arctic Platinum

109
Growing Gold Fields

Kyrgyzstan
Talas

Mali
Kangare

Peru
Chucapaca  JV

Chile
Salares Norte

Argentina
Taguas  JV   

Philippines
Far Southeast

Ghana
Damang Super Pit

Producing asset
Development project
Exploration project

South Africa
South Deep

Australia
East Lachlan, Delamarian

A substantial full-field aircore drilling 
programme remains ongoing at 
the Myall concession, focused 
on the discovery of  concealed 
porphyry gold-copper systems that 
have breached the paleo-surface. 
Elsewhere in the belt, 14 initial 
drill targets were tested in 2011 
with encouraging results. Focused 
target definition work consisting of  
airborne and ground geophysical 
surveys, as well as drilling coupled 
with multi-element and multi-spectral 
analysis, has revealed a number of  
porphyry-related anomalies at the 
Wellington North project. Further 
work at the Cowal East joint venture 
is identifying both epithermal 
gold and porphyry copper-gold 
targets. These, and other targets, 
are scheduled for initial drilling in 
early 2012 while greenfields target 
definition work continues.

 www.clancyexploration.com

4.2.2  (cid:11)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:13)(cid:18)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)

Gold Fields has a broad portfolio 
of  early stage greenfields projects 
around the world. These will help 
ensure the sustainability of  our 
growth and diversification well into 
the future.

Argentina

In October 2011, Gold Fields signed 
a joint venture agreement to earn 
up to 70% of  the Taguas gold-silver 
project in San Juan province from 
Minera S.A., a private company. 
Diamond drilling commenced in 
December 2011 and will continue 
into 2012.

Australia

East Lachlan

In the East Lachlan Fold Belt of  
New South Wales, Gold Fields 
holds an 80% interest in six project 
areas (Wellington North, Cowal 
East, Jemalong, Moorefield, Parkes-
Clancy and Parkes-Centaurus) and 
has completed the 51% earn-in of  
a potential 80% on the Myall joint 
venture. Gold Fields has expanded 
its own ground position in this world-
class gold-copper porphyry belt to 
approximately 2,100km2 with the 
addition of  four new project areas in 
its own right. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

110
Growing Gold Fields

Toodoggone

We have a joint venture project  
with Cascadero Copper Corp. to 
earn up to a 75% interest in its 
30,409 ha Toodoggone copper and 
gold project in British Columbia. In 
2011, we carried out a 2,248 meter 
diamond drilling programme to 
test high priority geochemical and 
geophysical anomalies on the Mex 
porphyry copper-gold target. This 
successfully intersected porphyry-
related copper-gold mineralisation. 
A decision on the way forward will 
be made in 2012.

 www.woodjamcopper.com
 www.cascadero.com

Delamerian

Gold Fields currently manages 
over 20,000km2 of  tenements at 
its Delamerian project in South 
Australia. This is an early stage 
greenfields project targeting the 
potential for covered orogenic gold 
mineralisation in an unexplored 
province. Geophysical surveys, 
aircore drilling and soil sampling 
have identified a number of  target 
areas with low level anomalism. A 
single diamond drill hole completed 
at the Haylands target in late 2010 
intersected hydrothermal alteration 
associated with anomalous gold, 
zinc, copper and bismuth values, 
which validates the targeting criteria. 
Additional targets have been 
defined in 2011 and prioritised for 
initial drilling in 2012.

Central Victoria

During 2011, the Central Victoria 
project was divested to Timpetra 
Resources as part of  their initial 
public offering on the ASX. Under 
the terms of  the agreement,  
Gold Fields retained a 21.8%  
equity ownership in Timpetra  
post-initial public offering and 
anti-dilution rights to acquire and 
maintain up to a 40% shareholding. 

 www.timpetra.com 

Canada

Woodjam

Gold Fields has a joint venture 
agreement to earn into a 70% 
interest of  the Woodjam projects 
in British Columbia. The projects 
are held by Consolidated Woodjam 
Copper Corp. and include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Woodjam North, with 42,343 ha 

covering several known porphyry 
copper and gold targets in south-
central British Columbia 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Woodjam South, with 14,199 ha 
covering the Southeast Zone 
porphyry copper target

In 2011, we completed a  
20,000 meter drilling programme 
on the Southeast Zone porphyry 
copper-gold-molybdenum targets 
to support the development of  a 
SAMREC 2009-compliant Mineral 
Resource and a Conceptual  
Mining Study in mid-2012. As a 
result, we have a first-ever Inferred 
Mineral Resource of  1,060 million 
pounds copper declared. Infill 
drilling and reconnaissance  
drilling was also carried out on  
the Deerhorn, Megabuck and  
Tisdall Lake prospects. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

e

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111
Growing Gold Fields

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Chile 

Ghana

Gold Fields has option agreements 
to acquire 100% of  the Salares 
Norte and Piedra properties held 
by SBX Asesorias e Inversiones, as 
well as the Pircas property held by 
S.C.M. Aguas Heladas. 

In 2011, we started RC drilling 
at the Salares Norte property to 
test selected geophysical and 
geochemical targets for evidence 
of  high sulphidation gold-silver 
mineralisation. We also signed 
a 100% option agreement for 
the adjacent third-party owned 
Rio Baker property, which will 
be incorporated into the Salares 
Norte exploration plan. A follow-
up diamond drilling programme 
commenced at Salares Norte in 
December 2011 and will continue in 
the first half  of  2012.

At the Pircas epithermal gold 
project, we carried out further 
drilling to test the limits of  a deeply 
oxidised vuggy silica-hosted gold-
silver mineralisation identified in 
2010. Trenching was carried out on 
a new target area in late 2011 and 
a follow-up drilling programme is 
planned for the first half  of  2012.

During 2011, we completed a 
4,800 meter drilling programme at 
the Asheba project (Gold Fields 
90%). The drill results have confirmed 
mineralisation in two prospect areas. 
Conceptual modelling showed 
sufficient resource potential and 
follow-up drilling commenced in 
November 2011.

Guinea

At the Telikan gold project in Guinea, 
Gold Fields completed follow-up 
soil sampling and trenching on 
two targets that warrant drilling. A 
5,350 meter RC drilling programme 
was completed in December 2011. 
A decision on the way forward will 
be made once all assay results 
have been received in early 2012.

Mali

In 2011, we continued exploration 
activity at our Yanfolila project in 
south-western Mali (Gold Fields 
85%). Work included drilling on the 
Komana East, Komana West and 
Kabaya South deposits, in parallel 
with efforts to advance a scoping 
study that was completed in the 
third quarter. Target definition work 
and initial drilling also took place on 
a number of  additional prospective 
targets within 25km of  Komana East. 

The scoping study suggests 
that the project requires about a 
1.5 million ounce Mineral Resource 
base before a capital investment 
decision can be made. Although 
drilling in 2011 did reveal potential 
for additional ounces, the required 
threshold has not been achieved 
as quickly as expected. As a result, 
the project remains in the advanced 
drilling stage – with resource 
development dependant on stronger 
drill results. Nonetheless, the 
extensive nature of  our work in the 
area means that Yanfolila has the 
potential to move with great speed 
into the resource development 
stage, should further Mineral 
Resources be identified. 

On the Kangare project, which 
is located north of  Yanfolila in 
Mali, Gold Fields has completed 
extensive geophysical and 
geochemical surveys, as well as 
aircore drilling, to define several 
gold targets. Initial bedrock drilling 
using combined RC and diamond 
drilling at the Tinguele target in 
August 2011 defined a large gold-
bearing system. Follow-up drilling 
commenced in late 2011 and will 
continue into the first half  of  2012.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
112
Growing Gold Fields

Peru

Kyrgyzstan

Arctic Platinum Project, Finland

In north-western Kyrgyzstan,  
Gold Fields owns a 60% interest in 
the Talas joint venture with partner 
Orsu Metals Corp. The Talas joint 
venture covers four exploration 
licences, which are prospective for 
copper-gold porphyry deposits. Most 
of  the exploration work completed 
has focused on the Taldybulak 
copper-gold deposit. At the end 
of  2011, a total of  about 30,000 
meters of  diamond drilling had been 
completed on the Taldybulak deposit 
to delineate a SAMREC-compliant 
copper-gold resource of  about 10.5 
million ounces of  gold-equivalent. 

Due to ongoing social and political 
unrest in Kyrgyzstan, which began 
with a revolution in April 2010, 
field work has been suspended. In 
October 2011, a new president was 
elected and he is now consolidating 
a new government. In January 2012 
Gold Fields and Orsu Metals signed 
an agreement with the community to 
resume drilling in April 2012.

www.orsumetals.com 

4.2.3  Resource development 
and feasibility projects

In 2011, we increased the Mineral 
Resources and Mineral Reserves 
of  our advanced stage greenfields 
exploration project portfolio. These 
projects are driven by our new 
Growth and International Projects 
function (p102), which – supported 
by our established in-region 
teams – is designed to deliver 
seamless project development 
and a predictable steady state 
project pipeline. These projects are 
intended to be developed into our 
next generation of  new-age mines.

Gold Fields is exploring the Tacna 
and Moquegua projects in the 
southern Altiplano region of  Peru. 
Initial RC drilling partially tested the 
Ichocollo porphyry gold target at the 
Tacna project in September 2011. 
However, the drilling programme 
was suspended after two holes 
due to regional social unrest. This 
programme is scheduled to resume 
in 2012 followed by initial drilling 
programmes on two other nearby 
target areas. 

At the Moquegua project, an initial 
drilling programme of  six diamond 
drill holes was completed between 
August and November 2011 on  
the Pacosani breccia target.  
Final assay results are still 
incomplete but results to date  
have not been encouraging. 

In December 2011, initial diamond 
drilling commenced on the Chapi 
Chiara epithermal gold target. This 
is part of  the Amantina joint venture 
signed with Vena Resources Inc.  
to earn up to a 70% interest.  
The Amantina joint venture  
property is contiguous with the 
Moquegua project.

www.venaresources.com 

Philippines

In September 2011, Gold Fields 
signed an option agreement with 
Bezant Resources Plc to acquire 
100% of  the Mankayan copper-
gold project located on the island 
of  Luzon. The Mankayan project 
is immediately adjacent to the Far 
Southeast project (p116-118) and 
contains a significant buried gold-
copper porphyry deposit located 
at Guinaoang, about 4km east of  
the Far Southeast deposit. Diamond 
drilling is planned at Mankayan  
in 2012.

www.bezantresources.com/

Arctic
Platinum
Project

Finland

Helsinki

During 2011, we completed a pre-
feasibility consolidation study on the 
Arctic Platinum Project (Gold Fields 
100%), focused on the Konttijarvi 
and Ahmavaara resources in the 
Suhanko area. 

This was with a view to establishing 
a starter mine for future resource 
development. The study 
incorporated the results of  our pilot 
plant testing of  bulk floatation and 
hydrometallurgical processing on 
two 50 tonne ore samples – using 
Platsol ® technology for enhanced 
metal recovery (p52). 

This pilot study was completed 
during 2011 and generally 
confirmed earlier bench-testing 
work indicating that the Platsol ® 
process can be successfully utilised 
to recover copper, nickel, gold and 
platinum group elements (platinum, 
palladium and rhodium) from the 
Suhanko ores at an onsite facility.

Under the base case assumptions, 
the economics of  the project are 
relatively robust. There are several 
other potential resource positions 
that could considerably improve the 
project’s economics by significantly 
increasing the life of  the mine. These 
require additional drilling to declare 
Inferred and Indicated Resources 
and to complete test work to confirm 
amenability to the Platsol ® hydro-
metallurgical process. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

113
Growing Gold Fields

Our main focus has been on the 
resource definition of  the Canahuire 
deposit. During 2011, we increased 
the Indicated and Inferred Mineral 
Resource to 133 million tonnes  
at 1.4 g/t gold, 10.8 g/t silver  
and 0.09% copper for a total of   
7.6 million ounces of  gold 
equivalent. This represents a 35% 
increase on the 5.6 million ounces 
of  gold equivalent declared in May 
2010 and is based on a total of  
85,000 meters of  drilling up to May 
2011. Mineralisation remains open  
to the west at depth.  

We advanced the development of  
our mine planning based on the 
new resource model, including a 
three phase pit design. RC and 
diamond drilling remains ongoing 
and is focused on tailings and 
waste dump civil geotechnical 
drilling, as well as sterilisation 
drilling. We also initiated an 
environmental impact assessment 
baseline study, which is due  
for submission in the third quarter 
of  2012.

We plan to complete the feasibility 
study for Chucapaca in late 2012. 
This will incorporate a total of  
106,000 meters of  resource and 
geotechnical drilling, as well  
as metallurgical test work. We  
plan to make a development 
decision by year-end, subject to 
agreement with local communities 
on land purchases.

The Canahuire deposit is one of  
several targets in the 12,700 ha 
Chucapaca project area.  
Gold Fields has also consolidated 
a significant portfolio of  additional 
concessions adjacent to the project 
area and is exploring these on an 
independent basis.

Sustainable Development

Our activities in Chucapaca are 
supported by formal, five year 
agreements with the Corire, 
Santiago de Oyo Oyo and 
Chucapaca communities. 

'Bulking up' additional deposits 
would not only optimise the 
efficiency of  up-front capital 
expenditure (including the 
substantial capital cost associated 
with Platsol ® processing), but would 
also offer opportunities to improve 
project economics. These include:

Sustainable development

Sustainability risks around the Arctic 
Platinum Project are limited. The 
main concern of  local communities 
is that the deposit is brought into 
production promptly to contribute to 
the local economy.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mitigation of  the impact of  

Chucapaca, Peru

the large Ahmavaara pre-strip 
by offering more flexible ore 
scheduling from additional ore 
sources – thereby reducing strip 
ratios and improving the grade 
mix in the short-term

(cid:2)(cid:3) The possibility of  higher-grade 
open pit resources from the 
SK Reef  deposits (Siika Kama, 
Kuohunki and Nutturalampi), 
which would allow us to bring 
forward higher-grade ore – and 
to reduce the strip ratio at the 
Suhanko North deposit

(cid:2)(cid:3) Potential for less selective, lower 

cost mining 

We are further evaluating future 
production rates above the base 
case, the likely impacts on capital 
efficiency and project economics, 
as well as further metallurgical 
enhancements to recovery.

The broader market context will 
also help inform the future of  this 
potentially important strategic 
project. Our modelling suggests that 
much of  the platinum industry faces 
long-term cost challenges due to the 
mature nature of  many of  the major 
platinum mines in South Africa. As 
a result, an extended life-of-mine at 
the Arctic Platinum Project would 
improve its relative position over 
time, with potential to be amongst 
the lowest cost producers in the 
industry (excluding up-front capital 
costs from NCE). Furthermore, the 
project is located in a strong and 
stable operating environment, with 
a sound regulatory framework and 
straightforward licensing processes. 

In addition to our pre-feasibility work 
on the Suhanko area, we carried 
out a preliminary assessment on the 
Suhanko II extension area (including 
the Suhanko North, Vaaralampi and 
Tuumasuo deposits), which is subject 
to a mining lease application.

Peru

Lima

Chucapaca

Chucapaca is likely to become our 
second mine in the South America 
region – and the next of  our new-
generation international growth 
projects. The feasibility project, 
which is located in southern Peru, is 
a joint venture between Gold Fields 
(51%) and Buenaventura (49%), 
operated through the joint venture 
company Canteras del Hallazgo 
S.A.C (CDH). 

The gold-copper-silver Canahuire 
deposit, which forms part of  the 
Chucapaca project, is amenable to 
conventional open pit mining with 
copper floatation and CIL treatment 
of  the copper tailings to recover 
gold. The fact that the Canahuire 
deposit is located at an altitude of  
approximately 5,000 meters above 
sea-level means it is likely to offer its 
own unique operational challenges. 
Nonetheless, our successful 
development of  the high-altitude 
Cerro Corona mine (p88-91) means  
we are well placed to manage  
such issues.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

114
Growing Gold Fields

Amongst other things, these 
agreements provide for a range of  
community benefits, including: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The delivery of  health and 
education programmes, in 
partnership with relevant  
local authorities

(cid:2)(cid:3) The delivery of  other socio-
economic development 
programmes identified by the 
communities, including training 
initiatives for local people

Although these agreements give 
CDH a formal social licence to 
complete the exploration and study 
phases of  the work programme over 
the next four years, 2011 did raise 
some challenges. In late August/
early September, work on the project 
was temporarily disrupted as a 
result of  activism by the Oyo Oyo 
community. This was attributable to 
a lack of  internal consensus within 
the community in its negotiations 
with Gold Fields – as well as issues 
around our land acquisition process 
and plans to decrease field activity 
towards the end of  2011.

As a result, we are intensifying our 
existing community engagement 
efforts. This includes, for example, 
our efforts to negotiate ground-
breaking collective agreements 
covering land acquisition. These will 
offer production-based payments 
to local communities – and so 
help entrench a strong social 
licence to operate throughout the 
mine lifecycle. In addition, we are 
implementing an intensive training 
and local employment programme in 
anticipation of  project development. 

Figure 4.9: Damang Super Pit conceptual shell

Surface

-200m

-400m

-600m

-800m

Current Pit

Dec 2010 Reserve Shell
(US$1,000/oz)

Existing Production Base

Conceptual Extensional Pit Shell
(US$1,300/oz)

3 km

Damang Super Pit, Ghana

Ghana

Accra

Damang Super Pit

At Damang, we are in the process 
of  transforming what was a relatively 
small operation facing potential 
closure into a primary asset that will 
make a significant contribution to 
Group production for many years  
to come.

According to our conceptual 
exploration model, the pit contains 
50 to 80 million tonnes of  ore at 
grades of  1.6-1.8 g/t for a total of  
approximately 4 million ounces 
of  gold. Following completion of  
the initial 25,000 meter proof  of  
concept drilling programme in May 
2011, a second phase of  drilling 
was completed in October 2011. 
This phase covered an additional 
38,000 meters of  resource 
definition drilling, confirming the 
extent of  mineralisation consistent 
with current mined ores over the 
entire 3.5km strike length – and at 
depths of  up to 500 meters below 
the current pit floor. This provided 
the geological and assay data to 
achieve a 7.4 million ounce Mineral 
Resource position. Final pre-
feasibility optimisation should be 
completed by early 2013. 

In parallel to the resource drilling 
programme, mining, metallurgical 
and engineering studies advanced 
on-schedule during 2011. We 
also completed a desk-based 
tailings disposal study, which was 
supported by geotechnical and 
hydro-geological site investigations. 

The pre-feasibility study anticipates 
a number of  options, including a 
conventional tailings storage facility, 
in-pit tailings storage, and the co-
disposal of  waste rock and tailings.

We are also taking an innovative 
approach to water management, 
which remains a relatively sensitive 
issue in this high altitude agricultural 
area. It is anticipated that water will 
be provided to the mine from a new 
30 million cubic meter reservoir. 
Although the mine only requires a 
10 million cubic meter reservoir, 
the majority of  water from the 
dam will be used to supply local 
communities – whilst significant 
excess capacity will be maintained 
to avoid supply disruptions.

The Damang Super Pit project 
is focusing on the significant 
expansion of  our existing Damang 
pit and the exploitation of  ore 
at-depth and along strike into the 
adjacent Huni and Juno pits. It now 
has a 7.4 million ounce resource  
to support a potential doubling  
of  production. 

The project represents a low-risk 
growth opportunity supported by 
high-levels of  existing data, as well 
as established infrastructure. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

The pre-feasibility study includes an 
engineering design study, covering 
the design of  the metallurgical plant, 
infrastructure and services, potential 
in-pit crushing, mechanised 
conveyance of  waste rock and 
a hydro-geological study for the 
enlarged pit. 

Two options are being considered 
for the metallurgical plant. The first 
is to refurbish the existing plant and 
construct a second plant with a 
capacity of  5 million tonnes a year. 
The second is to decommission the 
existing plant and construct a new 
9.5 million tonnes a year plant. 

Although we plan to complete the 
pre-feasibility study in mid-2012, 
we are considering the potential 
impact of  recent changes to the 
fiscal regime in Ghana and are 
involved in ongoing dialogue with 
the government. This includes 
a full review of  existing stability 
agreements, with a view to levelling 
the playing field in the country.  
Gold Fields does not have a pre-
existing stability agreement. 

Sustainable Development

The project is fully integrated into 
Damang’s broader sustainability 
management systems. 

115
Growing Gold Fields

Case study

Bringing new life to the Damang mine 
through the Super Pit project

The Damang Super Pit project in Ghana is part of  Gold Fields Greater 
Damang strategy, which is being implemented in two phases:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Phase 1: The Damang Super Pit aims to expand the current pit 
through both the aggressive exploitation of  ore at-depth and 
through the combination of  the existing Huni, Juno and Damang 
deposits into a ‘Super Pit’. Gold Fields conceptual model indicates 
that the Super Pit contains between 50 and 80 million tonnes of  ore 
at grades of  1.6 to 1.8 g/t

(cid:2)(cid:3) Phase 2: The Greater Damang Project focuses on the significant 

expansion of  Damang’s Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves 
beyond the existing pit 

The Damang Super Pit project aims to transform what was previously 
a relatively modest operation into a long-term contributor to Group 
production by significantly expanding production at the mine. Given 
the mine’s established infrastructure and wealth of  existing geological 
data, the project represents a high-potential growth opportunity for 
Gold Fields. The project now has a 7.4 million ounce resource to 
support a potential doubling of  production and increase Damang’s life 
of  mine from 2024 to 2029.

The Super Pit project will require the development of  enhanced  
mine infrastructure to cope with increased production. To this end, 
Gold Fields is planning the construction of  a new processing plant, 
as well as an upgrade of  the existing plant. Once both plants are 
in operation (scheduled for early 2015), they will double Damang’s 
processing capacity to about 10 million tonnes. In addition, the  
new plant is targeting a recovery rate of  about 95%, compared  
to a recovery rate of  about 92% delivered by the existing plant.  
This – along with the construction of  additional tailings storage 
capacity – will ensure that the Super Pit project is able to deliver  
on its exciting potential.

By significantly extending the life of  the mine, the Damang  
Super Pit project will also deliver key benefits to local stakeholders. 
These include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The creation of  new employment opportunities – as well as the 

maintenance of  existing positions

(cid:2)(cid:3) The long-term maintenance of  Damang’s contribution to local 

socio-economic development – and the economic sustainability 
of  Damang village. This includes key health, water and sanitation 
projects funded through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (p145) – 
as well as the indirect economic contributions of  mine employees

The detailed operational and financial modelling for the Super Pit project 
will take account of  the final format of  the new Ghanaian tax regime for 
the mining industry, which was tabled by the government.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

116
Growing Gold Fields

Far Southeast, Philippines

Far Southeast 
project

Manila

Philippines

The Far Southeast gold-copper 
project in the Philippines continues to 
represent one of  our best greenfields 
growth opportunities. Far Southeast 
is located in an existing mining camp 
operated by Lepanto Consolidated 
Mining Company in northern Luzon. 
As a result, the project has good 
access to established infrastructure, 
including roads, tailings facilities, 
power and water.

Following positive ongoing drilling 
results we made a third down-
payment of  US$110 million in March 
2012 under our option agreement 
with Lepanto and Liberty Express 
Assets to acquire a 60% interest 
in the deposit. Gold Fields now 
owns 40% of  Far Southeast and 
should we decide to proceed with 
the acquisition of  the remaining 
20% interest, the final payment 
of  US$110 million is expected to 
be paid during the second half  of  
2012. The total acquisition price for 
this 60% interest is US$340 million.

The deep nature of  the deposit 
– beginning at 900 meters below 
surface – means it will require 
underground shafts, a refrigeration 
plant, ventilation and other related 
infrastructure. In this context, 
Gold Fields is particularly well 
placed to leverage its extensive 
deep-underground mining 
experience in South Africa. 

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Historic third-party drilling indicates 
the presence of  a large, concealed 
gold-copper mineralised porphyry 
system. Over 80 diamond drill holes 
totalling more than 35,000 meters 
have been drilled into the system. 

The mineralised zone has 
approximate dimensions of  more 
than 1,000 meters from east to west, 
800 meters from north to south and 
900 meters vertically. 

Far Southeast’s extensive drilling 
programme has taken place 
from 700 meters above sea level, 
targeting an initial resource in a 550 
meter vertical section between 350 
meters above and 200 meters below 
sea level. Activity has included:

(cid:2)(cid:3) 24,000 meters of  proof-of  

concept drilling via 17 holes

(cid:2)(cid:3) 12,000 meters of  due diligence 

drilling via 13 holes

Initial results support the existence 
and extent of  the known core of  
mineralisation – as well as further 
extensions beyond this core, 
both laterally and at depth. The 
indicative scoping study parameters 
for the project are based on a 
900 million tonne target at 0.77g/t Au 
and 0.54% Cu – equivalent to 
52 million ounces of  gold-equivalent. 

These figures will be used to inform 
the final option payment – expected 
during 2012 – and ongoing 
conceptual mining studies. Should 
we exercise the option, we currently 
plan to complete an Inferred 
Resource model in the second half  
of  2012.

Far Southeast is evaluating bulk 
underground mining of  between 
4 million and 25 million tonnes 
per year – depending on the 
development of  a plan that is 
socially, environmentally and 
economically responsible. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
117
Growing Gold Fields

These activities have been guided 
by an innovative household survey 
of  almost all 35,000 residents in the 
area using a team of  340 volunteers 
from Benguet State University (p106). 

In 2011, Far Southeast 
implemented a Community 
Sustainable Development (CSD) 
programme to address some of  the 
negative historical mining legacies 
that exist in the area. This includes 
community perceptions around the 
association between underground 
mining and ground movement, 
concerns around water quality, 
and employment expectations. 

“We are pleased with the 
[Far Southeast] results to date 
and excited at the prospect of 
establishing a long-standing 
!(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:18)’(cid:8)(cid:30)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:19)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:13)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:8)
promising region in the Philippines.”

The mine is expected to utilise twin 
declines and twin shafts, as well 
as a conventional copper floatation 
process plant.

In terms of  infrastructure, Far 
Southeast is evaluating a pipeline to 
take the copper concentrate to the 
coast – as well as other transport 
alternatives. Plans are in place to 
source power from the national grid 
through a purchase agreement.

Other activities carried out to 
support the project in 2011 include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The filing by Lepanto and Far 
Southeast of  an application 
to convert the existing Mineral 
Production Sharing Agreement 
(MPSA) licence into a Financial or 
Technical Assistance Agreement 
(FTAA). This will allow for majority 
foreign ownership and control of  
the project

(cid:2)(cid:3) Initiation of  a full cultural and 

Nick Holland, Chief  Executive Officer of  Gold Fields

human resources due diligence 
exercise to manage the potential 
transition of  Lepanto employees. 
This is being undertaken in 
cooperation with the Southeast 
Asia Interdisciplinary Development 
Institute (SAIDI) School of  
Organisational Development

(cid:2)(cid:3) Initiation of  a water management 
plan for surface and groundwater, 
a biodiversity study and a legal 
obligations register

Resolution on the proposed mining 
method remains outstanding and 
the full sustainability impact of  the 
proposed method would have 
to be assessed.

Sustainable Development

The well-established nature of  
mining in the area has contributed 
to a largely cooperative stance 
on the part of  local communities. 
Nonetheless, the area offers a 
relatively complex social, political 
and cultural context. 

As a result, particular emphasis 
has been placed on the 
development and implementation 
of a comprehensive sustainable 
development strategy (p106-107). 

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
118
Growing Gold Fields

Key activities undertaken by the Far 
Southeast CSD team in 2011 include:

4.2.4  Mergers and acquisitions

Although our strategy is based on 
exploration-led growth, we made 
two important acquisitions during 
2011 that have not only contributed 
to the expansion of  our Mineral 
Resources and Mineral Reserves 
– but also our strategic aim of  
achieving 100% ownership of  the 
assets in our portfolio. 

The first of  these was our April 2011 
acquisition in Peru of  a further stake 
in Gold Fields La Cima S.A.A. for 
US$382 million. Our offer to minority 
shareholders in La Cima saw our 
stake increase from 80.7% to 98.5% 
- giving us almost total ownership of  
the Cerro Corona mine. 

As a result of  this acquisition,  
we acquired:

(cid:2)(cid:3) An additional 70,000 ounces of  
attributable annual production at 
an NCE of  about US$592/oz

(cid:2)(cid:3) An additional 900,000 reserve 
ounces and an additional  
1.4 million resource ounces

(cid:2)(cid:3) Additional Mineral Resource  

and Mineral Resource  
growth potential

(cid:2)(cid:3) Delivery of  Integrated Barangay 
Development Plans for each of  
the local ‘barangays’ (i.e. local 
administrative areas) in the 
municipality of  Mankayan,  
in collaboration with the  
Municipal Council and  
Benguet State University

(cid:2)(cid:3) Provision of  computer literacy 
courses in each barangay (in 
collaboration with Mankayan’s 
local business forum)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The enrolment of  around 

1,000 indigenous people in a 
government health programme 
(with the Department of  Health) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The carrying out of  Medical 
health missions to all 12 
barangays (with the support of  
the Mankayan Municipal Council 
and Department of  Health) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Water management planning and 
bio-filter training (with NGO, A 
Single Drop of  Water)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The rolling out of  a ‘Mining 101’ 
awareness-raising course to  
the Mankayan Municipal  
Council, run by the University  
of  the Philippines

A key component in our ability to 
proceed with the project is the 
securing of  the statutory Free  
Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) 
of  the local Kankana-ey indigenous 
group for an exploration FTAA 
(p107). Far Southeast is also in the 
process of  securing relevant local 
government approvals.

 www.saidi.edu.ph 
 www.singledrop.org 

The second was our June 2011 
acquisition of  IAMGOLD’s 18.9% 
indirect minority stake in the 
Damang and Tarkwa mines in 
Ghana for US$667 million. This 
has taken our total interest in the 
mines from 71.1% to 90% – with the 
remaining 10% interest held by the 
Government of  Ghana. As a result 
of  this acquisition, we acquired:

(cid:2)(cid:3) An additional 180,000 ounces of  
attributable annual production at 
an NCE of  about US$940/oz 

(cid:2)(cid:3) An additional 2.14 million reserve 

ounces at a cost of  about 
US$300/oz

(cid:2)(cid:3) An additional 3.27 million 

resource ounces at a cost of  
approximately US$198/oz

(cid:2)(cid:3) Significant resource and reserve 
upside potential, at Damang  
in particular

In addition, we entered into an 
option agreement with Bezant 
Resources Plc to acquire its  
interest in the Guinaoang porphyry 
copper-gold deposit (known as  
the Mankayan project) in the 
Philippines. The Mankayan project 
is located just 4km east of  our 
Far Southeast project (p116-118). 
Subject to shareholder approval  
and an option fee of  US$7 million, 
Gold Fields will be granted the 
option to acquire Bezant’s entire 
interest for US$63 million. 

 www.iamgold.com 
 bezantresources.com 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

4.3  Mineral Resource and 
Mineral Reserve Statement

The Gold Fields Mineral Resource 
and Mineral Reserve reporting 
strategy is to ensure integrity 
and consistency in reporting, 
compliance with public and internal 
regulatory codes and to inform 
all stakeholders on the status of  
the Group’s fundamental asset 
base. A comprehensive review of  
the Group’s Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves as at 31 
December 2011, including locality 
and mine infrastructure plans of  
all the operations, is available 
in the Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves Overview that 
accompanies the Integrated Annual 
Review, or may be downloaded from 
the Gold Fields website. 

 www.goldfields.co.za 

4.3.1  Corporate governance

The Group’s December 2011 
Mineral Resource and Mineral 
Reserve statement is compliant 
with the South African Code for 
the Reporting of  Exploration 
Results, Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves (the SAMREC 
Code, 2007 edition) and Industry 
Guide 7 for reporting on the United 
States Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC). 

Other relevant international 
codes are recognised, where 
geographically applicable, such 
as the Australian JORC Code and 
Canadian NI 43-101. 

Guided by a commitment to 
corporate governance, this 
statement has been audited by a 
number of  leading independent 
mining consultancies, and found 
to be compliant with the relevant 
codes. The procedure followed in 
producing the declaration is aligned 
to the guiding principles of  the 
Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act of  2002. 

119
Growing Gold Fields

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In Figure 4.15 the Mineral Resource 
and Mineral Reserve statement as 
at 31 December 2011 is compared 
to the previous year’s declaration 
as at 31 December 2010. The 
Mineral Resource and Mineral 
Reserve figures are estimates, at 
a point in time and will be affected 
by fluctuations in the gold price, 
US dollar currency exchange rates, 
costs, mining permits, changes in 
legislation and operating factors. 
Although all permitting may not 
be finalised and in place, there is 
no reason to expect that these will 
not be granted. However, the time 
taken for approval may impact the 
schedules. All financial models 
are based on promulgated tax 
regulations at 31 December 2011.

All figures are managed, unless 
otherwise stated, Mineral Resources 
are reported inclusive of  Mineral 
Reserves and stability pillars, while 
production volumes are reported in 
metric tonnes (t). 

The competent persons designated 
in terms of  SAMREC, who take 
responsibility for the reporting of  
Gold Fields Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves, are the 
respective operation-based Mineral 
Resource Managers and relevant 
Project Managers. 

Corporate governance on the overall 
compliance of  these figures has 
been overseen and consolidated by 
Kevin Robertson, Group Head of  
Mine Planning and Mineral Resource 
Management. He has 26 years 
experience in the mining industry 
and is a permanent employee 
of  Gold Fields Group Services. 
Additional information regarding the 
teams involved with the compilation 
of  the Mineral Resource and Mineral 
Reserve declaration are incorporated 
in the respective ‘Technical Short-
Form Reports’, which are available 
on the website.

 www.samcode.co.za 
 www.sec.gov
 www.jorc.org  
 www.ccpg.ca

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
120
Growing Gold Fields

4.3.2  Group summary

Figure 4.10: Group attributable Mineral Resources (million Au-Eq oz)

23.70

9.15

7.56

22.65

Total: 217.0 Moz

KDC & Beatrix 
(underground)
SRD & TSF 

South Deep 
(underground)
West Africa

South America

Australasia

Growth Projects 
(Excl. TSF Au 
+ Woodjam)

74.55

4.61

74.82

Figure 4.11: Group attributable Mineral Reserves (million Au-Eq oz)

4.11

6.01

12.36

Total: 80.6Moz

KDC & Beatrix 
(underground)
SRD & TSF 

South Deep 
(underground)
West Africa

South America

Australasia

18.23

3.30

36.58

Gold Fields has total attributable 
precious metal and gold equivalent 
Mineral Resources of  217.0 
million ounces (December 2010: 
225.4 million ounces) and Mineral 
Reserves of  80.6 million ounces 
(December 2010: 76.7 million 
ounces). The figures include: Arctic 
Platinum (2PGE+Au), Canahuire 
gold-copper-silver, Taldybulak gold-
copper-molybdenum, Yanfolila and 
the WWTTP gold (the West Wits 
Tailings Treatment Project, which 
includes South Deep, KDC East 
and KDC West).

Total attributable gold-only Mineral 
Resources including WWTTP 
(excluding platinum, other metal 
equivalents and projects) are  
189.7 million ounces (December 
2010: 199.1 million ounces)  
and Mineral Reserves are  
77.6 million ounces (December 
2010: 74.6 million ounces), net  
of  depletion. 

4.3.3  Regional summary

Australasia

The Australasia region has a 
declared gold Mineral Resource 
of  9.2 million ounces (December 
2010: 9.6 million) and a gold 
Mineral Reserve of  4.1 million 
ounces (December 2010: 4.1 million 
ounces). These figures are net of  
0.7 million and 0.7 million ounces of  
depletion respectively.

Figure 4.12: Headline Numbers - Gold Fields Limited Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve summary as at  
31 December 2011

Total: Operating mines  
(including Cu as Au equivalents & TSF Au)

Managed

Attributable

Totals including platinum and gold equiva-
lents (from Cu, Ag & Mo), excl Woodjam

Managed

Attributable

Mineral Resources

Mineral Reserves

Tonnes
(Mt)

1749.1

1667.1

Tonnes
(Mt)

2475.8

2158.2

All Metal 
EqOz
(Moz)

202.2

193.4

All Metal 
EqOz
(Moz)

234.4

217.0

All Metal 
EqOz
(Moz)

208.8

202.3

All Metal 
EqOz
(Moz)

239.5

225.4

Tonnes
(Mt)

All Metal 
EqOz

1062.4

1011.0

85.1

80.6

Tonnes
(Mt)

All Metal 
EqOz

1062.4

1011.0

85.1

80.6

(Moz)

81.0

76.7

(Moz)

81.0

76.7

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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121
Growing Gold Fields

Figure 4.13: Attributable Mineral Resources per operation and growth project (million Au-Eq oz)

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Figure 4.14: Attributable Mineral Reserves per operation and growth projects (million Au-Eq oz)

Dec-10

Dec-11

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South Africa 

The South Africa region has a total 
declared Mineral Resource of   
160.2 million ounces (December 
2010: 173.8 million ounces).  
The region’s Mineral Reserve 
amounts to 61.1 million ounces 
(December 2010: 60.2 million 
ounces). These figures are net of  
1.9 million and 1.7 million ounces  
of  depletion respectively.

The region’s West Wits Tailings 
Treatment Project (WWTTP) has  
a gold Mineral Resource of   
4.2 million ounces (December  
2010: 4.5 million ounces) and  
a gold Mineral Reserve of   
2.9 million ounces (December  
2010: Nil). 

The decline in the Mineral 
Resources was due to pay-limit 
increases, resource clean-up and 
changes in geological models. The 
rise in Mineral Reserves was largely 
attributable to the 5.2 million ounce 
increase at South Deep and the first-
time inclusion of  2.9 million ounces 
from our WWTTP (KDC only).

However, the surface and 
underground uranium Mineral 
Resource reported in December 2010 
for our West Wits operations (KDC 
and South Deep) has been excluded 
from the December 2011 declaration, 
but retained in the inventory.

South America

The South America region has a 
declared gold Mineral Resource 
of  3.9 million ounces (December 
2010: 4.1 million ounces) and a gold 
Mineral Reserve of  3.1 million ounces 
(December 2010: 2.7 million ounces). 
The copper Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves are 1,386 million 
pounds (December 2010: 1,464 
million pounds) and 1,126 million 
pounds (December 2010: 965 million 
pounds) respectively. 

The total managed gold and copper 
equivalent Mineral Resource and 
Mineral Reserve ounces are  
7.7 million ounces (December 2010: 
8.1 million ounces) and 6.1 million 
ounces (December 2010: 5.3 million 
ounces) respectively. These figures 
are net of  0.5 million and 0.6 million 
ounces of  depletion respectively.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
122
Growing Gold Fields

West Africa

The West Africa region has a 
declared gold Mineral Resource 
of  25.2 million ounces (December 
2010: 17.3 million ounces) and a 
gold Mineral Reserve of  13.7 million 
ounces (December 2010: 11.3 million 
ounces). These figures are net of  1.1 
million ounces and 1.0 million ounces 
of  depletion respectively.

4.3.4  Growth Project summary

Changes in the Mineral Resource 
position of  our growth projects 
at December 2011 compared to 
December 2010 is as follows: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The total Arctic Platinum Project 

(APP) Mineral Resources 
now amount to 12.2 million 
ounces 2PGE + Au following a 
scoping level hydrometallurgical 
processing study for the Suhanko 
deposits. APP is 100% attributable 
to Gold Fields

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Chucapaca project in 
southern Peru underwent a 
scoping study in 2011, which 
included additional extensional 
and infill drilling and now has a 
gold equivalent Mineral Resource 
of  7.6 million ounces – 51% 
attributable to Gold Fields

(cid:2)(cid:3) Damang Super Pit: The Mineral 
Reserves for the Damang Super 
Pit increased from 1.1 million 
ounces to 2.5 million ounces 
in 2011 and the project now 
has a 7.4 million ounce 
Mineral Resource

(cid:2)(cid:3) The maiden Inferred Mineral 
Resource of 1,060 million 
pounds copper was declared for 
the Woodjam project in British 
Columbia, Canada and is 51% 
attributable to Gold Fields

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
123
Growing Gold Fields

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

124
Growing Gold Fields

Figure 4.15 Gold Fields Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Statement as at 31 December 2011

Mineral Resources1 (100%)

Mineral Reserves1 (100%)

Attributable R & R (%)

31 Dec 2011

Dec 
2010

31 Dec 2011

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Gold
(Moz)

Gold
(Moz)

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Gold
(Moz)

Dec 
2010

Gold
(Moz)

31 Dec 2011

Resource
(Moz)

Reserve
(Moz)

(%)

24.2

63.3

87.5

4.9

2.6

3.838

5.314

3.845

5.765

7.1

37.9

5.7

2.3

1.302

2.813

1.321

2.820

100

100

3.838

5.314

1.302

2.813

3.3

9.152

9.610

45.0

2.8

4.114

4.141

100

9.152

4.114

GOLD

Australia Operations

Agnew2

St Ives

Total  
Australasia region

South African Operations

Beatrix 
(underground)

KDC E 
(underground)

KDC W 
(underground)

Total KDC (ug)

South Deep 
(underground)3

Beatrix Surface 
Rock Dumps

WWTTP (Tailings 
Storage Facility) 

WW Surface  
Rock Dumps7

Total South  
Africa region

Peru Operation

Cerro Corona

Total South  
America region

Ghana Operations

Damang

Tarkwa

Total West  
Africa region

Total International 
Operations

GOLD ONLY

Total Gold  
Managed

Total Gold  
Attributable

53.5

6.5

11.120

15.934

34.0

4.5

4.901

5.367

100

11.120

4.901

94.7

12.6

38.435

40.233

27.8

7.8

6.951

7.937

100

38.435

6.951

66.3

11.7

24.999

31.051

26.5

7.5

6.382

11.850

100

24.999

6.382

161.0

355.8

12.3

63.434

71.284

54.3

7.1

80.974

81.454

225.0

7.6

5.5

13.333

19.787

100

63.434

13.333

39.584

34.533

92.4

74.820

36.576

12.4

0.4

0.156

0.078

5.5

0.3

0.057

0.078

100

0.156

0.057

430.5

0.3

4.164

4.490

247.2

0.4

2.916

0.000

4.131

2.916

14.9

0.7

0.327

0.594

14.9

0.7

0.327

0.454

100

0.327

0.327

1,028.0

4.8 160.175 173.834

580.8

3.3

61.118

60.219

153.989

58.110

151.7

0.8

3.946

4.115

110.0

0.9

3.072

2.672

98.5

3.887

3.026

151.7

0.8

3.946

4.115

110.0

0.9

3.072

2.672

98.5

3.887

3.026

165.4

316.5

1.9

1.5

10.044

4.638

61.7

15.123

12.642

264.8

1.7

1.2

3.390

10.345

2.080

9.249

90

90

9.040

13.611

3.051

9.310

481.9

1.6

25.167

17.280

326.5

1.3

13.735

11.329

90

22.651

12.361

721.1

1.7

38.266

31.004

481.6

1.4

20.921

18.142

35.690

19.502

1,749.1

3.5 198.441 204.839 1,062.4

2.4

82.040

78.361

-

-

1,667.1

3.5 189.678 199.051

1,011.0

2.4

77.612

74.571

189.678

77.612

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

COPPER + GOLD
Cerro Corona

Cu as Au-Eq4

Total Cerro Corona 
(Au + Cu as Au-Eq)4

Growth Projects

PLATINUM  
(Finland)  
- APP Project6

Figure 4.15: Gold Fields Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Statement as at 31 December 2011 (continued)

125
Growing Gold Fields

COPPER  
(Peru) -  
Cerro Corona

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(%Cu)

Copper 
(Mlbs)

Copper 
(Mlbs)

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(%Cu)

Copper 
(Mlbs)

Copper 
(Mlbs)

Copper (Cu) only

144.1

0.45

1,386

1,464

110.0

0.51

1,126

965

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

3.729

3.992

7.676

8.107

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

3.031

2.624

6.103

5.296

-

7.560

6.012

Copper 
(Mlbs)

Copper 
(Mlbs)

1,366

1,109

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

3.673

2.985

(%)

98.5

(%)

98.5

Tonnes
(Mt)

2PGE 
+ Au
(g/t)

2PGE 
+ Au
(Moz)

2PGE 
+ Au
(Moz)

Tonnes
(Mt)

2PGE 
+ Au
(g/t)

2PGE 
+ Au
(g/t)

2PGE 
+ Au
(g/t)

Total 2PGE + Au

161.9

2.3

12.159

12.601

COPPER - GOLD 
- SILVER (Peru) - 
Chucapaca Project

Total Au-Eq oz4  
(Au + Ag + Cu)

COPPER - GOLD 
- MOLYBDENUM 
(Kyrgyzstan) - Ta-
las Project

Total Au-Eq oz4  
(Au + Cu + Mo)

GOLD  
(Mali) -  
Yanfolila Project

Tonnes
(Mt)

132.7

Grade
(g/t)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq  
(Moz)

-

7.628

5.639

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

423.0

-

11.695

11.710

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Gold 
(Moz)

Gold 
(Moz)

Total Au

9.1

2.5

0.740

0.740

COPPER Canada - 
Woodjam Project5

Tonnes
(Mt)

Cu %  Cu (Mlb) Cu (Mlb)

Total Cu

146.5

0.33

1,060

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2PGE 
+ Au
(Moz)

2PGE 
+ Au
(Moz)

(%)

100

 12.159 

-

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

3.890

-

(%)

51

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

Au - Eq 
(Moz)

(%)

60

 7.017 

-

Gold 
(Moz)

Gold 
(Moz)

85

 0.629 

-

Cu (Mlb) Cu (Mlb)

51

541

-

Mineral Resources are inclusive of  Mineral Reserves. All tonnes relate to metric units. Rounding-off  of  figures may result in minor computational 
discrepancies, where this happens it is not deemed significant.

In Australia (Agnew and St Ives), a gold price of  A$1,550 and A$1,400 was used to determine the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves 
respectively. Mineral Resources for the South African operations were determined at R340,000/kg, while the Mineral Reserves were determined at 
R310,000/kg.

In South America (Cerro Corona) and West Africa (Damang and Tarkwa), the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves were determined using a 
gold price of  US$1,450/oz and US$1,300/oz, and a copper price of  US$3.90/lb and US$3.50/lb respectively.

For the Growth Projects, (i) Talas used US$1,150/oz for gold, US$3.00/lb for copper and US$15/lb for molybdenum, (ii) Chucapaca used US$1,450/
oz for gold, US$3.90/lb for copper and US$25.5/oz for silver, (iii) Yanfolila used US$1,150/oz for gold and (iv) Woodjam used  
US$1,450/oz for gold and US$3.90/lb for copper and APP used US$1,450/oz for gold, US$1,775/oz for platinum, US$625/oz for palladium,  
US$3.90/lb for copper and US$10.89/lb for nickel. 

1 Managed, unless otherwise stated

2 Agnew deposits, Miranda & Vivien, are subject to a royalty agreement

3  The BEE transaction concluded in December 2010, grants an empowerment consortium 10% of  South Deep. Based on the relevant sliding 

scale of  the vesting of  the economic benefit attached to the 10% and the current Life of  Mine profile, the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve 
portion attributable to Gold Fields is 92.4%

4  Copper, silver and molybdenum are reported as gold equivalent ounces (commodity revenue is divided by the gold price for the conversion to 

gold equivalent ounces) 

5 Woodjam is a copper deposit with gold as a by-product

6 APP's declared Mineral Resource is pit constrained for the Konttijärvi and Ahmavaara deposits (7.1 Moz 2PGE + Au) and includes the original 
unconstrained SK reef  estimates (5.1 Moz 2PGE + Au)

7 The WWTTP has been included into the gold Mineral Reserve figures this year, whereas the uranium Mineral Resource figures have been 
excluded, but remain in the inventory

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
126

Transparency and accountability

5. Securing our  
future responsibly

‘Securing our future responsibly’ means pursuing true business 
sustainability through the effective management of our long-term  
risks and opportunities – and through the implementation of our  
Vision and Values. 

Our long history of operating world-class mining operations means  
we have a particularly strong understanding of the fact that our  
long-term success will be underwritten by our current policies,  
actions and investments. It also means we are aware of our  
(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:13)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:30)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:8)~(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:23)(cid:12)<(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:7)(cid:8)<(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:3)!(cid:13)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:8) 
long-term business interests.

This approach makes it incumbent on us to recognise the many  
(cid:15)(cid:12)(cid:15)*(cid:12)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:15)(cid:12)(cid:15)*(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8)(cid:31)’(cid:15)(cid:16)!(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:5)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:24)(cid:24)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:8) 
our business – including:

(cid:21)(cid:8) The effective management and development of the individual 

employees who make up our workforce, which will ensure we have the 
(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:23)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:8)(cid:16)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:8)(cid:19)|(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:20)(cid:12)(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:24)(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:14)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:20)’

(cid:21)(cid:8) Promotion of the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of our 
employees, which will underwrite current and future productivity 

(cid:21)(cid:8) Management of our relations with local stakeholders in a range of 

contrasting contexts, which will ensure we are able to successfully  
pursue growth in the new operating environments

(cid:21)(cid:8) Maintenance of strong business ethics, which will protect both our 
reputation and our ability to establish transparent and mutually 
rewarding relations with governments, business partners and suppliers

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

127

Transparency and accountability

Contents

5. Securing our future responsibly

Becoming the employer of  choice .......................... Page 128
Promoting productivity, health and wellbeing ......... Page 136
Building mutually beneficial community relations ... Page 141
Forging strong relations through business ethics ... Page 154

Highlights

US$43m

Investment in internal training and skills development

US$54m

Socio-economic development (SED) spend in 2011

541

Number of  employee hostel units upgraded in  
South Africa during 2011

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
128

Securing our future responsibly

5.1  Becoming the  
employer of choice

If  we are to achieve our Goal of  
5 million gold equivalent ounces 
in production or in development 
by 2015, we need a well-trained, 
motivated and stable workforce 
– including technical experts, 
managers and operational personnel. 
This is as true at our more labour-
intensive, mature mines in South 
Africa as it is for our mechanised 
mines in Australia and at South Deep. 
The challenge is exacerbated by the 
mining sector’s global ‘war for talent’, 
the ageing nature of  the global 
mining workforce and the ongoing 
boom in the extractive industries – 
all of  which make recruitment and 
turnover a key risk for Gold Fields  
– as well as its peers. 

In part, this prompted us to develop 
a new People Strategy in 2011. It is 
based on: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Building the Gold Fields global 

brand and making us the 
‘employer of  choice’

(cid:2)(cid:3) Creating a ‘borderless’  
Gold Fields that offers  
employees global mobility

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establishing a centralised and 
integrated Human Resources 
Data Reporting System 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Attracting and retaining talent, 
including through the review of  
our base salaries, short- and 
long-term incentives, and quality 
of  working life

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhancing our internal and 

external skills pipelines

We aim to employ and develop local 
employees wherever we operate and 
at all levels of  our business. This is 
true of  all of  our operating locations 
– whether we are subject to local 
employment regulations or not. We 
believe our approach will help build 
local capacity, broaden local skills 
pools, enhance our reputation – and 
so help underpin the long-term 
sustainability of  our business. This 
approach is in line with our efforts to 
empower historically disadvantaged 
individuals within our workforce in 
South Africa (p133-135).

During 2011, there were no large-
scale forced retrenchments at our 
operations. Although our workforce in 
South Africa was reduced by 1.9%, 
this was through natural attrition and 
voluntary separation. In this way, there 
will be a gradual, un-forced workforce 
reduction in South Africa, through 
which the long-term sustainability of  
the region will be assured – without 
compromising production. 

In 2011, we formalised the voluntary 
separation process so that all 
employees who elect to take the 
separation package are provided 
with seven weeks of  portable 
skills training– before leaving the 
company. This is with the aim of  
delivering the skills and knowledge 
that will help them establish 
sustainable livelihoods, for example 
in construction, plumbing and 
related trades. 

5.1.1  Providing productive and 
worthwhile employment positions

Gold Fields had a total of  46,378 
employees in service at year end 
(2010: 47,268) – with 90.1% of  them 
located in South Africa. A total of  
94% of  our employees in Australia, 
Ghana and Peru are nationals. A 
total of  63%1 of  employees in South 
Africa are Historically Disadvantaged 
South Africans (HDSAs). The vast 
majority of  the remainder are from 
countries in the Southern African 
Development Community. 

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

1 Excluding foreign nationals

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

129

Securing our future responsibly

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Figure 5.1: Total employees

Figure 5.2: Total employees by 
region (%)

Figure 5.3: Total staff turnover rate 
by employee type (%)

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60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

5
2
3
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9
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2
2
1
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8
6
2
,
7
4

8
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3
,
6
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Australasia

South Africa

South America

West Africa

7.6

0.8

2008

2009

2010

2011

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

1.5

90.1

0
4
.
0
3

2010

2011

9
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8
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Figure 5.4: Group human resources performance 

Category

Total employees (excluding contractors)

HDSA employees in South Africa (%)

HDSA employees in South Africa (% - management)

2011

2010

2009

2008

46,378

47,268

51,122

49,325

63.0

42.7

61.5

41.4

60.9

39.1

58.4

37.2

National employees in Ghana (%) (excluding contractors)

98.00

96.92

96.91

97.08

Minimum wage ratio

Female employees (%)

Ratio of  basic salary of  men to women

Employee wages and benefits (Rm)

Average training (hours per employee)

Employee turnover (%)

2.52

8.0

1.06

9,448

1282

10.72

2.72

7.4

1.05

7,514

683

13.41

2.79

6.9

1.07

6,612

650

13.70

2.52

5.7

1.12

5,804

584

18.57

2 Difference in training hours between 2010 and 2011 reflects the implementation of  an enhanced data reporting methodology

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
130

Securing our future responsibly

Improving capabilities 

5.1.2 
through training

Training statistics at the Academy for 
2011 include the following: 

The provision of  world-class training 
plays a vital role in enhancing 
employee productivity and safety – 
as well as the long-term capabilities 
of  our company. It also plays a key 
role in attracting and retaining the 
best talent in a highly competitive 
global labour market.

During 2011, we invested a total 
of  R310 million (US$43 million) 
in internal training and skills 
development across the Group 
(2010: R229 million/US$31 million). 
This helped us deliver training to 
a total of  44,940 employees and 
contractors (including multiple 
attendances by individuals). 

South Africa

Our training efforts are underpinned 
by our maintenance of  strong 
internal training institutions. This 
includes our high-profile Gold Fields 
Business and Leadership Academy 
in South Africa.1 The Academy 
delivers high-quality, on-site 
training courses, including mining, 
engineering, metallurgy and mineral 
resources management. 

It does so using an innovative 
training approach that focuses on 
tailored programmes adapted to 
each individual’s specific level, 
education and maturity – as well as 
subsequent monitoring. 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Induction and refresher training: 

43,717 (2010: 35,241)

(cid:2)(cid:3) New skills training: 10,943  

(2010: 20,051)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Adult Basic Education and 

Training (ABET) programmes: 
1,555 (2010: 2,997)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Engineering learnerships: 265 

(2010: 234)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mining learnerships: 340  

(2010: 388) 

In addition to the provision of  
training at the Academy, we 
provided a total of  106 university 
bursaries to employees.

Plans have been approved for the 
establishment of  a new mechanised 
mining training centre at South 
Deep in 2012. This will provide 
comprehensive training to operating 
and maintenance staff  – and build on 
the highly specialised skills we have 
already developed at the site. This 
will directly support mine productivity, 
whilst also reducing our need to 
‘buy-in’ mechanised mining skills 
from an intensely competitive global 
market. Furthermore, the Centre will 
ultimately develop a highly skilled 
cadre of  mechanised miners in South 
Africa, which will not only support our 
future in the country – but that of  the 
sector as a whole.

Ghana

In 2011, we carried out an audit 
to ensure we had the right skills to 
support our shift towards owner-
operation – and to help us address 
skills shortages amongst nationals 
in the country (p131). The results  
of  this audit helped inform plans  
for the future development  
of  an engineering training centre  
in Tarkwa. 

1  The Academy is accredited by the Mining 
Qualifications Authority, the Construction 
Education and Training Authority. It 
works closely with the Chamber of  Mines 
Education Advisory Council, the mining 
advisory committees of  the University 
of  Witwatersrand and the University of  
Johannesburg and the Mine Education  
Trust Fund.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

The centre is expected to act 
as a major regional training hub 
for mine engineers, artisans and 
maintenance engineers. This will 
deliver a solid internal skills pipeline 
to feed our owner-operated mines 
– and support future production 
expansion at Damang. 

Furthermore, the centre will enhance 
stakeholder recognition of  our  
long-term investment in Ghana  
and its people. 

What are learnerships?

Learnerships are ongoing 
training programmes provided 
to our workforce in South 
Africa. They include both 
theoretical and practical 
training and lead to the  
award of  nationally  
recognised qualifications.

5.1.3  Achieving 
success through careful 
talent management

Effective talent management is 
playing a key role in our ability 
to compete for high quality 
technical, engineering and mineral 
resource specialists. Furthermore, 
it is supporting the successful 
‘devolution’ of  senior management 
within Gold Fields, through the 
cultivation of  committed, high-
calibre leaders within each region.

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Australia

In Australia, labour competition is 
particularly intense due to the local 
energy and mining boom, as well 
as Western Australia’s dynamic 
‘fly-in, fly-out’ labour market. This 
has contributed to a turnover rate of  
28%. Whilst very high by ordinary 
standards, this is relatively normal in 
the Australian mining context. 

Nonetheless, we are re-energising 
our efforts to attract and retain high 
quality personnel at our operations. 
Initiatives started in 2011 include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Centralisation of  all recruitment 

activity at a regional level

(cid:2)(cid:3) Development of  a  

compelling Employee  
Value Proposition strategy 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Improved identification of  critical 
roles and succession planning

(cid:2)(cid:3) Establishment of  a stronger 
market-presence, including 
awareness raising, advertising 
and branding

(cid:2)(cid:3) Targeted recruitment of  
expatriate technical  
specialists, including those  
from South Africa

We also built on a number of  
initiatives implemented in 2010. 
These include, for example,  
our regular salary review, our 
employee share and bonus 
schemes and our ‘fast-track’ 
graduate development programme.

In addition, we are continuing our 
innovative leadership development 
programme, run in partnership 
with the Australian Institute of  
Management and the University of  
Western Australia. The programme, 
which runs dedicated three-month 
courses aimed at supervisors 
and middle managers, has been 
expanded to include senior 
managers. In 2011, approximately 
50 employees took part in this 
intensive programme. 

Collectively, these actions are part 
of  a strategy to establish  
Gold Fields as an employer of  
choice in the Australian market, 
based on the unique opportunities 
we can offer in terms of  
development and global mobility.

 www.aim.com.au 
 www.uwa.edu.au 

131

Securing our future responsibly

Ghana

In Ghana, the market for senior 
nationals remains intense. Local 
regulations require that a maximum 
of  5% of  management, supervisory 
and technical positions at mining 
companies can be filled by 
expatriates. A relatively limited pool 
of  local specialists and managers, 
as well as the desire of  many skilled 
nationals to work outside of  Ghana, 
contribute to intense competition 
for their services. Although our 
turnover in Ghana has increased 
from a relatively modest 5% to 7.4%, 
it is disproportionately focused on 
skilled individuals in middle- and 
senior-management.

Our prime means of  managing this 
challenge is an intensive succession 
planning programme. Whenever 
we fill a post with an expatriate 
employee, we also develop a 
national employee using formalised 
Individual Development Plans. This 
guarantees a constant pipeline 
of  continually developing national 
talent, which helps underpin both 
our business performance within the 
country and our long-term social 
licence to operate.

As a result of  such efforts, we 
increased the proportion of  
nationals in senior positions to 
60.5% (2010: 56.4%).

 www.gimpa.edu.gh 
 www.darden.virginia.edu 

Peru

In Peru, we run an internal 
leadership programme for all C-Band 
employees to identify staff  that will 
eventually move into middle- to 
senior management levels. Identified 
individuals are provided with the 
relevant resources, coaching and 
training to make this progression. 

In addition, we have a formal 
leadership programme for the 
development of  high-quality 
management personnel and 
supervisors. These are run in close 
partnership with the University 
of  Piura and DBM Peru, and 
cover issues such as leadership, 
human rights, executive coaching, 
technical skills and financial skills. 
During 2011, 51 managers and 
supervisors completed these 
extensive programmes. 

Other actions to address this 
challenge include:

 www.udep.edu.pe 
 www.dbmperu.com 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enhanced offerings around 
structured and predictable  
career progression

(cid:2)(cid:3) Annual salary surveys to ensure 
we remain more than competitive

(cid:2)(cid:3) Annual action plans to address 

relevant human resources issues 
identified in our climate surveys

(cid:2)(cid:3) Facilitation of  the temporary 
transfer of  senior nationals to 
other Gold Fields regions on an 
expatriate basis

We continued to run our Senior 
Leadership Development 
programme with the Ghana 
Institute of  Management and Public 
Administration. The programme 
includes attendance at the Darden 
School of  Business at the University 
of  Virginia in the United States. 
During 2011, 10 senior officials took 
part in the programme. 

South Africa

In South Africa, we have enhanced 
and formalised our leadership 
development offering, which 
is tailored to each employee’s 
Individual Development Plan. In 
particular, the Gold Fields Business 
and Leadership Academy is piloting 
an approach that ultimately aims 
to significantly enhance leadership 
and succession across the Group. 

The Academy is accredited by the 
Mines Qualifications Authority, the 
Construction Education and  
Training Authority and the Institute  
of  Leadership and Management.  
It offers a comprehensive range 
of  in-house and on-site training 
courses including mining 
engineering, metallurgy and  
mineral resources management. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

132

Securing our future responsibly

5.1.5  Respecting human rights

Human rights represent a key part 
of  our Sustainable Development 
Framework and are expressly 
addressed in our new Code of  
Ethics (p25) and Human Rights 
Policy. As a signatory to the United 
Nations Global Compact, and as 
part of  our commitment to the 
principles of  the ICMM’s  
Sustainable Development 
Framework, Gold Fields upholds  
the highest standards for the 
protection of  human rights. 

These include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Freedom from child labour

(cid:2)(cid:3) Freedom from forced or 

compulsory labour

(cid:2)(cid:3) Freedom from discrimination

(cid:2)(cid:3) Freedom of  association and 

collective bargaining

 www.unglobalcompact.org
 www.icmm.com 

The Academy is represented in 
a number of  external bodies, 
including the Chamber of  Mines 
Education Advisory Council, the 
mining advisory committees of  the 
University of  Witwatersrand and the 
University of  Johannesburg and the 
Mine Education Trust Fund.

The Academy uses a unique 
training approach that focuses on 
tailored programmes adapted to 
each individual’s specific level, 
education and maturity to ensure  
the establishment of  an integrated 
and long-term skills and leadership 
pipeline, which will aid the internal 
mobility of  our managers. 

As part of  this approach we offer our 
employees a range of  leadership 
programmes with a wide range 
of  institutions, including Duke 
University in the United States, 
the Gordon Institute of  Business 
Science in Johannesburg and the 
Louis Allen Leadership Development 
programme. Beyond these core 
programmes, we offer relevant 
employees additional tailored training 
programmes based on electives 
provided through third-parties.

 www.gibs.co.za
 www.louisallenworldwide.com

5.1.4  Promoting constructive 
labour relations

By the end of  2011, none of  our 
employees in Australia had opted to 
join unions. In contrast, 97% of  our 
employees in South Africa and 95% 
of  our employees in Ghana belong 
to unions. In Peru, a trade union has 
started at our Cerro Corona mine, 
with limited participation to date.

The three-year wage agreement 
signed with the Ghanaian 
Mineworkers Union in October 2010 
remains current, meaning no wage 
re-negotiation was necessary during 
2011. This demonstrates the healthy 
and stable nature of  our relationship 
with organised labour in Ghana. 

In July 2011, our operations in 
South Africa were impacted by a 
sector-wide strike related to the 
annual wage negotiation process. 
The strike, which was called by 
the National Union of  Mineworkers 
(NUM), Solidarity and the United 
Association of  South Africa (UASA) 
halted production for five days. 
This resulted in lost production 
equivalent to 43,000 ounces of  gold. 

Joint negotiations with other affected 
gold mining companies (through the 
Chamber of  Mines) produced a two-
year wage agreement that reflected 
compromise on both sides.

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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133

Securing our future responsibly

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5.1.6  Transformation 
and diversity

Gold Fields remains committed 
to the creation and maintenance 
of  a diverse and demographically 
representative workforce.

Empowerment of Historically 
Disadvantaged South Africans 
(HDSAs)1

In South Africa we recognise the long-
term value of driving transformation 
within the mining sector – and society 
more broadly. Under the revised 
Mining Charter (p155), we are 
required to fill 40% of all management 
positions with HDSAs by 2014. 

In 2011, we achieved the following 
distribution of  HDSAs at senior- 
to middle management levels in 
South Africa:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Group Board: 36% (2010: 36%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Group ExCo: 29% (2010: 15%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) SA-domiciled Group ExCo: 44% 

(2010: 37%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields South Africa Board: 

60% (2010: 60%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Gold Fields South Africa ExCo: 

38% (2010: 38%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Senior management (E-Upper 
and above): 30% (2010: 32%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Middle management (D-Upper 
and E-Lower): 41% (2010: 40%)

Figure 5.5: HDSAs within the Gold Fields workforce in South Africa (%)2

Employees
Middle management (D-Upper to E-Lower)

Senior management (EU<)

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

58.4

35.9

11.8

2008

60.9

61.5

37.2

25.0

39.7

32.4

63.0

41.0

29.6

2009

2010

2011

Although we continued to make 
progress in this respect, we 
acknowledge more still needs to 
be done. Our ongoing efforts are 
primarily focused on a sustainable, 
long-term approach based on 
targeted education, training 
and development of  our HDSA 
employees. However, the lead-time 
for this process is relatively long. 
As a result, we supplement this 
approach with the appointment of  
high quality, externally recruited 
HDSA managers into key 
company positions

Employment of nationals

The employment of  nationals is a 
key component of  our social licence 
to operate in both Ghana and Peru. 
The proportions of  our workforce 
made up by nationals are:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Peru: 99.5% (2010: 99.4%).

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ghana: 98.0% (2010: 96.9%)

In Ghana, we are particularly 
focused on ensuring that nationals 
are adequately represented 
amongst senior managers (currently 
60.54%) to help address intense 
competition for local talent (p131). 

1  White females are included within the definition of  HDSAs

2  Percentages relate to our total workforce, excluding foreign nationals who were included in the 

figures reported last year

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
134

Securing our future responsibly

Case study

Phasing out the Fanakalo language in 
South Africa

In 2011, Gold Fields rolled out a new Business Languages Policy for 
its South Africa region, which includes a strategy for phasing-out the 
Fanakalo language used at its operations.

Historically, employees in South Africa have communicated using 
Fanakalo – an artificial hybrid of  Zulu, English and Afrikaans. The 
language was originally developed within the mining sector to allow 
communication between groups who speak different languages – a 
significant challenge within largely migrant workforces. Due to its 
history, Fanakalo is associated in the minds of  many with the Apartheid 
era – and is believed to be disrespectful to speakers of  local 
languages. Furthermore, the relatively simplistic nature of  Fanakalo 
means it is becoming less useful in an increasingly sophisticated 
operational environment – and one in which important technical, 
safety and health information needs to be clearly understood. This is 
particularly the case as Gold Fields advances mechanised mining and 
development methods within its mines. 

The use of  Fanakalo will be phased out using a strategy developed 
in partnership with the Language School at Wits University, which will 
run until 2022. An external research team has established that three 
African languages – Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho – are currrently 
dominant within the Gold Fields workforce. These will be used to 
replace Fanakalo as the main means of  communication at 
Gold Fields mines – whilst English will be used for business 
purposes. As part of  the strategy, all employees will be given access 
to language training programmes, so they are able to speak and 
understand the ‘official’ Gold Fields languages. The current Adult 
Basic Education and Training programme, which teaches English 
and numeracy, will continue, whilst new language courses will be 
introduced for the three African languages. These will be based on 80-
hour interactive language programmes, which will be embedded at the 
operations and integrated into the performance management system. 

“With proper communication you can 
inject magic into a team and achieve 
great things from a safety and production 
point of view.”
Peter Turner, Executive Vice-President: South Africa Region 

 www.witslanguageschool.com

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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Representation of women

Figure 5.7: Group female employees (%)

135

Securing our future responsibly

In line with our transformation 
commitments, we are seeking higher 
levels of  representation of  women 
throughout Gold Fields – from the 
mines to the boardroom. Women 
currently make up the following 
proportions of  positions within 
Gold Fields:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Board: 21.4% (2010: 21.0%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Senior management (E-Upper 
and above): 8.9% (2010: 2.7%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Middle management 

(D-Upper and E-Lower): 
13.3% (2010: 14.7%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Mining: 3.6% (2010: 3.3%)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Total: 8.0% (2010: 7.4%)

Representation within our Board 
means we are ahead of  the 20% 
target currently being considered 
by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission in the United States 
for 2013.

We are continuing to face a number 
of  challenges in our efforts to 
attract women to the company. 
These include an inadequate pool 
of  skilled female workers, as well 
as perceptions around the physical 
demands of  mining. 

Figure 5.6: Group basic salary of 
men to women (1:x)

1.60

1.40

1.20

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

0.00

1.12

1.07

1.05

1.06

2008

2009

2010

2011

Employees
Middle management (D-Upper E-Lower)

Senior management (EU<)

25

20

15

10

5

0

10.7

5.7

0.0

2008

13.6

8.3

6.9

2009

14.7

7.4

2.7

2010

13.3

8.9

8.0

2011

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
136

Securing our future responsibly

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Figure 5.8: Health performance 

South Africa

2011

2010

2009

2008 

Noise Induced Hearing Loss submissions 
(Rate per 1000 employees)

1.35

1.51

1.04

1.80

Silicosis submissions 
(Rate per 1000 employees)

Chronic Obstr. Airways Disease (COAD) 
(Rate per 1000 employees) 

Cardio-Respiratory Tuberculosis (CRTB) 
(Rate per 1000 employees)

Employees on Highly-Active Anti-
Retroviral Treatment (HAART)

Started HAART (Individuals)

Retained on HAART (Individuals)

Exited HAART (Individuals)

2.04

3.11

3.52

5.45

1.27

1.54

0.68

1.55

18.02

15.97

13.89

23.79

3,523

2,991

2,155

1,492

1,010

3,523

573

5,150

2,991

2,159

4,114

2,155

1,959

3,136

1,492

1,644

5.2  Promoting productivity, 
health and wellbeing

In many senses, health poses as 
much of  a legal, operational and 
reputational risk as our safety 
performance – albeit over a longer 
time scale. Our approach to 
managing this risk is characterised 
by our holistic focus on worker 
wellbeing, which goes beyond 
conventional compliance-based 
measures of  occupational health 
and communicable disease. 

This is the rationale behind our 
innovative and sector-leading 
24 Hours in the Life of  a Gold Fields 
Employee programme (p140). This 
includes, for example, a broad-range 
of  initiatives around occupational 
health and safety, healthcare, living 
conditions, nutrition, education, 
sport and recreation. Through this 
approach, we aim to ensure that we 
have a fit and motivated workforce. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
5.2.1  Promoting 
occupational health

Our deep underground and 
relatively labour-intensive South 
African operations tend to pose 
higher occupational health risks 
than our other mines. This includes, 
for example, risks around Silicosis, 
Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease 
(COAD) and Tuberculosis (TB). 

All employees are subject to initial 
and annual medical surveillance. 
These are tailored in line with local 
legal requirements, as well as 
operation- and role-specific health 
risks. The assessments are aimed at 
preventing, identifying and treating 
occupational diseases. 

In 2011, we submitted the following 
cases for certification:

(cid:2)(cid:3) 66 cases of  COAD (2010: 81)

(cid:2)(cid:3) 139 cases of  Noise Induced 

Hearing Loss (NIHL) (2010: 78)1

(cid:2)(cid:3) 107 cases of  Silicosis (2010:164)

(cid:2)(cid:3) 913 cases of  CRTB2  

(2010: 1,108)

During 2011, we opened a new, 
dedicated Occupational Health 
Centre at KDC, which carries 
out comprehensive occupational 
health assessments of  all new and 
existing employees – as well as 
selected periodic assessments. The 
Centre has significantly improved 
assessment quality, as well as 
turnaround times – supporting our 
proactive management of  employee 
health risks. The results are used 
to identify high-risk individuals and 
those with medical conditions, who 
are then moved to workplace roles 
that pose a lower health risk. 

1 Increase in cases of  NIHL is partly due to 
implementation of  new methodology in our 
South America region

2 New and re-treatment cases

137

Securing our future responsibly

Figure 5.9: Occupational disease in the South Africa region  
(Rate per 1,000 employees)

NIHL

CRTB

Silicosis

COAD

18.02

15.97

13.89

25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

23.79

5.45

1.80
1.55

2008

3.52

1.04
0.68

2009

This helps ensure they are kept 
in employment, whilst reducing 
the likelihood of  an occupational 
disease developing in the first place. 
Plans are in place to roll out a  
similar model throughout the Group 
and to increase the frequency of  
periodic assessments.

We also implement quantitative 
Health Risk Assessments under our 
24 Hours in the Life of  a Gold Fields 
Employee programme. 

In addition to the occupational 
diseases identified above, these 
confidential assessments address 
general health and lifestyle issues 
such as hypertension, diabetes, 
cholesterol, diet and mental health. 

Once employees have participated 
in the process, they are referred 
to practitioners, who pro-actively 
address their well-being. Our 
high performance centres and 
employee assistance programmes 
are available to provide appropriate 
support and assist in structuring 
lifestyle interventions.

3.11
1.54

1.51

2010

1.35
1.27
2.04

2011

Engineering controls

As with safety risks (p59-60), one 
of  the most important ways we 
can reduce workplace health risks 
is through proactive engineering, 
which aims to reduce noise and dust 
levels in line with the Mine Health 
and Safety Council milestones for 
2013. Measures taken during 2011 
to reduce these risks include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Upgrading of  tip filters through 
the replacement of  old systems 
or the installation of  pre-filtration 
systems to existing filters 

(cid:2)(cid:3) The use of  foggers to trap dust 

emitted from tipping points

(cid:2)(cid:3) Footwall treatment to bind dust 
to the footwall and prevent it 
entering intake airways

(cid:2)(cid:3) Installation of  spring-loaded tip 

doors to minimise dust emissions 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Analysis of  individual dust filters 
to sample quartz content and 
further improve the measurement 
of  individual exposures 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reduction in noise levels from 
equipment and machinery by 
purchasing quieter equipment 
and retrofitting noise  
suppression systems

(cid:2)(cid:3) Appropriate protective 

equipment for noise protection

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
138

Securing our future responsibly

Legal context

In March 2011, the South African 
Constitutional Court ruled that 
legislation that limited employees’ 
rights to claim compensation for 
certain diseases including silicosis 
was unconstitutional. As a result, the 
Court found that employees had the 
right to sue employers for common 
law damages to the extent that such 
employees could prove that they 
had suffered loss as a result of  the 
negligence of  the employer and 
such loss could be quantified.

South Africa’s Chamber of  Mines 
has for some time been actively 
working in tripartite forums 
on the alignment and reform 
of  the statutory framework for 
compensation in respect of  
occupational lung disease. This has 
been with the aim of  eliminating 
anomalies in the application of  the 
legislation, whilst not undermining 
the viability of  the mining industry 
– or the jobs of  the people who 
work in it. In addition, the Chamber 
of  Mines and its members have 
also been working on a range of  
initiatives to address occupational 
health and safety issues related 
to former mineworkers, as well as 
current mine employees.

We are currently analysing the 
situation to assess – and try and 
quantify – the potential for any 
claims against Gold Fields. To date 
no claims have been received by 
the company. In a June 2011 report, 
Standard & Poor’s stated that it was 
premature to assess whether South 
African mining companies would  
be significantly impacted by  
silicosis claims, and that its rating  
of  these companies would, subject 
to any emerging developments, 
remain unaffected.

In Ghana, noise and dust are 
considered to be emerging  
issues. During the past three years, 
we have had 4 cases of  NIHL 
registered for compensation – 
although no claims have yet been 
approved by local authorities.

5.2.2  Helping employees 
address HIV/AIDS, TB and  
malaria

HIV/AIDS and TB 

South Africa

The bulk of  our workforce (90.1%) 
is exposed to significant risk of  
exposure to HIV/AIDS by virtue of  
living and working in South Africa, 
which has an adult prevalence rate 
of  17.8%1 - as well as other factors 
such as employee demographics, 
migratory status and lifestyles. 
Indeed, HIV/AIDS and TB2 remain 
the largest contributors to morbidity 
rates, mortality rates and retirements 
due to medical causes. In 2011, 
for example, we had a medical 
related death rate of  3.96 per 1,000 
employees – compared to our FIFR 
of  0.38.

To counter this, our integrated 
HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted 
Infections and TB (HAST) strategy 
is based on promotion, prevention, 
treatment and support. In addition, 
it explicitly addresses the 
interrelationships between HIV/AIDS, 
 other sexually transmitted diseases 
and TB. Our approach has been 
developed in cooperation with  
the South African HIV Clinicians 
Society, as well as a number of   
other stakeholders. 

Our workplace HIV/AIDS education 
and awareness raising programme 
is based on regular poster 
campaigns, guidance documents 
and condom distribution at all 
workplaces. We also offer free and 
confidential Voluntary Counselling 
and Testing (VCT) to all our 
employees in South Africa. In 2011, 
our workforce participation rate was 
11% (2010: 13%).

1  UNAIDS, 'Report on the Global AIDS 

Epidemic 2010', www.unaids.org

2  Which is exacerbated as a result of  co-

infection with HIV/AIDS

We provide free Highly Active Anti- 
Retroviral Treatment (HAART) to HIV 
infected employees through our 
network of  on-site, doctor-based 
clinics. This is now provided in easy 
to manage, single-dose form. In 
2011, 1,010 employees in South 
Africa joined our HAART programme 
(2010: 1,036). This took the total 
number of  active participants to 
3,523 (2010: 2,991). Dependants of  
employees can receive HAART via 
our medical aid schemes. 

Those infected with HIV are provided 
with support through our 24 Hours in 
the Life of  a Gold Fields Employee 
programme. This includes a range 
of  services such as doctor-based 
primary healthcare, nutritional 
support, psychological counselling 
and social services. In addition, we 
provide care and support for ill health 
retired employees through our home-
based care programmes in labour-
sending areas.

We place particular emphasis on the 
de-stigmatisation of  HIV/AIDS, both 
to counter potential discrimination 
and to ensure employees are willing 
to participate in VCT and HAART 
treatment. One of  the main means by 
which we address stigmatisation – 
as well as potential interactions with 
other issues such as TB and sexually 
transmitted infections – is through the 
integration of  HIV/AIDS management 
into our mainstream health services. 
This includes, for example: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Integration of  HIV/AIDS into our 
general chronic disease health 
management processes

(cid:2)(cid:3) Integration of  VCT into 
our general Health Risk 
Assessments

(cid:2)(cid:3) Provision of  relevant HIV/AIDS 

support services through  
our existing employee  
assistance programme

In recognition of  the potentially 
close relationship between  
HIV/AIDS within our workforce and 
within our surrounding communities, 
we co-support (with Johns Hopkins 
University and the Bill & Melinda 
Gates Foundation) three related 
community programmes. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

139

Securing our future responsibly

This includes the Lesedi Lechabile 
project near Beatrix, as well 
as the Westonaria Randfontein 
AIDS Project (WRAP) and the 
Mothusimpilo project near KDC. 
Activities include peer education, 
presumptive periodic treatment and 
treatment of  STIs. 

Ghana

Ghana has a national adult 
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of  1.5%.3 
Our efforts to address HIV/AIDS take 
place under our broader wellness 
programmes. These are supported 
by dedicated teams of  trained 
workplace health educators, who 
carry out awareness-raising and 
condom distribution.

All employees and contractors 
are covered by a confidential VCT 
programme. In 2011, 85% of  our 
employees in Ghana took part in 
testing. The current HIV prevalence 
rate for our Ghana operations is 1%. 
Employees who test positive for HIV 
are provided with free HAART – as 
are their families and dependants.

Our community programmes are 
supported by trained teams of  
community health educators, who 
carry out condom distribution at 
high-traffic sites, listening groups 
for weekly ‘Bo Woho Ban’ (‘protect 
yourself’) radio programmes, 
health-based school drama and 
abstinence clubs.

During 2011, Gold Fields Ghana 
won the Global Business Coalition’s 
2011 Business Action on Health 
Award for Workforce/Workplace 
Engagement – with a particular 
focus on HIV/AIDS management. 
In particular, the GBC highlighted 
Gold Fields strong cross-sector and 
industry collaboration, as well as our 
outreach to vulnerable and most-
at-risk populations.

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

3  UNAIDS, 'Report on the Global AIDS 

Epidemic 2010', www.unaids.org

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Malaria

In Ghana, we have a comprehensive 
malaria strategy based on 
education, prevention, prophylaxis 
and treatment. Specific workplace 
actions carried out in 2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Indoor residential spraying

(cid:2)(cid:3) Provision of  anti-malarial drugs

(cid:2)(cid:3) Monitoring, measurement 

and evaluation of  
affected individuals

In addition, we carried out a 
number of  community actions, 
including education and training 
around malaria-prevention for local 
community members, as well as the 
distribution of  insecticide-treated 
nets in partnership with the Ministry 
of  Health. In 2011, we had 215 
workplace malaria cases at our 
Ghana operations. 

5.2.3  Supporting 
employee wellbeing

Gold Fields provides a range of  
healthcare services to employees. 
In South Africa, for example, this 
includes access to two hospitals, as 
well as primary healthcare clinics 
and emergency medical services 
provided by the mines.

Beyond this, our holistic approach 
to employee care means we also 
address employees’ broader 
social, psychological and emotional 
wellbeing. If  left unaddressed, 
these can have a significant impact 
on motivation and productivity and 
can also contribute to health and 
safety incidents. 

Case study 

Gold Fields Ghana wins 2011 
Global Business Coalition 
Health Award

Find out more online

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
140

Securing our future responsibly

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Although this holistic approach to 
wellness was pioneered in South 
Africa, it is being rolled out to our 
other regions, having been adapted 
to suit local circumstances. 

In Australia, we have established 
the Raise the Bar employee health 
and wellbeing programme at St 
Ives. This includes the carrying out 
of  ‘Live Well Health Assessments’ 
by external experts. Results from 
these assessments are used to 
help deliver tailored programmes 
to improve employee wellbeing – 
including education and awareness 
raising around diet, exercise, health 
risks and other related issues.

In Ghana, our Wellness Programme 
covers the physical, emotional, 
financial, spiritual, occupational and 
social wellbeing of  both employees 
and contractors. A total of  80% of  
our employees have undergone 
Health Risk Assessments under the 
programme. The results of  these 
are helping us address issues 
such as high blood pressure, high 
cholesterol and other lifestyle-
related issues.

As a result, our holistic 24 Hours in 
the Life of  a Gold Fields Employee 
programme aims to ensure 
our employees:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Work safely and effectively

(cid:2)(cid:3) Are well housed

(cid:2)(cid:3) Enjoy a healthy lifestyle, including 

decent nutrition and sleep

(cid:2)(cid:3) Have access to recreational 
activities, including sport

(cid:2)(cid:3) Receive market-related 

compensation and are subject 
to appropriate incentives and 
bonus schemes

These efforts are closely integrated 
with our other healthcare initiatives, 
including our comprehensive Health 
Risk Assessments (p140). 

In 2011, we opened a second High 
Performance Centre (HPC) at KDC 
to help rehabilitate employees with 
lifestyle diseases, occupational 
injuries, occupational health risks and 
other issues that affect wellbeing and 
productivity. During the course of  
the year, a total of  9,345 employees 
attended the HPCs (2010: 3,409). 
This is as a result of  our efforts 
to achieve preventative ‘mass-
coverage’, instead of  using the HPCs 
to retrospectively address a minority 
of  serious injuries or diseases.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Accommodation

Quality of  accommodation is a key 
determinant of  employee wellbeing. 
In addition, it has traditionally 
been a contentious issue in South 
Africa, due to the mining industry’s 
traditional reliance on migrant 
workers housed in high-density  
accommodation (also called 
hostels). Our housing programme 
comprises two key elements – 
an upgrade of  hostels and the 
construction of  houses. We have 
committed R586 million (US$81 
million) to upgrading these hostels 
between 2010 and 2014 – with R350 
million (US$48 million) of  this spent 
by the end of  2011.

The upgrading of  our on-site 
hostels, in which 44% of  our 
South African workers live, forms 
part of  our Social and Labour Plan 
commitments, while the Mining 
Charter requires the sector to 
achieve one occupant per room by 
2014. We are making good progress 
in this respect, and achieved an 
occupancy rate of  around 1.45 per 
room during 2011.

In addition, we also constructed 
100 new family homes at KDC and 
South Deep – on top of  400 already 
constructed over the last two years. 
By the end of  2012, we plan to have 
completed a total of  957 of  these 
new homes. The cost of  our multi-
year housing programme is R200 
million (US$28 million).

A total of  14,000 of  our employees 
in South Africa who do not 
live in high-density or family 
accommodation receive a living out 
allowance of  R1,520 (US$211) a 
month. Many employees who take 
up the living out allowance choose 
to live in informal settlements. 

We do not encourage these informal 
settlements, but to the extent that 
they appear inevitable, we try and 
mitigate their negative impacts by 
helping improve living conditions 
there. This includes, for example, the 
provision of  basic utilities. 

 
 
 
 
 
141

Securing our future responsibly

5.3  Building  
!(cid:5)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:18)’(cid:8)(cid:30)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:8) 
community relations

The operational continuity of  our 
mines, as well as our ability to  
successfully establish new 
operations, relies on a strong social 
licence to operate from our local 
communities – and, by extension, 
our host governments. This makes it 
essential that we deliver clear, long-
term social and economic benefits 
to those amongst whom we work. In 
essence, this is about establishing 
and maintaining relationships 
based on ongoing, shared interests. 

5.3.1  Engaging local 
stakeholders

Constructive and transparent 
engagement with local stakeholders 
is a critical prerequisite for a strong 
social licence to operate. Because 
of  this, we place particular focus 
on establishing and maintaining 
constructive, consultative and 
cooperative stakeholder relations. 

This includes regular and formalised 
engagement with the following 
groups to address relevant and 
material stakeholder issues:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Central and local government

(cid:2)(cid:3) Traditional community leaders

(cid:2)(cid:3) Informal community groups

This includes informing stakeholders 
about the relevant characteristics of  
each project (such as likely impacts 
and mitigation measures), as well as 
addressing issues of  concern raised 
by such stakeholders. In 2011, this 
process – and other project-based 
stakeholder engagement – was 
employed with respect to: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) NGOs

(cid:2)(cid:3) Organised labour 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Local businesses

Engagement is guided by relevant 
legislation, our Communities and 
Indigenous People Policy, our 
Social and Labour Plans in South 
Africa, as well as the internationally-
recognised AA 1000 Stakeholder 
Engagement Standard.

In addition to these established 
community engagement processes, 
we conduct public engagement  
as part of  all Environmental  
Impact Assessments (EIAs)  
across the Group. 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our Far Southeast project in  

the Philippines, with particular 
focus on obtaining the Free 
Prior and Informed Consent 
(FPIC) from the local indigenous 
community for our exploration 
activities – as required by local 
legislation (p107)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The ongoing development of  an 
EIA for our Chucapaca project 
in Peru, as well as an innovative, 
collective land acquisition 
programme (p114)

Figure 5.10: Examples of local stakeholder engagement

Region

Australasia

South Africa

Details

We engage local indigenous groups at both mines under the Native Title Act 1993 on issues including 
native title, land access and the protection of  cultural heritage sites (p148-149).

We are subject to a range of  statutory Social and Labour Plan (SLP) requirements, which govern the 
majority of  our formal interactions with local communities. The Local Economic Development element 
of  these plans addresses issues ranging from local infrastructure to enterprise development.

In addition, we participate in regular engagement relating to local water issues in the West Wits  
area – through, for example, the Far West Rand Dolomitic Water Association and the Mining Interest 
Group (p64).

South America

Cerro Corona has a formal community engagement framework that uses pre-established schedules 
to address community priorities such as community development (p145) and water quality (p66). 

The mine also participates in the “Mesa de Dialogo y Concertacion de Hualgayoc”, a community 
forum focused on regional development projects. The Mesa is led by the Mayor of  Hualgayoc and 
includes NGOs and public officials. 

Joint water monitoring with local communities also plays an important role in generating trust around 
this sensitive issue.

West Africa

Both mines have well-established engagement frameworks based on:

 (cid:2) Broad-based Mine Consultative Committees

 (cid:2) Formalised, regular engagement with local chiefs

 (cid:2) Regular Community Committee meetings

 (cid:2) Direct Community Forums

 (cid:2) Continuous informal engagement, including an ‘open-door’ policy with respect to local community 

members wishing to raise concerns 

Regular areas of  discussion include land compensation (p149, online), local employment (p146), 
local infrastructure (p145) and illegal mining (p149-153). At Tarkwa, we also carry out regular joint 
water testing with community representatives.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

142

Securing our future responsibly

5.3.2  Promoting Socio-
Economic Development 

It is in our clear business interest to 
promote local development in our 
operating environments. Our most 
important means of  doing so is 
through our substantial contribution 
to public revenues and the payment 
of  salaries in our countries of  
operation (Figure 5.12). In reality, 
such revenues do not necessarily 
directly benefit our local communities 
– or contribute to our social licence 
to operate at a local level. As a 
result, we also run substantial 
Socio-Economic Development (SED) 
programmes to ensure we deliver 
tangible and lasting benefits to the 
specific communities amongst whom 
we work. 

In 2011, we spent a total of  US$54 
million on SED projects. This 
amounts to 5% of  post-tax profit 
– compared to the international 
benchmark of  1%. Spending alone is 
not a measure of  success, however. 
Because of  this, we place particular 
focus on project impact to ensure we 
maximise community benefits. 

Figure 5.11: Group SED spending by type

Enterprise development

Infrastructure development

Education 

Training

Conservation and the environment

Arts and culture

Health 

Sport

Charitable giving and gifts-in-kind

SLP - Local Economic Development (South Africa only) 

Total

Value (US$)

 671,741 

 10,200,463 

 1,132,043 

 35,442,703 

 871,829 

 199,910 

 489,772 

 397,457 

 934,914 

 3,306,662 

 53,647,492 

Figure 5.12: SED plus development-related economic contributions by type 
(US$ million)

Salaries 

Payments to governments

Socio-economic development (SED) spend

Total

2011

2010

2009

2008

1,101

1,027

478

54

312

67

784

249

11

1,633

1,406

1,044

708

159

14

881

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

143

Securing our future responsibly

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Figure 5.13: Group SED spend by region

6.1%

7.1%

0.7%

Australasia

South Africa

South America

West Africa

86.0%

Australasia

Examples include: 

The strength of the Australian socio-
economic context – as well as the 
remote nature of our operations – 
means that our SED programmes are 
of a more ‘philanthropic’ nature than 
elsewhere. In 2011, we spent a total 
of A$0.4 million (US$0.4 million) on 
SED projects via the Gold Fields 
Australia Foundation. 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Sponsorship of  eight indigenous 

students at the University of  
Western Australia

(cid:2)(cid:3) Sponsorship of  students from 
the Kambaldi Western District 
High School to attend an 
employment exposition in Perth

How is SED 
(cid:19)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:4)(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:31)(cid:140)

SED is defined as spend 
relating to projects that are: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Influential in benefiting 

employees and contractors 
beyond the core business

(cid:2)(cid:3) Influential in uplifting the 

communities and societies 
in our host countries

(cid:2)(cid:3) Guided by a strong 

development approach

(cid:2)(cid:3) Linked to infrastructure 
investment that benefits 
communities during 
operation and 
closure phases

Case study 

Living Gold rose project: 
Learning from past challenges

Find out more online

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
144

Securing our future responsibly

At our Far Southeast project in 
the Philippines, we have an 
extensive SED programme in place 
to support its smooth advancement 
towards a development decision 
and beyond. 

Early SED investment of  this nature 
helps strengthen community support 
at a critical and sensitive time, whilst 
also establishing a positive reputation 
amongst communities we may be 
working amongst for many years. 

South Africa 

Our SED programmes in South 
Africa are primarily implemented 
through the statutory Social and 
Labour Plan (SLP) framework. 
Under this framework, we implement 
Local Economic Development (LED) 
initiatives at each of  our mines in 
South Africa – and in our major 
labour sending areas. 

Each LED programme is 
aligned with local municipalities’ 
integrated development plans – and 
is directly informed by relevant and 
material issues identified during 
community engagement. During 
2011, we spent a total of  R18 million 
(US$2.5 million) on LED projects. 

Notable near-mine LED projects 
supported by Gold Fields include, 
amongst others:

(cid:2)(cid:3) KDC: The provision of  R7 million 
(US$970,000) to help finance 
the construction of  the Simunye 
Clinic, in a partnership with the 
Westonaria municipality and the 
Gauteng Department of  Health 
and Social Development 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Beatrix: Construction of  14 

classrooms, ablution facilities 
and a media centre at 
Reseamohetse Public School 
at a cost of  R4.4 million 
(US$610,000). The school was 
handed over to the Free State 
Department of  Education in 
April 2011

In addition to these projects, we have 
targeted LED programmes to assist 
workers who are exiting Gold Fields. 

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This includes, for example, the 
Paragon ‘Stitchwise’ initiative, which 
employs injured ex-employees in 
the production of  safety apparel. 
Furthermore, exiting employees are 
offered portable skills training (p128), 
as well as Adult Basic Education 
and Training (p130), to help them 
establish alternative livelihoods.

What is a Social and Labour 
Plan (SLP)? 

South Africa’s Mineral 
and Petroleum Resources 
Development Act 2002 
requires mines to submit an 
SLP before they are granted 
mining rights. Each SLP, which 
is agreed with the Department 
of  Mineral Resources, commits 
companies to spending a 
defined budget on Local 
Economic Development or 
Skills Development initiatives. 
SLPs are intended to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Promote employment and 
socio-economic welfare

(cid:2)(cid:3) Assist in the transformation 

of  the mining industry

(cid:2)(cid:3) Contribute to development 
of  their areas of  operation 
– as well as in their labour-
sending areas

These programmes, which are 
coordinated via TEBA Development, 
include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our R2 million (US$277,000) 

agricultural programmes (one 
in Eastern Cape and one in 
Kwa-Zulu Natal) which provide 
agricultural support, strengthen 
access to markets, help build 
local capacity and improve 
household nutrition. The 
programmes have around 
1,800 beneficiaries – including 
45 medically-discharged ex-
Gold Fields employees

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our R3 million (US$416,000) 
livestock programmes (two in 
Eastern Cape and one in Kwa-
Zulu Natal), which provide access 
to animal husbandry services 
and products, promotes good 
practices and increase individual 
earnings. The programmes have 
around 8,000 beneficiaries 

In addition, we are exploring the 
potential benefits of  addressing 
development in the labour-sending 
areas on a collaborative basis. 

In 2011, for example, a memorandum 
of  understanding was signed 
between Letsema Circle, Gold Fields 
and AngloGold Ashanti to develop a 
collaborative concept for enterprise 
development in the Eastern Cape 
labour-sending area. This will be 
further examined during 2012. 

SLP spending in 
labour-sending areas

The above efforts are supported 
by our LED programmes in our 
labour-sending areas, on which 
we spent R6 million (US$831,000) 
in 2011. This includes the provinces 
of  Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, 
which are home to approximately 
32% of  our workforce in South Africa. 

Case study 

Developing a sustainable 
economic model for the 
Eastern Cape

Find out more online

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
Non-SLP spending

Our broader SED spending (i.e. 
beyond SLP spending) is substantial 
– amounting to a total of  R315 
million (US$43.6 million) in 2011. 
This includes projects that benefit 
employees, their family members 
and local communities. 

Ongoing examples that continued in 
2011 include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our five-year, R786 million 

(US$109 million) housing and 
hostel upgrade programme, 
of  which R476 million (US$ 66 
million) has been spent up until 
December 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) Training in South Africa through 
the Gold Fields Business and 
Leadership Academy, on-mine 
training and bursaries

(cid:2)(cid:3) A three-year, R26 million (US$3.6 
million) sponsorship programme 
of  the University of  the 
Witwatersrand and the University 
of  Johannesburg

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued financial support  
for South East Education  
Trust projects

 www.teba.co.za
 www.wits.ac.za
 www.uj.ac.za

South America

SED programmes play a 
particularly important role in Peru 
due to considerable political 
interest in the socio-economic and 
environmental costs and benefits 
of  mining. Our Cerro Corona 
mine sits in an area characterised 
by challenging socio-economic 
conditions. Furthermore, its remote 
and mountainous location means 
local communities are particularly 
reliant upon us for development and 
basic infrastructure. 

In 2011, we spent a total of  US$3.8 
million on SED projects at Cerro 
Corona as part of  an ‘integrated’ 
development approach based on 
the long-term enhancement of  local 
communities’ economic, social and 
environmental capital. 

Examples of  some of  the key 
projects implemented in  
2011 include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Milk Production Chain 

Programme: This ‘asset-based’ 
project focuses on improving 
pasture, increasing the cattle 
population, improving genetics 
and strengthening milk 
production. As a result of  the 
programme, community members 
have purchased 600 cows and 
bulls, artificial insemination has 
produced 350 calves and milk 
production has risen from 6 to 9 
liters per cow per day

(cid:2)(cid:3) Education programmes: These 
include general investment in 
school infrastructure, capacity 
building for teachers, as well as 
the provision of  school transport 
and teaching supplies. In 2011, 
we built on progress already 
achieved in this respect, by 
focusing on high-quality teaching 
of  mathematics and literacy

(cid:2)(cid:3) Reforestation: Our local 

reforestation programme 
helps address a range of  
environmental concerns, but 
also provides sustainable 
wood-fuel, edible fungi and 
feed-stock for paper production. 
The programme has benefited 
around 400 families and has 
increased forestation by ten-fold

We also implement extensive SED 
programmes at our Chucapaca 
project in Peru under formal, five-year 
agreements with the Corire, Santiago 
de Oyo Oyo and Chucapaca 
communities. We are placing 
particular focus on ensuring our SED 
projects – and engagement activities 
– help address activism within the 
Oyo Oyo community (p113-114).

Case study 

Cerro Corona: Promoting 
‘holistic’ local development

Find out more online

145

Securing our future responsibly

West Africa

The relatively weak socio-economic 
status of  our operating environment 
in Ghana means we are in a 
position to make a significant and 
lasting impact on the lives of  local 
communities. In 2011, we spent 
a total of  US$3.3 million on SED 
projects at Damang and Tarkwa. 
These are funded through the  
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, 
to which we contribute US$1 per 
ounce of  gold produced in  
Ghana – as well as 0.5% of  our  
pre-tax profits.

This spending was directed 
at projects focused on health, 
water and sanitation, education 
and agriculture. The remainder 
was spent on assorted projects, 
including road rehabilitation, local 
apprenticeships, support for local 
sports and infrastructure support. 

Examples of  key projects 
implemented in 2011 include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Funding of  the Small Town  

Water Supply (STWS) 
programme, focused on the 
construction of  deep boreholes 
and overhead tanks in local 
communities. In 2011, we 
completed six STWS projects in 
the communities of  New Atuabo, 
Samahu, Brahabobom, Abekoase 
and Huniso

(cid:2)(cid:3) A wide-reaching community 

education programme, including 
the provision of  32 new, four-year 
community scholarships and 110 
new bursaries for communities 
near Tarkwa, as well as a further 
80 bursaries and scholarships for 
communities near Damang. We 
are also continuing our support of  
the Nana Amoakwa model school, 
which is based in Damang

(cid:2)(cid:3) Extensive agricultural 

programmes, including support 
for the cultivation of  local oil 
palm, cassava, vegetables 
and livestock amongst local 
farmers. During 2011, a total of  
708 people benefited from the 
programmes, which are partly 
carried out in collaboration  
with the Ministry of  Food  
and Agriculture

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

146

Securing our future responsibly

5.3.3  Local employment 
and capacity building

Our local communities in Ghana, 
Peru and South Africa have 
one key challenge in common: 
Unemployment. As a result, we 
place strong emphasis on the 
employment of  local people – where 
it is operationally and commercially 
viable. Unfortunately, local labour 
pools are not always able to offer 
the specialised skills necessary 
for the effective operation of  our 
increasingly sophisticated mines. 
Because of  this, we enhance the 
local skills pool through mining-
related education and training – 
both for the benefit of  participants, 
as well as Gold Fields itself.

This is still unlikely to fully satisfy local 
demand for employment, however. 
In light of  this, we also carry out 
a range of  activities to promote 
alternative income generating 
opportunities through our SED 
initiatives, as well as preferential 
procurement (p146-148).

Local employment

The employment and development 
of  local people strengthens our 
own skills pipeline by ensuring we 
have ready access to necessary 
skills and competencies. This is 
an increasingly important issue 
in a context of  intense global 
competition for experienced 
mining specialists – which makes 
the employment of  expatriate 
employees increasingly expensive. 
Furthermore, it underpins our 
own commitment to ensuring our 
workforce reflects the demographics 
of  the societies in which we operate.

In Australia, we are running a small 
pilot programme at St Ives for the 
targeted recruitment of  indigenous 
people. The experience of  some 
of  our peers has demonstrated the 
importance of  careful preparation 
of  candidates for entry into the 
workplace, as well as the cultural 
sensitisation of  our existing 
employees. If  successful, we hope 
to roll out this programme on a 
larger scale.

In Ghana, both mines run a 
formalised programme for local 
recruitment. Under the programme, 
all new vacancies are checked 
against a skills and qualifications 
database of  local people. Viable 
candidates are then interviewed on 
a fair and transparent basis by the 
mine’s Employment Committee, which 
is chaired by a local chief  nominated 
by his peers. In addition, the mine 
runs a programme to fill unskilled 
positions from local communities. 
In 2011, 199 local people were 
employed in this way. All of  our 
contractors in Ghana are required to 
source unskilled labour through our 
Community Affairs department.

In Peru, our Cerro Corona mine 
employs – directly and through 
contractors – 529 people from 
neighbouring communities (or 
31% of  the mine’s workforce). This 
compares to an original commitment 
to employ 150 people from local 
communities. It is estimated that 
approximately 20% of  the local 
economically active population 
are either mine employees or 
contractors. Many local people 
have been deliberately trained 
to fill skilled roles. As of  August 
2011, Cerro Corona had 65 plant 
operators, all of  them from local 
communities, whilst 80% of  those 
working in the processing plant 
were local.

Local capacity building

Local capacity building is essential 
for the promotion of  broader socio-
economic development – and to 
improve our ability to employ local 
people in the future.

In Ghana, we sponsor local people 
through the Tarkwa Technical 
Institute to work as engineers 
and geologists. In 2011, 23 local 
people completed this process. 
In late 2011, this programme 
was supplemented by our 
new Community Learning and 
Development Framework, which 
saw 10 community members 
become qualified in the operation 
of  dump trucks – and a further eight 
sponsored to undergo training in 
welding, auto-mechanics, dress-
making and other skills. 

At Tarkwa, we also provide 
US$1,000 individual bursaries to 60 
of  our employees' children to help 
them pursue training and education 
that will benefit our operations.

In Peru, our Cerro Corona mine 
carries out in-house operator and 
electromechanical training for 60 
local community members each 
year. This not only helps fulfil our 
own needs, but helps participants 
gain employment in the growing 
Peruvian mining sector.

In South Africa, we provide 96 
bursaries to universities and 
technical colleges (2010: 106), 605 
technical learnerships (2010: 456) 
and 76 (2010: 74) postgraduate 
sponsorships. This is helping to 
establish a solid pipeline of  highly 
qualified HDSAs who will help drive 
transformation both at Gold Fields 
– and in the South African mining 
industry more broadly. We are also 
sponsoring the mining faculties of  
the University of  the Witwatersrand 
and the University of  Johannesburg 
under a three-year, R26 million 
(US$4 million) agreement.

 www.wits.ac.za 
 www.uj.ac.za 

5.3.4  Local procurement 

Where possible, it is our policy to 
use local suppliers. In part, this is to 
strengthen our own supply chains in 
often remote locations that otherwise 
rely on lengthy and expensive 
logistical routes. It also helps us 
integrate into the local economy 
and enhances our social licence to 
operate. As with local employment, 
local supply pools are not always of  
sufficient depth or breadth to support 
our operations. Because of  this, we 
actively assist current and potential 
suppliers to improve their business 
and management processes. 

In Ghana, we play a leading role 
in the Chamber of  Mines (and 
in partnership with the Mineral 
Commission of  Ghana) to drive 
import substitution and promotion  
of  local value-adding activities. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

147

Securing our future responsibly

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
148

Securing our future responsibly

We also work closely with 
government as they develop their 
own local procurement policies. 
In 2011, a total of  47.2% of  our 
procurement budget was spent 
with Ghanaian suppliers. Examples 
of  notable local procurement 
relationships in Ghana include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Completion of  the US$28 million 
TSF3 tailings dam at Tarkwa by 
Ghanaian company Engineers & 
Planners (p66)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Our sourcing of  steel milling  
balls from Ghanaian company 
Tema Steel, which we have 
actively helped in their efforts  
to meet international mining 
sector standards

In Peru, companies are legally 
required to prioritise local suppliers 
– if  they meet relevant standards. 
We currently spend 15% of  our 
regional procurement budget on 
suppliers in the vicinity of  Cerro 
Corona. Contracts cover, for 
example, heavy equipment, light 
transport and general services – 
from companies we have actively 
supported (for example through 
coaching, training and supervision) 
since the construction phase of   
the mine. 

We continue to meet with local 
suppliers every two months and 
offer ongoing training to help them 
attain our stringent procurement 
standards – including compliance 
with ISO 14001- and OHSAS 
18001-equivalent standards. Such 
efforts have helped establish a 
commercially sustainable supply 
pool in the region, which services 
the mining sector beyond our own 
operations. This includes around 65 
of  the original companies that we 
commercially supported during the 
construction phase (or 60% or the 
original local company pool).

In South Africa, we are committed 
to sourcing from Broad Based Black 
Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) 
companies, where possible – both 
as part of  our SLPs and our own 
commitment to transformation.  
In 2011, we spent R3.5 billion 
(US$479 million) with such 
suppliers – or 46% of  our regional 
procurement budget. 

5.3.5  Respecting the rights 
of local and indigenous people

Where relevant, we engage with 
local people through traditional 
decision-making structures and 
processes. We do so at the earliest 
stages of  our activities and ensure 
that we provide accessible and 
accurate information to inform  
these discussions.

This is a particularly important issue 
in Australia, which has extensive 
legislation in place governing 
cultural heritage, native title and 
other relevant issues. This includes, 
for example, the Commonwealth 
Native Title Act and the Aboriginal 
Heritage Act 1972.

During 2011, both of  our mines 
engaged indigenous groups when 
carrying out near-mine exploration 
drilling or establishing new 
infrastructure. Our engagement is 
based on an innovative risk-based 
ethnographical and archaeological 
programme to identify relevant 
heritage sites. Any culturally 
sensitive sites need to be registered 
with the Department of  Indigenous 
Affairs and cannot be drilled without 
ministerial permission.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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Securing our future responsibly

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At Agnew, we implemented a best-
practice stakeholder engagement 
structure focused on Native Title to 
address environmental, heritage 
and cultural issues in the area. The 
system is based on the AA 1000 
stakeholder engagement system.

At St Ives, we instituted a formal, best 
practice framework for the monitoring 
of  our ground clearance activities 
by paid observers from relevant 
indigenous groups. No additional 
heritage sites were identified at St 
Ives during 2011. Our St Ives mine 
also re-engaged with the Kalamaia-
Kapu(d)n group. Whilst the Kalamaia-
Kapu(d)n have not registered a 
Native Title Claim, St Ives engages 
with the group in recognition of  their 
historical links to the area.

In Canada, our exploration team 
works closely with relevant First 
Nation communities when operating 
in their traditional territories. We 
also conduct archaeological 
surveys before disturbing the land 
to make sure we respect sites of  
cultural significance. 

Furthermore, we often employ First 
Nation members as environmental 
monitors – to provide assurance with 
respect to our exploration impacts.

In the Philippines, we are directly 
engaging local Mankayan indigenous 
communities to secure their Free 
Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) 
for our exploration activities around 
our Far Southeast project (p106-107). 

Under the local legal framework, 
the granting of  FPIC is vital for the 
project to proceed. 

Additional content online 

Respecting the rights of  
local and indigenous people, 
resettlement and land impacts

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

We remain committed to playing a 
constructive role in improving the 
working conditions, environmental 
performance and socio-economic 
conditions of  those engaged in 
artisanal gold mining. We are in the 
process of  investigating how we can 
work in partnership with relevant 
industry groups and NGOs to 
leverage our expertise, assets and 
influence to assist in this process.

5.3.6  Addressing 
artisanal mining 

We differentiate between three types 
of  artisanal gold mining: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Responsible and legal 

artisanal mining

(cid:2)(cid:3) Irresponsible, yet legal 

artisanal mining

5.3.7  Addressing illegal mining

A significant amount of  irresponsible 
and illegal artisanal mining takes 
place in a way that has the potential 
to negatively impact on local 
environments and communities – as 
well as on our operations and the 
broader reputation of  the industry. 
These include, for example:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Illegal artisanal mining

(cid:2)(cid:3) Poor health and safety standards

Responsible and legal artisanal 
mining has the potential to create 
sustainable and broad-based 
wealth – and to generate worthwhile 
employment opportunities. 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Inadequate and exploitative 

working conditions

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pollution as a result of  the 
improper use of  mercury 
and cyanide

(cid:2)(cid:3) Land degradation as a result of  
poor operational management

(cid:2)(cid:3) Incidents of  child labour

Illegal mining is an ongoing 
challenge for our operations in 
Ghana and South Africa – partly 

Additional content online 

For a related article from 
the Alliance for Responsible 
Mining (ARM) on ASM and 
large-scale mining see:

 <<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

 www.communitymining.org

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150

Securing our future responsibly

driven by high gold prices. Although 
our targeted SED and community 
engagement programmes help 
mitigate some of  the conditions 
that lead to illegal mining, we also 
implement a range of  security 
programmes. These are based on a 
‘firm but fair’, non-antagonistic and 
prosecution-based approach.

Ghana

In Ghana, illegal mining is 
characterised by the encroachment 
of  artisanal miners onto our licence 
areas. Damang is at particular risk 
of  such activity due to its ‘open’ 
geographical location and the 
relatively high grade of  certain 
ore deposits. 

In June 2011, we had around 50 
illegal miners working our historical 
underground Aboso shafts, which 
are otherwise disused. We secured 
their effective removal by arranging 
for all utilities to be cut-off, making it 
impossible for them to continue 
to mine. 

In July 2011, a significant group 
of  illegal miners occupied the 
old Tomento, Amoanda and Lima 
South pits. The number increased 
over time, with numbers fluctuating 
between 200 and 2,500. Our 
security personnel have adopted a 
non-aggressive stance as we work 
to find a constructive and lasting 
solution. After a contingent of  illegal 
miners invaded the processing plant 
at the mine in December 2011, all 
illegal miners were removed from the 
Damang lease areas by the public 
authorities without incident (p153). 

Where we wish to remove illegal 
miners, we take careful measures 
to avoid conflict and to give time 
for people to make alternative 
arrangements. Enforced removal 
is only ever used as a last resort. 
District assembly representatives 
are invited to observe such 
removals, which are coordinated 
with the public security services. 

As with other forms of  
irresponsible artisanal mining, 
these encroachments can have 
significant environmental impacts 
(including land degradation and 
the misuse of  cyanide) and safety 
impacts (including risks posed to 
both the illegal artisanal miners and 
to our own employees by ground 
instability). In addition, they are 
believed to be backed by organised 
foreign syndicates who provide 
financing and illicit marketing routes. 
This has implications in terms of  
potential for broader criminality, as 
well as the exploitation of  the illegal 
miners themselves.

South Africa

In South Africa, illegal miners tend 
to work in disused, unworked shafts 
to exploit remaining deposits – 
sometimes spending extended 
periods underground. 

In 2011, indications suggested a 
reduction in underground illegal 
mining. This appears to be linked 
to an increase in ‘sightings’ by 
employees – linked to our extensive 
awareness-raising activities and 
the offer of  rewards – as well as 
enhanced entry and exit controls 
and active underground patrols. 

Once apprehended, illegal 
miners are removed from our 
operation in a non-confrontational 
way and transferred to local police 
officers, after their details have 
been recorded. 

Although most of  these illegal 
miners have previous mining 
experience, the conditions in 
which they work – as well as a 
lack of  proper equipment – makes 
their work not only illegal, but 
highly dangerous. It is suspected 
that illegal diggers are backed 
by organised syndicates under 
exploitative conditions. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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Securing our future responsibly

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Gold Fields approach 
to artisanal and 
small-scale mining 

High gold prices – as well as poverty, food insecurity and 
unemployment – have contributed to an increase in artisanal and 
small-scale mining (ASM) in developing countries. According to 
the World Gold Council, although ASM accounts for only around 
10% of global gold production – it accounts for around 90% of 
the gold-sector’s workforce.

What are the risks and opportunities 
around ASM?
Common issues associated with irresponsible ASM – much of  which is 
carried out without relevant mining licences – include:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Low pay and exploitative conditions

(cid:2)(cid:3) The presence of  children on digging sites

(cid:2)(cid:3) Poor health and safety standards

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pollution as a result of the poorly-regulated use of cyanide and mercury

(cid:2)(cid:3) Land damage and instability as a result of unplanned digging

In many cases, irresponsible ASM activity takes place on existing licence 
areas. This can pose risks to the legitimate licence-holder, including:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The loss of  easy-to-reach gold deposits

(cid:2)(cid:3) Health and safety risks (e.g. from un-rehabilitated diggings)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Increased environmental liabilities as a result of  pollution and 

land damage

(cid:2)(cid:3) Low-level insecurity linked to militancy and associated criminality

Nonetheless, if  carried out responsibly, with proper permitting and without 
compromising the rights of  others, ASM can: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Provide worthwhile and sustainable employment

(cid:2)(cid:3) Drive development by contributing to public revenues 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Promote fair, broad-based economic growth

(cid:2)(cid:3) Safeguard the local environment 

This is why Gold Fields supports responsible ASM. During 2012, we plan to 
finalise our formal, strategic approach in this respect.

Why is ASM an issue for Gold Fields?
ASM activity takes place in the vicinity of our exploration and/or operations 
in Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru, the Philippines and South Africa. This can 
result in negative impacts (including water pollution in particular) that are 
sometimes blamed on Gold Fields, undermining our social licence to operate. 

In Ghana, irresponsible ASM activity takes place on our Damang licence 
area without our permission. The area is intersected by public roads, 
whilst several communities live on the licence area – making physical 
exclusion difficult.

At our Yanfolila exploration project in Mali, we permit local ASM miners 
(‘orpailleurs’) to continue their traditional work on pre-established sites, as 
long as it is carried out in a responsible way. 

25m-35m 

People estimated to be engaged in ASM gold 
activity worldwide 

650% 

Rise in gold price between Feb. 2001 and 
Sept. 2011 (a key driver behind the global 
rise in ASM activity) 

Illegal occupation and eviction 
at Damang 

Addressing the risk of future illegal 
occupations at Damang

In July 2011, a significant number of  illegal ASM miners 
(‘galamsey’) occupied our old Tomento, Amoanda and Lima 
South pits. At points, there were as many as 2,500 ASM 
miners trespassing on our licence area and working the 
land. Despite weeks of  negotiations by Gold Fields, with 
the assistance of  traditional and formal political leaders, the 
galamsey refused to leave the mining licence area voluntarily. 

In December 2011, a group of  the galamsey invaded 
Damang’s processing plant, directly threatening Damang’s 
ability to continue operating – as well as the safety of  our 
employees. This prompted the public authorities to carry out 
an involuntary eviction – in line with Ghanaian law. 

This was carried out by a unit of  the Ghanaian Defence Force 
– in light of  concerns over the potential for violent action by 
elements amongst the galamsey. Before the exercise, we 
briefed the responsible army unit as to our human rights 
obligations. We also provided extensive warning of  the 
eviction through radio broadcasts, face-to-face engagement 
(again with the assistance of  traditional leaders and local 
political representatives) and the identification of  a firm 
eviction date.

On the day of  eviction, the army spent several hours in 
negotiation with the galamsey. The eviction only proceeded 
when the galamsey withdrew from negotiations and resumed 
mining. The galamsey dispersed as soon as the army 
advanced and no-one was hurt in the process. 

Whilst the December 2011 eviction dealt with the immediate 
occupation, we are still working to find a constructive and 
lasting solution to the threat of  illegal occupation. 

This includes the implementation of  a comprehensive 
baseline social study to establish relevant players, 
drivers and dynamics amongst local galamsey and 
local communities.

Once completed, the baseline social study will be used 
to develop a medium- and long-term strategy to help 
address both the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors that result in illegal 
occupations of  this nature.

Areas of  illegal 
ASM activity 
during 2011

Pits

Roads

Damang Cutback

Processing plant

Tomento North

Tomento East

Tomento West

Amoanda

Chida

Chida South

Abosso

Hohokoa

Rex mani

Rex South

Juno

Kwesi

Lima

Bohsa North

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154

Securing our future responsibly

5.4  Forging strong relations 
through business ethics 

Our Values commit us to act with 
fairness, integrity, honesty and 
transparency – both in our own 
actions and in our promotion of  
ethical practice in our external 
environment. We aim to maintain 
the complete confidence of  our 
stakeholders – including our 
shareholders, business partners 
and host governments – by 
adopting an approach that goes 
beyond legal compliance. 

5.4.1  Complying with the law

We will not engage in any activities, 
including bribery and corruption, 
that undermine the legitimate 
business environment in any form. 

All of  our directors and employees 
are bound to uphold the company’s 
core values of  honesty, transparency 
and integrity, which underpin our 
Code of  Ethics (p25). 

The Code was updated in 2011 
in line with relevant domestic and 
international legal requirements 
with assistance from third-party 
legal experts. It is binding on every 
employee, officer and director of  
any entity that is owned or controlled 
by Gold Fields. The updated Code 
articulates Gold Fields policy 
with respect to an array of  issues 
ranging from facilitation payments 
through to political contributions.

The Code of  Ethics is supported 
by an implementation framework, 
with defined responsibilities and 
reporting processes. Any breach 
of  the new Code will result in 
disciplinary action, which may lead 
to dismissal. Should the breach be 
criminal, we will pursue prosecution 
of  the employee concerned.

5.4.2  Maintaining strong 
government relations 

Gold Fields relations with its host 
governments are amongst its most 
important. In most cases, we engage 
host governments through the 
national Chambers of  Mines, due 
to the efficiencies and legitimate 
influence offered by collective 
sectoral action. Where necessary 
and appropriate, we also engage 
governments on a bilateral basis. 

As a general rule, Gold Fields does 
not make financial contributions to 
any political parties. In 2011, no 
such contributions were made.

Gold Fields does not receive 
financial assistance from any of  its 
host governments.

 www.goldfields.co.za 

Black Economic Empowerment

Engagement with government is 
particularly important in South Africa 
due to the ongoing Black Economic 
Empowerment (BEE) agenda. 
This is implemented through the 
Mineral and Petroleum Resources 
Development Act of  2002, as well 
as the associated 2010 revised 
Mining Charter. 

During 2011, we carried out a full 
gap analysis of  our performance 
against the amended Mining 
Charter. This found that we were 
largely compliant with the first year 
requirements of  the amended 
Charter. We are placing particular 
emphasis on meeting all outstanding 
targets during the next two years. 

Gold Fields is an active participant 
– through the South African 
Chamber of  Mines – in the Mining 
Industry Growth, Development and 
Employment Task Team (MIGDETT). 
The MIGDETT is a vehicle used 
by the Department of  Mineral 
Resources (DMR), companies 
and the trade unions to promote 
sustainable growth and meaningful 
transformation of  the mining sector. 

Additional content online 

<<<+(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:14)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:31)(cid:19)+(cid:17)(cid:12)+_(cid:16)

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
Case study

Gold Fields makes good progress against 
new Mining Charter targets in South Africa

During 2010, the South African Department of  Mineral Resources 
(DMR) unveiled the revised Mining Charter 2010. The revised Mining 
Charter updates and expands upon a set of  empowerment targets 
(originally set in the Mining Charter 2002), that mining companies in 
South Africa are required to comply with by March 2015. Details of  
Gold Fields progress against key targets are set out below: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Minimum 26% HDSA ownership by 2014: In 2009, Mvelaphanda 

Gold (MvelaGold) subscribed for 15% of  Gold Fields South African 
assets (GFIMSA) representing an effective 15% HDSA ownership 
interest. During 2010, Gold Fields implemented three further Black 
Economic Empowerment (BEE) transactions. Taken together, these 
transactions enabled Gold Fields to achieve its 2014 Mining Charter 
HDSA ownership target

(cid:2)(cid:3) Procurement of  a minimum 40% of  capital goods, 50% of  

consumer goods and 70% of  services from BEE entities by 2014: 
By 2011, Gold Fields had achieved an overall HDSA procurement 
rate of  46% across all categories. HDSA procurement is broken 
down as follows: 47% of  capital goods; 46% of  consumer goods; 
and 46% of  services

(cid:2)(cid:3) Minimum 40% HDSA representation amongst management and 
technical skills: In 2011, Gold Fields had achieved 43% HDSA 
representation amongst junior management, 41% amongst middle 
management and 30% amongst senior management at its South 
African operations. At Group Board level the representation is 36% 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Invest 3% of  annual payroll in skills training: Apart from the South 

Deep mine, which is still undergoing construction and development, 
all operations are on-track to achieve this target

(cid:2)(cid:3) Investment in community development: As part of  their Social and 
Labour Plans, Gold Fields operations are involved in a number 
of  community development projects focused on infrastructure 
development, job creation and poverty alleviation – with particular 
support for enterprise development (p144). The projects that qualify 
under these plans are listed on our website (www.goldfields.co.za)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Attain an occupancy rate of  one person per room (in on-site 

accommodation): Gold Fields has completed more than 90% of  
planned hostel upgrades at Beatrix, KDC East and KDC West, 
and has made significant progress in terms of  the establishment 
of  family accommodation. During 2011, Gold Fields built 100 
family units and upgraded 541 hostel units. At the end of  2011, 
the occupancy rate at hostels at Beatrix, KDC East and KDC West 
averaged 1.45 per room. South Deep’s licence was only approved 
in 2010 and was followed by an engagement process with 
organised labour. As a result, the hostel upgrade programme  
at the mine will only be initiated in 2012 

155

Securing our future responsibly

Royalties and revenues

Australia

Gold Fields is not currently affected 
by the Mineral Resource Rent Tax, 
which is expected to be passed by 
the Senate in early 2012. Although 
the tax will only apply to large-scale 
iron and coal mining companies, it 
is an important political milestone 
in the current government’s efforts 
to increase the fiscal burden on 
the Australian mining sector. As a 
result, we will monitor developments 
to identify any efforts to expand  
the imposition of  further taxes on 
our operations.

Likewise, in November 2011, 
Australia’s Senate passed the Clean 
Energy Act, which introduces a 
national cap and trade carbon 
scheme based on a carbon price 
of  A$23 a tonne. Although we do 
not directly fall under the cap and 
trade scheme, the legislation will 
adjust fuel tax credits and excise 
duties to apply an equivalent carbon 
price to our diesel. This will directly 
impact our operational costs as 
of  July 2012. The Clean Energy 
Act again marks an important 
political milestone that increases the 
likelihood of  higher carbon costs in 
future. We will continue to monitor 
the situation accordingly.

Ghana

The size of  our production in Ghana 
means we are a major contributor 
to national revenues. In 2011, we 
paid a total of  US$247 million (2010: 
US$160 million) in corporate taxes, 
royalties, dividends, income taxes 
and contributions to the National 
Stabilisation Levy, making us 
one of  the largest contributors to 
government revenues in the country.

The fiscal regime for the Ghanaian 
mining sector has continued to 
harden. As anticipated, in March 
2011 mining royalty rates rose 
from 3% to 5% and the temporary 
National Stabilisation Levy of  5% of  
pre-tax profits (introduced in 2009) 
continued to apply. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

156

Securing our future responsibly

In early 2012, the Government of  
Ghana introduced a set of  additional 
fiscal burdens on the mining 
sector. These comprise a rise in the 
Corporate Income Tax from 25% to 
35%, introduction of  a 10% Windfall 
Profit Tax and a capital allowance of  
20% for five years (previously 80% in 
the first year).

Although the government also 
announced the lifting of  the 
National Stabilisation Levy, these 
taxes represent a serious new 
imposition on the sector. This is of  
particular concern given the existing 
costs pressures faced by mining 
companies in Ghana – including 
rising energy, commodity and 
labour costs. We are assessing the 
implications of  the tax changes with 
respect to the viability of  expansion 
projects in the country.

Peru

In Peru, President Ollanta Humala’s 
new government fulfilled a campaign 
promise to raise taxes and royalties 
on the mining sector to help fund 
national infrastructure and address 
rural poverty. In September 2011, 
following constructive negotiations 
with the mining sector, the 
government raised royalties to 
between 1% and 12% of  operating 
profits (previously 1% to 3% of  sales) 
– and introduced a windfall profits tax 
of  2% to 8.4% on net profits. These 
measures are expected to raise an 
additional US$1.1 billion from the 
mining sector.

In 2011, a 'Voluntary Mining 
Contribution' (VMC) by the mining 
sector was replaced by the new 
mining tax. Gold Fields is using 
remaining VMC funds to support  
its malnutrition programme,  
amongst others.

Although we are supportive of  
the aims of  the government in 
addressing poverty and improving 
national infrastructure, we are 
concerned that any further 
increases, beyond what has been 
agreed, could impact on Peru’s 
status as an attractive destination for 
mining investment. 

South Africa

In its 2012 Budget proposals, 
released on 22 February 2012,  
the South African government 
confirmed the change in dividend 
taxation from the 10% Secondary 
Tax on Companies (STC) to a 15% 
withholding tax on dividends paid 
to shareholders. This will take effect 
on 1 April 2012. As a result, the 
effective gold mining tax rate, as 
determined by the gold mining 
tax formula, will be reduced with 
effect from 1 January 2012 for gold 
mining companies whose mines had 
previously elected not to pay the STC. 

All our South African mines had 
elected to be exempt from the STC, 
and their effective gold mining 
formula tax rates will decrease from 
1 January 2011. However, Gold 
Fields itself, as a holding company 
not conducting any gold mining 
operations, was not exempt from 
the STC. To the extent Gold Fields 
received dividends from its South 
African mines, these dividends 
were offset against the amount of  
dividends paid by Gold Fields for 
the purposes of  calculating the net 
amount subject to the STC.

The repeal of  the STC from 1 April 
2012 onwards and the introduction of  
the dividend withholding tax will lead 
to a lower net effective tax rate paid 
by Gold Fields at its South African 
operations (a more detailed analysis 
is included in the Financial Review).

5.4.3  Managing an ethical 
and effective supply chain

Our integrated management 
approach extends to our supply 
chains. As a result, we not only 
ensure we have a reliable and 
economically advantageous 
supply chain in place – but that our 
suppliers operate in a responsible 
and sustainable way that supports 
local economic development. 

By requiring our suppliers to accept 
and adopt our social, environmental 
and ethical standards – in addition 
to our operational and commercial 
requirements – we are able to 
promote good business practice in 
our supply chain. 

This includes the requirement for all 
contractors to meet our health, safety 
and environmental management 
standards, including the OHSAS 
18001 and ISO 14001 standards.

The adherence of  suppliers to our 
standards is monitored through: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pre-screening

(cid:2)(cid:3) Regular compliance audits  
(by our own specialists or  
third-party experts) 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Regular reporting on a defined 
set of  compliance requirements 
(for example, in the case of  
strategic and/or critical projects) 

Where incidents of  non-compliance 
are identified, we will develop joint 
corrective action plans, unless 
non-compliance is of  a sufficiently 
serious nature to justify termination. 

In South Africa, we have a large 
number of  suppliers (approximately 
5,000). As a result, we take a risk-
based approach by auditing those 
who represent the top 80% (by 
value) of  our procurement spend. 
These selected vendors must submit 
a self-assessment check list with 
any tender and are then subject 
to subsequent auditing for issues 
ranging from their Broad Based 
Black Economic Empowerment 
(BBBEE) status to child labour. 

In 2011, we enhanced our ability 
to screen and assess the risks 
relating to suppliers through the 
introduction of  an online Sustainable 
Sourcing Dashboard. This combines 
objective sector- and country-risk 
data (including human rights data), 
context-specific data (such as 
South Africa’s BBBEE requirements) 
and our own standards (including 
our supplier terms and Code of  
Ethics). These are used to produce 
supplier ‘scorecards’ – and to map 
a wide range of  risks through our 
value chain. In future, we intend to 
further enhance the system through 
the integration of  supplier-self  
assessment data and audit data. 

Additional content online 

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

157

Securing our future responsibly

Case study

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In June 2011, the World Gold Council (WGC) unveiled two new draft standards to address ‘conflict gold’ (i.e. 
gold that “enables, fuels or finances conflict”):

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Chain of  Custody Standard (to identify the origin of  gold)

(cid:2)(cid:3) The Conflict-Free Gold Standard (to ensure the exclusion of  conflict gold from global supply chains)

These complementary standards provide assurance from extraction through to refining, and will enable gold 
mining companies to certify their gold as ‘conflict free’ on a global basis. They will also support gold mining 
companies in their efforts to meet mineral traceability and due diligence requirements. This includes those set 
out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of  Minerals from Conflict-Affected 
and High-Risk Areas, as well as Section 1502 of  the US Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act. In addition, the standards will help guide companies as to how to monitor and minimise gold 
‘leakage’ from the global value chain.  

All Gold Fields production originates from its own mining operations – meaning there is only minimal risk of  
externally-derived conflict gold entering its value chain. Nonetheless, Gold Fields is playing a leading role in 
piloting and ‘stress testing’ the standards. In particular, Gold Fields is voluntarily adopting the standards as 
best practice across all of  its gold mines, regardless of  their relative risk exposure to conflict gold. 

Gold Fields supports the development of  the draft standards, which are expected to be finalised in mid-2012. 
Nonetheless, we took a number of  actions to support implementation of  the standards during 2011:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The mapping of  the ‘journey’ of  gold through the Gold Fields value chain in South Africa. This included the 
identification of  measuring points and a review of  relevant documentation to help establish certification 
audit controls – from the shaft through to the exit of  gold doré from the processing plant. This was 
completed for all South Africa operations in November 2011, with the assistance of  third-party auditors. A 
full ‘walk-through’ of  this process was then undertaken at KDC East – with participation from the WGC – to 
identify strengths and weaknesses associated with the practical application of  the standards at a fully 
operational mine

(cid:2)(cid:3) The first pilot application of  the standards at the Tarkwa and Damang mines in Ghana in December 2011. 
This included a more comprehensive walk-through of  the process, which built on Gold Fields efforts at 
KDC. This focused on testing the associated assurance framework and related communications materials. 
The walk-through highlighted the robustness and transparency of  Gold Fields existing assurance 
processes and controls 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Continued collaboration with the Rand Refinery (34.9% owned by Gold Fields), which refines approximately 

75% of  all African gold, including all gold from Gold Fields South African and West African operations. 
Through this relationship, Gold Fields hopes to contribute to the success of  the standards throughout the 
entire gold value-chain 

 www.gold.org 
 www.oecd.org 
 www.sec.gov 
 www.randrefinery.com

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Our security personnel also help to 
enforce good safety practices on 
our sites by observing, recording 
and rectifying examples of  poor 
practice – and participate in 
emergency response activities 
where needed. 

Where relevant, GFPS personnel 
are supported by private security 
contractors. This includes, for 
example, the presence of  G4S 
security personnel at our mines in 
Ghana. G4S is a signatory to the 
UN Global Compact, as well as the 
International Code of  Conduct for 
Private Security Providers.

In addition to our standard security 
controls, in 2011 we piloted the 
application of  Xscann Body Scanner 
technology in South Africa. This 
low-dose X-ray technology produces 
images of  sufficient resolution to 
detect even very small amounts of  
gold on a person – making it a key 
deterrent to those tempted to illegally 
smuggle gold out of  our shafts. The 
fact that Xscann uses only very low 
X-ray doses means it can be applied 
repeatedly at no risk to human health. 
We plan to roll out this programme 
more fully, depending on the 
outcome of  its pilot application.

Additional content online 

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 www.icoc-psp.org 
 www.g4s.com.gh/en-gh 

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Securing our future responsibly

5.4.4  Securing people 
and assets whilst 
respecting human rights 

Gold Fields Protection Services 
(GFPS) is responsible for the 
effective and responsible protection 
of  our people and assets. All GFPS 
personnel receive human rights 
training during induction. This 
training is based on local legal 
requirements, the terms of  the 
Mining Charter and human rights 
best practice. GFPS is a signatory of  
the International Code of  Conduct 
for Private Security Providers, which 
commits all signatories to respect 
human rights and humanitarian law 
in their operations. 

The primary duties of the GFPS are to:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Address illegal internal activity, 
including gold theft, fraud and 
other illicit activities carried out 
by employees

(cid:2)(cid:3) Address illegal external activity, 
including illegal gold mining 
(p149-153), cable theft and 
other illicit activities carried out 
by third parties

(cid:2)(cid:3) Ensure the safety and security of  
our bullion despatches and cash 
escorts (including armed escorts 
in South Africa)

How does GFPS address 
illegal activity within 
Gold Fields? 

Relevant techniques and 
technologies include: 

(cid:2)(cid:3) Pre-employment screening

(cid:2)(cid:3) Metal detection systems

(cid:2)(cid:3) Role-specific area 

access cards

(cid:2)(cid:3) Biometric access systems

(cid:2)(cid:3) Security data systems to 

improve control of  access 
and movement (such as 
‘SecureBase’ at Tarkwa

(cid:2)(cid:3) Centralised CCTV 

monitoring

(cid:2)(cid:3) Use of  an anonymous, 

independently managed 
whistleblowing hotline

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

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Securing our future responsibly

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

160

Assurance statements

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

161

Assurance statements

Based on the work performed 
by GFIA during the year, the 
Senior Manager has presented 
the Audit Committee with an 
assessment on the effectiveness of  
the company’s system of  internal 
control and risk management, 
internal financial controls as well as 
the IT control framework. It is GFIA’s 
opinion that the internal control 
environment and risk management 
processes are adequate within the 
Gold Fields business and provide 
reasonable, though not absolute, 
assurance that the objectives of  
Gold Fields will be met. 

This GFIA written assessment forms 
one of  the bases for the Audit 
Committee’s recommendation in this 
regard to the Board.

Shyam Jagwanth

Senior Manager: 
Gold Fields Internal Audit

Johannesburg, South Africa
23 March 2012

6.1  Internal 
Audit Statement

Gold Fields Internal Audit (GFIA) 
is an independent assurance 
provider to the Gold Fields Audit 
Committee on the effectiveness of  
the risk management, control and 
governance processes within 
Gold Fields. The risk-based annual 
audit plan covers the breadth and 
depth of  the Gold Fields value chain 
and, together with the Internal Audit 
mandate, is approved by the Audit 
Committee annually. 

The internal audit activities are 
conducted either by a team 
of  appropriate, qualified and 
experienced employees, or through 
the engagement of  external 
practitioners on specialised and 
agreed terms. The Internal Audit 
team is based centrally, in South 
Africa, but services all the 
Gold Fields operations globally. 
The GFIA Senior Manager provides 
quarterly feedback to the Audit 
Committee and has a functional 
reporting line to the Audit 
Committee Chair. 

GFIA follows a risk-based audit 
methodology, which is in compliance 
with the Institute of  Internal Auditors’ 
(IIA) “International Standards 
for the Professional Practice of  
Internal Auditing”. Furthermore, 
GFIA operates a quality assurance 
programme that involves performing 
detailed quality review assessments 
at an activity and functional 
level. GFIA’s quality assurance 
programme has been assessed as 
“generally compliant” with the IIA 
standards, the highest rating of  the 
degree of  conformity. 

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Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
162

Assurance statements

6.2  Second party  
assurance on reporting 

Background

This is the second year of  
collaboration between Gold Fields 
and Maplecroft. Our work focuses 
on the joint development of  the 
Integrated Annual Review 2011 
and the development of  a leading 
Sustainable Development strategy. 
Maplecroft recognises that it is not  
an independent party. 

Methodology

Maplecroft worked closely with  
Gold Fields to collect, analyse and 
review information and data across 
all areas covered in the Integrated 
Annual Review 2011. This included:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Field work and site visits in 
Australia, Ghana, Peru, the 
Philippines and South Africa – 
including to mine sites, regional 
headquarters and the group 
head quarters

(cid:2)(cid:3) Interviews with senior managers, 

discipline experts and other 
relevant Gold Fields employees 
across the operational, 
sustainability and financial 
disciplines and in all regions 

The validity of  original data was not 
checked at source by Maplecroft 
although we did follow up and 
check to ensure consistency and 
to understand trends and reasons 
for improvements or changes. We 
completed a rigorous peer review of  
all data and documentation within 
Maplecroft to ensure the accurate 
and comprehensive representation  
of  original data, any anomalies 
or gaps in data that could not 
be resolved by Maplecroft were 
referred back to relevant employees 
within Gold Fields for clarification 
and later audit by an independent 
third party organisation, in this  
case, KPMG.

We also prepared drafts of  all text 
and worked closely with discipline 
experts in the refinement of  report 
content (including clarification, 
review and feedback) to ensure the 
information presented is fair, accurate 
and in line with the expectations  
of  stakeholders.

All work completed by Maplecroft is 
informed by best practice initiatives 
and standards. These include the 
integrated reporting guidance 
included in the King III Code. We are 
also informed by the United Nations 
Global Compact, the United Nations 
Millennium Development Goals, the 
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 
G3.1 Guidelines, the GRI Mining and 
Metals Sector Supplement, the ICMM 
principles and World Gold Council 
Responsible Gold criteria as well as 
the AA 1000 assurance standard.

AA 1000 principles

2. Completeness

Our inspection of  documents,  
as well as our engagement with  
and enquiry of  discipline experts 
did not identify any material 
shortfalls with respect  
to completeness of  reporting. 
Indeed, Gold Fields has proactively 
sought to identify and report on 
potentially challenging and sensitive 
dilemmas, risks and responsibilities 
in respect of  the following relevant 
and material issues:

(cid:2)(cid:3) The strategic need to stabilise 
production in South Africa and 
reduce NCE margins (p11-14, 
46-49, 78-81)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Challenges around energy 

pricing in Australia, Ghana and 
South Africa (p16-17, 68)

(cid:2)(cid:3) Potential future challenges 

around Acid Mine Drainage in the 
Wits Water Basin (p63-65)

We believe Gold Fields has  
achieved broad compliance with  
the AA 1000 principles of  materiality, 
completeness and responsiveness.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Hardening, or potentially 

hardening, fiscal regimes in 
Australia, Ghana, Peru and South 
Africa (p16, 155-156)

1. Materiality

In line with the recommendations 
made in the King III Code around 
integrated reporting, this report 
discloses and explains an 
integrated and coherent framework 
for the analysis of  Gold Fields 
strategy, risks, performance and 
sustainability. In our view, this report 
directly and transparently addresses 
Gold Fields top 10 risks (p38-39). 
The Gold Fields Annual Review  
also discloses and examines 
relevant and material stakeholder 
issues (p40-43).

The report provides a comprehensive 
overview of  all that Gold Fields is 
doing to manage these and other 
issues proficiently and responsibly.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Management of  illegal artisanal 

and small-scale mining in  
Ghana (p149-153)

3. Responsiveness

Gold Fields carries out a wide range 
of  stakeholder engagement activity, 
both at strategic (i.e. head office) 
and operational (i.e. mine, project 
or exploration camp) levels. It is our 
view that these interactions have 
done much to inform the content and 
form of  this report. This includes, for 
example, ongoing and enhanced 
emphasis on:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Integrated reporting and 
management practices

(cid:2)(cid:3) Risk identification, management 

and mitigation

(cid:2)(cid:3) The understanding of  concerns 

relevant and material to investors 
as stakeholders

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

163

Assurance statements

We believe this report represents a 
relevant and complete statement of  
the integrated performance of   
Gold Fields. In our view, the  
Gold Fields statement that it has 
applied the GRI G3.1 guidelines at 
level A+ is also fairly stated.

Professor Alyson Warhurst 
Dr Kevin Franklin 
Gus Macfarlane 
Maplecroft, United Kingdom

23 March 2012 

 www.maplecroft.com 

6.2.1  Recommendations

Key areas for further improvement:

1. Sustainability data

There were some challenges in 
relation to data-gathering due to 
the implementation of  a new and 
ambitious online system for the 
reporting of  data relevant to the 
Global Reporting Initiative. It is 
recommended that feedback from 
the latest reporting period be used 
to help inform further improvements 
to the system in terms of  continuity 
of  definitions, accuracy of  input, 
utility of  output and methodological 
continuity. It is anticipated that this 
will further enhance the system 
in terms of  efficiency, accuracy 
and standardisation of  output. 
Nonetheless, data gathering was 
found to be conscientious and exact. 

Beyond this, it is recommended that 
Gold Fields moves towards a fully 
integrated data reporting system 
that will satisfy all of  its internal and 
external reporting needs, without 
duplicating input efforts on the 
part of  discipline experts. This will 
deliver improvements in terms of  
consistency of  data, efficiency and 
internal buy-in. 

2. A more direct relationship  
between stakeholder 
engagement and reporting

It is recommended that  
Gold Fields seeks expert opinion 
from third-party stakeholders on (a) 
the specific issues being reported 
on; and (b) how well these issues are 
being reported on. This includes, for 
example independent assessment of  
Gold Fields cited risks. The outcome 
of  such engagement should be used 
to inform the development of  future 
reports in terms of  reporting focus, 
as well as direct referencing in the 
form of  quotes, articles, etc.

3. Greater detail around  
local engagement

As with the Integrated Annual Report 
2010, the Integrated Annual Review 
2011 provides a good overview of  
stakeholder engagement at group- 
and region-level. It is recommended 
that further effort is made to report 
more fully on issues raised by 
stakeholders at each operation –  
and to follow progress in the 
addressing of  these concerns over 
time. A step has already been made 
in this direction with respect to the  
Far Southeast project in the 
Philippines (p106-107).  

4. Increased emphasis on the  
impact of socio-economic 
development spending

Gold Fields has made good progress 
in the more accurate reporting of  its 
socio-economic development spend 
(p142-143). It is recommended that 
increased effort not be made to 
develop a strong methodology to 
assess the actual impact of  such 
spending, report on this more fully  
in future Integrated Annual Reviews 
and integrate this into project 
assessment procedures. 

5. Increased implementation of  
risk-based reporting

The wide breadth of  issues covered 
in the Integrated Annual Review 
2011 – as well as the detail offered 
– means it is likely to remain a 
substantial and comprehensive 
document. In this context, it is 
recommended that Gold Fields 
moves further towards explicit 
risk-based reporting to help 
prioritise what information should be 
included in the hard copy and what 
information can live online. Although 
steps have already been made in this 
direction, there is further room to go 
in future iterations of  the Integrated 
Annual Review. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

164

Assurance statements

6.3  Independent Assurance 
Report to the Directors of 
Gold Fields Limited

Report on Selected  
Sustainability Information

We have undertaken a limited 
assurance engagement on selected 
sustainability information, as 
described below and presented 
in the Integrated Annual Report of  
Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) for 
the year ended 31 December 2011 
(the Report), as set out on the pages 
indicated below. 

Subject matter and  
related assurance 

The subject matter of  our 
engagement and related assurance 
is as follows: 

1)  In compliance with the 

International Council of  Mining 
and Metals’ (ICMM) Sustainable 
Development Framework: 
Assurance Procedure (ICMM 
Assurance Procedure), Subject 
Matters 4 (selected performance 
data) and 5 (self-declared 
application level in accordance 
with the Global Reporting 
Initiative (GRI) G3.1 Guidelines) 
as described below:

(a) Limited assurance on Subject 
Matter 4, on page 167 of   
the Report:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Social and Labour Indicators 

- HDSA (percentage 
in management), Total 
procurement spend from BEE 
entities, Procurement spend 
from BEE entities (in line with 
the mining charter categories 
of  capital goods, services 
& consumable goods) and 
Social Economic Development 
spend (SED) in ZAR.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Health and Safety Indicators 

– Number of  cases of  
Silicosis diagnosed, Number 
of  noise induced hearing 
loss cases diagnosed 
(NIHL), Number of  chronic 
obstructive airways diseases 
cases reported and treated 
(COAD), Cardio respiratory 
Tuberculosis (number of  
new cases reported and 
treated), Number of  cases of  
respiratory diseases reported 
and treated, Number of  cases 
of  Malaria tested positive per 
annum, Number of  employees 
in HAART programme 
(cumulative), Percentage of  
workforce on the voluntary 
counselling and testing 
(VCT) programme, Lost time 
injury frequency rate (LTIFR), 
Medically treatment injury 
frequency rate (MTIFR) and 
Number of  fatalities.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Environmental Indicators – 
Number of  environmental 
incidents (level 3 and above) 
reported, CO2 Equivalent 
Emissions Scope 1-3 (in 
Tonnes), Average quality of  
water discharged in  
milli-Siemens/metre (MS/m), 
Electricity (MWh), Total  
water consumption per annum 
from all sources (in Ml) and 
Diesel (TJ).

(b) Limited assurance on  

Gold Fields’ self-declaration  
of  the GRI A+ application level 
– Subject Matter 5, on page 3 of  
the Report.

2)  In compliance with the Broad-

Based Socio-Economic 
Empowerment Charter for 
the South African Mining and 
Minerals Industry (BBSEEC) and 
related Scorecard:

(c) Limited assurance on selected 
Mining Charter elements, on 
pages 155 and 167 of  the 
Report, prepared in compliance 
with the BBSEEC (2002) and 
related Scorecard (2004):

  Historically Disadvantaged 
South African’s (HDSA’s) in 
Management: Percentage of  
employees who are classified as 
designated groups and who are 
employed at management levels; 
Number of  houses to be built as 
part of  the housing and hostel 
upgrade programme; Number 
of  rooms completed as part of  
the housing and hostel upgrade 
programme; and Community 
Development: Rand Value Spend 
on approved SLP projects.

(d) Limited assurance on selected 
Mining Charter elements, on 
pages 155 and 167 of  the 
Report, prepared in compliance 
with the Amendment to the 
BBSEEC (2010) and related 
Scorecard (2010):

  HDSA ownership: Meaningful 

economic participation and full 
shareholder rights in line with 
the Mining Charter definitions 
and measurement; Housing and 
living conditions: Occupancy 
rate; Total procurement spend 
from BEE entities; Procurement 
and Enterprise Development: 
Procurement spend from BEE 
entities, in line with the Mining 
Charter categories of  capital 
goods, services & consumable 
goods; and Implement approved 
community projects.  

Directors’ Responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for 
the preparation and presentation of  
the Report as well as the information 
and assessments contained within it, 
and for determining the company’s 
objectives in respect of  sustainable 
development performance, including 
the identification of  stakeholders 
and stakeholder reporting 
requirements, the identification of  
material issues, for commitments 
with respect to sustainability 
performance, for establishing 
and maintaining appropriate 
performance management and 
internal control systems from which 
the reported information has been 
derived, and the selection of  the 
sustainability performance indicators 
which form the subject matter of  our 
assurance engagement. 

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

 
Management are also responsible 
for the selection and application of  
the following reporting criteria used 
in the evaluation of  the respective 
subject matter:

We believe the evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate 
to provide a basis for our limited 
assurance conclusions. 

165

Assurance statements

(cid:2)(cid:3) Conducting an application 

level check on the Report to 
evaluate whether all disclosure 
requirements of  the GRI A+ 
application level have been 
adhered to.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Evaluating whether the 

information presented in the 
Report is consistent with our 
findings, overall knowledge and 
experience of  sustainability 
management and performance at 
Gold Fields.

Conclusions

In relation to the Report for the year 
ended 31 December 2011, we report

(a) On the selected performance 

data on which we are required to 
express limited assurance

  Based on our work performed, 

nothing has come to our 
attention that causes us to 
believe that the selected 
performance data identified in 
(a) above is not fairly stated, 
in all material respects, in 
accordance with the GRI G3.1 
Guidelines.

(b) On Gold Fields’ self-declaration 
on the GRI A+ application level 
on which we are required to 
express limited assurance

  Based on the procedures 

performed, we concur with the 
assessment made by Gold 
Fields, that the Integrated Annual 
Report for 31 December 2011 
is consistent with the GRI G3.1 
application level A+.

(c) On the selected mining charter 
elements on which we are 
required to express limited 
assurance 

Summary of work performed

Our work included the following 
evidence-gathering procedures:

(cid:2)(cid:3) Interviewing management and 

senior executives at group level  
to evaluate the application of  
the GRI G3.1 Guidelines, the 
Broad Based Socio-Economic 
Empowerment Charters (2002 
and 2010) and related Scorecards 
and to obtain an understanding 
of  the internal control environment 
relative to the reported 
sustainability information.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Inspecting documentation at 

corporate level to corroborate 
the statements of  management 
and senior executives in our 
interviews.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Understanding the risk 

assessment process and the 
information systems which 
inform the related sustainability 
reporting processes.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Testing the processes and 

systems at group level and site 
level which generate, collate, 
aggregate, monitor and report 
the selected sustainability 
information.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Performing site work at Gold 

Fields’ Driefontein, Kloof, Beatrix, 
South Deep, Tarkwa and Damang 
operations (which represents 
the most material contribution 
to the selected sustainability 
performance information – ICMM 
Subject Matter 4) and also 
performing desk top work on 
the St. Ives, Agnew and Cerro 
Corona operations.

(cid:2)(cid:3) Performing site work at Gold 

  Based on our work performed, 

Fields’ Driefontein, Kloof, Beatrix 
and South Deep in terms of  
selected elements from the 
Broad Based Socio-Economic 
Empowerment Charters 
(2002 and 2010) and related 
Scorecards.   

nothing has come to our attention 
that causes us to believe that the 
selected mining charter elements 
identified in (c) above have not 
been prepared, in all material 
respects, in compliance with 
the BBSEEC (2002) and related 
Scorecard (2004).

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

(cid:2)(cid:3) (a), Gold Fields’ reported 
performance during the  
given reporting period for the  
identified material SD risks  
and opportunities (ICMM  
Subject Matter 4): the GRI  
G3.1 Guidelines.

(cid:2)(cid:3) (b), Gold Fields’ self  declared 
A+ application level of  the GRI 
G3.1 Guidelines in relation to 
subject matter 5 of  the ICMM 
Assurance Procedure: the GRI 
G3.1 Guidelines for the A+ 
application level.

(cid:2)(cid:3) (c), selected mining charter 

elements: the BBSEEC (2002) 
and related Scorecard (2004).

(cid:2)(cid:3) (d), selected mining charter 
elements: the Amendment to 
the BBSEEC (2010) and related 
Scorecard (2010).

Our Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express 
assurance conclusions on the 
subject matter in (a), (b), (c), 
and (d) based on our work 
performed. We conducted our 
engagement in accordance with 
the International Standard on 
Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 
3000, Assurance Engagements 
other than the Audits or Reviews 
of  Historical Financial Information, 
issued by the International Auditing 
and Assurance Standards Board. 
That Standard requires that we plan 
and perform our engagement to 
obtain assurance about whether 
the selected information is free from 
material misstatement. 

Our procedures selected depend on 
our judgment including the risks of  
material misstatement of  the selected 
sustainability information in the 
Report, whether due to fraud or error. 
In making our risk assessments, 
we considered internal controls 
relevant to Gold Fields’ preparation 
of  the Report. In a limited assurance 
engagement, the evidence gathering 
procedures are less than where 
reasonable assurance is expressed. 

166

Assurance statements

(d) On the selected mining charter 
elements on which we are 
required to express limited 
assurance

The implementation of  systems and 
approaches that Gold Fields is using 
to manage its material safety risks 
and opportunities.

  Based on our work performed, 

nothing has come to our 
attention that causes us to 
believe that the selected mining 
charter elements identified in (d) 
above, have not been prepared, 
in all material respects, in 
compliance with the Amendment 
to the BBSEEC (2010) and 
related Scorecard (2010).

Report on the ICMM  
Assurance Procedure

We are required to report our 
findings on the International 
Council of  Mining and Metals’ 
(ICMM) Sustainable Development 
Framework: Assurance Procedure 
(ICMM Assurance Procedure) in 
respect of:

1  The alignment of  Gold Fields’ 
sustainability policies to 
the ICMM 10 Sustainable 
Development (SD) Principles and 
any mandatory requirements set 
out in ICMM Position Statements 
(ICMM Subject Matter 1).

2  The reporting of  Gold Fields’ 

material sustainable development 
risks and opportunities based 
on a review of  its business and 
the views and expectations of  
its stakeholders (ICMM Subject 
Matter 2). 

3  The implementation of  systems 

and approaches that Gold Fields 
is using to manage its material 
safety risks and opportunities 
(ICMM Subject Matter 3).

Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for:

The alignment of  Gold Fields’ 
sustainability policies to the ICMM 
10 SD Principles and any mandatory 
requirements set out in ICMM 
Position Statements. 

The reporting of  Gold Fields’ 
material sustainable development 
risks and opportunities based on a 
review of  its business and the views 
and expectations of  its stakeholders. 

Our Responsibility

Our engagement included reporting 
on the ICMM Assurance Procedure 
in respect of  1, 2 and 3 above 
based on the knowledge obtained in 
our evidence gathering procedures 
in our assurance engagement on 
the subject matters in (a) and (b) 
set out in our ‘Report on Selected 
Sustainability Information’ above.

Findings

Based on our evidence gathering 
procedures in our assurance 
engagement for the year ended 
31 December 2011 on the subject 
matter in (a) and (b) set out in our 
‘Report on Selected Sustainability 
Information’ above, nothing has 
come to our attention that causes us 
to believe that:

1  Gold Fields’ sustainability 

policies are not aligned with the 
ICMM 10 SD Principles and any 
mandatory requirements set out 
in ICMM Position Statements.

2  Gold Fields has not reported 

material sustainable 
development risks and 
opportunities based on a 
review of  its business and the 
views and expectations of  its 
stakeholders. 

3  Gold Fields has not implemented 
systems and approaches to 
manage its material safety risks 
and opportunities.

Independence, Expertise and 
Limitation of Liability

We have complied with the 
International Federation of  
Accountants’ Code of  Ethics 
for Professional Accountants, 
which includes comprehensive 
independence and other 
requirements founded on 
fundamental principles of  integrity, 
objectivity, professional competence 
and due care, confidentiality and 
professional behaviour.

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

Our engagement was conducted by 
a multidisciplinary team of  health, 
safety, social, environmental and 
assurance specialists with extensive 
experience in sustainability reporting.

Our work has been undertaken to 
enable us to express the assurance 
conclusions on the subject matters 
in (a), (b), (c), and (d) in our 
‘Report on Selected Sustainability 
Information’ together with findings 
on 1, 2 and 3 in our ‘Report on 
the ICMM Assurance Procedure’ 
to the Directors of  Gold Fields 
in accordance with the terms of  
our engagement, and for no other 
purpose. We do not accept or 
assume liability to any party other 
than Gold Fields, for our work, for 
this report, or for the conclusions we 
have reached. 

KPMG Services (Pty) Limited

Per PD Naidoo

Director 
Johannesburg 
23 March 2012 

KPMG Crescent 
85 Empire Road 
Parktown 
Johannesburg 
2193

Per I Kramer

Director 
Johannesburg 
23 March 2012 

KPMG Crescent 
85 Empire Road 
Parktown 
Johannesburg 
2193

167

Assurance statements

Figure 1: Group operating statistics

Parameter

Environment

Unit

Average quality of  water discharged in milli-Siemens/meter

mS/m

CO2 equivalent emissions, Scope 1-3
Electricity 

Tonnes CO2-e
MWh

Number of  environmental incidents - Level 3 and above

Level 3 and above

Total water consumption per annum from all sources

Diesel 

Health

Ml

TJ

Number of  cases of  Silicosis diagnosed

Number of  cases diagnosed

Number of  cases of  Noise Induced Hearing Loss diagnosed

Number of  cases diagnosed

Number of  cases of  chronic obstructive airways diseases 
reported and treated

Number of  cases reported  
and treated

Cardio respiratory Tuberculosis 

Number of  cases of  Malaria tested positive per annum

Number of  new cases  
reported and treated

Number of  cases tested  
positive for Malaria

Data

77

6.09 million

5,469,784

5

78,236

5,440

107

139

66

642 

215 

Number of  cases of  respiratory diseases reported and treated Number of  cases reported  

3,894 

Number of  employees in HAART programme (cumulative)

and treated

Cumulative number  
of  employees

Percentage of  workforce on the voluntary counselling and 
testing (VCT) programme

Percentage of  the workforce  
on the VCT programme

Safety

LTIFR 

MTIFR 

Number of  Fatalities 

Social

Rate

Rate

Number 

3,523

10.70%

4.69

5.68

20

Total socio economic development (SED) spend in Rand 

Rand

387.3 million

Mining Charter elements

Percentage HDSA in Management (DL-FL) who are classified 
as designated groups and who are employed at management 
levels (BBSEEC, 2002 and 2010)

Number of  houses to be built as part of  the housing and 
hostel upgrade programme 

Number of  rooms completed as part of  the housing and 
hostel upgrade programme (BBSEEC, 2002)

Senior % 
Middle %
Junior % 
Total %

Number of  houses to be built

30% 
41% 
43% 
43% 

100

Number of  rooms completed

541

Rand Value spent on approved SLP projects (BBSEEC, 2002)

Rand

Total procurement spend from BEE entities (BBSEEC, 2010)

Rand

BEE Procurement Spend (BBSEEC, 2010): Capital, Services 
and Consumables

Capital goods %

Services % 

Consumer goods %

Housing and living conditions: Occupancy rate (BBSEEC, 2010) Rate

Implement approved community projects (BBSEEC, 2010)

List of  approved projects

18 million

3,455,068,747 

47% 

46%

46%

1.45

Tailings Cleanup
Futyana Bakery
Living Gold
Simunye Clinic
Nkululeko Creche
Eradication of  Alien Invaders
Bekkersdal Flagship Project
Brick making

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

168

Assurance statements

Gold Fields – Integrated Annual Review for the 12 months ended 31 December 2011

a
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This report is printed on Triple Green, which is chlorine-free and biodegradable, comprises 60 percent sugar cane fibre and meets the standard  
of sustainable forestation.

“If we cannot mine safely, 
we will not mine”

Gold Fields Safety Value

150 Helen Road  
Sandown  
Sandton, 2196  
Johannesburg  
Gauteng  
Private Bag X30500  
Houghton, 2041  
South Africa  
Telephone: (+27) (11) 562 9700 
Facsimile: (+27) (11) 562 9838

Acknowledgments 
Prepared and produced by Gold Fields  
in partnership with Maplecroft 

Design: Maplecroft 
Printing: Bastion Graphics

© Gold Fields 2012. All rights reserved
Gold Fields: Annual Report - For the 12 months ended 31 December 2011