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Gold Fields

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FY2018 Annual Report · Gold Fields
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8

Integrated 
Annual Report

2018  
 
 
 
 
About this report

Gold Fields Limited is a globally diversified gold producer with eight operating mines 
(including our Asanko Joint Venture) and projects in Australia, Chile, Ghana, Peru and South 
Africa, and total attributable annual gold-equivalent production of approximately 2Moz. 

It has attributable gold Mineral Reserves of around 48.1Moz and gold Mineral Resources 
of around 96.6Moz. Attributable copper Mineral Reserves total 691 million pounds and 
Mineral Resources 847 million pounds, while silver Reserves total 39.3Moz and 
Resources 43.7Moz.

Gold Fields has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Limited, with 
a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Our integrated reporting approach aims to enable our stakeholders to make 
a more informed assessment of the value of Gold Fields and its prospects. 
This Integrated Annual Report (IAR) is structured around the Gold Fields’ 
Group balanced scorecard, which is how we measure our performance 
against our strategy and the matters we consider to be most material to 
the sustainability of our Group (p14). Gold Fields embraces integrated 
thinking and takes an integrated approach to value creation, which is aligned 
with the International Integrated Reporting Council’s (IIRC) six capitals 
model.

The IAR also forms part of our adherence to the Global Reporting Initiative 
(GRI) Standards and the 10 Principles of the International Council on Mining 
& Metals (ICMM), whose mandatory requirements of its position statements 
are presented online. We also align with the 10 Principles of the United 
Nations Global Compact. 

Our full 2018 IAR comprises the following:
1.   IAR: Our primary report and details of the Group’s value creation story 

Non-IFRS measures are used throughout the IAR. These have been defined 
in the Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial statement in 
the Annual Financial Report, p129 – 130. 

Average exchange rates for 2018 of R13.20/US$1 and US$0.747/A$1 have 
been used in this report. For 2019, forecast exchange rates of R13.61/US$1 
and US$0.75/A$1 have been used.

ICMM subject matters
Gold Fields has complied with the ICMM Sustainable Development 
Framework, Principles, Position Statements and Reporting Requirements 
(see p129 – 130, for the assurance hereof).

Our compliance with the ICMM is addressed throughout this report and 
on our website. This detail covers:
■■ The alignment of our sustainable development policies against the 

10 principles and mandatory position statements

■■ The process for identifying specific sustainable development risks and 

over the short, medium and long term

opportunities

2.   Annual Financial Report: Our full Corporate Governance Report, Board 
and Board subcommittee reports, Directors’ Report, Remuneration 
Report and our Annual Financial Statements, fulfilling our statutory 
financial reporting requirements

3.   The Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Supplement: Detailed 

technical and operational information on our mines and growth projects
4.   The Notice of Annual General Meeting: The resolutions to be tabled to 

shareholders at our Annual General Meeting

5.   The Gold Fields GRI Report 2018

Forward looking statements
This report contains forward looking statements within the meaning 
of section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 
Securities Act, and section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, with respect to Gold Fields’ 
financial position, results of operations, business strategies, operating 
efficiencies, competitive position, growth opportunities for existing services, 
plans and objectives of management, markets for stock and other matters. 
Refer to the full forward looking statements on www.goldfields.com.

Report scope and boundary
This report covers the reporting period from 1 January 2018 to 
31 December 2018 and provides an overview of our eight operations 
(including our Asanko JV) in Australia, Ghana, Peru and South Africa, as well 
as our exploration and business development activities. Details on the exact 
location of each operation and project can be found on p2 – 3.

Non-financial data for 2018 only covers our seven operating mines and 
excludes exploration activities and projects. Data from Darlot, which was 
sold, is included for the January to October 2017 period.

This report has been compiled in accordance with the GRI Standards: core 
option and the International Integrated Reporting Council Framework. Gold 
Fields also references a broad range of additional codes, frameworks and 
standards in compiling the report, including the King IV Code on Corporate 
Governance (King IV). The full list can be found in the Annual Financial 
Report (p15 – 16). We consider that this IAR, together with additional 
documents held online, complies with the requirements of the GRI 
Standards.

■■ The existence and implementation of systems and approaches for 

managing sustainable development risks and opportunities

■■ Gold Fields’ performance across a selection of identified material 
sustainable development risks and opportunities. Our disclosures 
in accordance with the GRI Standards can be accessed at 
www.goldfields.com>sustainability.

Assurance
ERM has provided independent reasonable assurance over selected 
sustainability information in this report, which is prepared in accordance with 
the GRI Standards: core option. As a member of the ICMM, we are 
committed to obtaining assurance in line with the ICMM Sustainable 
Development Framework: Assurance Procedure. ERM has provided 
assurance over our statement on compliance with the ICMM Sustainable 
Development Framework, Principles and Reporting Requirements. The key 
sustainability performance data for assurance by ERM in 2018 can be found 
on p131 – 132.

Board approval
The Gold Fields Board of Directors acknowledges its responsibility to ensure 
the integrity of this IAR and has applied its collective mind throughout the 
preparation of this report. The Board believes that the integrated report is 
presented in compliance with the International Integrated Reporting 
Framework. Furthermore, the Board considers that this IAR complies in all 
material respects with the relevant statutory requirements of the various 
regulations governing disclosure and reporting by Gold Fields and that the 
annual financial statements comply in all material respects with the South 
African Companies Act No 71 of 2008, as amended, as well as with the 
International Financial Reporting Standards.

As such, the Board unanimously approves the content of the IAR 2018, 
including the Annual Financial Report 2018, and authorised its release on 
29 March 2019.

Cheryl Carolus
Chairperson of the Board
25 March 2019

 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

1

Contents

29

CEO  

Report

1\

2\

3\

4\

5\

6\

7\

OUR BUSINESS

Our global footprint
Our business model
Value creation and distribution
Our operating context
Risks and materiality
Performance against strategic targets

LEADERSHIP

Vision of the Chairperson
Summarised corporate governance
CEO Report

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Managing our portfolio
Life extension through near-mine exploration
Mineral Resources and Reserves summary

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY

Operational performance
Safety
Health
Energy management
Innovation and technology
A fit-for-purpose workforce
Summarised Remuneration Report

CAPITAL DISCIPLINE

Financial performance

LICENCE AND REPUTATION

Overview
Environmental stewardship
Climate change
Water management
Waste and tailings
Mine closure
Stakeholder relations
Community relations
Human rights

ASSURANCE

First party: Internal Audit Statement
Independent Assurance Statement of Gold Fields Limited
Key sustainability performance data

Administration and corporate information

2
4
6
8
10
14

20
23
29

40
50
52

56
63
67
70
74
76
79

84

92
95
97
100
103
105
106
111
122

128
129
131

IBC

54

Safe operational  
delivery 

92

Licence and 
Reputation

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
Given our commitment to sustainable development, there is great 
potential for Gold Fields to make an important and lasting contribution 
towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gold Fields seeks to work with partners to catalyse lasting social and 
economic progress that supports an end to poverty, protects the 
planet and ensures prosperity for all. The following development goals 
are viewed as critical in the work of the mining and metals sector in 
particular.

Where we believe our work is relevant to achievement of these goals 
the icons below will appear in this IAR.

Good Health  
and Wellbeing

Quality  
Education

Clean Water  
and Sanitation

Affordable  
and Clean Energy

Decent Work  
and Economic 
Growth

Industry, 
Innovation and 
Infrastructure

Please refer to our online report at www.goldfields.com

Sustainable Cities  
and Communities

Responsible 
Consumption  
and Production

Climate  
Action

Life on  
Land

Partnerships 
for the Goals

Send us your feedback: 
To ensure that we report on issues that matter to our stakeholders please 
provide any feedback and questions to: investors@goldfields.com, 
sustainability@goldfields.com or visit www.goldfields.com to download 
the feedback form.

linkedin.com/company/gold-fields

business.facebook.com/GoldFieldsLTD

@GoldFields_LTD

 2

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Our global footprint

Group performance

Managed production

All-in cost

koz (au-eq)
3,000

US$/oz
1,500

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

4
9
2
,
2

6
3
2
,
2

9
1
2
,
2

3
3
2
,
2

7
0
1
,
2

14

15

16

17

18

1,000

1,000

0

7
8
0
,
1

6
2
0
,
1

6
0
0
,
1

3
7
1
,
1

8
8
0
,
1

14

15

16

17

18

Managed production1

All-in cost

koz
1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Safety

TRIFR2
1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

6
3
7

4
5
7

6
1
7

0
1
7

1
0
5
7

14

15

16

17

18

2
0
.
1

5
7
.
0

8
6
.
0

0
5
.
0

9
4
.
0

14

15

16

17

18

US$/oz
1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

4
9
0
,
1

9
4
0
,
1

0
2
0
,
1

9
1
1
,
1

8
9
0
,
1

14

15

16

17

18

Net cash-flow3

US$m
150

3
2
1

100

50

0

0
0
1

4
6

4
4

4
2

14

15

16

17

18

West  
Africa 
region

Contribution to 
Group production

36%

Gold Fields’ West Africa region 
consists of two mines, Tarkwa 
and Damang, and a JV, Asanko, 
in Ghana

1   Includes 45% of Asanko Gold for  

August – December 2018

2   TRIFR – Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate 
Injuries per 1 million hours worked, including 
employees and contractors

3   Net cash-flow = cash-flow from operating activities 

less net capital expenditure, environmental 
payments and finance lease payments.
 If growth capital is excluded the numbers in US$m 
would have been: West Africa  2017: 179 
2018: 149

  South Africa  2014: (79)  
2015: (66) 
2016: 20 
2017: (26) 
2018: (123)

4   The statistics for Australia include Darlot up to the 

date of its sale on 2 October 2017

Managed production

All-in cost

koz

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

0
9
2

1
8
2

1
0
2

8
9
1

7
5
1

14

15

16

17

18

US$/oz
2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

2
1
0
,
2

2
3
7
,
1

9
5
5
,
1

0
0
4
,
1

4
3
2
,
1

14

15

16

17

18

South  
Africa 
region

Safety

TRIFR2
5.0

5
6
.
4

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0

1
9
.
2

1
9
.
2 2
4
.
2

7
0
.
2

14

15

16

17

18

Net cash-flow3

Contribution to 
Group production

US$m
20

0

(20)

(40)

(60)

(80)

(100)

(120)

(140)

)
6
1
1
(

2
) 1
0
8
(

)
3
4
(

)
1
4
1
(

14

15

16

17

18

7%

The South Deep mine, 
which is still in ramp-up 
phase, is the only 
operating asset in the 
South Africa region

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

3

Safety

TRIFR2
6

5

4

3

2

1

0

4
0
.
4

0
4
.
3

2
4
.
2

7
2
.
2

3
8
.
1

14

15

16

17

18

Americas 
region

Contribution to 
Group production

15%

Managed production

All-in cost

Au-eq koz

400

300

200

100

0

Safety

TRIFR2
1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

7
2
3

6
9
2

0
7
2

7
0
3

4
1
3

14

15

16

17

18

9
0
.
1

4
5
.
0

8
3
.
0

4
3
.
0

9
1
.
0

14

15

16

17

18

US$/oz
1,000

800

600

400

200

0

7
7
2 7
0
7

2
6
7

9
9
6

3
7
6

14

15

16

17

18

Net cash-flow3

US$m
200

150

100

50

0

0
5
1

7
1
1

4
1
1

7
7

5
3

14

15

16

17

18

Gold Fields’ presence in 
the Americas region consists of the 
Cerro Corona mine in Peru and 
the Salares Norte project in Chile 

Australia 
region

Contribution to 
Group production

42%

Managed production4

All-in cost4

koz
1,500

1,200

900

600

300

0

1
3
0
,
1

8
8
9

2
4
9

5
3
9

6
8
8

14

15

16

17

18

Safety4

TRIFR2
25

20

15

10

5

0

4
0
.
7
1

7
2
.
6
1

4
4
.
0
1

3
4
.
9

5
1
.
7

14

15

16

17

18

US$/oz
1,500

1,200

5
1
0
,
1

2
1
9

1
4
9

8
4
9

3
4
9

900

600

300

0

14

15

16

17

18

Net cash-flow3,4

US$m
300

250

200

150

100

50

0

5
5
2

6
5
2

8
1
2

8
8
1

4
9
1

14

15

16

17

18

The Australia region  
consists of three mines, 
Agnew, Granny Smith  
and St Ives and one  
project, Gruyere  

OUR BUSINESS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Our business model

INPUTS

OUR BUSINESS PROCESS

HUMAN CAPITAL
Our 5,601 employees and 
12,010 contractors provide 
the manpower and skills 
to drive our business.

NATURAL CAPITAL
Water and energy are critical 
to support our mining 
process and business 
activities, while access to 
land allows us to extract a 
country’s gold resources.

SOCIAL AND 
RELATIONSHIP 
CAPITAL
The support of host 
communities and 
relationships with 
governments secure 
and maintain our social 
and regulatory licence 
to operate.

FINANCIAL  
CAPITAL
Banks, shareholders and 
bond holders provide the 
financial capital that funds 
the sustainability and 
growth of our operations.

MANUFACTURED 
CAPITAL
Contractors and suppliers 
supply the manufactured 
capital (goods and services) 
for the development and 
sustainability of our mines.

INTELLECTUAL  
CAPITAL
The intellectual input of our 
people and partners (OEMs 
and technology companies) 
inform the development 
of strategy, the efficient 
use of machinery and 
the management of key 
business risks.

EXPLORATION

Near-mine and selected  
greenfields exploration focuses on 
resource extension to enhance the  
long-term sustainability of our portfolio.

DEVELOPMENT

2

We invest in the development  
of projects that will improve  
the cost and production profile  

of our portfolio.

1

3

MINING

We extract gold and copper-bearing ore 
from mechanised mines in Australia, 
Ghana, Peru and South Africa – either  

by our own teams or by contractors.

OUTCOMES FOR THE BUSINESS AND STAKEHOLDERS DURING 2018

HUMAN  
CAPITAL

NATURAL  
CAPITAL

■■ US$442m paid in salaries, dividends and 

■■ 21.2GL water withdrawn, with 66% of water 

benefits 

■■ US$14m spent on training 
■■ 1 fatal incident
■■ Improvement in total recordable injury 

frequency rate (TRIFR) to 1.83 

■■ Retrenchment of 1,092 employees and 

420 contractors at South Deep 
■■ About 1,200 former employees now 
employed by new mining contractors 
at Tarkwa

recycled 

■■ 2 Level 3 environmental incidents
■■ 1,28TWh of electricity purchased
■■ 1.85m tonnes of CO
 emissions
2
■■ 184.7Mt of total material moved
■■ 41Mt of tailings

GOOD GOVERNANCE FOUNDATION

A strong ethos of good governance underpins everything we do.  
Our approach (detailed on p23 – 28) goes beyond compliance  
– we believe it is an important differentiator, gaining us the  

  5

We seek to responsibly manage mine 
closure and optimise our mine closure  
liabilities through integrated mine  
 closure planning and progressive  
    rehabilitation. 

MINE 
CLOSURE

4

Physical and chemical  
processing of ore results in semi-
pure gold doré and copper/gold 
concentrate. The doré is externally 
refined into gold bullion. 

PROCESSING

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

5

OUTPUTS

2.04Moz 

attributable gold-eq produced

(Further details on p56)

185mt

mining waste

(Further details on p103)

1.85mt

CO2-e emissions
(Further details on p97)

41Mt 

of tailings

(Further details on p103)

US$2.58bn 

revenue generated

(Further details on p84)

US$2.71bn

total value created

(Further details on p6)

SOCIAL AND  
RELATIONSHIP CAPITAL

FINANCIAL  
CAPITAL

MANUFACTURED  
CAPITAL

INTELLECTUAL  
CAPITAL

■■ US$147m paid in interest and 

■■ Eight operating mines (including 

dividends 

our Asanko JV) 

■■ Increase in net debt to 

■■ Two projects in Australia and 

US$1,612m (2017: US$1,303m)

Chile 

■■ NYSE share price down 8% 
■■ Dividend of R0.40/share 

declared

■■ US$400m in gross mining 

closure liabilities

■■ Total attributable annual 

gold-equivalent production of 
2.04Moz

■■ Copper production of 

32,000 tonnes

■■ Fibre networks installed 
underground in certain 
operations 

■■ Drones deployed at Tarkwa and 
Damang to conduct remote 
surveying 

■■ Granny Smith, South Deep and 
St Ives improved their people 
and equipment tracking systems 

■■ Continued investment in South 
Deep, South Africa’s largest 
bulk,  mechanised,  
underground gold mine

■■ US$26m invested in projects 
that directly benefit our host 
communities

■■ Employment for 9,259 members 
of host communities (56% of 
total workforce, including 
contractors) 

■■ US$441m spent on host 
community enterprises 
procurement (22% of total 
procurement costs) 

■■ US$1,813m to suppliers and 

contractors, representing 67% 
of total value creation

■■ 94% of total 2018 procurement 
expenditure by mines was spent 
on businesses based in 
operating countries
■■ US$283m paid to 

governments in taxes and 
royalties

support of communities, ongoing access to mines from governments, the buy-in from existing and  
potential employees and the trust of capital providers. We subscribe to numerous international best  
practice standards.

OUR BUSINESS 6

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Value creation and distribution

The ultimate aim of our strategy and business model is to create value for our stakeholders

Total and national value distribution

National value distribution by 
region and type 2018 (US$m)

Government Business

Employees

Socio-
economic
 spend

Capital 
providers

National value 
distribution

Americas
Australia
South Africa
West Africa 
Corporate

Total Gold Fields

55
121
3¹
90
14

283

 156 
812
176
654
15

 1,813

37
128
144
83
49

442

6
1
32
15
0

26

4
0
9
13
121

147

258
1,062
336
855
200

2,711

1 South Deep does not yet pay income tax as it is in a loss-making position 
2 This includes spending from the South Deep trusts and SLP commitments

Governments

Payments include
Mining royalties and land-use payments, taxes, duties and levies.

Why these stakeholders matter
Governments provide us with access to ore bodies by granting mining and other 
licences. They also deliver the infrastructure necessary to build and maintain our 
mines, including roads, electricity and water supply.

2018 Contributions:
■■ We paid governments US$283m (2017: US$310m) in taxes and royalties, 

10% of total value distribution (2017: 11%)

■■ In addition, the Ghanaian government benefited from US$15m in declared 

dividends relating to its 10% shareholding in Gold Fields Ghana

Business

Payments include
Operational and capital procurements.

Why these stakeholders matter
Supply chain businesses provide the equipment and services needed 
to develop and maintain our operations. They comprise business 
partners, contractors and suppliers.

2018 Contributions:
■■ We paid US$1,813m to suppliers and contractors, representing 

67% of total value creation (2017: US$1,857m/65%)

■■ Of the total 2018 procurement expenditure of US$1,813m, 

US$1,542m, or 85%, was spent on businesses based in operating 
countries by our mines (2017: US$1,620m/88%)

■■ US$441m, or 29%¹, of total procurement by our mines was 
spent on suppliers and contractors from host communities 
(2017: US$774m/45%)

¹  The % decline is due to a change in the definition of host communities 
by our Australian operations to only include communities in their area 
of influence (previously Perth was included in the definition due to the 
FIFO nature of our mines)

Workforce

Payments include
Salaries and wages, benefits and bonus 
payments (including shares and payroll taxes).

Why these stakeholders matter
The technical skills, experience and activity 
of our people drive the day-to-day operations 
of our business.

2018 Contributions:
■■ We paid US$442m (2017: US$506m) to 
employees in terms of salaries, dividends 
and benefits, representing 16% of total value 
distribution (2017: 18%)

■■ We also provide employees (where legislated) 
with additional benefits such as retirement 
savings, healthcare assistance, life and 
disability insurance, housing assistance 
and personal accident cover

■■ We prioritise the employment of members 
from our host communities. At end 2018 
host community employment comprised 56% 
of our workforce

Capital providers

Payments include
Interest and dividend payments to capital providers.

Why these stakeholders matter
Financial institutions, shareholders and bond holders invest 
with us, thus enabling us to fund the development, 
maintenance and growth of our operations and our overall 
business.

2018 Contributions:
■■ We paid US$147m (2017: US$160m) to the providers 
of debt and equity capital, mainly in the form of interest 
and dividends

■■ Net debt increased by US$309m to US$1,612m 
■■ We paid a total dividend of R0.40/share for the 

2018 financial year

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

7

Communities
How we create value for communities

Payments include 
Socio-economic development (SED) spending, including 
infrastructure, health and wellbeing, education and 
training, local environmental initiatives and donations.

Why these stakeholders matter
Host communities are the source of a significant portion 
of our workforce and a key component of our social 
licence to operate.

2018 Contributions:
■■ We spent US$26m (2017: US$17m) in terms of SED 
investment, including contributions from the South 
Deep trusts

■■ 56% of our workforce is drawn from host  

communities

■■ The graph below provides an analysis  

of our host community employment and  
procurement as well as other benefits and 
 investment in communities

Gold Fields’ total value creation (2018)

Host community 
procurement
creates 
community jobs 
and supply 
opportunities

■    Support areas where community suppliers 

can participate

■    Identify community suppliers with ability to 
supply the mine

■    Provide skills development to close capability gaps 

■   Delivery long-term, enduring value

Host 
community 
employment
maximises local 
opportunities

■    Build skills base in community workforce 

through education, bursaries, etc

■    Make community the first option for hiring staff

■    Encourage contractors/suppliers to employ 
from the community

Community 
investment
drives  
integrated 
investment 

■    Balanced across services (health, education), 

enterprise development and infrastructure
■    Matched to capacity and development needs 
of communities

■    Shared Value projects benefit both communities 
and our mines. Partnering for dual prosperity

US$m
3 000

2 500

2 000

1 500

1 000

500

0

3
8
2

7
4
1

3
1
8

1

2
1
4
4

1
1
7

2

7
8
6

Our host 
community 
spend is 
US$686 
million
=
25% of 
total value 
creation 

6
2

2
4
4

1
0
2
2

Social investment

Employee payments

Total supplier spend

Government payments

Capital providers

Total value creation

■ Host community spend
1) 56% of workforce corporate office 2) 27% of total supplier spend excluding corporate, regional offices and project spend

■ Total spend

Why the focus on communities

We believe that our host communities are one of our most critical stakeholders as they grant us our licence to operate. Over the past few years, we 
devoted considerable resources to sharing the value created through our mines with the communities surrounding them. This goes beyond the direct 
financial investment to creating sustainable surrounding economies through community employment and procurement. 
During 2018, we enhanced our understanding of the value created through these programmes by quantifying the impact.

Trade-offs
We continue to balance the legitimate, and at times conflicting, needs of our stakeholders in order to create value over 
the short, medium and long-term. These were some of the significant trade-offs we had to make during 2018.

1. Balancing financial viability with employment

■■ To improve financial viability, we unfortunately had to retrench 1,082 employees and 420 contractors at South Deep to right-size the business (p46)
■■ At Tarkwa mine, we retrenched 2,211 employees, of which 1,714 were re-engaged by contractors or on a contractor basis (p33)

2. Improving long-term sustainability

■■ By channelling funds into growth capital we aim to secure future growth by temporarily cutting back on other stakeholder spending

3. Managing our environmental impacts

■■ Mining is resource intensive, but we seek to minimise our environmental impacts. During 2018, we had two Level 3 water-related  

environmental incidents. We responded speedily to address the causes and communicated the incidents (p95)

4. Balancing the immediate needs of communities with long-term value creation

■■ Our focus shifted from short-term projects to long-term value creation by creating sustainable value for host communities through employment 

and procurement programmes (p113)

5. Providing long-term contributions to host governments

■■ At the Cerro Corona mine, we reduced our taxable income in the short term to fund future growth. The investment is set to provide longer-term 

tax and royalty revenues to the host government

OUR BUSINESS  
 
 
8

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Our operating context

Gold Fields is subject to external strategic dynamics that inform decision-making and 
influence our business performance. An analysis of the three key strategic themes – and how 
Gold Fields is responding to them – is set out below.

Gold price
Issue
The price of gold continued its 
relatively static course during 2018, 
ending the year at US$1,280/oz, 
down just over US$30/oz from the 
2018 opening price of US$1,313/oz. 
The average gold price received by 
Gold Fields, however, has barely 
changed from US$1,255/oz in 2017 
to US$1,252/oz in 2018.

The traditional investment case for 
gold as a safe haven asset was called 
into question as many investors sold 
their physical gold holdings after 
the gold price collapsed in 2013. 
However, in late 2018 and early 2019 
we have seen some shift to gold 
amid political and economic 
uncertainty in the US and the 
subsequent weakness in the US 
Dollar. While much of the gold price’s 
short-term movement is driven by 
market sentiment and geopolitical 
developments, an analysis of gold’s 
supply and demand fundamentals 
underpins our belief that the gold 
price could continue to improve over 
the next few years, though there will 
undoubtedly be periods of short-term 
volatility.  

According to the CPM Group, 
total gold demand was steady at 
127.4Moz in 2018 (2017:127Moz), 
with jewellery and industrial demand 
unchanged at 97Moz, and higher 
central bank purchases offsetting a 
decline in private investment in coins 
and bullion.  Net purchases by central 
banks and other official institutions 
continued to grow steadily in 2018, 
improving by over 50% to 16.5Moz 
in 2018, after a similar rise in 2017 
to 11Moz. Total stock demand by 
Exchange Traded Funds remained 
stable at 30.3Moz in 2018 (2017: 
30Moz).  

In the long term, gold supply issues 
will also support a recovery in the 
gold price, in our view. According to 
CPM data, mine production has 
plateaued between 90Moz – 92Moz 
since 2014. Mine supply in 2018 
totalled 92.1Moz and secondary 

supply 30.1Moz, both unchanged 
from 2017, leaving total supply 
marginally higher at 127.4Moz in 
2018 (2017: 127Moz). Many gold 
market analysts are of the view that 
the industry has reached peak 
production levels given the limited 
number of new gold discoveries since 
the mid-1990s, together with the 
decreased levels of exploration spend 
in recent years. 

Response
Gold Fields does not predict the gold 
price. We expect volatility and 
structure the business accordingly.

We seek to maximise value by:
■■ Prioritising cash-flow over 

production volumes

■■ Setting targets for each region at a 
15% free cash-flow (FCF) margin 
around a planning price of 
US$1,200/oz

■■ Eliminating marginal mining
■■ Selling non-strategic assets

■■ Hedging a portion of our gold 

production in times of high capital 
expenditure

The Group is therefore in a relatively 
strong state to weather a sustained 
lower gold price (at just over 
US$1,000/oz) and well positioned to 
capture future upside when the gold 
price recovers.

During 2017 and 2018, we invested 
in the future of our portfolio with a 
number of new projects, while at the 
same time continuing to invest in the 
ongoing development of ore bodies 
– through proactive near-mine 
exploration and development. Our 
mines avoid ‘high-grading’ – due to 
the obvious negative impact this 
would have on the sustainability of 
their ore bodies – by mining at or 
below their reserve grade. We are 
implementing these strategies 
despite the current price 
environment.

Global gold demand and supply versus the US$ gold price (average annual)

Moz 
400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

1
5
1

7
4
1

4
4
1

8
3
1

8
3
1

3
4
1

7
3
1

0
4
1

0
4
1

8
4
1

1
3
1

1
4
1

9
3
1

4
4
1

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

US$/oz
2 000

1 750

1 500

1 250

1 000

750

500

250

0

■ Demand

■ Supply

■ Average gold price (US$/oz – rhs)

Source: WGC

Total mine supply

Moz
100

80

60

40

20

0

1
8

6
8

0
9

0
9

3
9

2
9

2
9

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Source: CPM

   
 
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

9

Social licence to operate
Issue
The nature of the extractive sector 
means the industry must pay 
particular attention to its social 
licence to operate. Unlike other 
companies, mines are dependent on 
their mineral deposits and cannot 
relocate to new locations when facing 
deteriorating local or national 
operating environments. Furthermore, 
despite many mines’ lives being finite, 
they can still span decades. Mines 
must be able to navigate complex 
social, economic and political 
dynamics over time to avoid conflicts 
with their host communities. As it is, 
conflicts between communities and 
mines in the industry globally have 
risen sharply over the last decade. 

To manage the potential risks, mining 
companies need to maximise their 
positive impacts, minimise their 
negative impacts and make sure that 
this is communicated to – and 
recognised by – host community 
stakeholders. For many decades this 
was not the case and, apart from a 
limited number of community jobs 
and procurement offered by mining 
companies, these communities saw 
few benefits. Similarly, taxes and 
royalties went into the coffers of 
central governments for national 
benefit and rarely found their way 
back through investment in host 
communities. It is therefore not 
surprising that demands from host 
communities have become more 
vocal and strident in recent years. 
Amid widespread use of social media 
and activism in these communities 
their demands have also found a 
global audience.

Response
At Gold Fields, a strong social licence 
to operate is embedded in our 
societal value proposition and is a 
prerequisite for long-term generation 
of value for stakeholders. This 
approach had to be underpinned by:
■■ Responsibility: ongoing 
investment in responsible 
operational standards to avoid 
and mitigate negative social and 
environmental impacts. This 
includes effective water and 
environmental management, 
which has become an increasingly 
material issue for most mining 
companies (p95) 

■■ Trust: frank, two-way 

communication, realistic 
expectation management and 
visibly honouring commitments 
builds trust. This includes ongoing 
engagement on issues such as 
indigenous rights, employment 
opportunities and social 
transformation (p111)

■■ Understanding: investment in 

communities relies on a thorough 
understanding of the risks, 
community needs and community 
perceptions. Since 2015, Gold 
Fields has undertaken relational 
proximity studies at a number of its 
mines and in 2017 also undertook 
socio-economic baseline and 
social return on investment (SROI) 
studies at its South Deep mine in 
South Africa

■■ Value creation in host 

communities: we seek to create 
value in our communities through 
investment in socio-economic 
development (SED) projects, and, 
more critically, by recruiting 
employees and contractors from 
host communities and sourcing 
goods and services from 
companies in these communities 
(p113)

These initiatives are particularly 
important in the low gold price 
context, which has an impact on the 
Group’s ability to invest in community 
development projects as well as 
raising the prospect of job cuts 
among employees, many of whom 
hail from host communities.

Conflicts between mines and communities 
on the rise

2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

0

20
Source: ICMM

Source: ICMM

40

60

80

100

120

Regulatory issues
Issue
A sound and certain regulatory and 
fiscal environment should enable 
the global gold sector to ride out 
short-term fluctuations in gold prices 

and achieve sustained returns over 
the 15- to 20-year average life of a 
mining project. In many jurisdictions, 
however, the legal and tax 
environment has become less 
conducive to the long-term viability of 
the mining sector. Many governments 
view the industry as an easy target 
for higher taxes and other fiscal 
imposts, particularly during tough 
economic times. As a result, the 
governments’ share of mining 
revenue has grown at the expense of 
other stakeholders, but at the same 
time miners and investors are shying 
away from more risky jurisdictions.

Response
The question is how the trust gap 
between mining companies and 
governments can best be bridged. 
Gold Fields on its own and in 
conjunction with its peers in the wider 
global mining industry, has sought to 
address this trust gap in a number of 
ways:
■■ The industry is continuing to 
spread value to a number of 
stakeholders. Over the past three 
years, Gold Fields has consistently 
created between US$2bn and 
US$3bn in total value annually for 
our wide range of stakeholders – 
accounting for around 90% of 
revenue on average (p6)

■■ Gold Fields is actively promoting 

host community employment and 
procurement from host community 
enterprises in an effort to 
strengthen its social licence to 
operate and mitigate any regulatory 
actions that limit its ability to share 
the benefits of mining. In 2018, 
about 25% of our total value 
creation benefited host 
communities through these 
initiatives (p7)

■■ We are working with international 

mining bodies, such as the 
International Council on Mining and 
Metals (ICMM),to promote industry-
wide best practice and showcase 
the benefits that a responsible and 
fairly regulated industry can bring
■■ We actively engage with our host 
governments in Ghana, Australia, 
Peru and South Africa, either 
directly or through industry 
organisations, in addressing the 
resource nationalism that, we 
believe, prevents the sector from 
achieving sustainable growth.

OUR BUSINESS  
10

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Risks and materiality

Top 20 Group risks and opportunities in 2018

How Gold Fields manages risk
The approach to assessing risk in Gold Fields is a collective effort by Group, regional and mine management of the 
risks facing the business. The assessments of the risks and their mitigating actions are a critical internal management 
tool, which reduce the identified risks significantly. Risk mitigations are included in the annual Group Performance 
Scorecard and cascaded down to the performance scorecard of management employees at regional and operational 
levels. The formal risk review process starts during management’s annual strategic planning sessions where strategic 
risks and macro-trends are analysed in developing the Company’s risk register and mitigating actions. These are 
updated quarterly, and presented to the Board’s Risk Committee twice a year for verification.

Risk tables and heat maps have been published in the IAR on this basis for the last nine years.

Y
T
I
R
E
V
E
S

4

21

13 14

6

7

11

3

5

15

109

12

8

minimum  

maximum  

PROBABILITY

OUR MATERIAL ISSUES

Gold Fields Group materiality score for GRI 
standards
(where 1 = critical to Gold Fields and  
10 = not material at all)

Direct and indirect economic impacts 

Health and safety 

Public policy / corporate governance 

Environmental compliance 

Employment 

Water management 

Energy / emissions 

Indigenous people 

1.85

2.62

2.75

3.09

3.23

3.36

3.66

3.85

For how we determine our risks and materiality,  
see www.goldfields.com/risk-management-and-
materiality.php.

1

2

3

4

5

RISK AND MITIGATING ACTIONS

South Deep – loss of investor confidence due to non-
achievement of the restructuring plan

■■ Implementation of the organisational restructuring programme
■■ Productivity initiatives to unlock the full potential of all our employees
■■ Skills development programmes – artisan upskilling and supervisor 

training programme – progressed
■■ Ensure compliance to mine design
■■ Improve fleet performance by focusing on effective maintenance and 

operation of equipment

■■ Continue to ensure safe working environments
■■ Short-, medium- and long-term strategies to supplement grid power

A sustained and significantly lower gold price and currency 
exchange rate volatility

■■ Business plans implemented and monitored through regular cost, 

capital and production reviews

■■ Ongoing portfolio optimisation to ensure cash generation
■■ Gold and copper production hedging for various regions
■■ Business restructuring and technology strategies to improve safety, 

efficiencies and costs

Resource nationalism

■■ Enhanced engagement and lobbying through industry bodies 
■■ Further refinement of stakeholder engagement policies and strategies
■■ South Deep’s new 2018 — 2022 Social and Labour Plan (SLP) 

submitted. Waiting for approval by the regulator

■■ Shared Value projects, particularly host community employment and 

procurement programmes

Non-delivery of Damang Reinvestment and Gruyere projects

■■ Damang Reinvestment project ahead of schedule
■■ Mitigating strategies in place to catch up on the slight backlog at Gruyere 

caused by severe weather

■■ Monthly reporting and monitoring of construction and engineering 

schedules

■■ Management of construction and commissioning contractor strengthened
■■ Night shift introduced at Gruyere to ensure project schedule is achieved

Replacing Resources and Reserves at international operations

■■ Comprehensive near-mine exploration programmes in place
■■ Mergers and acquisitions strategy to identify opportunities, such as 

the Asanko joint venture (JV) in 2018

■■ Damang Reinvestment progressing ahead of plan, and Gruyere 

commissioning planned for mid-2019

■■ Salares Norte project feasibility study completed

   
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

11

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Safety and health of our employees 

■■ Establishment of the Group Safety Leadership forum in 2018
■■ Courageous Safety Leadership programme to be rolled out throughout 

the Group during 2019

■■ Behaviour-based safety and visible-felt leadership programmes 

ongoing in all regions

■■ All operations certified to OHSAS 18001 standard, converting to ISO 45001
■■ Independent verification of critical controls identified in the ICMM 

critical control management programme during 2019

Water pollution, supply and cost

■■ Strict and focused compliance with environmental management regulations
■■ All operations ISO 14001 certified
■■ Water management plans expanded to include post-closure water 

management

■■ Water recycle, reuse and conservation practices in place in all regions, 

and targets set for 2019

Attraction and retention of skills

■■ Fit-for-purpose regional and mine human resource (HR) structures to meet 

operational requirements

■■ HR strategy focused on developing a high-performance culture
■■ Succession planning and talent review systems in place at mine, regional 

and Group level

■■ Building line leader capabilities to enable strategic and operational focus 

and key deliverables

Cost of energy and security of power supply

■■ Implementation of the integrated energy and carbon management strategy
■■ Solar microgrid system advanced at Granny Smith, and signed agreement 

for a hybrid solution at Agnew

■■ Review of South Deep solar photovoltaic project
■■ Oil price hedges in place in Australia and Ghana, ending in 2022

Cybercrime / Loss of ICT data

■■ South Deep, corporate and regional offices ISO 27001 certified, with 

certification of all outstanding operations planned for 2019

■■ Cyber security maturity assessment conducted and areas for continual 

improvement identified

■■ Ongoing attack and penetration testing

Impact on social licence to operate

■■ Growth opportunities in stable mining destinations – Damang, Gruyere 

and Salares Norte

■■ Enhanced stakeholder engagement planned for 2019
■■ Strengthen stakeholder engagement strategy to deal with Native Title 

issues in Australia

■■ Ongoing community investment and Shared Value projects in Ghana, 

Peru and South Africa

Failure to implement climate adaptation measures

■■ Comprehensive climate change risk assessment conducted at all mines 

with remedial action plans being implemented

■■ Alignment of financial and operational disclosures to the Task Force on 

Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 

■■ Evaluating 20% renewable energy options for new project in Chile

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Increased geotechnical underground risks

■■ Implementation of the recommendations by the external Geotechnical 

Review Board (GRB) at South Deep is ongoing

■■ Enhanced ground and secondary support to mitigate against rock bursts
■■ GRB work extended in 2018 to all Australian operations to mitigate the 

effects of seismicity

Increased surface open pit geotechnical risks

■■ GRB work to be undertaken for all major project and pit cutbacks
■■ Real time continuous pit wall monitoring at Damang 
■■ Upgrading hydro-geological monitoring at the Cerro Corona pit to enhance 

pit wall stability

Tailings dam failure

■■ Gold Fields’ tailings storage facilities (TSFs) aligned with and assured 

against the ICMM position statement 

■■ Increased governance of TSFs at Company and Board level
■■ Accelerated dam break assessments, design code compliances and 

updated emergency response procedures implemented

High debt levels

■■ Ongoing sale of non-core investments
■■ Extensions for maturity dates on revolving credit facilities
■■ Regular engagements with credit rating agencies and financial institutions
■■ Cash generation from operations to be used to pay down debt
■■ New bond offering under review

Political uncertainty in jurisdictions where we operate

■■ Continued geographic de-risking towards mining jurisdictions in which 

we operate

■■ Enhanced stakeholder engagement planned in 2019 with key stakeholders, 

particularly governments and communities

■■ Engaging governments directly and indirectly through industry associations

Fraud and breach of the Code of Conduct

■■ Rigorous oversight through Board and the Social, Ethics and 

Transformation Committee 

■■ Compliance with corporate governance codes and regular reviews
■■ Global training programme conducted on relevant legislation
■■ Screening of suppliers and contractors for pre-defined risks

Failure to modernise operations

■■ Real-time monitoring solutions that track movement of equipment, people 

and production 

■■ CEO Young Persons Team established to align with latest digital and social 

media trends

■■ Programme in place for cooperation between original equipment 
manufacturers, suppliers and ourselves                                      

■■ Innovation and technology (I&T) strategy implementation to work towards 

Gold Fields Mine of the Future

Ezulwini (neighbouring mine) re-watering impact on South Deep

■■ Planned maintenance and monitoring programme of reinforced concrete 

water plugs between the two mines

■■ Participation in Ezulwini closure regulatory processes backed by 

legal strategy

■■ Development of alternative solutions to utilise mine water

OUR BUSINESS 12

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Risks and materiality continued

Top five risks and opportunities per region in 2018

Americas 
region

Australia 
region

Y
T
I
R
E
V
E
S

2

1

4

3

5

Y
T
I
R
E
V
E
S

1

32
4 5

minimum  

maximum  

minimum  

maximum  

PROBABILITY

PROBABILITY

RISK/OPPORTUNITY AND MITIGATING ACTIONS

RISKS/OPPORTUNITY AND MITIGATING ACTIONS

1

2

3

4

5

Life-of-mine extension at Cerro Corona

■■ Accelerate mining and stockpiling to facilitate early in-pit tailings 
■■ Pre-feasibility study for 2030 life-of-mine extension finalised, and feasibility study 

to be completed in 2019

Salares Norte project, Chile – Potential delay in Environmental Impact 
Assessment (EIA) approval

■■ Close interaction with the authorities and building sound relations in terms of baseline 

studies

■■ Assurance of project information, engineering design, scope and timetable
■■ Proactive and timely community engagement programme

Lower copper and gold grades

■■ Continuous monitoring of grade reconciliation
■■ Drilling programme to target deeper ore resources
■■ Additional stockpile build-up to reduce risk of ore shortages due to higher  

cut-off grade

Increasing hardness of ore impacting processing throughput

■■ Ongoing blasting engineering project to optimise ore fragmentation
■■ Implementation of optimisation projects in the process facility to deal with increased 

hardness

Local social pressures, conflicts and community expectations

■■ Proactive community and stakeholder relationships and engagement
■■ Crisis management plans to deal with potential conflict
■■ Stringent follow-up and feedback on all community commitments
■■ Involvement of government authorities in our social projects

1

2

3

4

5

Reserve life

■■ Commissioning of the Gruyere project planned for mid-2019
■■ Significant near-mine exploration to delineate further reserves
■■ Accelerating exploration intervention at Agnew
■■ Acquisition of JV ground near St Ives and assessing toll-treatment options

Gruyere project delivery

■■ Stronger management team appointed at the construction contractor
■■ Increased room capacity at onsite camp facility to facilitate larger labour component
■■ Night shift implementation
■■ Stricter expenditure approval process

Turnover of key personnel

■■ Review and enhancement of employee development programmes
■■ Flexible working arrangement to facilitate greater work-life balance
■■ Market-related salary increases
■■ Quarterly talent discussions held at leadership level

Volatility of Australian gold price

■■ Ongoing portfolio of business improvement projects
■■ Continued focus on cost controls
■■ Hedges in place for gold, currency and oil

Native title legislation

■■ Stakeholder engagement strategies and programmes in place
■■ Extend business opportunities and job placement to Indigenous groupings, 

where feasible

■■ Finalisation of a holistic strategy for Indigenous Engagement
■■ Development of a Reconciliation Action Plan
■■ Ongoing legal and specialist support

   
 
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

13

West Africa 
region

South Africa 
region

Y
T
I
R
E
V
E
S

3

2

1

4

5

Y
T
I
R
E
V
E
S

4

1

3

2

5

minimum  

maximum  

minimum  

maximum  

PROBABILITY

PROBABILITY

RISKS/OPPORTUNITY AND MITIGATING ACTIONS

RISKS/OPPORTUNITY AND MITIGATING ACTIONS

1

2

3

4

5

Fiscal and government policy changes

■■ Frequent engagement with relevant government departments
■■ Intensive engagement via the Chamber of Mines
■■ Ensure adherence to principles and conditions in the Development Agreement (DA)
■■ Back-up legal strategies

Under-performance of contractor mining at Tarkwa

■■ Updating and monitoring key contract milestones
■■ Implementation of continuous improvement initiatives
■■ Dedicated team to address and mitigate shortfalls in contractor performance

Execution of Damang mine Reinvestment project

■■ Implementation and delivery of milestones under the reinvestment plan
■■ Fit-for-purpose organisational structure and continuous improvement initiatives
■■ Ongoing monitoring of contract mining milestones
■■ Pit-wall control implementation

Reserve depletion at Tarkwa – inadequate organic growth and 
life-of-mine extension

■■ Bringing the Asanko JV ounces to account and aligning processes and systems
■■ Continued brownfields exploration to test for further potential at Tarkwa
■■ I&T programme to improve operational and processing efficiencies
■■ Ensure utilisation of DA benefits for long-term  exploration potential

Optimisation of Independent Power Producer (IPP) arrangements

■■ Continuous monitoring of IPP performance
■■ Full commissioning and expansion of power plants at both Damang and Tarkwa
■■ Completion of the gas pipeline to supply plants with natural gas replacing the road 

trucked liquid gas

1

2

3

4

5

Loss of investor confidence due to non-achievement of 
the business plan

■■ South Deep workforce has been restructured through the Section 189 process – 

ensure the right people in the right roles

■■ Frontline leadership, productivity and ways of working intervention 
■■ Effective and sustainable management operating system 
■■ Identify business improvement initiatives and drive implementation
■■ Improvement of  fleet reliability and utilisation
■■ Adaptation to Eskom supply constraints and developing longer-term strategies for 

power self-sufficiency

Poorly defined execution strategy

■■ Develop and roll out key visual control standards
■■ Organisational restructuring frontline coaching
■■ Implementation of a business improvement process
■■ Improved fleet utilisation
■■ Ore pass/tip/discharge chute rehabilitation
■■ Roadway and footwall (water) management

Inappropriate organisational structure

■■ Embed new HR structure
■■ Fit-for-purpose organisational structures with the right people in the right roles
■■ Robust talent management system
■■ Identity, develop and recruit successor for critical roles

Ageing infrastructure

■■ Replacing ageing infrastructure based on an inventory of our assets
■■ Utilise South Shaft for mining services only to enable extended maintenance
■■ Implementing infrastructure and maintenance improvement projects
■■ Independent risk engineering audit conducted on infrastructure and fire risks with 

a five-year remedial action plan developed

Health and safety of our employees

■■ Roll out and effective monitoring of the safety management systems
■■ Implementing behaviour-based safety programmes and the Courageous Leadership 

programme

■■ Effective baseline risk management process identifying major unwanted events and 

verification of effective critical controls 

■■ Strengthen  systems for effective reduction of dust and noise exposure levels 
■■ Implementation of South African mining industry’s occupational safety and health 

initiatives

OUR BUSINESS  
 
14

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Performance against strategic targets
Group 2018 performance against BSC objectives

Our strategy is embodied through our Board-approved balanced scorecard (BSC), which is cascaded throughout our 
organisation. Below we reflect on our performance against these targets in 2018. On the pages that follow, we show our 
CEO’s performance against his 2018 targets, as well as the Group’s 2019 BSC.

VISION:

2018 BSC 
PILLARS

STRATEGIC GOALS

To be the global leader in sustainable gold mining

MEDIUM-TERM ASPIRATION:

By 2020 we are targeting All-in Cost (AIC) of approximately

L 
A
E  
N
Y
TIO
F
R
A
E
S
A
LIV
R
E
E
P
D
O

1
2
3

Deliver FCF margin of  
15% at US$1,200/oz

Safely meet guidance  
for operations

Safely deliver  
strategic projects

US$900/oz1

ANNUAL TARGET:

Free cash-flow (FCF2) margin of 15% at

US$1,200/oz

gold price

THE GOLD FIELDS VALUES:

E
L  
LIN
A
PIT
CIP
A
DIS
C

4

Manage balance sheet and 
maximise capital returns

Safety: 
If we cannot mine safely,  
we will not mine

Integrity: 
We act with  
honesty, fairness and  
transparency

Respect: 
We treat all stakeholders 
with trust, dignity  
and respect

Delivery: 
We strive for  
excellence and do what  
we say we will do

Innovation: 
We encourage  
innovation and an  
entrepreneurial spirit

Responsibility: 
We responsibly manage our  
impact on the environment  
and host communities

1   At 2019 levels
2   FCF does not take project capital into account

LIO 
T
N
E
M
E
G
A
N
A
M

O
F
T
R
O
P

5

Improve the quality of our 
portfolio

D 
N
N
E A
TIO
C
A
N
T
U
E
LIC
P
E
R

6

Protect licence to operate and 
enhance reputation

    
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

15

STRATEGIC GOALS

PERFORMANCE AGAINST 2018 BALANCED SCORECARD TARGETS

■  Production and AIC/oz better than yearly guidance with spatial compliance to plan

■  No fatalities and a reduction in TRIFR by 10% in the long term (due to a regression in 2017, the stretch target was 12% for 2018)

■  Reduce energy usage by 5% to 10% against a future baseline through energy saving initiatives and implement renewable 

energy initiative at South Deep

■ 

Implement ICMM critical control guidelines on safety, health and environmental stewardship and stakeholder management

■  Project delivery: deliver in accordance with key metrics for 2018

–   Damang
–   South Deep
–   Gruyere

■  Manage talent pipeline and succession cover for critical roles

■  Reinvigorate vision and values to a winning culture that rewards teamwork and delivery of Group strategy 

■  Pay dividends in line with policy 

■  Debt:  

–  Maintain net debt:adjusted EBITDA ratio of under 1.25x- 
–  Extend debt maturity

■  All new capital spend to have appropriate returns taking into account risks and cost of capital ranked and prioritised in 

accordance with an agreed matrix and in line with internal capital control standards and study guidelines. Accordingly all growth 
capital expenditure on existing mines, new projects or acquisitions to have hurdle rates of 15% at a US$1,300/oz gold price

■  Deliver life extension, cost reduction, revenue enhancement and improved health and safety through innovation and technology 

(I&T) and business improvement initiatives

■  Reduce Group life-of-mine AIC/oz and increase reserve life per region through brownfields exploration, M&A and optimisation 

of existing mines 

■  Deliver positive Salares Norte feasibility project that exceeds metrics set for the project

■  Mine closure costs, along with concurrent rehabilitation plans, incorporated into strategic plans 

■ 

Improve total shareholder return by positioning share price between median and upper quartile of peer group 

■  Increase the proportion of sustainable host community procurement and employment to drive Shared Value 

■  No Level 3 or above environmental incidents and a 10% reduction in Level 2 incidents 

■  Align management practices with ICMM tailings and water position statements

■  Deliver and manage a robust and transparent group governance and compliance programme

■  Maintain position in top five of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI)

p56

p63

p70

p64

p48
p46
p44

p76

p87

p87

p87

p74

p50

p47

p105

p106
p111

p95
p100

p23

Performance key:   ¢ Achieved       ¢ Ongoing       ¢ Not achieved

OUR BUSINESS   
16

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Performance against strategic targets continued
CEO’s 2018 performance against BSC objectives

Gold Fields recognises that remuneration is a critical part of value creation. We are committed to aligning our employees’ 
remuneration to our strategic objectives, as embodied in our Group BSC. The Group BSC is then cascaded into individual 
scorecards, to ensure individual effort drives Group performance. Below is a summary of our CEO, Nick Holland’s, BSC for 
2018 and his performance against it. His average score for 2018 was 2.9 out of 5, as evaluated by the Remuneration 
Committee. The Board believes that by reflecting on the CEO’s scorecard and how it drives value creation, we demonstrate 
to our stakeholders our commitment to fair and transparent reporting. For the detailed breakdown of the CEO’s BSC, refer to 
our comprehensive Remuneration Report in the AFR p44 – 46.

Deliver
D amang

4.5

10%

South Deep critic al
infrastructure proje c t s

2

10%

DeliverGruyere

2

5%

10%

p
e
e
D
h
t
u
o
S

y
t
i
v
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
p

1

15%

70%

20%

5%

5%

o
r
g

a

nis

S

atio

n

o

3
uth Deep
al re-structuring

20%

5%

5%

4

Improve d   g o v e r n a
i a n c
and  c o m p l

e

c

n

e

I
n
t
e

H

R

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3

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i

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-

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t
A
f
r
i
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a

4

5%

5%

3

e

e

g Min
utur
Enablin
of the F

4

I&T strategy
progression

5%

3

5%

4

p it al allo cation
p r oto c ol

a

C

PERFORMANCE RATING SCALE:   
1 

/  Target not achieved  
  (less than 60% of goals achieved)
/  Underperformance  
  (60% - 90% of goals achieved)

2 

2.5 /  Development required  

  (91% - 99% of goals achieved)

3   /  Good performance  

  (100% - 105% of goals achieved)

3.5 /  Great performance  

  (106% - 110% of goals achieved)
/  High performance  
  (111% - 120% of goals achieved)

4.5 /  Top performance  

  (121% -125% of goals achieved)
/  Exceptional performance  
  (126% or more of goals achieved)

4 

5 

CATEGORY KEY:   
¢  Safe Operational Delivery      
¢	Portfolio Management     
¢	Licence and Reputation
¢	Capital Discipline

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

17

Group 2019 performance targets

Each year, management and the Board assess the Group’s key objectives for the year ahead to ensure the Group achieves 
its medium-term target. The 2019 goals are captured in the BSC below. 

ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY
Make sure the company has the capacity to deliver 

1.  IMPROVE IMPACT OF I&T
¢	Put in place dedicated senior Innovation & Technology leadership team per region that drive the initiatives  
     to improve cost, safety and productivity
¢	Upgrade infrastructure to improve connectivity and real time information 
¢	 Increase the use of technology to Improve safety performance including people tracking and traffic 

INTERNAL BUSINESS 
PROCESS
Build the processes required  
for delivery

1. Increase total shareholder return
  ¢	Achieve market guidance
2. Improve liquidity and profile of debt
	 ¢  No fatalities 
	 ¢	Establish and maintain an Environment  

  Health and Safety scorecard with leading   
  and lagging indicators

	 ¢	Roll out courageous Safety Leadership  

  programme to Exco and regional leadership  

teams

	 ¢	Roll out Vital Behaviour (VB) safety programme  

to Exco and regional leadership teams

management

¢	Automate or semi-automate equipment to improve efficiencies
¢	 Implementation of integrated technical systems to enhance planning and delivery

2.  IMPROVE QUALITY OF PORTFOLIO

¢	South Deep:  477 tonnes mined / employee as per business plan  

Develop Individual development plans for mission critical positions and execute 2019 
activities

¢  Damang:  Deliver Damang at a cumulative cost of US$365m.  

Spend project capital of US$69m for Damang and deliver ore from saddle pit area 

¢    Gruyere: Deliver Gruyere first gold by Q2 at a cost of $621m
¢		Australia: Replace 100%-120% of depleted reserves
¢   Americas:  >50% completion of pre-feasibility study for Cerro Corona on life extension  

beyond 2030

3.  IMPROVE GOVERNANCE, COMPLIANCE & RISK

¢   No material deviations from guidelines / corporate standards as per the 2019  
     Compliance framework
¢		Independent verification of safety, health, environmental and community critical 

controls

¢	Carry out 1 self-assessment of the ICMM Performance Expectations Guidance
¢	Maintain certification to OHSAS 18001 / ISO 45001 (Safety) ISO 14001 and  
   Cyanide code
¢    Australia, Ghana and South Africa: conduct gap analysis, develop and implement 

60% of remedial actions to align to ISO 50001 (Energy); Cerro Corona to 
maintain ISO 150001 certification

STAKEHOLDERS
Maintain stakeholder support by delivering value
1.  Increase stakeholder engagement
  ¢	Increase the number of informal and formal engagements  
   with key community, government and investor stakeholders

	 ¢	Extend sell side coverage and undertake timely detailed  

analysis of all sell side reports
  ¢	Maintain top 5 position in DJSI
  ¢  Consolidate sustainability of host community procurement  

spend at between 23%-25% of total procurement spend
  ¢	Maintain host community employment at 54%-56% of direct  

and indirect employment

FINANCIALS
Make money

1.  Increase total shareholder return
  ¢	TSR between median and upper quartile of peer group
2.  Improve liquidity and profile of debt
	 ¢  Reduce net debt by a range of US$100m - US$150m 
  ¢  Extend maturity of debt profile
3.  Improve free cash flow margin
	 ¢  15% FCF margin @US$1,200/oz  
4.  Improve capital returns
	 ¢  15% return on project capital spend @ US$1,300/oz
  ¢	100% compliance to approved capital budget

4.  IMPROVE SECURITY OF UTILITIES

¢   Reduce freshwater withdrawal by 3% (or 415ML)
¢	 Increase recycling of total water use from 57% to 65%
¢	 Energy saving initiatives between 5% to 7% against the baseline set in 

January 2019 (GJ savings)

5.  IMPROVE PEOPLE CAPACITY & CULTURE

¢  5% increase in productivity against the business plan (ounce / TEC)
¢	Decrease turnover of critical roles to 5%
¢  Reduce time to fill critical roles to between 90 and 100 days
¢		Enhance and further improve leadership capability and 

subsequent assessment and development to drive ethical and 
socially responsible leadership, with a strong focus on living 
the Gold Fields values, and embracing cultural diversity 

¢   HDSA % in South Deep management > 54%
¢  Localisation in Ghana <4% expats
¢    Improve Bloomberg Gender Equality Index ranking to > 

75% and 20% women in management

¢		 Develop a baseline for measurement of the 

employment of vulnerable people across regions

OUR BUSINESS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
18

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Page heading continued

COPY TO BE SUPPLIEDSecondary page heading continuedfor the year ended 31 December 2018  Page heading continued

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

19

Our vision of being the global leader in 
sustainable gold mining requires the 
highest levels of corporate governance 
to ensure we create value for our 
stakeholders over the short, medium 
and long term. In order to ensure our 
ultimate operational and strategic 
success, as well as our sustainability, 
we remain committed to sound 
and robust corporate governance and 
responsible corporate citizenship.

Vision of the Chairperson 
Summarised governance and compliance report 
Our Board of Directors 
CEO Report 
■■ Introduction and overview 
■■ Group performance scorecard 
■■ Strategy overview 
■■ Note of thanks 

p20
p23
p24
p29
p30
p31
p38
p39

COPY TO BE SUPPLIEDSecondary page heading continuedfor the year ended 31 December 2018Leadership 20

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Vision of the Chairperson

Many of our stakeholders, particularly 
investors, still see Gold Fields as a 
South African mining company, with 
much of its fortunes inextricably 
linked to the country’s current and 
future mining landscape, as well as 
the short-term performance and 
outlook for South Deep, our sole 
remaining mine in the country. We are 
a proudly South African company 
with a history going back to 1887 
and remain deeply committed to the 
country despite the political and 
economic uncertainties currently 
besetting it. While South Deep is a 
key component of our portfolio, I 
continue to stress that Gold Fields is 
a global gold mining company with a 
portfolio of assets spread across 
three continents. 

Not only are our production and 
cash-flow already heavily weighted 
towards our mines in Australia, Peru 
and Ghana, we have increased our 
investment in these countries to 
enhance sustainability of our 
business:
■■ Our combined US$502m 

investment over the past two years 
in the Damang mine in Ghana and 
the Gruyere project in Australia is 
set to bear fruit in 2019, with the 
potential to further boost our 
production and profitability in 
these regions

■■ During 2018, we acquired a 45% 
stake in the highly prospective 
Asanko gold mine (AGM) in Ghana, 
further raising our profile in a 
jurisdiction in which we have 
operated for 25 years

■■ We expect the production of our 
portfolio in Australia, Ghana and 
Peru to approach 2Moz during 
2019. Based upon our attributable 
gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 
over 20Moz in these regions, our 
track record of resource conversion 
and exploration activity, we believe 
that our global portfolio outside of 
South Africa will be able to maintain 
a similar production level over the 
medium to longer term (at the 
current gold price) 

■■ We have successfully completed 
a feasibility study for the Salares 
Norte project in Chile and declared 
a maiden Mineral Reserve. While 
we await the outcome of the 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
(EIA), expected in early 2020, we 
have also asked management to 
develop a funding plan for the 
project

■■ We have extended the life of our 

Cerro Corona mine in Peru to 2030 
and are working on a scoping 
study with the aim of extending it 
further to 2040

■■ Our substantial investments in 
near-mine exploration at our 
Australian mines continued to yield 
good results, with the mines not 
only making up annual depletion 
but adding net Mineral Reserves 
over the past four years

■■ Until two years ago, just over 70% 

of our Reserves were held by 
South Deep. That profile has 
changed: at end 2018, 59% of 
the Group’s attributable Mineral 
Reserves were at the mine

I believe that these developments 
clearly underscore Gold Fields’ strong 
and sustainable global profile. 

Turning to South Deep, I fully 
appreciate the frustration experienced 
by our shareholders over the past few 
years. We failed to deliver the rebase 
plan in 2018, as it became evident 
that South Deep would not achieve 
the targets set out in the plan and 
continued to experience cash losses 
that averaged R100m (US$8m) a 
month. 

With the full backing of the Board, the 
mine embarked on a fundamental 
restructuring in Q3 2018, which saw 
management close loss-making 
areas, reduce the cost base and 
embark on a section 189 
retrenchment process. Unfortunately, 
this meant that we had to retrench 
just over 1,500 employees and 
contractors, despite the strong 
opposition by the unions, which led 

to a 45-day strike. We could not yield 
to the demands of the unions to 
reverse the retrenchments, as this 
would have put the sustainability of 
South Deep, and the remaining 
3,500 jobs, at risk.  

I believe that the restructuring, the 
most comprehensive in South Deep’s 
history, will achieve a significant 
reduction in the cash losses this year 
and set the mine up for long-term 
and sustainable growth. However, 
the Board has also mandated 
management to investigate 
alternative options should it fail to 
deliver its key targets over the next 
year.

Gold Fields’ mines performed well 
against a background of a volatile 
gold price and heavy investment in 
growth projects during 2018. All 
mines, except South Deep, met, or 
improved on, their production and 
cost guidance and generated 
sufficient cash to fund the bulk of the 
investment spend and pay a modest 
dividend to shareholders. We had to 
increase our debt to pay for the 
acquisition of Asanko Gold but, 
notwithstanding this, our balance 
sheet remained in good health.

Not only has the cash generated by 
our mines enabled us to invest in 
future growth, but also to create 
significant value for our key 
stakeholders. During 2018, Gold 
Fields’ total value distribution to our 
stakeholders was US$2.7bn in the 
form of payments to governments, 
capital providers, business suppliers 
and our workforce. 

A particular focus in 2018 was 
strengthening our relations with host 
communities, whose partnership is 
critical in sustaining our mines. We 
have asked management to focus on 
host community employment and 
procurement, to improve the 
economic wellbeing of these 
communities. During 2018, almost a 
quarter of our total value creation, 

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

21

Stakeholder engagement remains 
a critical issue for the Board.  
As a foundation, we want to 
develop honest, mutually 
beneficial win-win  
partnerships with these 
stakeholders and, by and large, 
have found ways to achieve this. 
In return though, we would 
expect governments and trade 
unions, in particular, to work with 
us to ensure that our mines can 
continue to operate sustainably.

Cheryl Carolus
Chairperson

LEADERSHIP 22

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Vision of the Chairperson continued

almost US$700m, remained in our 
host communities through focused 
job creation and procurement. 

Stakeholder engagement and 
relations remain a critical issue for the 
Board. As a foundation, we want to 
develop honest, mutually beneficial 
partnerships with these stakeholders 
and, by and large, have found ways 
to achieve this. In return though, we 
would expect governments and trade 
unions, in particular, to work with us 
to ensure that our mines can 
continue to operate sustainably. 

During 2018, the major trade unions 
at our Ghanaian and South African 
operations resisted the restructurings 
we believed were essential to ensure 
the longevity and profitability of our 
Tarkwa and South Deep mines. 
While we eventually implemented 
contractor mining at Tarkwa and 
retrenchments at South Deep, we 
need to re-establish common ground 
with our union partners. 

Resource nationalism is growing in 
many major mining jurisdictions. This 
presents a significant challenge for 
Gold Fields as we seek to expand 
our operations in some of these 
jurisdictions. In South Africa, a new 
Mining Charter was finally agreed 
in mid-2018. It is a significant 
improvement on previous iterations. 
There are, however, critical areas with 
which Gold Fields and the industry 
has deep concerns, namely that the 
Charter does not fully recognise the 
black economic empowerment (BEE) 
ownership credentials of previous 
BEE transactions. This is the case in 
respect of mining right renewals and 
transfers of these rights. To be frank, 
this is a non-negotiable for the mining 
sector and will require more 
engagement between the Minerals 
Council of South Africa and the 
Department of Mineral Resources 
(DMR). The 2018 Charter will also 

require significant investment in 
employment equity, procurement and 
enterprise development, and human 
resource development. 

The mining regimes in Peru, Ghana 
and Australia remain largely stable. 
Overall though, we would welcome 
a more proactive approach by 
governments, such as the one 
adopted by the Ghanaian 
government – which has entered into 
development agreements (DAs) with 
large mining companies that actively 
encourage investments.

Most importantly, the Board shares 
management’s commitment to 
eliminate all fatalities and serious 
injuries. It is therefore a major 
disappointment that we experienced 
a fatality during 2018. I want to 
express my sincerest condolences to 
the family, friends and colleagues of 
Ananias Mosololi, a load haul dump 
truck operator at South Deep. 

Gold Fields continues to show 
significant progress in improving our 
safety performance and management 
practices. During 2018, the fatality 
rate, the benchmark total recordable 
injury frequency rate (TRIFR) and the 
total number of recordable injuries 
continued their overall improvements 
of the past few years. At 1.83 
incidents per million hours worked, 
the Gold Fields 2018 TRIFR has 
improved by 55% since 2014.

On the health front, the Occupational 
Lung Disease Working Group, 
representing the majority of gold 
mining companies in South Africa, 
including Gold Fields, reached a 
historic settlement with attorneys 
representing ex-mineworkers 
suffering from silicosis and 
tuberculosis (TB). The settlement, 
once approved by the courts, is set 
to see R5bn (US$380m) dedicated 
to compensating ex-mine workers.

Appreciation
As directors of this Company, one of 
our key responsibilities is to ensure 
that the global corporate governance 
programmes at Gold Fields are in line 
with the ever-changing and more 
stringent standards expected from 
multinational companies. I take 
enormous comfort in the fact that our 
Board of Directors comprises a team 
of dedicated and able men and 
women whose experience, 
knowledge and commitment makes 
my task as Chairperson so much 
easier.

The composition of this team was 
strengthened during 2018 with the 
addition of Phuti Mahanyele-
Dabengwa to the Board. Phuti took 
over from Don Ncube, who was on 
Gold Fields’ Board for over 11 years. 
Don left a considerable mark at Gold 
Fields in terms of the transformation 
of the Company, improved 
relationships with our host 
communities and, most recently, as 
Chairperson of the Social, Ethics and 
Transformation (SET) Committee. His 
experience, counsel, humour and 
friendship will be missed.

Gold Fields had to contend with 
difficult economic and operational 
circumstances during 2018. The 
continued operational, financial and 
sustainability progress made by the 
Company in these conditions is a 
credit to the hard work and 
dedication of its employees, led by 
CEO Nick Holland and his executive 
management team. On behalf of the 
Board, I would like to express my 
gratitude to Nick and his team around 
the globe and wish them strength for 
their endeavours in the year ahead.

Cheryl Carolus
Chairperson

  Summarised corporate governance

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

23

Corporate governance overview
Strong leadership and good governance support the achievement of our vision to be the global leader in sustainable gold 
mining. By protecting and enhancing our reputation and licence to operate, and ensuring compliance with legislation and 
industry standards, good governance ensures we continue to enjoy the support of stakeholders and allows us to deliver 
sustained value. The long-term, capital-intensive nature of our mining operations, as well as the often challenging social 
and political contexts in which we operate, make it even more important that we leverage good governance to ensure the 
long-term sustainability of our business. 

In addition to the international standards and guidelines to which we voluntarily subscribe (outlined on p3 of the Annual 
Financial Report (AFR)), we are committed to entrenching the principles of the King IV Report on Corporate Governance 
(King IV) in our operations. The application of King IV within the Company can be found in the full corporate governance 
report on p15 – 16 of the AFR.

KEY DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARD

Strategic area

Board deliberations

Strategic goals supported by Board deliberations

SAFE OPERATIONAL 
DELIVERY

MANAGE BALANCE  
SHEET AND MAXIMISE  
CAPITAL RETURNS

PORTFOLIO 
MANAGEMENT

PROTECT LICENCE 
TO OPERATE AND 
ENHANCE REPUTATION

■■ Review of Gold Fields’ operational 

plans and strategies 

■■ Deliberation on South Deep’s 
performance and approval of 
restructuring

■   Meet guidance by following mine plan which 
aligns with strategic plan
■  Safely deliver strategic projects 

■■ Approval of additional oil price and 

gold production hedges
■■ Approval of debt refinancing 

and extension of debt  
maturity

■  Manage balance sheet and maximise returns 
■  Maintain healthy net debt:adjusted EBITDA ratio

■■ Completion of acquisition of 45% of 

Asanko gold mine (AGM)
■■ Deliberation and approval of 

Gruyere project scope and budget 
changes

■■ Overseeing the implementation 
of Tarkwa contractor mining

■  Improve the quality of our portfolio
■   Reduce Group life-of-mine All-in Costs (AIC)/oz 
and increase Reserve life per region through 
organic growth, brownfields exploration and 

optimisation of existing mines

■   Deliver life extension, cost reduction, revenue 
enhancement and improved health and safety 
through innovation and technology and business 
improvement initiatives 

■■ Recomposition of a number of Board 

committees

■■ Deliberation on increases in host 
community employment and 
procurement targets

■■ Approved the following policy 
statements: Stakeholder 
Relationship and Engagement, 
Environmental, Occupational 
Health and Safety

■■ Approved implementation and 
alignment to International 
Council on Mining & Metals 
(ICMM) tailings and water 
position statements

■   Deliver and manage a robust and transparent 

Group governance and compliance programme 

■   Drive Shared Value creation with impacted 

communities

■   Align management practices with ICMM tailings 

and water position statements      

LEADERSHIP 24

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Our Board of Directors

During 2018, we had Board and Board committee 
attendance of 93%, which is reflective of our high  
levels of commitment and engagement. For our full 
Board and Board committee attendance during  
the year, as well as detailed curricula  
vitae (CVs) of our directors, see the  
full Corporate governance section  
in the Annual Financial Report.

3

5

1

6

8

2

4

7

9

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

25

1.  Cheryl Carolus (60)

Chairperson
 BA Law; Bachelor of Education, University 
of the Western Cape; Honorary Doctorate 
in Law, University of Cape Town
Appointed to the Board: 
Director 2009, Chairperson 2013

2.  Richard Menell (63)
Deputy Chairperson
 MA (Natural Sciences Geology), 
Cambridge; MSc (Mineral Exploration 
and Management), Stanford University, 
California
Appointed to the Board: 
 2008, Deputy Chairperson 2015, Lead 
Independent Director 2017
3.  Terence Goodlace (59)
 Independent non-executive 
director
 MBA (Business Administration), University 
of Wales; BCom, University of South 
Africa; NHDip (Metalliferous Mining), 
Witwatersrand Technikon; MDP, University 
of Cape Town
Appointed to the Board: 
2016

4.   Phuti Mahanyele-
  Dabengwa (48)

 Independent non-executive 
director
 Executive Development Programme, 
Kennedy School of Government, 
Harvard University, US; MA Business 
Administration, De Montford University, 
Leicester, UK; BA Economics, The State 
University of New Jersey, US
Appointed to the Board:  
2018

5.  Paul Schmidt (51)
Chief Finance Officer
 BCom; University of the Witwatersrand; 
BCompt (Hons), University of South Africa; 
CA(SA)
Appointed to the Board: 
2009

6.  Carmen Letton (53)

 Independent non-executive 
director
 PhD (Mineral Economics, University of 
Queensland; Bachelor Mining Engineering, 
WASM
Appointed to the Board: 
2017

7.  Steven Reid (63)

 Independent non-executive 
director
 BSc (Mineral Engineering), South Australian 
Institute of Technology; MBA, Trium Global 
Executive, ICD.D, Institute of Corporate 
Directors
Appointed to the Board: 
2016

8.  Alhassan Andani (57)

 Independent non-executive 
director
 BSc (Agriculture), University of Ghana; 
MA (Banking and Finance), Finafrica 
Institute in Italy
Appointed to the Board: 
2016

9.  Peter Bacchus (50)

 Independent non-executive 
director
MA (Economics), Cambridge University
Appointed to the Board: 
2016

10. Nick Holland (60)

Chief Executive Officer
 BCom; BAcc, University of the 
Witwatersrand; CA(SA)
Appointed to the Board: 
Executive director, 1998 
CEO, 2008

11. Yunus Suleman (61)

 Independent non-executive 
director
 BCom, University of KwaZulu-Natal; 
BCompt (Hons), University of South Africa; 
CA(SA)
Appointed to the Board: 
2016

10

11

Board diversity

Board independence

Board tenure

19%

19%

36%

9%

19%

54%

81%

19%

55%

■ White male
■ Black male
■ White female
■ Black female

Experience

■ Independent non-executive directors
■ Executive directors

■ 0 to 2 years
■ 3 to 8 years
■ >9 years

Development (social, infrastructure and training)

2

Management (including risk management)

Auditing, financial accounting

1

Finance, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, commercial, capital projects

Governance and compliance, corporate strategy

3

Mining and geology

7

6

6

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Nationalities:

x 6

x 2

x 1

x 2

LEADERSHIP  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Governance

THE BOARD AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES (as at March 2019)

The Board of Directors
Meets four times per year

Chairperson: 
Cheryl Carolus

Audit Committee
Meets six times per year

Chairperson: 
Yunus Suleman

Remuneration Committee
Meets four times per year

Chairperson: 
Steven Reid

As the highest governing authority of the Group, 
the Board offers guidance and oversight that 
allows the Company to achieve its strategic 
objectives and deliver maximum value for 
stakeholders. It comprises a diverse group 
of competent and appropriately skilled and 
experienced individuals who seek to govern with 
integrity, responsibility, accountability, fairness and 
transparency. This informs the manner in which 
it leads to set the ethical tone of the Company. 
It delegates to management the responsibility 
of the implementation of and adherence to the 
Gold Fields Code of Conduct and the Company’s 
values, and monitors how a culture of ethics is 
being managed.

Members: Rick Menell, Alhassan Andani, 
Peter Bacchus

The Audit Committee oversees the integrity 
and transparency of Gold Fields’ corporate 
reporting, and considers risks that may affect 
the integrity of external reports.

Members: Cheryl Carolus, Alhassan Andani, 
Rick Menell, Peter Bacchus

The Remuneration Committee assists the 
Board in confirming that remuneration 
throughout the Group is fair and equitable 
and that the remuneration of executive 
management, in particular, is directly linked 
to Gold Fields’ performance against strategic 
objectives. This protects the interests of 
stakeholders by incentivising management 
to deliver value. 

Social, Ethics and Transformation 
Committee
Meets four times per year

Capital Projects, Control and  
Review Committee
Meets four times per year

Safety, Health and Sustainable 
Development Committee
Meets four times per year

Chairperson: 
Carmen Letton

Chairperson: 
Rick Menell

Chairperson: 
Terence  
Goodlace

Members: Cheryl Carolus, Rick Menell, 
Alhassan Andani, Nick Holland, Phuti 
Mahanyele-Dabengwa

This committee guides corporate behaviour 
and holds the Company accountable for 
conducting business ethically in line with the 
principles of good corporate citizenship. With 
a central focus on how the business interacts 
with communities and employees, it helps the 
business to retain its social licence to operate – 
a critical component of long-term sustainability.

Members: Peter Bacchus, Terence Goodlace, 
Yunus Suleman, Steven Reid, Cheryl Carolus, 
Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa, Carmen Letton

This committee considers new capital projects 
and satisfies the Board that the Group has 
used correct, efficient methodologies in 
evaluating and implementing such projects.

Members: Cheryl Carolus, Rick Menell, Steven 
Reid, Carmen Letton, Phuti Mahanyele-
Dabengwa

The SHSD Committee seeks to ensure that 
Gold Fields complies with relevant laws, 
regulations and external standards to ensure 
optimal safety, health and environmental 
practices, contributing to the Group’s 
reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. 

Risk Committee
Meets twice per year

Chairperson: 
Peter Bacchus

Nominating and Governance Committee
Meets four times per year

Ad-hoc Investment Committee

Chairperson: 
Cheryl Carolus

Chairperson: 
Peter Bacchus

Members: Terence Goodlace, Carmen Letton, 
Yunus Suleman

The Risk Committee assists the Board in 
developing improved risk management 
approaches, ensuring consistent value creation 
for our stakeholders in an ever-changing risk 
environment.

Members: Steven Reid, Rick Menell,  
Yunus Suleman

This committee plays a leadership role in 
the structure and operation of Gold Fields’ 
Board, and guides the Company’s corporate 
governance – ensuring an ethical and value-
driven culture.

Members: Alhassan Andani, Yunus Suleman, 
Steven Reid, Cheryl Carolus, Rick Menell

This committee makes recommendations to 
the Board on strategic restructuring options 
for the Group, as and when required.

Our Group Executive Committee (Exco)

The Group Exco is primarily responsible for the implementation of Gold Fields’ strategy, as well as carrying out the Board’s mandate and directives. 
Exco meets on a regular basis to review Company performance against set objectives and develops strategy and policy proposals for consideration by the Board. It also 
assists the Board in the execution of the Company’s disclosure obligations. 
Exco consists of the principal officers and executive directors of Gold Fields – 12 members in total. The Exco members are profiled at 
www.goldfields.com/our-leadership.php.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

27

BOARD OVERSIGHT OF KEY ISSUES PERTAINING TO OUR BUSINESS

Building an ethical culture
As the highest governing authority of the Group, the Board 
is responsible for upholding an ethos of good governance 
and sustainability. It sets the tone for a culture of ethics that 
permeates throughout the Company. This underpins Gold 
Fields’ commitment to going beyond compliance 
requirements, and voluntarily embracing best practice 
standards and principles. 

1

The Board also seeks to ensure that business decisions are 
made with reasonable care, skill and diligence. This protects 
and enhances the Company’s reputation and helps to 
maintain its licence to operate – a fundamental foundation 
of sustainability. 

4

Creating a safe working environment
Our Board’s commitment to safety and health as our key 
priority reflects the imperative of minimising any potential 
negative impact on our employees and contractors, 
maintaining operational continuity and protecting our 
reputation. The Board, together with management, drives a 
stringent safety culture. In upholding our primary value, ”If we 
cannot mine safely, we will not mine”, the Board also backs 
management in stopping mining in areas or situations that 
are deemed unsafe. 

In discharging its oversight responsibilities with regard to 
safety, the Board is assisted by the SHSD Committee, which 
receives detailed quarterly reporting on all safety issues and 
incidents. The Board also oversees Gold Fields’ adherence 
to safety, health and environmental standards and 
compliance requirements, and has approved the Company’s 
adoption of various voluntary best practice safety principles.

Setting fair remuneration
In determining remuneration principles, the Board is guided by  
the principles of King IV. The remuneration policy (outlined on p79) 
includes detailed and specific disclosures on implementation. Gold 
Fields provides stakeholders with transparent reporting of the 
remuneration of the CEO and CFO. The Board seeks to ensure that 
remuneration of executives is fair, equitable and responsible, and 
informed by the value added by the Exco through the achievement 
of strategic objectives. 

2

Through the Remuneration Committee, the Board ensures that 
remuneration practices align with shareholder interests and support 
the achievement of a sustainable business by:
■■ Helping to attract, motivate, retain and reward employees
■■ Driving the achievement of strategic objectives through 

appropriate incentives and rewards 

■■ Promoting a culture of ethics and responsible corporate 

citizenship

3

Stakeholder relationships and engagement
Gold Fields understands that stakeholders are an integral part  
of our business, representing a wide range of interests that both 
influence and are impacted by our operations. The Board, through 
the adoption of the Stakeholder Relationship and Engagement 
Policy, seeks to ensure that the Company follows a stakeholder 
engagement approach that allows for participative and informed 
decision making. By overseeing transparent reporting, it allows 
stakeholder groups to make an informed assessment of Gold 
Fields’ ability to deliver sustainable value.

As stakeholder concerns have become increasingly important 
to Gold Fields’ sustainability, the Board has driven an evolution 
from simple stakeholder management to inclusive stakeholder 
engagement and relationship building. This approach balances the 
interests, needs and expectations of our stakeholder with the best 
interests of Gold Fields.

6

Environmental stewardship 
and impact on communities
The Board seeks to ensure that Gold 
Fields conducts business in a way that 
aligns with good corporate citizenship, 
and that we continually assess and 
respond to any negative impacts our 
operations may have on communities 
and the environment. The importance 
of these issues informed the Board’s 
establishment of a dedicated SET 
Committee in 2015. The committee 
focuses on, among others, our impact 
on communities, while the SHSD 
Committee deals with, inter alia, issues 
of environmental stewardship. For 
more information on our environmental 
stewardship and how we interact with 
communities, refer to p95 – 124.

7

Regulatory environment
We seek to comply with all relevant 
laws and regulations, as well as 
the highest levels of corporate 
governance, and often our 
governance practices exceed the 
legal minimum. As such, corporate 
governance systems and frameworks 
at Gold Fields are reviewed constantly 
to align with the ever-changing and 
increasingly stringent standards that 
are being rolled out by regulators.

Strategy to deliver long-term value and sustainability
The Board is independent and delegates responsibility for the development and 
implementation of the strategy to the Group Exco. However, the Board nevertheless has 
a deep understanding of and approves the strategic goals and direction of the Company. 
When reviewing the strategy, it considers the business’ risks and opportunities and how 
these might impact the achievement of objectives. In so doing it aims to ensure that the 
strategy drives a sustainable business agenda and considers the interests of 
stakeholders. 

5

Exco presents the Company strategy, business plans and risk register to the Board on 
an annual basis for input and approval. The Board also agrees performance targets with 
management. The CEO provides the Board with monthly reports on, among others, 
performance against strategic and operational targets. This input allows the Board to 
effectively monitor the implementation of strategy. 

Board members perform onsite visits to our operations and projects, and on occasion 
interact with individual executives on strategic and operational performance.

Innovation and Technology (I&T)
Gold Fields recognises the importance of implementing I&T to secure the  
sustainability of our operations. Doing so is expected to deliver higher production,  
greater efficiencies, improved safety and a decrease in the potential negative impact  
on the environment and communities. In line with the requirements of King IV, the Board 
has approved an I&T strategy that is set to further the achievement of Gold Fields’  
Group strategy. 

8

LEADERSHIP 28

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Summarised corporate governance

Ensuring we do business ethically

THE STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS USED TO DRIVE ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICE 

Our business is built on the foundation of ethics, which informs a culture of integrity and transparent reporting to our stakeholders. 
This foundation assists us in ensuring that we build trust, strengthen our reputation and create value for all our stakeholders. The 
Board and its committees set the ethical tone for the business. We use various mechanisms to confirm ethical behaviour, 
compliance and good governance in the business:

1

Legal and 
compliance

2

Audit and  
risk

3

Commitment to 
best practice

Assesses the legal risks facing 
the Company and mitigates these 
by enacting effective policies, 
procedures and controls.

During 2018, we:
■   Enhanced the regulatory risk profile 
process to incorporate the review 
and assessment of all applicable 
and adopted, non-binding rules, 
codes and standards (RCS) per 
country

■   Developed an online regulatory and 
RCS risk dashboard for the Group
■   Recorded an Annual Compliance 
Index per region and for the Group

■   Confirmed alignment with the 

Internal Audit Plan 

■   Screened 100% of all new and 

existing suppliers and contractors 
for a range of pre-defined risk 
categories, including human rights 
and related violations

The Risk Committee reports our 
key business risks to the Board on 
a biannual basis. The Board aims 
for effective controls and corrective 
measures are in place to manage and 
mitigate these risks. Furthermore, the 
Audit Committee seeks to ensure the 
integrity, accuracy, and adequacy of 
accounting records.

Internal Audit assesses that the 
internal controls in place are working to 
mitigate potential risks. This takes place 
in all regions on a quarterly basis and 
operations are given an audit ranking. 
Corrective measures are put in place 
where necessary. 

External Audit provides the 
integrity, accuracy and adequacy of 
accounting records and corporate 
reporting. During 2018 we contracted 
PricewaterhouseCoopers as our new 
auditors from 2019 onwards, following 
our standard tender process. KPMG 
had been our auditors since 2010.

For more information on our Risk 
and Audit committees, refer to the 
full Governance Report in the Annual 
Financial Report.

We support the development of an ethical 
and impactful industry, one that goes 
beyond a compliance-based approach. 
Gold Fields is aligned to both international 
and local best practices, which underpin 
our commitment to responsible corporate 
citizenship. We are committed to and 
guided by:
■   The legislation and regulations of the 

countries in which we operate 

■   The requirements of the stock exchanges 

on which we are listed 

■   The United Nations (UN) Guiding 

Principles on Business and Human Rights 

■   The ICMM 10 Principles on Sustainable 

Development 

■   The 10 Principles of the UN Global 

Compact 

■   King IV 
■   UN Convention Against Corruption 
■   OECD Convention on Combating Bribery 
■   Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative
■   World Gold Council – Conflict Free Gold 

Standard

■   Voluntary Principles on Security and 

Human Rights

During 2018, we also committed to the 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). 

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct is informed by the Gold Fields values and underpins the way we conduct ourselves, from our 
operations to our Board. It also extends to our supply chain business partners. The Code of Conduct was updated in 2017 
and distributed to all existing employees, while all new employees receive it during their onboarding. As at end 2018, 66% of 
our people had undergone training on the Code of Conduct. An anonymous Tip-Offs hotline is permanently in operation, and 
the Company takes a zero tolerance approach to intimidation and victimisation of those who report incidents.

4

Key principles of our Code of Conduct: 
■   Emphasis on ethical leadership within the organisation in addition to ethical management
■   Protection of employee and third-party whistle-blowers, promoting an environment for reporting of Code of Conduct 

transgressions

■   Safeguarding the business against potential reputational harm and litigation
■   Transparent and ethical dealings with government and suppliers
■   Protection of company information
■   Accurate and transparent reporting
■   Safeguarding against insider trading

  CEO Report

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

29

2018 marked the second year 
of the reinvestment programme 
embarked on by Gold Fields 
at the end of 2016. The key 
motivation behind the 
investment focus is to ensure 
that our portfolio of mines 
continues to generate 
cash sustainably into 
the foreseeable future, while 
at the same time lowering our 
costs and extending mine life. 

Nick Holland 
CEO

LEADERSHIP 30

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

CEO Report continued

Introduction and overview

Dear stakeholders
2018 marked the second year of the 
reinvestment programme embarked 
on by Gold Fields at the end of 2016. 
The key motivation behind the 
investment focus is to ensure that 
our portfolio of mines continues to 
generate cash sustainably into the 
foreseeable future, while at the same 
time lowering our costs and 
extending mine life. 

Having spent total project capital of 
US$502m over the past two years, 
primarily on Damang and Gruyere, 
Gold Fields is now well placed to 
maintain a production profile of near 
to 2Moz a year at our international 
operations in Australia, Ghana and 
the Americas over the medium to 
long term. This is based on current 
gold price levels, our attributable gold 
Mineral Reserves of 20Moz in these 
regions as well as our track record of 
Resource conversion and exploration 
activities. 

The 2Moz milestone is expected to 
be reached for the first time in 2019 
as Damang and Gruyere are set to 
come into production and our 
Asanko joint venture (JV) in Ghana 
contributes for the full year. The 
longer-term future of this portfolio 
also looks positive as we continue to 
invest in near-mine exploration at our 
Australian mines, while the Board has 
approved a maiden Mineral Reserve 
and the technical components of the 
feasibility study for the Salares Norte 
project in Chile.

The globalisation of our portfolio has 
also been evident in a gradual shift in 
our Mineral Reserve exposure. Until 
two years ago, just over 70% of our 
Reserves were held by South Deep. 
That profile has changed: of our total 
gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves 
of 50.9Moz in December 2018 
(December 2017: 53.1Moz), 41% 
are now outside South Africa. 

One of the key benefits of the 
reinvestment programme over the 
past two years is the expected 
reduction in Group All-in Costs (AIC) 
to approximately US$900/oz, a level 
which we feel is required to be 
competitive on a global scale. As the 
quality of the portfolio improves and 
our cost profile starts to decline, we 
expect an improved free cash-flow 
(FCF) margin. For 2019, therefore, we 
have adjusted our target to a FCF 

margin of 15% at a gold price of 
US$1,200/oz (previously 
US$$1,300/oz). 

Not only did our international portfolio 
of mines exceed its production 
targets in 2018, but it also 
outperformed cost guidance. 
However, as South Deep, our only 
remaining South African operation, 
was well below target, Group 
attributable production of 2.04Moz 
for the year was below our original 
guidance of 2.08 – 2.10Moz, as well 
as 2017 production of 2.16Moz. 
Group AIC of US$1,173/oz were 
below the guided US$1,190/oz – 
US$1,210/oz, but slightly higher than 
the US$1,088/oz reported in 2017, 
due to the continued investment in 
our growth projects. 

The strong operational performances 
of our operations in Ghana, Peru and 
Australia resulted in net cash flows of 
US$332m, and enabled us to fund 
our US$290m total project capital 
expenditure in 2018 (excluding 
Asanko), without putting undue 
pressure on our balance sheet. 
Despite the increased spending, 
as anticipated, we declared a total 
dividend for 2018 of R0.40/share. 
Planned project and sustaining 
capital for 2019 is scheduled to 
decline to US$633m, of which 
US$143m is growth capital.

At South Deep, annual production in 
2018 at 157,100oz was half the 
originally guided 321,000oz. 
Production in the second half of the 
year was impacted by the tragic fatal 
accident as well as a wide ranging 
restructuring, including the 
retrenchment of over 1,500 
employees and contractors, and 
a subsequent six-week strike by 
the majority National Union of 
Mineworkers (NUM). However, 
I believe that in the wake of the 
restructuring, which has seen our 
employee workforce at the mine fall 
by about 30% to just under 2,500 
and the number of contractors 
decrease from 2,294 to 1,725, we 
are in a position to significantly 
reduce South Deep’s pre-
restructuring (H1 2018) cash-burn 
of about R100m (US$8m) a month. 

During 2018, we recorded one fatality 
(three in 2017), which served as a 
tragic reminder that we have lots 
more work to do to eliminate all 

fatalities and serious injuries to realise 
our goal of zero harm. We did 
however see a continued 
improvement in our health and safety 
performance amid renewed efforts to 
entrench a committed safety culture 
and standards. Gold Fields’ total 
recordable injury frequency rate 
(TRIFR) fell below two recordable 
injuries per million hours worked for 
the first time, a continuation of our 
long-term downward trend and 
our best safety performance ever.

Mining is an industry that has 
significant impacts on the countries 
and communities in which it 
operates. This requires continued 
proactive stakeholder engagement 
strategies and sustainable 
development policies. 

Host communities, in particular, are 
critical stakeholders for our mines. 
During 2018, we continued investing 
significant resources in community 
programmes, including increasing the 
share of jobs and procurement spend 
allocated to host communities. We 
are showing good results with around 
25% of our total value creation of 
US$2.7bn during 2018 channelled 
into host communities. 

The judicious use of water and 
energy resources by our mines and 
proactive mine closure programmes 
are other critical elements of our 
sustainable development 
programmes, not only as part of 
our commitment to operational 
efficiencies and environmental 
stewardship, but also as part of 
strengthening our social licence to 
operate. 

We are also committed, in 
collaboration with our peers in the 
ICMM, to a renewed focus on the 
governance and technical 
management of our tailings storage 
facilities (TSFs) following the collapse 
of a TSF at Vale’s Feijão iron ore mine 
in Brumadinho, Brazil, in January 
2019, during which there were over 
300 deaths. 

The Gold Fields share price took 
a hit when we announced the 
restructuring of South Deep in August 
2018. While it has gradually 
recovered since then, overall in 2018 
our share price decreased by 18% on 
the New York Stock Exchange and 
9% on the JSE.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

31

Group performance scorecard

Performance highlights (Group)

Fatalities
TRIFR
Attributable production
All-in Sustaining Costs (AISC)3
AIC3
Net cash-flow1,3 
Free cash-flow (FCF) margin3
Net debt3
Dividend declared
Total value distribution
Energy usage2 
Water withdrawal5
CO2 emissions
Host community procurement (% of total)6
Host community employment (% of total)7
Gross mine closure liabilities

Number
/million hours worked
Moz
US$/oz
US$/oz
US$m
%
US$bn
R/share
US$bn
TJ
Mℓ
million tonnes
%
%
US$m

2018
1
1.83
2.04
981
1,173
(132)
16
1,612
0.40
2.711
11,628
21,179
1.85
27
56
400

20174
3
2.42
2.16
955
1,088
(2)
16
1,303
0.90
2.849
12,178
32,985
1.96
45
40
381

1  Net cash-flow = cash-flow from operating activities less net capital expenditure, environmental payments and finance lease payments
2  The sum of direct and indirect energy consumption reflects a conversion factor used by Granny Smith, Tarkwa and Damang power stations to 

account for generation losses

3  These non-IFRS measures have been defined in management’s discussion and analysis in the Annual Financial Report and have been reconciled to 

IFRS

4  2017 numbers include continued and discontinued operations
5  Large difference in numbers due to change of definition of water withdrawal to exclude diverted water
6  The % decline is due to a change in the definition of host communities by our Australian operations to only include communities in their area of 

influence (previously Perth was included in the definition due to the FIFO nature of our mines)

7  South Deep’s host community definition was changed in 2018 to align with the 2016 municipal boundary change which amalgamated the 

Westonaria and Randfontein municipalities. It now includes all individuals who reside in the Rand West City Local Municipality. This number also 
excludes the Perth office and Gruyere project

Each year, Gold Fields adopts a 
Group performance scorecard that 
incorporates the Company’s strategic 
priorities and seeks to instil the right 
culture and behaviours among our 
workforce, driven by the imperatives 
of safety, cash generation and 
sustainably growing the business.

By integrating all of the key value 
drivers into the business, the 
scorecard also aims to enhance the 
Group’s sustainability and reflects the 
integrated nature of our business. 
The scorecard consists of four key 
performance areas and elements 
against which we measure our 
performance, which are discussed 
in detail in the IAR:
1. Safe operational delivery – how 

we make money (p56)

2. Portfolio management – what 
we choose to invest in (p40) 
3. Capital discipline – how we 

spend money (p84)

4. Licence and reputation – how 
we conduct ourselves (p92) 

My performance as CEO against my 
scorecard objectives is shown on 
p16. This Integrated Annual Report 
(IAR) is structured along the lines of 
our 2018 scorecard and an overview 
of each performance area follows.

Safe operational delivery
Safety and health
Safety is management’s first priority 
and it is critical that we continuously 
emphasise our commitment to zero 
harm. Therefore, the fact that we still 
had one fatality at our mines during 
2018, compared with three in 2017, 
is a setback. Our heartfelt 
condolences go out to the family, 
friends and colleagues of Ananias 
Mosololi, a load haul dump operator 
at South Deep, who died after an 
underground accident on 12 October 
2018. In a non-mining-related 
accident, a member of the 
Community Security Task Force, 
Francis Yeboah, drowned in a 
settling pond at our Tarkwa mine 
in Ghana. We are deeply saddened 
by his loss and extend our 
condolences to his family.

Our overall safety performance 
improved during 2018, with the 
TRIFR declining to 1.83 incidents 
per million hours worked from 
2.42 in 2017, as the total number 
of recordable injuries reduced to 
99 from 138 in 2017. This is a 
continuation of a longer-term trend. 
As recently as 2014, our TRIFR was 
4.04 and we reported 200 recordable 
injuries.

Working towards eliminating all 
fatalities and serious injuries remains 
a priority for our management teams 
at the operations, which have 
ultimate responsibility for health and 
safety issues. The Group Safety 
Leadership Forum, formed in 2017,  
is overseeing the development of a 
Group-wide safety strategy that will 
further improve our safety 
performance. It has identified three 
pillars to underpin our safety efforts 
- systems and processes, safety 
leadership, and safe behaviour - to 
complement the many good safety 
initiatives already in place. To further 

LEADERSHIP 32

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

CEO Report continued

Group performance scorecard continued

entrench safe behaviour, we have 
also implemented greater recognition 
for safety in performance scorecards 
of all employees by adding a number 
of leading indicators to the current 
lagging indicators.

On the health front, the Occupational 
Lung Disease Working Group, 
representing most gold mining 
companies in South Africa, including 
Gold Fields, reached an historic 
settlement with attorneys 
representing ex-mine workers 
suffering from silicosis and TB. The 
settlement still needs to be approved 
by South Africa’s courts. Once it is 
approved a trust will be set up, 
funded by R5bn (US$390m) from 
the gold mining companies, and the 
process of compensating ex-mine 
workers can finally begin. Gold Fields 
has provided R368m (US$25m) for its 
share of the settlement.

Business and financial 
performance
2018 was the second year of our 
reinvestment programme that seeks 
to improve the quality of our portfolio 
and sustain the current production 
base for the next decade. The 
significant capital expenditure 
requirements that accompany this 
programme inevitably resulted in 
higher Group AIC and reduced net 
cash-flow during both 2017 and 
2018. As such, we guided the market 
at the beginning of 2018 on higher 
costs and marginally lower 
production. 

Group attributable production of 
2.04Moz for the year was 2% below 
our originally guided 2.08 – 2.10Moz. 
All the international mines exceeded 
their production guidance. South 
Deep’s production at 157,100oz was 
well below guidance.

Despite the significant capital 
expenditure programme during 2018, 
stringent cost management across 
the Group resulted in a good 
cost performance with AIC of 
US$1,173/oz and AISC of 
US$981/oz in 2018, below guidance 

As part of the restructuring, South 
Deep closed mining activities in 
loss-making areas of the mine and 
reduced operational and support staff 
commensurately. Development 
activities in the new mine areas were 
also suspended. Both registered 
trade unions were served with 
section 189 notices in terms of South 
Africa’s Labour Relations Act and, 
after the legislated consultation 
period ended, the retrenchment of 
1,092 employees and 420 
contractors were implemented. This 
leaves the staff complement 
approximately 30% lower than it was 
before the retrenchments.

The NUM commenced strike action 
on 2 November 2018 to protest the 
retrenchments, which continued until 
18 December 2018. Amid violence 
and intimidation, non-striking 
employees were prevented from 
accessing the mine and, 
subsequently, no production was 
possible for November and 
December 2018.

for the year of US$1,190/oz – 
US$1,210/oz and US$990/oz – 
US$1,010/oz respectively.

Total capital expenditure during 2018 
was US$814m, just lower than the 
US$834m spent in 2017. The Group 
reported net cash-outflow of 
US$132m (2017: US$2m cash-
outflow) and a FCF margin (which 
excludes capital spend on growth 
projects) of 16% (2017: 16%). The 
gold price received by Gold Fields 
during 2018 averaged US$1,252/oz 
(2017: US$1,255/oz).

The Group and mine operating and 
financial performances are detailed 
on p56 – 62.

South Deep restructuring
2018 proved to be an extremely 
difficult year for South Deep. After 
falling behind plan in H1 2018, 
management announced a material 
restructuring on 14 August 2018. 
The aim of the restructuring was to 
consolidate mining activity to increase 
focus, and to match the cost 
structure with the level of production. 

Attributable gold production

koz
2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

9
1
2
,
2

0
0
2
,
2

9
5
1
,
2

0
0
2
,
2

6
4
1
,
2

5
2
1
,
2

0
6
1
,
2

8
5
1
,
2

6
3
0
,
2

0
9
0
,
2

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

■ Actual

■ Guidance

All-in Costs (AIC)

US$/oz
1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

0
5
1
1

,

7
8
0

,

1

5
7
0
1

,

6
2
0
1

,

6
0
0
1

,

0
4
0
1

,

0
8
1
1

,

8
8
0
1

,

3
7
1
,
1

0
0
2
,
1

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

■ Actual

■ Guidance

   
 
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

33

Production at South Deep during 
2018 decreased by 44% to 4,885kg 
(157,100oz) from 8,748kg 
(281,300oz) in 2017 driven by 
decreased volumes and grade. AIC 
for 2018 increased 42% to 
R854,049/kg (US$2,012/oz) from 
R600,109/kg (US$1,400/oz) in 2017, 
mainly due to lower gold sold. Net 
cash-outflow for the year was 
R1,891m (US$141m). South Deep 
also reported an asset and goodwill 
impairment of R6.47bn (US$482m) in 
2018 following a goodwill impairment 
of R3.5bn (US$278m) in 2017.

Subsequent to the 2018 year-end, 
South Deep commenced the process 
of building up production with a 
reduced, but more focused, 
workforce and having removed over 
R800m from the mine’s cost base. 
The immediate target is to get the 
mine to break even at the current 
level of production. Once this has 
been achieved, the focus will be on 
improving productivity off the 
restructured cost base and overhead 
structure, to bring the mine to 
profitability. Gold Fields is unable to 
continue sustaining the cash losses 
of the last few years and, should our 
efforts subsequent to the 
restructuring at South Deep not show 
positive results, other options for the 
asset cannot be ruled out. 

Guidance of 6,000kg (193,000oz) 
has been provided for 2019 at an AIC 
of R610,000/kg (US$1,394/oz). The 
mine’s Mineral Reserves were 
reduced by 12% to 32.8Moz in 
December 2018 compared with a 
year earlier, while Mineral Resources 
have declined by 15% to 56.2Moz 
over the same period.

Energy
During 2018, Gold Fields shifted 
further away from the use of carbon-
intensive energy sources. Our mines 
in Ghana, Australia and Peru are now 
largely powered by low-carbon gas, 
though diesel is still being used for 
the majority of our mining fleet. 
During 2018, 54% of our total 
electricity capacity was generated by 
gas, with coal accounting for 35%, 
hydro-electric for 9% and diesel 
for 2%. 

Currently Gold Fields has 134MW in 
installed gas capacity and an 
additional 16MW of gas capacity is 
being evaluated by the Australian and 
Ghanaian mines. Renewable energy 
is also becoming a viable option, not 
only due to its positive impact on 
carbon emissions but also because 
the cost of renewables is rapidly 
coming down. At present, Gold Fields 
has 55MW of solar capacity and 
18MW of wind capacity under study 
at our South African, Australian and 
Ghanaian mines. 

The Granny Smith mine in Australia 
looks set to be the first mine in our 
portfolio to be partly solar powered, 
having contracted an independent 
power producer to design, build and 
operate a 8MW solar plant backed by 
2MW of battery systems, to be 
commissioned in Q4 2019. The 
Agnew mine is also expected to 
develop a hybrid gas and renewable 
power plant during 2019.

By 2020 we are confident that 
around 2% of installed Group energy 
capacity will be from solar and wind. 
Gold Fields also remains committed 
to its goal of 20% renewable energy 
generation over the life-of-mine at all 
new projects. 

Energy accounted for 22% of 
Group operating costs in 2018, the 
second largest cost component at 
our mines. While energy consumption 
decreased by 4% in 2018, the Group 
increased energy spending by 17% 
to US$302m in 2018, amid higher 
diesel unit costs and regulated tariff 
increases. Operational energy 
efficiencies yielded savings of 
US$29m. 

Greater use of renewables has the 
added benefit of reducing the carbon 
footprint, which is one of Gold Fields’ 
key environmental priorities. During 
2018, total CO
2 emissions declined to 
1.85m tonnes (2017: 1.96m tonnes), 
and we expect longer-term benefits 
arising from the energy efficiency and 
fuel-switching projects we have put in 
place at our mines.

Fit-for-purpose workforce
A key area of focus in 2018 was 
to ensure that our mines have 
appropriately sized and qualified 
workforces to drive safe operational 
delivery. As part of the restructuring 
of South Deep, which commenced 
in August 2018, 1,092 employees 
and 420 contractors were retrenched 
as part of our efforts to align the 
cost base with the reduced 
operational footprint of South Deep. 
Earlier in the year a further 260 
employees and about 25% of the 
mine’s management team had 
accepted voluntary severance 
packages.

The Tarkwa mine switched to 
contractor mining during 2018, with 
about 90% of the affected workforce 
of the mine moving over to the two 
contractors. At our Damang mine, 
too, we converted just over 300 
full-time employees into fixed-term 
contractors. As a result, the number 
of full-time employees in the West 
Africa region reduced from 2,910 at 
end 2017 to 1,079 at end 2018, 
while the number of contractors rose 
from 4,761 to 6,291 over the same 
period. Damang has been using 
contractor mining since the start of 
the reinvestment project early in 
2017.

As a result of these initiatives, 
the Group now employs 5,601 full-
time employees (2017: 8,856) and 
12,010 contractors (2017: 9,738).

Another important human resource 
initiatives implemented in 2018 is the 
continued drive to have appropriately 
skilled people in the right roles. With 
the increasing shift towards 
mechanisation and automation at our 
mines, we have found that, 
in addition to the continued 
development and training of our 
workforce, it is important to recruit 
appropriately skilled and experienced 
people. During 2018, we spent over 
US$14m globally on training and 
development – on top of recruiting 
the best mining skills to supplement 
our existing talent pool.

LEADERSHIP 34

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

CEO Report continued

Group performance scorecard continued

Capital discipline
The core focus of Gold Fields’ 
financial strategy is to grow our FCF 
margin and to sustain this margin in 
the long-term. The Group has set a 
FCF margin target per region (after 
capital expenditure, royalties and 
taxes) of at least 15% at a notional 
long-term planning gold price of 
US$1,200/oz, thus providing a 
cushion in case of lower prices. 

Despite the significant capital 
investment programme of US$814m, 
Gold Fields produced a sound cost 
and cash-flow performance during 
2018. AIC of US$1,173/oz and AISC 
of US$981/oz for 2018 were slightly 
ahead of 2017 numbers but below 
guidance for the year of US$1,190 – 
US$1,210/oz and US$990 – 
US$1,010/oz, respectively.

Cash-flow generated by the 
operations remained strong. 
Excluding project capital and off-mine 
exploration expenditure, operational 
cash-flow was US$334m (US$194m 
in Australia, US$114m in Peru, 
US$149m in Ghana and a negative 
US$141m in South Africa) versus 
US$441m in 2017. On a net basis, 
which includes growth capital, the 
Group reported net cash-outflow 
of US$132m (2017: US$2m cash-
outflow) and an FCF margin (which 
excludes capital spend on growth 
projects) of 16% (2017: 16%) at an 
average gold price received of 
US$1,252/oz (2017: US$1,255/oz).

Revenue was down by 7% to 
US$2.58bn (2017: US$2.76bn) due 
to the production decline at South 
Deep. Cost of sales were down 
proportionally at US$2.04bn (2017: 
US$2.11bn). The overall financial 
performance was impacted largely by 
non-recurring items, including 
impairment of South Deep and 
retrenchment costs in Ghana related 
to the conversion to contract mining 
at Tarkwa. 

Given the volatility in commodity 
prices and exchange rates and, more 
pertinently, the high levels of project 
capital expenditure incurred during 
2018, management undertook 
short-term, tactical hedging of the oil 
price, the copper price and the 

US Dollar, Australian Dollar and South 
African Rand gold prices to protect 
cash-flow. We are continuing with 
our gold hedging programme in 
Australia during 2019 as we finalise 
the construction of Gruyere. We have 
also extended hedging to the Rand 
gold price to protect South Deep’s 
cash-flow during the build-up to 
more sustainable production levels. 
Altogether, around 1Moz of gold 
production for 2019 has been 
hedged. 

Dividends and debt reduction
Two of Gold Fields’ key strategic 
objectives are to pay its shareholders 
a dividend and reduce the amount of 
debt on our balance sheet. Despite 
recording a net cash-outflow, the 
Group declared a total dividend for 
the year of R0.40/share (2017: 
R0.90/share). 

Having moved into a capital-intensive 
phase during 2017 and 2018, 
management guided the market for 
a pick-up in debt. Net debt increased 
by US$309m during 2018 to 
US$1,612m, mainly due to project 
capital spend and the funding of the 
Asanko Gold deal. 

Gold Fields ended 2018 on a net 
debt:adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.45x 
compared with 1.03x at the end of 
2017, but still well below the debt 
covenant level of 2.50x.

During 2018, we continued to 
successfully manage our balance 
sheet by extending the maturity of the 
US$380m term loan by 12 months to 
June 2020. We are considering 
additional refinancing of our debt in 
2019 to further improve liquidity.

Portfolio management
Gold Fields manages its assets 
to improve the overall quality of 
its portfolio and enhance the 
sustainability of the cash-flow 
generated by this portfolio. In this 
regard, the focus is on reducing 
Group AIC, increasing the FCF/oz 
and extending the life of the assets. 

All assets in our portfolio are subject 
to the Group’s annual strategic 
planning process. A scenario analysis 
is conducted for each operation, 

assessing how to maximise cash-
flow, life-of-mine and margin. The 
results of this analysis are then used 
in conjunction with the Group’s 
capital profile and the current 
economic environment as inputs 
into our annual business planning.

Mine developments
The strength of our international 
portfolio is evident in the continued 
net cash-flow generation of our mines 
in Australia, Ghana and Peru, which 
collectively generated US$457m in 
2018 (2017: US$501m), before 
taking into account project capital.

During 2018, we announced an 
extension of Cerro Corona’s life-of-
mine to 2030 through work on the 
tailings facility and the future use of 
in-pit tailings. 

Our Australian mines continue to 
benefit from our consistent and 
sizeable near-mine (brownfields) 
exploration programmes. During 
2018, we spent A$83m (US$62m) 
at Agnew, Granny Smith and St Ives 
and, as a result, added 1.18Moz in 
Mineral Reserves (before depletion) 
and 1.95Moz in Mineral Resources 
at our Australian mines. Notable 
projects arising from this investment 
drive are:
■■ Greater Invincible Complex 

continued to grow in 2018 and 
now represents one of the largest 
mineralised systems at St Ives
■■ Significant incremental ounces 
added to the Wallaby mine at 
Granny Smith 

■■ Near-mining resources and 

reserves replaced at Agnew’s New 
Holland and Waroonga mines and 
new discoveries at Waroonga 
North and Redeemer

A further A$76m (US$57m) has been 
budgeted for brownfield exploration 
at our Australian mines in 2019.

Near-mine exploration is also being 
stepped up at our Ghanaian mines, 
notably at Tarkwa, where the focus 
is on paleoplacer extension 
opportunities at the mine’s existing 
pits. US$9m was spent in 2018 with 
some early promising results evident.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

35

The only operating asset in the Group 
that still needs to be brought to full 
account is the South Deep mine. 
Management believes that following 
the significant restructuring in the 
second half of 2018 the cost base 
has been adjusted to the reduced 
operating footprint. We expect to 
significantly reduce the monthly cash 
losses at the mine and are confident 
that South Deep is set up for a 
sustainable recovery over the next 
few years.

Gold Fields holds investment 
positions in Gold Road Resources 
and Asanko Gold, which are the joint 
venture partners in the Gruyere 
project and the Asanko gold mine 
(AGM) respectively. We also have 
minority holdings in a number of 
junior mining companies, including 
Cardinal Resources, Red 5 and 
Hummingbird, and evaluate these 
interests on a regular basis. The 
company also diluted its shareholding 
in Toronto-listed Maverix Metals to 
20%.

Project advancements
2018 was the second year in our 
drive to secure the longevity and 
sustainability of our portfolio of 
assets, and all our key projects in this 
respect are tracking their delivery 
deadlines and financial budgets:
■■ At Gruyere, the JV partners, Gold 
Fields and Gold Road Resources, 
have to date invested A$492m 
(US$374m) of the total expected 
project cost of A$621m 
(US$480m). During 2017 and 
2018, Gold Fields’ portion of the 
spend was A$246m (US$185m), 
including capital investment and 
management costs. First gold is 
expected to be poured during Q2 
2019, with production for 2019 
guided at 118koz (100% basis)

■■ At the end of 2016 we commenced 
the US$341m investment at our 
Damang mine in Ghana to extend 
the life-of-mine to 2025. Capital 
spending during 2018 
was US$125m (2017: US$115m). 
The project is ahead of plan and 
the mine is set to reach full 
production in early 2020

■■ At the Salares Norte project in 
Chile, the feasibility study was 
completed in 2018, and a maiden 
Mineral Reserve of 4.0Moz (gold 
equivalent) was declared.
Any decision to build a mine at 
Salares Norte will be made based 
on the outcome of the 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
(EIA), which was accepted for 
evaluation by the regulator in July 
2018 and is expected to take 18 - 
24 months. Spending on further 
drilling and other work totalled 
US$64m during 2018. 
Potential operational parameters 
established by the feasibility study 
for a possible future mine include: 
 – Initial 11.5-year life-of-mine
 – Annual throughput of 2Mt
 – Life-of-mine production of 

3.2Moz of gold and 26.7Moz 
of silver

 – Average annual production of 
450koz gold equivalent for the 
first seven years of the project at 
an AISC of US$465/Au-eq oz 
 – Project construction capital of 

US$834m 

■■ A JV with Asanko Gold in Ghana 
was completed in July 2018, with 
Gold Fields acquiring 45% in the 
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) for 
approximately US$185m, of which 
US$20m was deferred. The mine 
achieved total production of 
223koz (100% basis) at an AIC of 
US$1,183/oz and is guiding for 
production of 225koz - 245koz at 
AIC of US$1,130/oz - US$1,150/
oz for 2019. Gold Fields has also 
acquired a 9.9% stake in the 
holding company, Toronto listed 
Asanko Gold

■■ The sale of the Arctic Platinum 

Project to CD Capital Management 
was concluded in early 2018 for a 
cash consideration of US$40m and 
future royalties of 2%

Mineral Resources and 
Reserves 
During 2018, Gold Fields’ managed 
gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves (net 
of depletion) decreased by 1% to 
54.1Moz and Mineral Resources by 
8.1Moz to 140.5Moz at 31 December 
2018. The declines were largely due 
to reductions in Mineral Resource 

and Reserves at South Deep, due to 
a higher cut-off grade.

Other notable developments during 
2018 were:
■■ Salares Norte declared a maiden 

gold-equivalent Mineral Reserve of 
4.0Moz at 31 December 2018, 
following the completion of its 
feasibility study

■■ In Australia, managed Mineral 
Reserves (net of depletion) 
increased by 0.2Moz to 6.4Moz 
and Mineral Resources increased 
by 1.1Moz to 17.1Moz at 31 
December 2018, testament to the 
continued success of brownfields 
exploration at the mines

■■ At South Deep, Mineral Reserves 
totalled 32.8Moz (2017: 37.4Moz) 
and Mineral Resources 56.2Moz 
(2017: 66.3Moz) at 31 December 
2018. 

As recently as 2017 South Deep held 
just over 70% of our Group Mineral 
Reserves. The profile has changed: 
of our total managed gold-equivalent 
Mineral Reserves as at 31 December 
2018, 59% are held by South Deep, 
and our Mineral Resource profile 
indicates that this percentage could 
continue to fall. 

A straight comparison between 
South Africa’s and our international 
operations’ Mineral Reserves is in any 
case misleading, given the different 
style of mineralisation. The 
paleoplacer type orebody at South 
Deep is large and consistent, while 
most of the rest of the Group’s 
reserves are dominated by orogenic/
greenstone type orebodies, which are 
more variable and usually do not 
have particularly long Reserve lives. 
But these orebodies are 
characterised by consistent 
replacement of Reserve depletion. 
Importantly, our commitment to 
brownfields exploration has allowed 
us to continually replace Reserves, 
particularly at our Australian mines, 
over a number of years. A detailed 
breakdown of the Company’s Mineral 
Reserves and Mineral Resources is 
contained on p52 – 55 of this report.

LEADERSHIP 36

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

CEO Report continued

Group performance scorecard continued

Licence and reputation
The success of our business is 
dependent on our relationships 
with key external stakeholders which 
determine both our regulatory and 
social licences to operate. 

Environmental stewardship
Responsible environmental 
management remains a vital 
component of Gold Fields’ approach 
to operate at all our operations and 
projects. In 2018, we reported two 
Level 3 environmental incidents 
(2017: two), one in Peru and one in 
Ghana (p95). Gold Fields has had no 
Level 4 or 5 environmental incident 
for well over ten years, but the two 
Level 3 incidents had the potential to 
impact water supply to the nearby 
communities. Our teams acted 
quickly to remediate the events and 
communicated transparently with 
regulators and communities on this 
issue. The number of Level 2 
incidents fell by 18% to 68 in 2018 
from 83 in 2017.

Water is a particular focus of our 
environmental strategy, as it is 
becoming an increasingly scarce 
and expensive resource globally. 
Managing the risks around current 
and anticipated water security, which 
includes the quantity and quality of 
supply as well as associated costs, 
is essential to ensure sustainable 
production for existing operations 
and the future viability of projects. 

During 2018, our operations invested 
in improving water practices, 
including pollution prevention, 
recycling and conservation initiatives. 
A key target is to reuse or recycle 
much of the water we use in our 
processes and we set ourselves a 
target of 65%, in line with ICMM 
guidance. We achieved the target in 
2018, when 66% of our total water 
use was recycled or reused water.

Work carried out by the ICMM on 
water and tailings management has 
provided best-practice guidelines for 
the Company, and during 2017 and 
2018 we worked closely to align our 
practices to these ICMM position 
statements. During 2018, external 
reviews of our compliance with these 
position statements concluded that 

we are aligned with the ICMM 
position statements both in terms of 
water and tailings management. 

After the catastrophic tailings failure 
at the Feijão iron ore mine in 
Brumadinho, Brazil, in January 2019, 
during which there were over 300 
deaths, all Gold Fields’ operations 
carried out additional safety 
inspections at our 33 tailings facilities, 
particularly on the 18 
decommissioned TSFs, and 
concluded that Gold Fields-managed 
TSFs were not at risk. During 2019 
we will further strengthen technical 
and governance oversight over all of 
our TSFs. Longer term, our teams are 
working with our peers at the ICMM 
to evaluate independent assessment 
and accreditation of all ICMM 
member TSFs as will as on solutions 
such as filtered and dry-stack tailings. 

The total gross mine closure liability 
for Gold Fields was raised by 5% to 
US$400m in 2018 from US$381m in 
2017. During 2018, we further 
enhanced our integrated approach to 
mine closure management with a 
focus on progressive environmental 
rehabilitation and full life-of-mine 
closure obligations.

Stakeholder relations
Employees, business partners, 
shareholders, investors, governments 
and communities have been identified 
as Gold Fields’ key stakeholders. 
Their support is critical in ensuring 
that we receive and retain our 
regulatory approvals and social 
licence to operate. This can only be 
achieved if we develop stakeholder 
relationships that are based on 
transparent and open engagement 
and if we create shared value with 
them. The ability to generate cash is 
critical in distributing the benefits from 
mining to our stakeholders. In 2018, 
Gold Fields’ value distribution totalled 
US$2.7bn, compared with the 
US$2.9bn we distributed in 2017. 
For details on how this amount was 
dispensed to stakeholders during 
2018 see p6.

Government relations
As the issuers of mining licences, 
developers of policy and 
implementers of regulations, host 

governments at all levels (national, 
regional and local) are one of Gold 
Fields’ most critical stakeholders. 
While we seek to engage with these 
stakeholders regularly to build trusts, 
these relationships are not always 
easy. Over the past few years we 
have seen a resurgence of resource 
nationalism, particularly in Africa. As 
part of this many governments 
accuse the mining industry of not 
paying fair taxes by using profit-
shifting and under-invoicing their 
physical gold exports. Gold Fields 
has appropriate controls and 
procedures in place to ensure that we 
comply with relevant tax legislation, 
including compliance with transfer 
pricing regulations, and account fully 
for our gold exports.

In South Africa the industry and 
government have been at an impasse 
for a number of years over the 
implementation of a new Mining 
Charter to govern the sector. A new 
Charter was published by the 
Department of Mineral Resources 
(DMR) in mid-2018. The 2018 Mining 
Charter is an improvement on 
previous draft versions, but there are 
still critical matters, including 
renewals of licences, that are not 
dealt with. As it stands now the 
licence renewal clause is 
unacceptable to the industry, as it 
would invalidate all previous 
empowerment deals if the 
empowerment partner has since sold 
its interests. Should this impasse 
continue, the Minerals Council of 
South Africa (MCSA), reserves its 
rights to proceed with a legal review 
of the Charter relating to, among 
others, the renewal of licences.

The Minerals Council of South Africa 
won a court case recognising the 
”once empowered, always 
empowered” principle, which would 
guarantee the legislated black 
economic empowerment ownership 
levels for South Deep until its licence 
renewal in 2040 and a further term of 
30 years after that. However, the 
ruling has been appealed by the 
DMR and the MCSA will follow due 
process in this regard.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

37

A more proactive approach is 
required, such as the one adopted 
by the Ghanaian government, which 
has entered into development 
agreements with large mining 
companies, including Gold Fields, 
and incentivises new mining projects. 
Our agreement with the Ghana 
government was fundamental in our 
US$341m reinvestment programme 
in Damang, which created or secured 
around 1,850 jobs. The favourable 
investment environment also 
encouraged us to take a 45% holding 
in AGM. 

The mining regimes in Peru and 
Australia remained relatively stable, 
though we opposed a proposed rise 
in the gold royalty rate in Western 
Australia.

Labour relations 
Gold Fields fundamentally respects 
and protects the rights of its 
employees to organise themselves 
through trade unions. Over the years 
we have developed good working 
relations with organised labour at 
our operations and constructive 
engagement usually precedes any 
restructuring and corporate actions 
needed to keep our operations 
sustainable. However, during 2018, 
our relationship with unions at our 
Ghanaian mines and at South Deep 
turned adversarial. 

At Tarkwa, the Ghanaian 
Mineworkers Union brought a court 
injunction against the decision to 
convert from owner to contractor 
mining, which is essential to ensure 
life extension at the mine. This was 
overturned by the courts and the 
mine implemented the transition to 
contractor mining successfully, with 
a large part of affected employees 
joining the two mining contractors. 
As a result the employee workforce 
at our Ghanaian mines is now 
non-unionised.

At South Deep, the NUM embarked 
on a 45-day strike in November and 
December 2018 following the 
mine’s decision to retrench around 
1,500 employees and contractors as 

part of its wide-ranging restructuring. 
The strike was marred by violence 
and intimidation carried out by a 
small group of NUM branch members 
against the majority of employees 
who wanted to return to work, but 
were prevented from doing so. The 
strike was resolved after many NUM 
employees sought the assistance of 
the national and regional offices of 
the NUM to end the industrial action.

The strike highlighted the need to 
rebase our labour relations at South 
Deep, and a new collective 
agreement was signed between the 
NUM and the mine in March 2019 to 
take cognisance of South Deep’s 
new operating model.

Community relations and 
Shared Value
One of the biggest challenges facing 
mining companies is building 
relationships and trust with their host 
communities, without which there is 
potential for operational disruption, 
project delays and cancellations – the 
loss of our social licence to operate.

Gold Fields has traditionally invested 
in communities through a range of 
educational, skills development, 
health and infrastructure projects 
and, more recently, through Shared 
Value-based projects. This approach 
to structuring our investments in 
communities ensures that the value 
created is shared by communities 
and the business. Socio-Economic 
Development (SED) is still an 
important part of our community 
investment strategy, but host 
community procurement and 
employment have proven to be more 
impactful as they create economic 
value directly in the communities 
most impacted by our mines and 
projects. 

During 2018, host community 
members accounted for 56% of 
our total workforce (employees and 
contractors) throughout the Group 
– 9,259 employees – with the 
numbers varying from around 5% at 
our Fly-in, Fly-out mines in Australia 
to over 70% at our two Ghanaian 
operations. 

Host community procurement can be 
even more impactful as our spending 
with suppliers and contractors is 
generally our biggest cost 
component. In 2018 we spent about 
US$1.81bn with these businesses, of 
which 94% was spent in-country and 
27%, or US$441m, with businesses 
from our host communities. The 
economic benefits in terms of skills 
development, job creation and 
reducing dependency from the mine 
are self-evident.

Altogether, we have calculated that 
during 2018 almost a quarter of our 
total value creation of US$2.71bn 
– US$686m – remained with our host 
communities. It is a number we are 
seeking to grow and our regions 
have developed ambitious targets 
in this respect. 

Governance and compliance
Supporting our integrated 
management approach is a robust 
corporate governance programme 
throughout the Company. During 
2018, building on the implementation 
of the recommendations of the 
King IV Report on Corporate 
Governance during 2017, the Board 
approved a diversity policy and 
revised human rights, stakeholder 
engagement, environmental as well 
as occupational health and safety 
policy statements. These policies are 
expected to improve sound 
governance, transparency and 
regulatory compliance at Gold Fields. 

Adherence to legislation, controls and 
standards is a non-negotiable aspect 
of doing business, while ethical 
leadership and sound business 
governance serve to strengthen 
our reputation and relationships with 
shareholders, governments, 
communities and employees.

LEADERSHIP 38

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

CEO Report continued

Strategy overview

Industry developments 
The past few months has seen a 
pick-up in mergers and acquisitions 
in the global gold mining sector. Most 
notably, there have been announced 
tie-ups between Newmont Gold and 
Goldcorp and between Barrick Gold 
and Randgold Resources, as well as 
Newmont and Barrick merging their 
Nevada assets. These deals, if and 
when finalised, will reshape the 
industry. Amid speculation about 
further sector consolidation, Gold 
Fields has been linked with a number 
of similar-sized industry peers. 

We believe, though, that we are in 
the final stages of successfully 
implementing our own growth 
strategy, one we embarked upon two 
years ago. By kick-starting the 
investments in our growth projects 
then, we are confident that we are 
ahead of the curve in terms of project 
development. 

Historically, mergers between gold 
mining companies have faced 
significant challenges to achieving 
success. We believe that too often a 
proposed merger was based on an 
increased production profile without 
necessarily achieving greater cost 
synergies, while cultural differences 
between companies are another 
impediment to delivering value to 
shareholders and other stakeholders.

It is early days for the recently 
announced mega-mergers but 
extracting value-creating synergies 
could prove challenging. Instead, 
they suggest that the companies are 
seeking to build growth and boost 
their Reserve lives. At Gold Fields, we 
don’t believe we need a merger to 
achieve profitable growth. We are 
executing what we believe to be 
strong, sustainable and deliverable 
growth strategy, which will create 
shareholder value in the short, 
medium and long-term.

Our growth strategy
Gold Fields seeks to be a low-cost 
gold producer that secures 
sustainable cash-flow through the 
inevitable price cycles in the gold 
mining industry. Through this, we are 
confident we can deliver superior 
returns when the gold price is high, 
and offer a degree of protection when 
the price falls. At the same time, 
sound cash-flow has enabled us to 
manage our debt, invest in the right 

assets and distribute the benefits 
of mining to our stakeholders. 

To continue expanding margins and 
distributing cash, the long-term 
sustainability of the business must be 
kept intact. This requires investing to 
extend the life of our assets, ensuring 
we maintain our social licence to 
operate and retaining our people who 
are key to the Company’s success. 

2018 was the second year of our 
reinvestment programme in which 
we have invested a total of almost 
US$550m. The key projects under 
this programme are set to come to 
fruition in 2019 and have the potential 
to produce strong cash-flows for 
Gold Fields in the future. 

At present gold prices, I am confident 
that our Ghanaian, Australian and 
South American regions are well 
placed to maintain a production 
profile of nearly 2Moz per year over 
the medium to longer-term, based 
upon our Mineral Reserve profile in 
these regions, our track record of 
resource conversion, finalisation of 
our growth projects, and expected 
exploration activity.

In Ghana, the reinvestment at 
Damang is essentially the equivalent 
of developing a new mine, while our 
investment in Asanko Gold also has 
the potential for longer-term growth 
through life-of-mine extension. The 
Gruyere JV is close to completing a 
new mine in Western Australia, with 
first production scheduled in Q2 
2019. Finally, in the Americas region, 
we have successfully completed a 
feasibility study for the Salares Norte 
project in northern Chile. 

These projects are important in terms 
of their contribution to the strategic 
objectives of Gold Fields, namely to 
maintain and grow cash-flow on a 
sustainable basis. Based on current 
projections, they are expected to 
operate at an AIC that is lower than 
the current AIC of the Group, once 
steady-state levels of production are 
realised. As such, management 
believes that the Group’s overall cost 
of production has the potential to 
reduce over time.

We continue to invest in brownfields 
exploration in Australia with the 
objective of not only replacing what 
we mine, but also increasing our 

Mineral Resources and Mineral 
Reserves at a higher quality than what 
has been mined previously. Finally, we 
need to optimally manage the ore 
bodies of our operating mines in terms 
of grade management and ongoing 
sustainable capital expenditure by 
planning for outcomes that optimise 
the lives of these ore bodies. 

We should not forget the potential 
growth and profitability that we 
believe South Deep and its 33Moz in 
gold Reserves can offer Gold Fields 
in the longer-term. We have thus far 
failed to bring that potential to the 
fore, but I believe that the wide-
ranging restructuring measures we 
implemented during 2018 – reducing 
the mine’s footprint and cutting the 
accompanying cost structures – have 
laid the foundation for future growth. 
For 2019, the focus will be on 
improving productivity and reducing 
the mine’s significant cash-outflows. 
But beyond that I believe we could 
see sustainable growth from South 
Deep that has the potential to add 
further to Group production.

A key element of the Group’s 
underlying strategy, which has 
contributed towards improving the 
quality of the portfolio over the years, 
are value-accretive acquisitions. 
During 2018, this resulted in our 
acquisition of a 45% stake in AGM. 

Given the amount of capital that 
has been committed to Gruyere, 
Damang, Asanko and South Deep, 
and the potential call on funding 
resources to build Salares Norte, 
should we decide to do so, 
management has adopted a cautious 
approach on future acquisitions. 

I am confident that Gold Fields has 
put in place the strategies that will 
lead to sustained value creation in the 
medium to long-term, and will see 
the Company build on its current 
production profile. 

Executive management has sought 
to align itself with investors through 
its long-term incentive scheme, a 
large portion of which relates to the 
performance of the share price over 
time. If we stay the course on which 
we have embarked, I am confident 
that the Company will achieve strong 
operational performances, cash-flow 
generation and profitable growth. 

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

39

Gold price outlook 
During 2018 the average US Dollar 
gold price declined marginally to 
US$1,252/oz from US$1,255/oz in 
2017. It recovered strongly from lows 
in late November and Q1 2019 was 
trading in between US$1,290/oz – 
US$1,330/oz. In their assessments 
the World Gold Council (WGC) and 
the CPM Group credit gold’s recent 
stronger performance to three main 
factors:
■■ Increased market uncertainty, 
political turmoil in the US and 
the expansion of protectionist 
economic policies, which have 
historically made gold attractive 
as a hedge 

■■ While gold has faced headwinds 
from higher interest rates and US 
Dollar strength, these effects have 
been limited as the US Federal 
Reserve has signalled a more 
neutral stance following a series 
of rate hikes in 2018

■■ Continued purchases of gold by 

central banks, a trend set 
to continue into 2019

While management anticipates that 
these trends may have a positive 
impact on the gold price, Gold Fields 
has adopted a cautious approach 
and is planning its business for 2019 
on the assumption of a US$1,200/oz 
gold price, the same as in 2018.

The fundamentals may support a 
firmer gold price in future. On the 
supply side the steady increase in 
primary gold supplies until 2015 has 
since stabilised to around 105Moz 
per annum. This is predominantly due 
to the cut in exploration spending as 
well as the dearth of new mines being 
built, but also exacerbated by the 
decline in grades and the increasing 
depth and complexity of the ore 
bodies being mined and processed. 

Consumer demand in India and 
China, while significantly down on its 
highs over the last five years, should 
remain strong according to CPM and 
WGC, given economic growth, rising 
urbanisation and traditional affinity 
towards gold in these countries. 
Central banks continue to buy gold 
and it appears that most of the 
central banks that were looking to 
sell gold have already done so. 

Management believes these factors 
bode well for the long-term future 
of gold, although the price will 
undoubtedly move through cycles 
with the attendant volatility. 

Guidance for 2019
Gold Fields’ business plan for 2019 
has been built around an average 
gold price of US$1,200/oz 
(A$1,600/oz, R525,000/kg) and 
assuming exchange rates of 
R13.8 per US$ and A$0.75 per US$.

As stated, 2019 is set to be an 
important growth year for Gold Fields, 
with the Damang project approaching 
completion and Gruyere commencing 
production. In addition, Asanko will 
contribute for a full year for the first 
time since acquisition. As a result the 
Company is guiding for an increase of 
4% – 7% in attributable equivalent 
gold production in 2019 to 2.13Moz 
– 2.18Moz. AISC is expected to be 
between US$980/oz and US$995/oz 
and AIC between US$1,075/oz – 
US$1,095/oz. The year will however, 
be one of two halves, with both 
production and cash-flow being 
weighted to H2 2019. 

The main drivers behind production 
and cost guidance for 2019 are:
■■ Our 50% share of production at 

Gruyere, which is guiding 118koz 
(100% basis) for the year with 
production set to start in Q2 2019
■■ An expected increase in Damang’s 
production from 181koz to 218koz, 
with AIC of US$1,100/oz (2018: 
US$1,506/oz)

■■ Asanko is set to contribute for the 
full year. Its guidance for 2019 is 
225koz – 245koz (100% basis) at 
AIC of US$1,130/oz -US$1,150/oz

■■ Production for South Deep is 

expected to be 6,000kg (193koz), 
with AIC of R610,000/kg 
(US$1,394/oz)

■■ An expected 5% decline in the 

production of our three Australian 
mines to 843koz (2018: 886koz)

■■ A drop in gold-equivalent 

production at Cerro Corona from 
314koz in 2018 to 291koz at a 
higher AIC of US$802/Au-eq oz 
(2018: US$699/oz)

With our two key projects set to 
reach fruition it means that our capital 
expenditure is expected to decline 
through 2019. Capex for 2019 is split 
into planned sustaining capital 
expenditure of US$490m (including 
near-mine exploration) and growth 
capital expenditure of US$143m. 
Growth capex comprises US$69m 
for Damang and A$99m (US$74m) 
for Gruyere. Expenditure on Salares 
Norte (which is not capitalised) is 
expected to be US$57m in 2019, 
comprising US$37m on fixed costs 

and engineering work and US$20m 
on district exploration. The capital 
expenditure above excludes Gold 
Fields’ 50% share of Asanko’s capital 
expenditure of US$25m for 2019, as 
this interest is equity accounted. 

For 2019, Gold Fields has continued 
to undertake certain gold price 
hedging to secure short-term cash 
flow and protect the balance sheet 
from the volatility of the gold price as 
we complete our investment phase 
and ramp up the projects. 

Note of thanks
I would like to express my gratitude 
to my fellow directors, led by our 
Chairperson, Cheryl Carolus, for their 
support and guidance during 2018. 
I want to pay a special tribute to Don 
Ncube, who retired as Chairperson of 
the Social, Ethics and Transformation 
Committee and the Board in May 
2018. He was a director of Gold 
Fields for 11 years and the input he 
provided in transforming the 
Company and building closer 
relations with our host communities, 
particularly at South Deep, will stand 
us in good stead for years to come. 

The composition of our Executive 
Committee remained stable during 
2018, with Rosh Bardien joining as 
Executive Vice President: People and 
Organisational Effectiveness in early 
2018. I rely heavily on the members 
of this team in guiding and advising 
me in managing a complex, 
multinational company like Gold 
Fields. Each member of the team did 
a fantastic job in 2018.

Most importantly, I would like to 
express my sincere appreciation and 
gratitude to all the employees of Gold 
Fields. They have gone through some 
difficult times over the past year, with 
wide-ranging restructuring initiatives 
impacting their work lives, particularly 
for our colleagues at Tarkwa and 
South Deep. Their resilience, hard 
work and dedication never fails to 
astonish me and it gives me great 
comfort to know that I have this team 
behind me.  

Nick Holland 
CEO

LEADERSHIP 40

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Gold Fields’
attributable Mineral Reserves

48Moz

KEY MEASUREMENTS – PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 

2018

Status

2017

2016

2015

2014

Attributable Gold Mineral Resources 
(Moz)

Attributable Gold Mineral Reserves 
(Moz)

Attributable Copper Mineral 
Resources (Mlb)

Attributable Copper Mineral 
Reserves (Mlb)

Attributable Gold-equivalent Mineral 
Resources (Moz)

Attributable Gold-equivalent Mineral 
Reserves (Moz)

Near-mine exploration (US$m)

Near-mine exploration – metres 
drilled

96.60 ¢

103.76

101.49

102.21

108.84

48.07 ¢

49.01

48.11

46.06

48.12

4,816 ¢

4,881

5,813

5,912

6,873

691 ¢

764

454

532

620

108.22 ¢

115.60

113.10

113.94

120.04

50.26 ¢
90 ¢

50.80

49.20

47.29

49.55

87

79

58

58

556,272 ¢ 754,669 694,527 349,189 349,511

¢ 2018 performance improvement on 2017 or achievement in line with strategy
¢ 2018 performance drop against 2017
¢ 2018 performance on par with 2017

STRATEGIC GOALS

1 Improving the quality of our portfolio and ensuring that current 

levels of production are sustainable for the next ten years

RESULTS AND IMPACTS

Strategic 
responses 
– Effective 
portfolio 
management

Key 
initiatives

■■ Use portfolio management and strategic planning to inform acquisitions and disposals
■■ Life extension through brownfields exploration and business optimisation 
■■ Implement business improvement and efficiency projects to reduce costs
■■ Reduce costs through innovation and technology projects

■■ Implementation of restructuring programme at South Deep
■■ Acquisition of 45% of Asanko gold mine
■■ Feasibility study completed for Salares Norte
■■ Skills development programme
■■ Mitigating strategies in place to catch up on the backlog at Gruyere
■■ Comprehensive near-mine exploration programme in place

■■ South Deep – organisational restructuring, revised business plan and the loss of investor 

confidence

Related risks

■■ A sustained and significantly lower gold price and currency exchange rate volatility
■■ Non-delivery of Damang Reinvestment and Gruyere projects
■■ Replacing Resources and Reserves at international operations

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Decent Work and 
Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation  
and Infrastructure

KEY STAKEHOLDERS –

SHAREHOLDERS 
AND INVESTORS

EMPLOYEES

GOVERNMENTS

   
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

41

Page heading continued

Secondary page heading continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Mining is a long-term investment. 
As a business, we need to balance 
investing for future growth of our 
portfolio whilst generating cash 
today. Through our investment 
projects and strategic decisions, we 
aim to sustainably extend the life of 
Gold Fields’ overall portfolio at lower 
costs than today.

■■ Managing our portfolio 
■■ Life extension through near-mine exploration 
■■ Mineral Resources and Reserves Summary 

p42
p50
p52

COPY TO BE SUPPLIEDPortfolio management      42

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Managing our portfolio

Quality portfolio of growth 
projects
By employing an active portfolio 
management approach, Gold Fields 
has built an attractive global portfolio 
of assets in Australia, Ghana and 
Peru, which have met or exceeded 
production and cost guidance over 
the past few years. At a mine level, 
this international portfolio of assets, 
excluding South Deep, generated net 
cash flow of US$457m (excluding 
project capital) during 2018 (2017: 
US$$485m), enabling the Group to 
report a FCF margin, which takes 
into account the outflow from South 
Deep, of 16% (2017: 16%). This is in 
line with our targeted 15% margin at 
a US$1,200/oz planning gold price.

South Deep is the only asset within 
the Company that has failed to meet 
expectations, with 2018 proving to 
be an extremely difficult year for the 
mine. After falling behind plan in the 
first half of 2018, management 
announced a material restructuring 
on 14 August 2018, with the aim of 
consolidating mining activity to 
increase focus and to match the 
cost structure with the level of 
production. The immediate target 
is to get the mine to break even at 
the current level of production 
(around 190koz per annum) and 
minimise the cash burn. Once this 
has been achieved, the focus will 
be on improving productivity off the 
restructured cost base and overhead 
structure, to bring the mine to 
profitability. For more details on the 
South Deep restructuring and 
outlook, refer to p46.

All assets in our portfolio are subject 
to the Group’s annual strategic 
planning process, which assesses 
how to best maximise cash-flow, 
life-of-mine, and margin. The results 
of this analysis are combined with the 
Group’s capital profile and the current 
economic environment as inputs into 
our annual business planning. This 
process supported the continued 
investment in the Group’s three key 
growth and exploration projects 
(Damang, Gruyere and Salares Norte) 
during 2018:
■■ US$125m in project capital was 

incurred on the Damang 
Reinvestment project in 2018, after 
having spent US$115m in 2017 
(p48)

■■ Gold Fields spent A$218m 

(US$163m) on the Gruyere project 
in 2018, compared with A$182m 
(US$140m) in 2017. Included in 
this number is A$153m (US$115m) 
in project capital, A$39m (US$29m) 
in capitalised interest, A$18m 
(US$14m) in operational support 
costs and A$8m (US$6m) in 
exploration expenditure. During 
2018, the joint venture (JV) partners 
announced that there had been a 
delay to the project timeline (first 
gold now expected in Q2 2019), 
together with a 17% increase in the 
final forecast capital cost estimate 
to A$621m (US$480m) (p44)

■■ US$64m on further feasibility study 
work was spent on the Salares 
Norte exploration venture in Chile 
during 2018. The feasibility study 
was completed and approved by 
the Board in February 2019 (p47).

Introduction
Gold Fields manages its business 
with the aim of continually improving 
the quality of its portfolio and, 
ultimately, its cash-flow generation. 
From a strategic standpoint, the 
overriding goal is to generate a free 
cash-flow (FCF) margin of at least 
15% at a US$1,200/oz gold price, 
which is an adjustment from the 
previous 15% FCF margin at 
US$1,300/oz. To achieve this, there 
is strict focus on reducing AIC and, 
as a result, increasing the FCF/oz. 
However, it is also imperative that the 
generation of cash-flow is 
sustainable. Therefore, in addition to 
lowering Group AIC, strategic 
decisions aim to extend the life of the 
Group’s asset base and the overall 
portfolio. 

To improve the quality of our portfolio, 
management employs the following 
elements in the portfolio management 
process:
■■ Acquiring or developing lower-cost 
(than Group average), longer-life 
assets

■■ Disposing of higher-cost, shorter-

life assets that management 
believes can be better served by a 
company that has more time and 
resources to commit to them

■■ Extending the life of current assets 
through near-mine brownfields 
exploration 

■■ Focusing on in-country 

opportunities to leverage off our 
existing footprint, infrastructure 
and skill set and capitalise on the 
experience we have gained from 
operating in these jurisdictions

Recent developments that improved 
the quality of our portfolio include the 
sale of Darlot in 2017, the acquisition 
of a 45% stake in the Asanko gold 
mine (AGM), and the continued 
investment into the Damang and 
Gruyere projects. Once Damang and 
Gruyere are operating at steady state, 
expected in 2020, Group AIC is 
expected to approach US$900/oz.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

43

There were no further material 
developments regarding the Far 
Southeast (FSE) project in the 
Philippines during 2018. The project 
is held by Far Southeast Gold 
Resources (FSGRI) in which Gold 
Fields has a 40% interest, with an 
option to increase its stake to 60%, 
and is adjacent to an existing mining 
operation with established 
infrastructure. Lepanto Consolidated 
Mining of the Philippines holds the 
remaining 60% interest and manages 
the existing mining operation. Gold 
Fields impaired its investment in Far 
Southeast to US$92m in 2018, as 
determined by an evaluation of 
Lepanto's market value on the 
Philippine Stock Exchange.

Gold Fields’ holding costs in FSE 
have been reduced to approximately 
US$120,000/month, related mainly 
to staff and administrative costs, 
managing existing drill core, 
environmental monitoring, community 
engagement work, as well as 
activities to support the permitting 
process. 

While the Group spent more than it 
generated in 2017 and 2018, the 
cash-outflow over the period (US$2m 
in 2017 and US$132m in 2018) was 
lower than anticipated, underpinned 
by favourable hedge positions and a 
gold price received that was higher 
than planning prices. Despite the 
cash-outflows over the past two 
years, Gold Fields remains committed 
to its strategy of generating cash to 
reduce our debt, pay dividends to 
shareholders and share the value we 
create with employees, governments 
and host communities. 

Gold Fields also has a portfolio of 
minority investments through a range 
of transactions conducted over the 
previous few years. During 2018, the 
Arctic Platinum Project in Finland 
was sold for US$40m, while we also 
bought a 9.9% stake in Toronto-listed 
Asanko Gold for US$17.6m. Asanko 
is our JV partner in AGM in Ghana. In 
2016 Gold Fields injected its royalty 
portfolio into Toronto-listed Maverix 
Metals in exchange for a 32% 
interest. As other gold mining 
companies, including Newmont Gold, 
have followed our move this interest 
has been diluted to approximately 
20%. A summary of our investments 
is in the table below.

Shareholding

Market Value 
(Dec 2018 – 
US$m)

Expanding our global 
footprint
2018 was the second year of Gold 
Fields’ reinvestment phase, in which 
we incurred US$290m (excluding 
Asanko) in project capital (2017: 
US$217m). All project capital spent 
was in countries that Gold Fields 
currently operates in, allowing us to 
leverage our knowledge of the 
business environment. Importantly, 
management only invested in projects 
that it believes have relatively short 
pay-back periods and attractive 
returns.

Gold Fields also increased its 
footprint in Ghana during 2018 by 
acquiring a 50% stake of Asanko 
Gold’s 90% interest in AGM for an 
upfront payment of US$165m (the 
government of Ghana holds the 
remaining 10%). A deferred payment 
of US$20m will be paid to Asanko 
Gold, should it achieve key 
milestones in the development of 
the Esaase project at AGM before 
31 December 2019. In addition, Gold 
Fields purchased a 9.9% equity stake 
in Toronto Stock Exchange-listed 
Asanko Gold for US$17.6m. 

Gold Fields’ material investments

Investment

Gold Road Resources
Asanko Gold
Cardinal Resources
Red 5
Maverix Metals
Hummingbird Resources
Rusoro Mining
Lefroy Exploration
Magmatic Resources
Orsu Metals
Other

10%
9.9%
11.3%¹
19.9%
19.9%²
6%
25.7%
18.2%
15%
7.2%

37
14
11
16
75
6
13
2
1
1
15

191

Total value (including warrants)

¹  Gold Fields owns an additional 38.2m options valued at US$6.0m
²  Gold Fields owns an additional 10m warrant options valued at US$9.3m. Adding these 

warrants results in a holding of 20.5% in Maverix on a diluted basis

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 44

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Managing our portfolio continued

Gruyere 

In November 2016, Gold Fields 
entered into a 50/50 JV with 
Australian exploration company, 
Gold Road Resources, for the 
development and operation of the 
Gruyere gold project in the Yamarna 
belt of Western Australia, one of the 
country’s largest undeveloped gold 
regions. The JV comprises the 
Gruyere gold deposit and 144km2 of 
exploration tenements.

Gruyere is a large shear hosted 
porphyry gold deposit, with 
combined total Mineral Resources 
of 6.6Moz and Mineral Reserves of 
3.8Moz, 50% of which is attributable 
to Gold Fields. It is located 200km 
east of Laverton in Western Australia, 
where our Granny Smith mine is 
located.

Early work at Gruyere began in 
December 2016, with Gold Fields 
taking over management of the 
project on 1 February 2017. After 
remaining largely on track and within 
budget in 2017, the JV partners 
announced a slight delay to project 
completion and an increase in the 
final forecast capital (FFC) cost 
estimate during 2018. First gold is 
now expected to be poured during 
the June 2019 quarter (previously the 
March 2019 quarter) whilst the FFC 
estimate is A$621m (US$480m), a 
17% increase from the previous FCC 
estimate of A$532m (US$411m). 
Included in the new FFC estimate are 
scope changes and force majeure 
costs (due to extreme rainfall events 
during 2018) of A$30m (US$22m) 
and a contingency of A$30m 
(US$22m).

During 2018, Gold Fields spent 
project capital of A$153m (US$115m) 
on Gruyere, bringing our cumulative 
capital expenditure as at end-
December 2018 to A$246m 
(US$187m). In addition, capitalised 
interest of A$39m (US$29m), 
operational support costs of 
A$18m (US$14m) and exploration 
expenditure of A$8m (US$6m) was 
incurred during the year, bringing 
Gold Fields’ total spending on 
Gruyere for 2018 to A$218m 

(US$163m). The remaining project 
capital of A$129m (US$97m) (100% 
basis) has been budgeted for 2019, 
the majority of which is expected to 
be spent during the first half of the 
year. 

In a project update released on 
6 December 2018, the JV partners 
announced an increase in average 
annual production to 300koz from 
270koz, driven by the purchase of 
larger semi-autogenous grinding 
(SAG) and ball mills which increased 
processing throughput to 8.2Mtpa 
from 7.5Mtpa. In addition, there 
was an increase in average All-in 
Sustaining Costs (AISC) over 
life-of-mine to A$1,025/oz 
(US$738/oz) from A$945/oz 
(US$709/oz) to reflect industry cost 
inflation since the 2016 feasibility 
study. 

As at end December 2018, 
engineering was largely complete, 
while construction progress was 
86.7% with all major equipment and 
materials for effective construction 
already delivered to site. During 2018, 
civil works on the TSF and installation 
of the tailings decant recovery 
pipelines were completed and the 
power station was fully 
commissioned. All civil and concrete 
works for the process plant were 
completed by year-end, with 
structural steel, plate steel and tanks 
nearing completion. Post year-end, 
the remaining work focused on 
piping, electrical and instrumentation 
and delivery of plant systems for 
commissioning of the plant during 
Q1 2019.

Downer EDI, which was awarded a 
five-year mining services contract in 
Q4 2017, began mobilising its 
workforce during Q1 2018 to begin 
construction of the mining 
infrastructure. Mining activities 
commenced in November 2018, 
focusing on completing the pre-strip 
and second stage run-of-mine (ROM) 
pad development. First ore was in Q1 
2019, with mining rates expected to 
peak at 60Mtpa (100% basis) in 2023 
and average 32Mtpa over life-of-
mine.

The tenements comprising the 
Gruyere project fall within the area of 
the Yilka and Sullivan Edwards native 
title determination. The Yilka People 
and the Sullivan Edwards families are 
the traditional owners of the land, 
with many of their members residing 
in the nearby Cosmo Newberry 
community. The JV partners have a 
Native Title Agreement in place with 
the Yilka People and the Cosmo 
Newberry Aboriginal Corporation, 
which provides consent to mine. 
The partners also offer financial, 
contracting and employment benefits 
to the community, and have facilitated 
comprehensive processes for the 
management of Aboriginal heritage 
within the project area. A number 
of projects have been implemented 
with the Yilka People, including the 
provision of cultural awareness 
training for Gruyere employees and 
contractors. Key contractors at 
Gruyere have also been required to 
identify and pursue employment and 
contracting opportunities with the 
Yilka People to expand the scope 
of local participation. 

First gold is forecast for Q2 2019 
with production guidance of 118koz 
(100% basis) for the year at an AIC 
of A$3,178/oz (US$2,384/oz) (Gold 
Fields’ share only). A relatively quick 
ramp up is anticipated, with steady 
state run-rate expected by year-end.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

45

Construction 
activity at the 
Gruyere 
project

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 46

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Managing our portfolio continued

South Deep

The key challenge for Gold Fields 
since taking ownership of South 
Deep in 2006 has been transitioning 
the mine from a conventional mining 
mindset to mining with a safe, 
modern, bulk, mechanised approach. 
Despite numerous interventions over 
the years to address the mine’s 
underperformance – including 
optimising the mining method, 
extensive training and skills 
development, changing shift and 
work configurations, and outsourcing 
functions – the mine has continued to 
underperform and make losses.

South Deep got off to a difficult start 
in 2018, with production in Q1 2018 
impacted by a slow build-up after 
the seasonal holidays, two labour 
restructuring processes that took 
place at the end of 2017 and Q1 
2018 respectively, and a change 
in the underground working shift 
arrangements implemented to 
increase face time and productivity. 
In addition, low mobile equipment 
reliability, the intersection of active 
geological features (faults and dykes) 
in the high-grade corridor 3 and poor 
ground conditions in the western 
sections of the mine (composites) 
slowed production rates. South Deep 
only produced 1,485kg (48koz) in Q1 
2018.

Production was further impacted by 
a Department of Mineral Resources 
(DMR) related safety stoppage during 
April. As a result of these factors, 
guidance for the mine was 
downgraded to 7,600kg (244koz) 
with the release of our Q1 2018 
production update on 25 April, 
down from the original guidance of 
10,000kg (321koz).

Despite the two restructuring 
processes, South Deep continued to 
face a number of organisational and 
structural challenges that directly 
impacted performance during Q2 
2018, with production during the 
quarter only marginally higher than 
Q1 2018 at 1,518kg (49koz). As a 
result, on 14 August 2018, Gold 
Fields announced a further material 
restructuring of the mine. The aim of 
the restructuring was to consolidate 
mining activity to increase focus, and 
to match the cost structure with the 
level of production. This included:
■■ Temporarily suspending mining 

activities at one of the mining areas 

(87 Level) and redeploying these 
mining crews into a different 
corridor (4W) 

■■ Servicing the eastern part of the 
mine from the Twin Shafts and 
restaffing the South Shaft 
operations to a single shift per day. 
South Shaft now only facilitates the 
provision of water and backfill 
reticulation, water pumping and 
ventilation services to the full 
mining operation

■■ Reducing growth capital 

expenditure for an 18-month 
period up until end 2019 to reduce 
the cash burn. New mine 
development has outperformed 
the plan with 918m achieved 
during 2018 against 749m 
planned, which allowed us some 
flexibility to reduce this spending 
in the near term

As part of the restructuring, Gold 
Fields served a section 189 notice on 
its trade unions, the National Union 
of Mineworkers (NUM) and UASA 
(formerly named the United 
Association of South Africa), on 
14 August 2018, which is when 
the legislated minimum 60-day 
consultation period commenced. 
It was envisaged that an estimated 
1,100 permanent employees and 
460 contractors could be impacted 
through the retrenchment process. 
The consultation period ended on 
31 October and Gold Fields formally 
served the NUM and UASA with a list 
of employees that were to be given 
notice of termination as per the 
section 189 process. Severance 
letters were issued to 1,082 affected 
employees, which prompted the 
majority union (NUM) to serve Gold 
Fields a 48-hour notice of its intention 
to commence a strike. 

The strike started on 2 November 
and Gold Fields was granted an 
urgent court interdict on 3 November 
which prevented striking employees 
from intimidating other employees 
and blocking access to the mine. 
Despite this, the strike, which was 
orchestrated by a core group of 
about 200 NUM members and 
supporters of the South Deep branch 
leadership, was immediately 
characterised by intimidation and 
violence, prompting management to 
instruct all employees to remain clear 
of the mine property for the duration 
of the industrial action. The “no work, 

no pay” policy applied to all NUM 
members given that this union had 
declared the strike.

On 20 November, Gold Fields tabled 
an improved retrenchment offer in an 
attempt to break the deadlock and 
end the strike. The union rejected the 
offer twice before the regional office 
of the NUM suspended the strike 
on 13 December and signed a 
settlement agreement five days later. 
Through the restructuring, a total of 
1,092 permanent employees exited 
the business, of which 904 were 
retrenched, 183 opted for voluntary 
separation packages and five 
resigned. 

In the wake of the restructuring, 
which has seen us remove R800m 
(US$56m) from the mine’s cost base 
and our employee workforce fall by 
38% to just under 2,500 and the 
number of contractors from 2,294 to 
around 1,500, we are in a position to 
significantly reduce South Deep’s 
pre-restructuring cash-burn during 
2019. We expect to build-up 
gradually to a sustainable production 
profile from this restructured position. 
Guidance of 6,000kg (193,000oz) 
has been provided for 2019 at an AIC 
of R610,000/kg (US$1,394/oz).

The key enablers for sustainable 
improvements at South Deep are 
expected to be:
■■ Improved organisational design 
with the right people in the right 
roles and a flat management 
structure

■■ Rigorous performance 

management linked to line of sight 
performance

■■ Improved stakeholder 

management, including 
government, trade unions and 
surrounding communities 
■■ Reliable fixed infrastructure
■■ Accelerated backfill placement
■■ Improved fleet availability and 

utilisation

Once this has been achieved, 
the focus will be on improving 
productivity off the restructured cost 
base and overhead structure, to bring 
the mine to profitability. 

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

47

Salares Norte

The Salares Norte project is 100% 
Gold Fields-owned and is focused 
on a gold-silver deposit in the 
Atacama region of northern Chile. 
Mineralisation is contained within a 
high-sulphidation epithermal system, 
offering high-grade oxides. The 
project is at an elevation of 4,200m 
– 4,900m above sea level. 

The Salares Norte feasibility study 
was completed in late 2018 and peer 
reviewed in January 2019. Gold 
Fields spent US$51m on feasibility 
study work and drilling in 2018 (2017: 
US$53m) with a further US$13m 
spent on district exploration. The 
findings of the feasibility study were 
presented to the Gold Fields Board 
in February 2019.

Key findings of the feasibility study 
include the following potential 
operational parameters for Salares 
Norte:
■■ Initial 11.5-year life-of-mine
■■ Annual throughput of 2Mt
■■ Life-of-mine production of 3.2Moz 

of gold and 26.7Moz of silver 
■■ Average Annual production of 

450koz gold equivalent for the first 
seven years of the project at AISC 
of US$465/Au-eq oz

■■ Average annual production of 

355koz gold equivalent for the first 
10 years of the project at AISC of 
US$545/Au-eq oz

■■ Project construction capital of 
US$834m (in current terms)

■■ Internal rate of return of 25% at a 
US$1,300/oz gold price with a 
2.2-year payback period from 
commencement of production

The project envisages open pit 
operations with a processing plant 
that includes both Carbon-in-Pulp 
(CIP) and Merrill Crowe processes 
due to the high silver content of the 
ore. The processing plant could 

deliver recovery rates of around 92% 
for gold. In addition, filtered and dry 
stack tailings will be used for safety, 
water scarcity and environmental 
reasons. Contractor mining is likely to 
be used for Salares Norte.

In December 2018, Gold Fields 
updated the project's Mineral 
Resources and Reserves, reporting a 
total gold Mineral Resource of 3.9Mt 
of gold and 44Moz of silver. More 
pertinently, a maiden Mineral Reserve 
has been declared with 3.5Moz of 
gold and 39Moz of silver. The 
gold-equivalent Mineral Reserve 
is 4.0Moz.

A final go-ahead decision on the 
project hinges on the outcome of the 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
(EIA) for the project, which was 
accepted by the regulator for review 
on 11 July 2018. The EIA entails 
baseline research comprising 
hydrogeological, flora, fauna and 
biodiversity studies, including 
research and recommendations on 
the protection of the endangered 
short-tailed Chinchilla in the area. 
Gold Fields anticipates the EIA review 
to take 18 – 24 months to complete. 

This time period will give Gold Fields 
sufficient time to consider funding 
options for the anticipated US$834m 
in project capital. Depending on the 
timing of the EIA decision, 
construction could commence in 
late 2020 with first gold production 
in 2023.

A pre-development budget of 
US$81m has been estimated to 
advance detailed engineering, 
permits and early works during 2019 
and the first half of 2020, while we 
await the outcomes of the EIA and 
the permit to proceed. As at 
December 2018, Salares Norte 

controlled about 84,000ha of mineral 
rights concession in the Salares 
Norte district and has carried out 
extensive district-wide exploration 
within a 20km radius of Salares 
Norte. It will continue investing in 
exploration in the area, with the 
objective to discover and deliver ore 
from these targets to the production 
pipeline from 2025 onwards.

Land easement for 30 years was 
granted on 30 May 2016 and water 
rights for the project were obtained 
on 29 December 2016, with the 
regulator granting Gold Fields access 
to 114.27l/second (more than double 
what the project is planning to use). 
Energy demand for the project is 
estimated at 12MW, with an 
independent power producer (IPP) 
operating an onsite 14MW diesel 
power station to meet this 
requirement. A staged approach 
to incorporating renewable energy 
sources is also being considered.

While there are no indigenous claims 
or community presence on the 
concession or the dedicated access 
routes, Salares Norte has embarked 
on an extensive engagement 
programme with three indigenous 
communities in the wider vicinity of 
the project. The principal area of 
social influence of the project – and, 
potentially, for recruiting labour – is 
the Diego de Almagro municipality, 
approximately 125km away. A 
long-term framework agreement 
has been signed with the municipality 
and its communities to govern the 
relationship. Furthermore, work 
protocols have been signed for the 
gathering of information and citizen 
participation process with two of the 
three communities, with the process 
ongoing for the third community.

Exploration 
drilling at 
Salares 
Norte

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT  
48

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Managing our portfolio continued

Damang Reinvestment

The Damang Reinvestment project is 
set to extend its life-of-mine to 2025. 
It entails a major cutback to both the 
eastern and western walls of the 
Damang Pit Cutback (DPCB). When 
complete, the cutback is expected 
to have a total depth of 341m, 
comprising a 265m pre-strip to 
access the base of the existing pit. 
This will be followed by a deepening 
of the pit by a further 76m which will 
ultimately provide access to the full 
Damang ore body, including the 
high-grade Tarkwa Phyllite lithology. 

The project is on track to begin 
sourcing higher-grade ore from the 
Saddle area of the DPCB towards the 
middle of 2019, and then reach the 
bottom of the main pit in early 2020. 
The Amoanda pit has been the main 
ore source during the cutback of the 
Damang pit, with positive grade 
reconciliation from Amoanda being 

the main reason for the out-
performance of the project during 
2017 and 2018. 

The reinvestment project, which 
commenced on 23 December 2016, 
got off to a strong start in 2017 and 
continued to track well against plan 
during 2018. Total tonnes mined 
were 45.9Mt in 2018 (2017: 39.7Mt) 
versus the project schedule of 
41.5Mt, driven by a good 
performance by both contractors 
(BCM and E&P). Gold produced of 
180.8koz (2017: 143.6koz) was 13% 
higher than guidance of 160koz, 
underpinned by the high-grade 
material from the Amoanda pit, 
while AIC of US$1,506/oz 
(2017: US$1,827/oz) was below 
guidance of US$1,520/oz. Project 
capital of US$125m was spent during 
2018, on top of the US$115m spent 
during 2017.

To ensure sufficient tailings capacity 
for Damang’s extended life-of-mine, 
a new tailings storage facility, the Far 
East Tailings Storage Facility (FETSF), 
with a tailings capacity of 44Mt, was 
commissioned in Q4 2017, on time 
and within budget. Decommissioning 
of the older East Tailings Storage 
Facility (ETSF) commenced during Q1 
2018, and was completed during 
2018, with all tailings now being 
deposited on the FETSF.

A sharp increase in Damang’s 
production from 181koz to 218koz 
has been guided for 2019, with AIC 
sharply reduced to US$100/oz (2018: 
US$1,506/oz). Project capital for 
2019 is expected to be US$69m.

Damang pit 
cutback

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

49

Asanko

In March 2018, Gold Fields 
announced that it had entered into 
an agreement to form a 50:50 
incorporated JV with Asanko Gold. 
In the deal, which went unconditional 
on 31 July 2018, Gold Fields 
acquired a 50% stake in Asanko Gold 
Ghana’s 90% interest in AGM, 
associated properties and exploration 
rights in Ghana (the Ghana 
government holds the remaining 
10% through the legislated free carry 
arrangements). Our 45% stake in 
AGM is equity accounted as Asanko 
Gold remains the operator of the 
mine.

The acquisition was in line with the 
Group’s growth strategy of focusing 
on jurisdictions in which it already has 
an established footprint and can 
leverage off its infrastructure and 
skills set. A JV committee has been 
established which oversees the 
running of the JV. 

AGM is a multi-deposit complex, 
with two main deposits, Nkran and 
Esaase, and nine known satellite 
deposits. The mine is situated 100km 
north of Gold Fields’ Tarkwa and 
Damang operations along the 
prospective and under-explored 
Asankrangwa greenstone belt in 
Ghana.

Gold Fields’ purchase consideration 
included an upfront payment of 
US$165m and a deferred payment 
of US$20m by 31 December 2019, 
or earlier if agreed development 
milestones at the Esaase project are 
reached. In addition, Gold Fields 
purchased 9.9% of Asanko Gold’s 
issued equity on the Toronto Stock 
Exchange through a private 
placement, for a total consideration 
of US$17.6m.

During 2018, AGM produced 
223koz (100% basis) at an AISC 
of US$1,072/oz and an AIC of 
US$1,183/oz. Gold Fields’ share of 
the production for the period August 
– December 2018 was 44,500oz.

Guidance for 2019 is production of 
225koz – 245koz (100% basis) at an 
AISC of US$1,090/oz – US$1,110/oz 
and AIC of US$1,130/oz – 
US$1,150/oz. The guidance includes 
oxide material from the Esaase 
deposit, which will be trucked about 
30km to the processing plant. A 
feasibility study has been completed 
and the JV partners are currently 
deciding on the long-term 
development and associated ore 
transportation plans for the Esaase 
project in H2 2019. 

An updated Mineral Reserve will also 
be released on completion of the 
feasibility study. Development capital 
of US$18m is planned for AGM 
during 2019, mainly on the 
development of Esaase.

AGM’s sizeable resource base, with 
a life-of-mine of at least 15 years at 
2018 production rates, is accretive 
to the Gold Fields portfolio, with the 
potential for further discoveries on the 
large, relatively unexplored, tenement 
package of about 540km2, held by 
Asanko Gold.

View of 
Asanko 
plant area

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 50

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Life extension through near-mine exploration

Near-mine exploration plays a key 
role in Gold Fields’ strategy as we 
believe it offers one of the lowest-
cost opportunities for growing 
cash-flow, particularly on a per share 
basis. The value in near-mine 
exploration lies in:
■■ Knowledge of the ore bodies, 
which enables the exploration 
teams to identify extensions or 
additional ore sources housed 
within the mining tenement 

■■ Operational capabilities, including 

Gold Fields’ proven ability to 
develop and mine orogenic ore 
bodies, which are prevalent at our 
Australian mines

■■ Regional and operational 

infrastructure, including existing 
processing plants and regional 
management teams

In addition to adding to Gold Fields’ 
Mineral Resource and Mineral 
Reserve base, near-mine exploration:
■■ Extends the life of the Group’s 

existing mines 

■■ Ensures each region can continue 

to leverage its infrastructure
■■ Provides a robust platform for 

regional growth

In 2018, Gold Fields spent US$80m 
on near-mine exploration (2017: 
US$87m), which supported a total of 
507,497 metres of near-mine drilling 
(2017: 754,669 metres). The majority 
of this spending – US$63m (A$85m) 
(2017: US$75m (A$99m)) – was 
incurred at our Australian mines. 
US$14m was spent in Ghana, which 
is slightly higher than the US$11m 
spent in the region in 2017, amid a 
renewed focus on extending the life 
of the Tarkwa mine. 

For 2019, Gold Fields has budgeted 
US$63m for near-mine exploration of 
which US$57m (A$76m) will be at our 
Australian operations. 

Following is a breakdown of brownfields exploration at our operations 
during 2018:

Agnew
Mineral  Reserve reconciliation
(Gold - Moz)

St Ives
Mineral  Reserve reconciliation

Agnew
Mineral  Reserve reconciliation

Gold – Moz

Gold – Moz

4
5
.
0

5
2
.
0

7
2
.
0

6
5
.
0

2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

7
5
.
1

0
4
.
0

7
5
.
0

4
7
.
1

Dec
 2017

Mined 
depletion

Growth

Dec 
2018

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

Dec
 2017

Mined 
depletion

Growth

Dec 
2018

St Ives
At St Ives, total exploration 
spend in 2018 was A$36m 
(US$27m). A total of 124,355 
metres were drilled during the 
year, resulting in a 2% increase 
in Mineral Resources to 3.9Moz. 
Taking into account depletion 
of 367koz during 2018, Mineral 
Reserves at St Ives increased 
11% from 1.57Moz to 1.74Moz. 

Key outcomes:
■■ 11% increase in Mineral 

Reserves

■■ 2% increase in Mineral 

Resources

■■ Extensions of invincible 

complex both laterally and 
at depth

In June 2018, Gold Fields 
entered into a farm-in joint 
venture agreement with Lefroy 
Exploration. The prospective 
tenements being farmed into 
comprise 372km2 of the Lefroy 
Gold project adjacent to our 
St Ives mine. Gold Fields can 
earn up to a 70% interest in the 
tenements by spending up to 
A$25m (US$19m) on exploration 
activities over a six-year period, 
and will manage all exploration 
activities during this time. During 
2018, Gold Fields spent A$36m 
(US$26m) on exploration 
activities on the tenements 
(including Lefroy Gold).

Agnew
A$23m (US$17m) was spent on 
exploration at Agnew during 
2018 and a total of 122,082 
metres were drilled during the 
year. Encouragingly, Agnew 
replaced Reserves after depletion 
again during 2018. Mineral 
Reserves increased 4% to 
0.56Moz while Mineral 
Resources increased 5% to 
2.05Moz.

The exploration effort of the past 
few years is starting to show 
success, with Waroonga North 
growing laterally and at depth. 
Redeemer North is building up 
to a 0.5Moz – 1.0Moz deposit, 
whilst we are seeing further 
extensions of Genesis and 
Sheba at New Holland.

Key outcomes:
■■ 4% increase in Mineral 

Reserves

■■ 5% increase in Mineral 

Resources

■■ Redeemer North growing into 

a sizeable deposit

■■ Waroonga North growing 

laterally and at depth

■■ Further extensions at New 

Holland

   
  
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

51

Granny Smith
Mineral  Reserve reconciliation

Tarkwa
Mineral  Reserve reconciliation

Damang
Mineral  Reserve reconciliation

Gold – Moz

Gold – Moz

Gold – Moz

2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

3
7
.
1

9
1
.
0

1
2
.
0

2
6
.
1

Dec
 2016

Mined 
depletion

Growth

Dec 
2018

Damang
While the focus at Damang 
was on implementing the 
reinvestment plan, Gold Fields 
also spent US$5.4m on near-
mine exploration during 2018. 
A total of 33,857 metres were 
drilled. Despite the exploration 
effort, Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves decreased 
marginally to 6.0Moz (-1%) and 
1.6Moz (-6%), respectively.  

Key outcomes:
■■ Focus on further extension of 

Amoanda to the North

■■ Unconstrained case with 2Moz 

potential

■■ 6% decrease in Mineral 

Reserves

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

1
9
.
5

4
5
.
0

1
4
.
0

8
7
.
5

Dec
 2017

Mined 
depletion

Growth

Dec 
2018

Tarkwa
With the transition to contractor 
mining in early 2018, the Tarkwa 
mine has devoted more time 
and resources on life-of-mine 
extension exploration activities. 
Gold Fields spent US$9m 
in near-mine exploration at 
Tarkwa during the year, drilling 
48,429 metres. Tarkwa’s Mineral 
Reserves decreased by 128koz 
(2%), but Mineral Resources 
increased by 1.3Moz (15%).

As at 31 December 2018, 
Tarkwa’s Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves were 9.9Moz 
and 5.8Moz, respectively.

Key outcomes:
■■ 2% decrease in Mineral 

Reserves

■■ 15% increase in Mineral 

Resources

■■ Early target identification for 

life-of-mine extension

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

0
2
.
2

0
3
.
0

4
3
.
0

5
2
.
2

Dec
 2017

Mined 
depletion

Growth

Dec 
2018

Granny Smith
Total exploration spend at 
Granny Smith was A$23m 
(US$17m) in 2018. A total of 
165,456 metres were drilled 
during the year, which resulted in 
a 43koz (2%) increase in Mineral 
Reserves and a 762koz (11%) 
increase in Mineral Resources at 
the Wallaby Underground mine. 

Exploration has generated 
additional advanced targets 
in-mine and regionally, which will 
be targeted as additional sources 
of mill feed in the near future.

As at 31 December 2018, 
Granny Smith’s Mineral 
Resources and Mineral Reserves 
were 7.84Moz and 2.25Moz, 
respectively. Gold Fields has 
grown the Granny Smith 
Resource by 4.5Moz and the 
Reserve by over 2.5Moz since 
acquiring the asset in 2013. The 
immediate focus is on converting 
Mineral Resources to Reserves. 

Key outcomes:
■■ 2% increase in Mineral 

Reserves

■■ 11% increase in Mineral 

Resources

■■ Advanced targets identified as 
additional mill feed sources

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT  
 
 
52

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Mineral Resources and Reserves Summary

The summary of Gold Fields’ Mineral 
Resources and Mineral Reserves in 
this section should be read in 
conjunction with the Gold Fields 
Mineral Resource and Mineral 
Reserve Supplement (the 
Supplement), which sets out 
important and detailed information on 
the Company’s Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves as at 
31 December 2018. The Supplement 
can be found on our website on 
www.goldfields.com.

Gold Fields’ December 2018 
Resource and Reserve position 
reflects the Company’s growth 
strategy of consistent funding of 
brownfield exploration, reinvestment 
in the sustainability and growth of 
the operations, embedded Business 
Improvement programmes and 
advancement of selected growth 
projects. 

Gold Fields continued with its 
strategy of focusing on brownfields 
(near-mine) exploration at our 
Australian and Ghanaian mines to 
extend the life of our mines. During 
2018, our Australian mines again 
replaced more Reserves than they 
mined. The emphasis at all mine sites 
is to strive for Mineral Reserve growth 
that replaces annual depletion, 
improves cash-flow and costs per 
ounce, and maintains momentum 
on discovery. The sites are also 
encouraged to convert Resources to 
Reserves to maintain business plan 
production profiles and cash-flow 
projections.

Our strategy also seeks to assess 
emerging in-country opportunities to 
leverage off our existing infrastructure 
and resources and boost the medium 
to longer-term life of our portfolio. The 
successful feasibility study at Salares 
Norte, leading to the conversion of 
the Mineral Resource to a maiden 
4Moz gold equivalent Mineral 
Reserve, is positive evidence of this 
strategy. 

Key projects supporting the 
Company’s Resource and Reserve 
development strategy continued 
during 2018. Apart from the progress 
at Salares Norte, these projects 
include the operating model 
restructuring at South Deep, 
delivering on key milestones of 
the Damang Reinvestment plan, 
significant life extension at Cerro 
Corona and advancing the Gruyere 
project construction schedule to a 
point where full mining of the pit looks 
set to commence in Q2 2019. 

Metal prices and exchange 
rates
This declaration is based on a Mineral 
Resource gold price of US$1,400/oz 
(A$1,850/oz; R600,000/kg) and a 
Mineral Reserve price of US$1,200/oz 
(A$1,600/oz; R525,000/kg). The gold 
price of US$1,200/oz used for the 
Mineral Reserve declaration is within 
the guidelines of the United States 
(US) Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC). The copper price 
used for the Mineral Resource 
estimation is US$3.20/lb and for 
the Mineral Reserve estimation 
US$2.50/lb, increasing to US$2.80/lb 
from 2020 onward, with the 
respective prices used for silver being 
$20/oz and $17.50/oz. The following 
exchange rates were used for Mineral 
Reserve planning purposes: 
R/US$13.6, R/A$10.2, and 
A$/US$0.75.

Corporate governance
For reporting Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves, Gold Fields’ 
over-arching principle is to ensure 
transparency, materiality and 
competency in reporting, compliance 
with public regulatory codes and 
internal standards, and to inform 
all stakeholders of relevant material 
issues regarding the status of the 
Group’s fundamental asset base.

The Group’s December 2018 Mineral 
Resource and Mineral Reserve 
estimate is in accordance with the 
requirements of the South African 
Code for the Reporting of Exploration 
Results, Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves (the SAMREC 
Code, 2016), the South African Code 
for the Reporting of Mineral Asset 
Valuation (2016 SAMVAL Code) and 
Industry Guide 7 for reporting on the 
US SEC. The SAMREC Code covers 
public reporting and information that 
is prepared for investors or potential 
investors and their advisers, as well 
as other interested parties.

Reporting is also in accordance with 
section 12 of the Johannesburg 
Stock Exchange Limited (JSE) 
Listings Requirements and takes 
cognisance of other relevant 
international codes, where 
geographically applicable. The 
definitions contained in the SAMREC 
Code are either identical to, or not 
materially different from, equivalent 
international codes.

The December 2018 declaration aims 
to report on information that is rated 
as important for disclosure on Mineral 
Resources and Mineral Reserves and 
it reflects a level of detail required for 
completeness, transparency and 
materiality in reporting. Gold Fields’ 
Mineral Resources and Mineral 
Reserves are reviewed on an ongoing 
basis by an internal Competent 
Person team administered by 
Corporate Technical Services and 
cyclically, at least every three years, 
by external and independent experts, 
details of which are published in the 
Supplement. The Competent 
Persons designated in terms of 
SAMREC, who assume responsibility 
for the reporting of Mineral Resources 
and Mineral Reserves, are the 
respective operation-based geology, 
technical and relevant project 
managers. The relevant Competent 
Persons are listed in the Supplement 
to this Integrated Annual Report.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

53

Managed gold Mineral Resources1, 2 

Managed gold Mineral Reserves1 

6.2

6.2

0.0

1.1

1.3

16.0

17.1

14.8

16.0

Americas 
region

Australia
region

West Africa
region

(10.2)

South Africa 
region

0.0

(Moz) 
Growth 
projects2

19.8

19.8

3.3

1.9

5.2

0.3

6.2

6.4

7.6

7.4

Americas 
region

Australia
region

(0.2)

West Africa
region

(4.6)

South Africa 
region

66.3

56.2

37.4

32.8

Moz

(5)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

■ Variance

■ Dec 2017

■ Dec 2018

Moz

(10)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

■ Variance

■ Dec 2017

■ Dec 2018

1  Salares Norte and Gruyere are included in the Americas and Australia regions respectively
2  The Growth Project Resource now reflects the FSE project only

Headline numbers
At 31 December 2018, Gold Fields’ 
mines and projects had total 
attributable gold and copper Mineral 
Resources of 96.6Moz (December 
2017: 103.8Moz) and 4,816Mlbs 
(December 2017: 4,881Mlbs), 
respectively. Attributable gold and 
copper Mineral Reserves are 
48.1Moz (December 2017: 49Moz) 
and 691Mlbs (December 2017: 
764Mlbs) respectively, net of mined 
depletion. Total gold-equivalent 
Mineral Resources are 108.22Moz 
(December 2017: 115.60Moz) and 
Mineral Reserves 50.26Moz (2017: 
50.80Moz). South Deep currently 
accounts for 47% of gold-equivalent 
Mineral Resources and 59% of 
Mineral Reserves.

The adjacent charts depict the 
Group’s comparative 2018 and 2017 
managed gold Mineral Resource and 
Mineral Reserve ounces split by 
region and growth projects. Detailed 
year-on-year reconciliations are set 
out in the Supplement.

Construction 
at Gruyere 
gold mine

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT  
 
 
 
54

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Mineral Resource and Reserve summary continued

Gold Fields Mineral Resource statement as at 31 December 20181

Headline numbers

Managed Mineral Resources

Attributable ounces

Gold only

Total regions2
Total projects3
Total Au only

Cu and Ag as Au equiv.
Cerro Corona Cu as Au Equiv.5
FSE Cu as Au Equiv.6
Salares Norte Ag as Au Equiv.7
Grand total as Au equivalents

Operational summary*

Gold

Australia region
Agnew
Granny Smith
St Ives
Gruyere
Total Australia region
South African region
South Deep2
Total South Africa region
Americas region
Cerro Corona
Salares Norte
Total Americas region
West Africa region
Damang
Tarkwa – open pits
Tarkwa – surface stocks
Tarkwa – total
Total West Africa region

Gold only
GFL Operations – Total Gold

31 Dec 2018

31 Dec 2017

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

1,002.1
891.7
1,893.8

2.96
0.69
1.89

Au
(Moz)

95.5
19.8
115.3

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

1,010.8
891.7
1,902.5

3.18
0.69
2.01

Individual metals detailed in table below

1.9
22.7
0.6
140.5

31 Dec 
2018

31 Dec
 2017

Gold (Moz)

88.7
7.9
96.6

1.9
9.1
0.6
108.2

95.8
7.9
103.8

2.1
9.1
0.7
115.6

Au
(Moz)

103.3
19.8
123.1

2.1
22.7
0.7
148.6

Managed Mineral Resources

Attributable ounces

31 Dec 2018
Grade
(g/t)

Tonnes
(Mt)

31 Dec 2017

31 Dec 
2018

31 Dec
2017

Gold
(koz)

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Gold
(koz)

Resource (koz)

12.3
46.2
33.2
77.7
169.5

328.0
328.0

107.7
25.6
133.2

85.1
213.2
73.1
286.3
371.4

5.16
5.27
3.68
1.32
3.14

5.32
5.32

0.65
4.76
1.44

2.21
1.30
0.46
1.08
1.34

2,049
7,837
3,928
3,305
17,120

56,152
56,152

2,263
3,910
6,173

6,058
8,891
1,091
9,983
16,040

11.5
38.6
34.4
75.4
160.0

381.6
381.6

115.0
23.3
138.3

86.2
172.5
72.2
244.8
331.0

5.25
5.70
3.47
1.29
3.11

5.41
5.41

0.69
4.89
1.40

2.21
1.37
0.46
1.10
1.39

1,946
7,075
3,847
3,134
16,002

66,318
66,318

2,542
3,663
6,205

6,119
7,583
1,074
8,658
14,776

2,049
7,837
3,928
3,305
17,120

50,955
50,955

2,252
3,910
6,162

5,452
8,002
982
8,984
14,436

1,946
7,075
3,847
3,134
16,002

60,350
60,350

2,530
3,663
6,193

5,507
6,825
967
7,792
13,299

1,002.1

2.96

95,485

1,010.8

3.18

103,301

88,674

95,843

Managed Mineral Resources

Attributable ounces

Americas region
Copper

Tonnes Grade
(% Cu)

(Mt)

Copper
(Mlbs)

Tonnes Grade
(% Cu)

(Mt)

Copper
(Mlbs)

Attributable Copper
(Mlbs)

Cerro Corona Cu only

102.4

0.37

848

107.9

0.39

917

844

913

Managed Mineral Resources

Attributable ounces

Americas region
Silver

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Ag
(koz)

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

Ag
(koz)

Attributable Silver
(koz)

Salares Norte Ag only

25.6

53.13

43,664

23.3

66.03

49,458

43,664

49,458

* Including Gruyere and Salares Norte

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

55

Gold Fields Mineral Reserve statement as at 31 December 20181
Headline numbers

Managed Mineral Reserves

Attributable ounces

31 Dec 2018

31 Dec 2017

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

589.1

2.74

Au
(Moz)

51.9

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

613.1

2.70

Individual metals detailed in table below

1.6
0.6
54.0

31 Dec 
2018

31 Dec 
2017

Gold (Moz)

48.1

1.6
0.6
50.3

49.0

1.8
—
50.8

Au
(Moz)

53.1

1.8
—
54.9

Managed Mineral Reserves

Attributable ounces

31 Dec 2018
Grade
(g/t)

Tonnes
(Mt)

31 Dec 2017

Gold
(koz)

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t)

3.7
12.6
19.1
47.1
82.5

182.3
182.3

79.9
21.1
101.0

28.9
121.4
73.1
194.5
223.4

4.72
5.54
2.84
1.25
2.43

5.60
5.60

0.68
5.13
1.61

1.74
1.20
0.46
0.92
1.03

560
2,246
1,741
1,894
6,441

3.0
12.4
19.4
48.7
83.6

32,808
32,808

216.8
216.8

5.54
5.51
2.51
1.20
2.30

5.36
5.36

1,737
3,476
5,213

1,616
4,687
1,091
5,778
7,394

86.2

0.70

86.2

0.70

31.9
122.5
72.2
194.7
226.6

1.68
1.23
0.46
0.94
1.05

Gold
(koz)

541
2,203
1,568
1,871
6,183

37,388
37,388

1,937

1,937

1,728
4,831
1,074
5,906
7,634

589.1

2.74

51,856

613.1

2.70

53,143

31 Dec 
2018

31 Dec 
2017

Reserves (koz)

560
2,246
1,741
1,894
6,441

29,772
29,772

1,729
3,476
5,205

1,454
4,218
982
5,200
6,654
—
48,072

541
2,203
1,568
1,871
6,183

34,023
34,023

1,928
—
1,928

1,555
4,348
967
5,315
6,871
—
49,005

Gold only

Total regions2, 3

Cu and Ag as Au equiv.
Cerro Corona Cu as Au Equiv.8
Salares Norte Ag as Au Equiv.9
Grand total as Au equivalents

Operational summary*

Gold

Australia region
Agnew
Granny Smith
St Ives
Gruyere
Total Australia region
South African region
South Deep4
Total South Africa region
Americas region
Cerro Corona
Salares Norte
Total Americas region
West Africa region
Damang
Tarkwa – open pits
Tarkwa – surface stocks
Tarkwa – Total
Total West Africa region
Gold only
Total Gold

(PERU) – Cerro Corona
Copper

Copper (Cu) only

Tonnes Grade
(% Cu)

(Mt)

Copper
(Mlbs)

Tonnes Grade
(% Cu)

(Mt)

79.9

0.39

695

86.2

0.40

Copper
(Mlbs)

767

Attributable Copper
(Mlbs)

691

764

Managed Mineral Reserves

Attributable ounces

(CHILE) – Salares Norte
Silver

Tonnes Grade
(g/t Ag)

(Mt)

Silver
(koz)

Tonnes Grade
(g/t Ag)

(Mt)

Silver
(koz)

Attributable Silver
(koz)

Managed Mineral Reserves

Attributable ounces

Silver (Ag) only
—
1 Managed unless otherwise stated; Gruyere only reports the 50% share attributable to Gold Fields; Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources are reported 

39,263

39,263

57.94

21.1

—

—

—

inclusive of those Mineral Resources modified to produce Mineral Reserves

2 Gruyere and Salares Norte are included in the Australia and Americas regions, respectively
3 Projects – FSE Inferred Resource only
4 Reserve grade is inclusive of in section development tonnes, which cannot be separated from the ore flow, however, capital waste is excluded as there is a 

potential to separate it in the future

5 Metal prices used for equiv oz: US$1,400/oz Au and US$3.2/lb Cu. The metallurgical recovery rate (Au=69% and Cu=87%) and selling cost, have not been 

applied to the conversion. Calculation: CuMlbs*Cu Price (848*3.2)/Au price (1,400) = 1.9 Au equivalent Moz

6  Metal prices used for equiv oz: US$1,400/oz Au and US$3.2/lb Cu. The selling cost, including refining and royalties, plus metallurgical recovery rate (Au=82% 
and Cu=93%) and selling cost have not been applied to the conversion. Calculation: CuMlbs*Cu Price (9,921*3.2)/Au price (1,400) = 22.7 Au equivalent Moz
7  Metal prices used for equiv oz: US$1,400/oz Au and US$20/oz Ag. Equivalency is based on the price ratio only so the metallurgical recoveries (92% Au, 68% 
Ag) and selling costs (US$16.76/oz Au, US$1.41/oz Ag), including refining and royalties (1%), have not been included. (43.7*20/1400 = 0.6Moz Au equivalent)
8  Metal prices used for equiv oz: US$1,200/oz Au and US$2.8/lb Cu. The selling cost, including refining and royalties, plus metallurgical recovery rate (Au=69% 

and Cu=87%), has not been applied to the conversion. Calculation: CuMlbs*Cu Price (695*2.8)/Au price (1,200) = 1.6 Au equivalent Moz

9  Metal prices used for equiv oz: US$1,200/oz Au and US$17.5/oz Ag. The selling cost, including refining and royalties, plus metallurgical recovery rate 
(Au=93% and Cu=68%), has not been applied to the conversion. Calculation: Agkoz*Ag Price (39.3*17.5)/Au price/oz (1,200) = 0.6 Au equivalent Moz

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 56

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Attributable gold-eq

2.04Moz

KEY MEASUREMENTS – SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY

2018

Status

2017

2016

2015

2014

Total recordable injury frequency rate 
(TRIFR) (rate per million)

Fatalities

Gold production – attributable (koz)

Revenue (US$m)

All-in Sustaining Cost (US$/oz)

All-in Cost (US$/oz)

Average gold price received (US$/oz)
Cost of sales before depreciation 
and amortisation (US$m)

Headline earnings/(loss)

Net cash-inflow/(outflow)

Free cash-flow (FCF) margin (%)

1.83

1

2,036

2,578

981

1,173

1,252

¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢

1,375

61

¢
¢
(132) ¢
¢

16

2.42

2.27

3.40

4.04

3

2,160

2,811

955

1,088

1,255

1

2,146

2,750

980

1,006

1,241

3

2,159

2,545

1,007

1,026

1,140

3

2,219

2,869

1,053

1,087

1,249

1,404

1,388

1,456

1,678

210

(2)

16

204

294

17

(33)

123

8

27

235

13

¢ 2018 performance improvement on 2017 or achievement in line with strategy
¢ 2018 performance drop against 2017
¢ 2018 performance on par with 2017

STRATEGIC GOALS

1 Consecutive six years of exceeding or meeting cost and 

production guidance at our Australian, Ghanaian and Peruvian 
operations

RESULTS AND IMPACTS

Strategic 
responses 
– Safe 
operational 
delivery

Key 
initiatives

Related 
risks

■■ Eliminate fatalities and serious injuries
■■ Deliver South Deep, Gruyere and Damang
■■ Reduce energy and water costs and secure supply
■■ Ensure we have the right people in the right roles doing the right things

■■ Implementation of organisational restructuring programme at South Deep
■■ Construction and engineering schedules at Damang and Gruyere closely monitored
■■ Establishment of a Group Safety Leadership Forum
■■ All operations certified to OHSAS 18001 health and safety standard
■■ Succession planning and talent review systems in place at mine, regional and Group level
■■ Implementation of the integrated energy and carbon management strategy

■■ Non-achievement of South Deep restructuring plan
■■ Non-delivery of Damang Reinvestment and Gruyere projects
■■ Safety and health of our employees
■■ Attraction and retention of skills
■■ Cost of energy and security of power supply
■■ Increased geotechnical risk underground associated with mining at depth and evolving 

mining operations

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Good Health 
and Wellbeing

Decent Work 
and Economic 
Growth

Industry, 
Innovation  
and 
Infrastructure

Responsible 
Consumption  
and Production

Climate  
Action

KEY STAKEHOLDERS – EMPLOYEES

COMMUNITIES

GOVERNMENTS

SHAREHOLDERS 
AND INVESTORS

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

57

In order to deliver sustainable financial 
returns, meet our strategic promises 
and achieve our aim of zero harm, we 
need the right people in the right 
roles with the right skills, ongoing 
investments in technology, and 
an innovative approach to energy 
cost management.

■■ Introduction 
■■ Operational performance overview 
■■ Safety 
■■ Health 
■■ Energy cost management 
■■ Innovation and technology 
■■ A fit-for-purpose workforce 

p58
p58
p63
p67
p70
p74
p76

COPY TO BE SUPPLIEDPage heading continuedSecondary page heading continuedfor the year ended 31 December 2018Safe operational delivery 58

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Operational performance

Introduction
During 2018, Gold Fields continued 
to expand its international footprint 
with the acquisition of a 45% stake 
in the Asanko gold mine (AGM) in 
Ghana. The portfolio is geographically 
diversified, boasting eight mines in 
four regions, only one of which is in 
South Africa. In addition, investment 
into the Gruyere project in Australia 
continued as planned during 2018. 
The project remains on track to start 
contributing to the production profile 
during Q2 2019, and is set to reach 
steady state production towards the 
end of 2019 or early 2020. At name 
plate, Gold Fields’ share of Gruyere’s 
production is expected to be 150koz, 
bringing production in the Australian 
region to approximately 1Moz. 

In another positive development, the 
feasibility study on Salares Norte in 

Group operational performance

Chile was completed during the year, 
showing an internal rate of return of 
25% at a US$1,300/oz gold price 
(for more details refer to p47). While 
there is more work to be done on the 
project, Salares Norte offers longer-
term optionality to the production 
base.

The Group’s broader strategy is 
focused on reducing Group All-in 
costs (AIC) and improving cash 
generation. Our international 
operations (excluding South Africa) 
lived up to this mandate during 2018, 
with each mine meeting or exceeding 
production and cost guidance for the 
year. The solid operational and cost 
performances of our Australian, 
Ghanaian and Peruvian assets 
contributed to strong overall Group 
results and enabled Gold Fields to 
contain the net debt increase during 

a year in which US$295m in project 
capital was incurred. 

Some of the key investments made 
during 2018 in order to bolster the 
longevity of our portfolio include:
■■ A$153m (US$115m) (2017: 

A$182m (US$139m)) spent on 
the Gruyere project in Western 
Australia (p44)

■■ US$125m (2017: US$115m) 
in project capital spent at our 
Damang mine in Ghana (p48)

■■ Near-mine exploration spending of 
A$85m (US$63m) (2017: A$95m 
(US$72m)) in Australia (including 
Gruyere) and US$14m (2017: 
US$11m) in Ghana (p50)

■■ US$51m (2017: US$53m) spent on 
feasibility study work and further 
exploration drilling at Salares Norte 
in Chile (p47)

2019 Guidance

Prod 
(Moz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

2018 Actual

Prod 
(Moz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

2018 Guidance

Prod 
(Moz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

2017 Actual

Prod 
(Moz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

Group

2.13
-2.18

1,075
-1,095

2.04

1,173

2.08
-2.10

1,190
-1,210

2.16

1,088

In 2018, Gold Fields’ attributable 
gold-equivalent production 
decreased by 6% to 2.036Moz, 
driven predominantly by the 
underperformance at South Deep, 
which was compounded by a 
six-week strike on the mine during 
Q4 2018. The Group performance 
takes into account attributable 
production from AGM from 1 August 
2018, with the acquisition having 
gone unconditional on 31 July 2018. 

The Group achieved AIC of 
US$1,173/oz in 2018, which was 
lower than guidance (US$1,190/oz 
– US$1,210/oz), but higher than the 
US$1,088/oz recorded in 2017. The 
year-on-year increase in AIC was 
driven by an increase in non-
sustaining capital and Salares Norte 
expenditure, coupled with the lower 

level of gold sold. Group All-in 
Sustaining Costs (AISC) increased to 
US$981/oz from US$955/oz in 2017, 
and were lower than the guidance of 
US$990/oz – US$1,010/oz.

During 2018, Gold Fields maintained 
the capital expenditure (capex) levels 
deemed critical to sustain the 
portfolio. With the focus on extending 
the life of our ore bodies at all of our 
international mines, Group capex 
remained elevated at US$814m 
(excluding Asanko) (2017: US$834m). 
This comprised sustaining capital of 
US$524m and project capital of 
US$290m.

Regional capex highlights included:
■■ Australia: Our Australian mines 
decreased capex to A$373m 
(US$279m) in 2018 from A$423m 

(US$324m) in 2017, with near-mine 
exploration spending amounting to 
A$85m (US$63m) in 2018 (2017: 
A$95m (US$72m))

■■ South America: At Cerro Corona, 

capex decreased slightly to 
US$33m in 2018 from US$34m 
in 2017 

■■ West Africa: Capex declined to 
US$290m (excluding Asanko) 
(2017: US$313m), mainly as a 
result of lower expenditure on the 
mining fleet at Tarkwa. Project 
capital at Damang increased to 
US$125m in 2018 from US$115m 
in 2017

■■ South Africa: Capex at South 
Deep decreased to US$58m in 
2018 from US$82m in 2017, with 
project capital remaining stable at 
US$18m (2017: US$17m)

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

59

South Africa region

2019 Guidance

2018 Actual

2018 Guidance

2017 Actual

Prod

AIC

Prod

AIC

Prod

AIC

Prod

AIC

South Deep

6,000kg
(193koz)

R610,000/kg
(US$1,394/oz)

4,885kg
(157koz)

R854,049/kg
(US$2,012/oz)

10,000kg
(321koz)

R540,000/kg
(US$1,400/oz)

8,748kg
(281koz)

R600,109/kg
(US$1,400/oz)

As a result of the above factors, 
production for the full year decreased 
by 44% to 4,885kg (157koz) in 2018 
from 8,748kg (281koz) in 2017. Cost 
of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation reduced by 12% to 
R3.586m (US$272m) in 2018 from 
R4.062m (US$305m) in 2017, mainly 
due to lower production exacerbated 
by the industrial action in 2018’s last 
quarter. 

Capital expenditure decreased by 
30% to R770m (US$58m) in 2018 
from R1,099m (US$82m) in 2017. 
Sustaining capital expenditure 
decreased by 40% to R528m 
(US$40m) in 2018 from R874m 
(US$66m) in 2017, underpinned by 
lower spend on fleet and surface 

infrastructure. Non-sustaining capital 
expenditure increased by 8% to 
R242m (US$18m) in 2018 (2017: 
R225m (US$17m)) due to higher 
expenditure on new mine 
development infrastructure and an 
increase in development metres.

AISC increased by 41% to 
R807,688/kg (US$1,903/oz) from 
R574,406/kg (US$1,340/oz) in 2017, 
while AIC increased by 42% to 
R854,049/kg (US$2,012/oz) 
compared with R600,109/kg 
(US$1,400/oz) in 2017. The increase 
in AISC and AIC was driven mainly 
by the lower amount of gold sold.

South Deep recorded a net cash-
outflow of US$141m in 2018.

South Deep got off to a tough start 
in 2018, with production in Q1 2018 
impacted by a slow build up after 
the seasonal holidays, two labour 
restructuring processes that took 
place at the end of 2017 and during 
Q1 2018, and a change in the 
underground working shift 
arrangements implemented to 
increase productivity. In addition, 
low mobile equipment reliability, the 
intersection of active geological 
features (faults and dykes) in the 
high-grade corridor 3 and poor 
ground conditions in the composites 
slowed production rates. The mine 
only produced 1,485kg (48koz) in 
Q1 2018.

Production was further impacted by 
a Department of Mineral Resources 
enforced safety stoppage during 
April. As a result of these factors, 
guidance for the mine was 
downgraded to 7,600kg (244koz) 
with the release of our Q1 2018 
production update on 25 April, from 
the original guidance of 10,000kg 
(321koz).

Despite the two restructuring 
processes, South Deep continued to 
face a number of organisational and 
structural challenges that directly 
impacted performance during Q2 
2018, with production during the 
quarter only marginally higher than 
Q1 2018 at 1,518kg (49koz). As a 
result, on 14 August 2018, Gold 
Fields announced a material 
restructuring of the mine, which 
entailed reducing the workforce by 
30%. This announcement impacted 
the productivity of the mine (Q3 
production: 1,539kg (50koz)), and 
ultimately resulted in the majority 
union (the National Union of 
Mineworkers (NUM)) embarking on 
industrial action on 2 November 
2018. The strike lasted 45 days and 
ended on 13 December. Five days 
later the NUM signed a settlement 
agreement.   

46

For details of the South Deep 
restructuring, see p46.

Twin shafts, 
South Deep

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY  
60

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Operational performance continued

Americas region

Production overview

Gold-only production

Copper production

Gold-equivalent production

AIC/AISC

AIC/AISC eq-oz

Cerro Corona in Peru had another 
solid year in 2018, with total 
managed gold-equivalent production 
of 314koz (2017: 307koz). This was 
12% higher than the 280koz gold-
equivalent production guidance for 
the year, underpinned by the higher 
copper price ratio and increased 
copper production due to a increased 
copper head grade.

Cost of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation increased marginally to 
US$155m in 2018 from US$154m in 
2017. The higher cost was due to 

Australia region

2019 
Guidance

2018 
Actual

2018 
Guidance

2017 
Actual

koz

kt

koz

US$/oz

US$/oz

153

28

291

566

802

150

32

314

282

699

145

30

280

585

810

159

30

307

203

673

higher mining expenditure resulting 
from increased tonnes mined in 
2018, partially offset by a US$6m 
credit to costs of concentrate 
inventory in 2018 (2017: charge to 
costs of US$3m). Capital expenditure 
decreased by 3% to US$33m in 
2018 from US$34m in 2017, due to 
lower expenditure on the tailings dam 
and waste storage facilities.

US$699/oz in 2018 (2017: 
US$673/oz). The increase in AISC 
and AIC was primarily due to lower 
by-product credits, lower gold sold 
and higher cost of sales before 
amortisation and depreciation. Both 
AISC and AIC comfortably beat 
guidance for the year of US$585/oz 
and, on a gold equivalent basis, 
US$810/oz.

AISC and AIC were US$282/oz in 
2018 compared with US$203/oz in 
2017 and, on a gold equivalent basis, 

The region reported net cash-inflow 
of US$114m during 2018 (2017: 
US$117m).

2019 Guidance

2018 Actual

2018 Guidance

2017 Actual

Prod 
(koz)

AIC

Prod 
(koz)

AIC

Prod 
(koz)

AIC

Prod 
(koz)

AIC

St Ives

Agnew

Granny Smith

Darlot

Gruyere (50%)

Region

362

221

260

Sold

59

902

A$1,342/oz
(US$1,007/oz)
A$1,538/oz
(US$1,154/oz)
A$1,370/oz
(US$1,028/oz)
Sold

A$3,178/oz
(US$2,384/oz)
A$1,518/oz
(US$1,139/oz)

367

239

280

Sold

A$1,207/oz
(US$902/oz)
A$1,374/oz
(US$1,026/oz)
A$1,239/oz
(US$925/oz)
Sold

360

230

275

Sold

A$1,250/oz
(US$1,000/oz)
A$1,310/oz
(US$1,050/oz)
A$1,240/oz
(US$990/oz)
Sold

364

241

290

39

A$1,198/oz
(US$916/oz)
A$1,276/oz
(US$977/oz)
A$1,171/oz
(US$896/oz)
A$1,874/oz
(US$1,432/oz)

886

A$1,262/oz
(US$943/oz)

865

A$1,263/oz
(US$1,010/oz)

935

A$1,239/oz
(US$948/oz)

Gold Fields’ Australian operations 
delivered another strong operational 
performance in 2018. Gold 
production of 886koz at an AIC of 
A$1,262/oz (US$943/oz) was better 
than full year guidance of 865koz at 
an AIC of A$1,263/oz (US$1,010/oz), 
with Granny Smith, St Ives and 
Agnew all outperforming both 
production and cost guidance. 
Production was 5% lower than 

in 2017 (935koz), which included 
production from Darlot during three 
quarters in 2018. Stripping out 
Darlot’s production from 2017 
(895koz excluding Darlot), production 
would have decreased by only 1% 
in 2018.

expenditure decreased to A$373m 
(US$279m) from A$423m 
(US$324m), including near-mine 
exploration expenditure which was 
slightly lower at A$85m (US$63m) in 
2018 compared to A$95m (US$72m) 
in 2017.

Cost of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation increased by 13% to 
A$690m (US$516m) in 2018, from 
A$613m (US$469m) in 2017. Capital 

The Australia region reported a net 
cash-inflow of US$194m in 2018 
(2017: US$188m). 

   
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

61

Mine performances
St Ives continued its transition from 
being predominantly open pit to a 
predominantly underground operation 
during 2018. By end-December, 
79koz had been mined from the 
Invincible underground mine. The 
Invincible open pit will be phased out 
during 2019, at which point Invincible 
Underground, Hamlet Underground 
and the Neptune open pit will be the 
main sources of ore.

Production increased marginally to 
367koz in 2018 from 364koz in 2017, 
and came in slightly ahead of 
guidance of 360koz. Cost of sales 
before amortisation and depreciation 
increased by 20% to A$249m 
(US$186m) in 2018 from A$207m 
(US$159m) in 2017. The increase in 
costs was primarily due to increased 
underground mining cost of A$18m 
(US$14m) and a lower gold inventory 
credit to costs of A$20m (US$15m) 
in 2018, compared with A$38m 
(US$29m) in 2017.

Capital expenditure decreased by 
17% to A$170m (US$127m) in 2018 
from A$204m (US$156m) in 2017, 
due to lower expenditure at the open 
pits following completion of activities 
at Invincible open pit stage 5, partially 
offset by increased capital 
development at the new Invincible 
underground mine.

AISC and AIC increased by 1% to 
A$1,207/oz (US$902/oz) in 2018 
from A$1,198/oz (US$916/oz) 
in 2017, and were 3% below full 
year guidance of A$1,250/oz 
(US$1,000/oz).

At Agnew, gold production 
decreased by 1% to 239koz in 2018 
from 241koz in 2017, but was 4% 
higher than guidance of 230koz. Cost 
of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation increased by 10% to 
A$216m (US$162m) in 2018 from 
A$197m (US$150m) in 2017. The 
cost increase was driven by higher 
mining costs at Waroonga as a result 
of increased ground support and 
paste fill, as well as an increase in 
gold-in-process charge to costs of 
A$2m (US$2m) in 2018, compared 
with a credit to costs of A$6m 
(US$5m) in 2017.

In an important development for 
Agnew, Gold Fields made the 
decision to invest in a new camp 
(we previously rented rooms from 
BHP Billiton in Leinster) and a hybrid 
power station on site. The first 
buildings for the camp arrived on 
15 December 2018 and construction 
commenced in January 2019. 
Commissioning of 450 rooms and the 
central facilities is targeted for May 
2019. The new power station will 
entail a combination of gas, solar 
and wind power generation. 

AISC and AIC increased by 8% 
to A$1,374/oz (A$1,026/oz) in 2018 
from A$1,276/oz (US$977/oz) in 2017, 
and were 5% above full year guidance 
of A$1,310/oz (US$1,050/oz).

Commissioning of the gas and solar 
components is scheduled for June 
2019, with wind generation to follow 
in Q1 2020. Capital expenditure rose 
by 2% to A$98m (US$73m) in 2018, 
up from A$96m (US$74m) in 2017. 

In addition to the camp and power 
station, Agnew put out a tender for 
an aviation contract, which was 
awarded on 30 January 2019. 

At Granny Smith, production 
decreased by 3% to 280koz in 2018 
from 290koz in 2017, but was 2% 
ahead of guidance for the year of 
275koz. Cost of sales before 
amortisation and depreciation 
increased by 7% to A$225m 
(US$168m) in 2018 from A$210m 
(US$160m) in 2017, mainly due to 
increased mining costs on the back 
of increased ore tonnes mined from 
the deeper zones, and an 18% 
increase in ore development in 2018.

Capital expenditure was 8% lower 
in 2018 at A$105m (US$79m) 
(2017: A$114m (US$87m)), due to 
completion of the VR8 ventilation 
shaft in 2017.

AISC and AIC increased by 6% to 
A$1,239/oz (US$925/oz) in 2018 
from A$1,171/oz (US$896/oz) in 
2017, mainly due to higher cost 
of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation and lower gold sold, 
partially offset by lower capital 
expenditure.

The mine generated net cash-flow of 
A$131m (US$98m) in 2018.

A review of the three mines’ 
brownfields exploration activities in 
2018 is detailed on p50 – 51.

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 62

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Operational performance continued

West Africa region

2019 Guidance
Prod 
(koz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

2018 Actual

Prod 
(koz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

2018 Guidance
Prod 
(koz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

2017 Actual

Prod 
(koz)

AIC 
(US$/oz)

Tarkwa

Damang

Asanko1

Region

514

218

1083

838

949

1,100

1,1403

1,102

525

181

45

751

951

1,506

1,175

1,0982

520

160

–

680

970

1,520

–

1,100

566

144

–

710

940

1,827

–

1,119

¹  45% stake, equity-accounted
²  Excludes Asanko contribution
3  Gold Fields’ 45% share of the mid-point of Asanko 2019 guidance

The Ghanaian region is the second 
biggest producer in the Gold Fields 
portfolio, contributing 34% to Group 
attributable production in 2018. Gold 
Fields has a shareholding of 90% in 
both Tarkwa and Damang, with the 
Ghanaian government holding the 
remaining 10%. During 2018, Gold 
fields acquired 45% of AGM in 
August, with our joint venture (JV) 
partner Asanko Gold holding 45%, 
and the Ghanaian government the 
remaining 10%.

The Damang Reinvestment project, 
which commenced at the end of 
2016, continued to track well against 
plan during 2018. Total tonnes mined 
were 45.9Mt against the project 
schedule of 41.5Mt, while gold 
produced was 181koz, compared 
with guidance of 160koz. There will 
be a material increase in Damang’s 
production in 2019, with guidance 
of 218koz. Encouragingly, AISC of 
US$813/oz and AIC of US$1,506/oz 
both came in below guidance of 
US$860/oz and US$1,520/oz, 
respectively. For an update on the 
Damang Reinvestment plan, see p48.

Despite total managed gold 
production for the region falling 1% 
to 706koz (excluding Asanko) in 
2018, it came in 4% ahead of 
guidance of 680koz, driven by the 
better-than-expected performance at 
Damang. Total managed production 
(including AGM’s contribution from 
1 August 2018) increased to 751koz 
from 710koz in 2017. 

Cost of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation for the region increased 
by 1% to US$433m in 2018 from 
US$428m in 2017. Capital 
expenditure decreased to US$295m 
in 2018 from US$313m in 2017, 

mainly due to lower expenditure on 
the mining fleet at Tarkwa. AIC for the 
region was US$1,098/oz, in line with 
guidance of US$1,100/oz and 2% 
lower than the US$1,119/oz reported 
in 2017.

Despite the significant amount of 
project capital incurred at Damang, 
the region as a whole reported a net 
cash-inflow of US$25m during 2018. 

Mine performances
During 2018, Tarkwa transitioned 
from owner mining to contractor 
mining in an attempt to address cost 
inflation in the region. The mining 
contract was demarcated into two 
zones and awarded to two local 
contractors: BCM for Zone 1 (Pepe, 
Mantraim, Atuabo and Teberebe pits) 
and E&P for Zone 2 (Akontansi and 
Kottraverchy pits). BCM started 
operations in Zone 1 in March, with 
E&P following in April. As part of the 
tender process, the contractors 
undertook to purchase the fleet, 
which largely covered the 
retrenchment costs incurred 
through the process.

Tarkwa’s production decreased 7% 
to 525koz in 2018 (2017: 566koz). 
However, production beat guidance 
of 520koz, a notable achievement 
given the transition to contractor 
mining. The mine’s Carbon-in-Leach 
plant throughput increased slightly to 
13.8Mt (2017: 13.5Mt), while its yield 
decreased to 1.18g/t (2017:1.30g/t) 
due to the lower head grade mined 
and processed.

Cost of sales before amortisation and 
depreciation increased by 1% to 
US$309m in 2018 from US$306m 
in 2017 due to a gold-in-process 
charge to cost, partially offset by 

lower mining costs. Capital 
expenditure decreased 14% to 
US$156m in 2018 from US$181m 
in 2017. AISC and AIC increased 
by 1% to US$951/oz in 2018 from 
US$940/oz in 2017, and were 
comfortably below guidance of 
US$970/oz. 

Tarkwa generated a net cash-inflow 
of US$92m during 2018.

Damang produced 181koz in 2018, 
which is 26% higher than the 144koz 
produced in 2017 and 13% higher 
than guidance of 160koz. While the 
reinvestment plan entailed an 
increase in both operating costs and 
capital expenditure, both AISC 
(US$813/oz) and AIC (US$1,506/oz) 
came in below guidance. This is a 
result of the strict cost controls and 
better than expected efficiencies from 
the contractors used.

Cost of sales before amortisation 
and depreciation increased by 2% to 
US$124m in 2018 from US$122m in 
2017. This increase was mainly due 
to higher operating tonnes mined, 
partially offset by a gold-in-process 
credit to costs of US$19m in 2018. 
Capital expenditure was US$139m in 
2018 from US$132m in 2017.

Damang recorded a net cash-outflow 
of US$67m in 2018, underpinned by 
the US$125m in project capital spent 
during the year. 

Asanko produced 223koz in 2018, 
of which 45koz was attributable to 
Gold Fields for the five months from 
August to December. AISC was 
US$1,069/oz in 2018 and AIC 
US$1,175/oz for the five-month 
period.

   
Safety

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

63

Introduction
Gold Fields’ commitment to health 
and safety as our foremost priority 
reflects the importance of 
safeguarding and promoting the 
welfare of our employees and 
contractors, maintaining operational 
continuity and protecting our 
reputation. During 2018, we 
remained focused on improving our 
performance and entrenching the 
requirement to operate safely into all 
daily activities. Gold Fields’ target is 
the elimination of all fatalities and 
serious injuries, and our ultimate goal 
is zero harm.

Safety forms a fundamental 
component of performance 
management, and our annual 
performance bonus – for executives, 
managers and the wider workforce 
– contains a substantial safety 
component. Furthermore, maintaining 
safe and healthy working conditions 
is a key compliance issue. 

Our first and most important value, 
“If we cannot mine safely, we will not 
mine”, remains critical to the 
sustainability of our organisation. As 
specified in our Occupational Health 
and Safety Policy Statement, 
updated in 2018, we endeavour to 
continually improve our occupational 
health and safety performance by 
providing a workplace that is 
conducive to health and safety. 

Our Group Safety Leadership Forum, 
formed in 2017, is overseeing the 
development of the Group-wide 
safety strategy to further improve 
our safety performance, continually 
embed safety as a line management 
responsibility, and share learnings 

and good practices. The strategy 
comprises three pillars, namely 
systems and processes, safety 
leadership, and safe behaviour, that 
will direct our safety programmes. 

The most important programmes 
focus on the elimination of material 
unwanted events (MUEs), fatalities 
and serious potential incidents. MUEs 
in health and safety, environment and 
community have been identified and 
prioritised in each region. Gold Fields’ 
MUEs in the safety and health area 
are dropped objects, light vehicles, 
working at heights, hazardous 
materials, particularly cyanide, 
confined spaces, slope stability, 
explosives and fires, tailings facility 
incidents, community activism and 
protests, and surface water pollution.

During 2017 Gold Fields adopted 
the International Council on Mining 
& Metals’ (ICMM) critical control 
management of MUEs, which entails 
listing MUEs, identifying controls that 
could prevent these incidents from 
occurring and reducing the impact 
should they occur, selecting those 
controls that are critical or essential 
and, finally, bedding down the 
controls and verifying their 
effectiveness. Our regions make 
quarterly presentations to the Board’s 
Safety, Health and Sustainable 
Development (SHSD) Committee on 
safety-related MUEs and their critical 
controls. Health, environmental and 
community MUEs and their critical 
controls are presented every alternate 
quarter. Critical controls will be 
independently verified during 2019.

All of the Group’s operations are 
certified to the OHSAS 18001 

international health and safety 
management system standard. There 
are opportunities for us to improve 
these systems, including upgrading 
to the ISO 45001 standard over the 
next two years and increasing use of 
leading indicators. 

Our safety leadership forum has 
initiated the development and roll 
out of a “Courageous Leadership” 
programme to align all employees to 
a common set of beliefs and attitudes 
to health and safety. This programme 
will be cascaded to every employee 
in the organisation. As a supporting 
and complementary initiative to the 
leadership programme, the “Vital 
Behaviours” programmes will be 
implemented in all regions, based 
on the success of this initiative at our 
Australian operations where we have 
seen fundamental shifts in the safety 
culture.

We are very conscious of major 
incidents in the mining industry 
globally and consequently implement 
mitigating actions to prevent the risk 
of similar incidents at our operations. 
We have benefited from greater 
sharing of information about fatal 
incidents between ICMM members. 

The work on safety is integral to our 
operational discipline and is accepted 
as the foundation for improved 
operational performance. As such, 
pursuing safety and productivity at 
the same time are mutually 
reinforcing.

For details of our safety and health 
management approach, policies 
and guidelines go to www.
goldfields.com/sustainability.php. 

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY   
64

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Safety continued

Group safety performance
Our generally improved safety 
performance during 2018 was 
overshadowed by a fatal incident in 
which our South Deep colleague, 
Ananias Mosololi, a load haul dump 
operator, was trapped between the 
door and the cabin of the dumper 
he was operating underground. 
Following the incident, and the 
subsequent joint investigations with 
the regulator, South Deep conducted 
a comprehensive analysis to 
understand what took place and 
prevent its recurrence.

In a non-mining-related incident, a 
member of the Community Security 
Task Force, Francis Yeboah, drowned 
in a settling pond at our Tarkwa mine 
in Ghana. The local police did not 
suspect foul play in the incident.

During 2018, Gold Fields’ safety 
performance improved significantly 
from 2017. We recorded one fatal 
injury compared with three fatal 
injuries in 2017. Our TRIFR for the 
year improved by 18% to 1.83 
injuries per million hours worked in 
2018 from 2.24 in 2017, exceeding 
our target of a 12% reduction. The 
TRIFR among employees in 2018 
was 1.94 (2017: 2.69) and among 
contractors 1.75 (2017: 2.16). The 
number of recordable injuries fell 
to 99 in 2018 (2017: 138). Of the 
99 injuries, 43 were employee injuries 
(2017: 75) and 56 were contractor 
injuries (2017: 63). 

The elimination of serious injuries, 
along with fatalities, is viewed as 
a safety priority. During 2018 we 
finalised the definition of a serious 
injury (see in table footnote below). 

Gold Fields recorded 18 serious 
injuries in 2018 (2017: 28), which 
will serve as a baseline for future 
performance. 

To further entrench safe behaviour in 
our workplace, the Board broadened 
the 2019 safety performance 
scorecards by adding a number of 
leading indicators to the current 
lagging indicators to measure safety 
performance. These leading 
indicators are the number of safety 
engagements (introduced to the LTIP 
in 2018), improved reporting of 
near-miss incidents, and timeous 
close-out of corrective actions on 
serious potential incidents. The 
elimination of serious injuries will be 
included in scorecards for the first 
time in 2019.

Group safety performance

TRIFR1 
Fatalities2
Serious injuries3
Lost time injuries (LTIs)4
Restricted work injuries (RWI)5
Medically treated injuries (MTI)6

Total recordable injuries

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

1.83
1
17
34
45
19

99

2.42
3
26
52
60
23

138

2.27
1
19
39
59
25

124

3.40
4
27
68
68
35

174

4.04
3
–
75
84
38

200

1  TRIFR = (fatalities + LTIs + RWIs + MTIs) x 1,000,000/number of hours worked.
2   In both 2017 and 2018 we also recorded non-occupational fatalities at our mines. In 2017, a member of the protection services team at South 
Deep was shot and killed during a robbery at the mine, while in 2018 a member of Tarkwa mine’s Community Security Task Force drowned in a 
settling pond on the mine 

3  A Serious injury is an injury that incurs 14 or more days lost and results in:

– A fracture of any bone (excluding hairline fractures and fractures of fingers, toes or nose)
– Internal haemorrhage
– Head trauma (including concussion, loss of consciousness) requiring hospitalisation
– Loss of all or part of a limb (excluding bone dressing to facilitate medical treatment of injured fingers and toes)
– Permanent loss of function and/or permanent disability such as hearing loss or damage to lung function
–  Permanent disfigurement where the injury has resulted in the appearance of a person being deeply and persistently harmed medically and that 

is likely to lead to psychosocial problems 
Numbers exclude our projects

4  An LTI is a work-related injury resulting in the employee or contractor being unable to attend work for a period of one or more days after the day of 

the injury. The employee or contractor is unable to perform any of his/her duties

5  An RWI is a work-related injury sustained by an employee or contractor which results in the employee or contractor being unable to perform one or 
more of his/her routine functions for a full working day, from the day after the injury occurred. The employee or contractor can still perform some of 
his/her duties

6  An MTI is a work-related injury sustained by an employee or contractor which does not incapacitate that employee or contractor and who, after 

having received medical treatment, is deemed fit to immediately resume his/her normal duties on the next calendar day, immediately following the 
treatment or re-treatment

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

65

Regional safety performance

Americas region

Fatalities
TRIFR
Recordable injuries
Safety Engagement Rate (SER)*

2018

0
0.54
3
1.14

2017

0
0.19
1
0.70

*  The SER is an LTIP metric and equals the number of in field engagements divided by the number of man hours, multiplied by 1,000. The SER index 

for 2017 is used as our baseline.

Gold Fields’ external auditors 
recommended Cerro Corona for 
recertification to OHSAS 18001 
in 2018. There were no non-
conformances. 

Our visible leadership programme 
obtained an SER of 1.14 for 2018, 
above the target of 0.73. Our 
behaviour-based safety programme 
had a 165% compliance, which was 
65% above target. We trained 148 
new employees to act as observers 
of critical tasks, of which 36 are 
Gold Fields employees and 
112 contractors.

Australia region

We continued to invest in the training 
and development of our employees and 
contractors to reinforce their safety 
knowledge and to motivate good 
behaviour. We conducted two-hour 
workshops throughout the year, where 
all Gold Fields employees and 
contractors completed awareness 
programmes on critical control 
management. Our Cerro Corona mine 
has developed a mobile phone app 
which allows managers and employees 
to capture safety-related information 
and share this immediately with their 
colleagues. 

Coca leaf usage has an adverse 
impact on alertness levels, and 
progressive efforts to eradicate the 
consumption thereof through 
awareness programmes for 
employees and contractors to 
improve their safety, health and 
wellness, continued in 2018. These 
programmes are also part of our 
induction programme for new 
employees. Furthermore, we 
completed an awareness programme 
with 130 families in our host 
communities. 

Fatalities
TRIFR
Recordable injuries
SER

2018

0
8.27
46
6.50

2017

0
10.44
61
4.84

The region’s TRIFR reduced to an 
all-time low of 8.27. This represents 
a 67% improvement in the rate since 
the current safety strategy was 
introduced in 2013. 

At the heart of Gold Fields Australia’s 
safety efforts are the ongoing “Visible 
Felt Leadership” and “Vital 
Behaviours” programmes, both of 
which were introduced in 2014. Our 
annual survey among employees 
indicated that the workforce believe 
that safety rules are carefully observed 
even if it means work is slowed down 
(82% agreement). These programmes 
have also been integrated into the 
construction activities at Gruyere. 

Another important component of our 
strategy is the use of innovation and 
technology to reduce exposure to 
risk. A key project has been the 
deployment of the Newtrax system at 
our Granny Smith mine. This system 
allows for real time monitoring of 
personnel underground and also 
immediately notifies personnel of 
an emergency that requires them 
to move to a refuge chamber. In 

addition, the deployment of proximity 
detection has been completed for 
heavy equipment in the St Ives pits 
and underground at Granny Smith – it 
integrates with the Newtrax system and 
operates on a frequency that provides 
for better signal penetration around 
corners. 

Remote loading at Granny Smith and 
at the Invincible underground at 
St Ives has also been introduced, which 
allows an operator to move material 
underground from a dedicated 
operating room on surface. The remote 
loading system at Agnew is still 
operated from underground with plans 
to move this activity to the surface. 
By moving personnel to a surface 
environment we are reducing 
employees’ exposure to risk. The 
system also includes guidance and 
automation technologies which will 
remove risks associated with human 
error.

A biannual review of all safety and 
environmental-related incidents at 
our sites identified that field-level risk 
assessments were not being 

undertaken to the extent and quality 
required. Based on the outcomes of 
our 2018 reviews, we will focus on 
the following in 2019:
■■ Refresher training to emphasise 

the importance of anticipating risk, 
and to ensure that field-level risk 
assessments are being conducted 
as required 

■■ The majority of incidents, though 
relatively minor in nature, are 
dominated by employees placing 
themselves, particularly their hands 
(50% of the injuries in 2019), at risk

■■ Integration of safety performance 
into talent management protocols 
needs to be investigated

■■ A renewed focus on safety among 

contractor workers 

■■ Aligning our operations to a 

common leading and lagging 
indicator scorecard

The implementation of the SER 
continues to gain momentum at 
all sites, and a standard has been 
developed to ensure that appropriate 
governance protocols are in place. 

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 66

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Safety continued

West Africa region

Fatalities
TRIFR
Recordable injuries
SER

2018

0
0.49
12
4.30

2017

1
0.50
12
2.23

Damang’s TRIFR in 2018 was 
0.80 and Tarkwa’s 0.31, resulting in a 
combined rate of 0.49 for 2018 (2017: 
0.50). Both mines accelerated their 
SERs, with Damang and Tarkwa 
recording 5.17 and 3.82, respectively. 
Both mines have observed 
improvements in safety behaviour 
since the introduction of this leading 
indicator.

■■ Maintenance culture and operation 

of defective equipment

■■ Supervision and risk assessments
■■ Limited fatigue management training 

for some contract drivers

All significant investigation findings were 
either rectified immediately or action 
plans were put in place to address 
them.

37 near-miss incidents were 
investigated by the mines during 2018 
to identify their main causes, which 
included:

A focus of safety management in 2018 
was our open pits at both mines. 
High-risk working areas were being 
cordoned off and access limited, 

potential water seepages through 
the pit high walls were re-engineered, 
and warning signs were erected at 
designated areas in the pits to caution 
all personnel of possible dangers of 
rock falls.

Tarkwa and Damang launched a joint 
”Take 5” safety campaign to reinforce 
the five steps required to ensure 
safety at the mine, being Stop and 
Think, Look for Hazards, Assess the 
Risk, Make the Changes, and Do the 
Job Safely. 

South Africa region

Fatalities
TRIFR
Recordable injuries
SER

2018

1
2.07
38
0.49

2017

2
2.91
64
0.80

All lagging safety indicators showed 
an improvement at South Deep during 
2018. However, these were 
overshadowed by the fatal incident 
recorded in October (2017: two 
fatalities). The mine’s TRIFR improved 
by 29%, LTIFR by 41%, and serious 
injury frequency rate (SIFR) by 43%, 
due, in part, to the 45-day strike 
action at South Deep which halted 
operations. 

The improvement in safety can be 
attributed to the Purposeful Visible 
Felt Leadership initiative launched 
during the year, which demonstrated 
safety leadership to all employees by 
focusing on engagement, key leading 
indicators and critical controls. The 
introduction of new shift arrangements 
resulted in improved supervision, 
which enabled employees and 
supervisors to focus more on 
safety-related issues.

Prior to the fatality in October, South 
Deep achieved over two million 
fatality-free shifts. After the fatal 
incident, an in-loco investigation 

was conducted by the DMR, in 
conjunction with organised labour and 
management, which led to a section 54 
instruction being issued to halt all 
trackless mobile machinery. 

The DMR issued an additional eight 
section 54 instructions during the year 
(2017: 15) for, among others, ineffective 
secondary support, poor housekeeping, 
inadequate dust suppression, poor 
water controls, and unsafe working 
conditions. These resulted in partial 
production stoppages. The mine seeks 
to address the underlying reasons for 
section 54 instructions as soon as 
feasible, and has over the year 
implemented mitigation strategies, such 
as a change in shift configuration to 
improve supervision, changes to 
tramming shift arrangements and 
dedicated operational maintenance 
teams.

Seven gravity-related fall-of-ground 
accidents occurred in 2018 compared 
to nine in 2017, amid a strong focus on 
primary and secondary ground support. 
Seismic-related events at South Deep 

occur frequently, but the mine is 
working with a number of academic 
institutions to achieve greater 
predictability of events. As a result, the 
number of seismic damage incidents 
in 2018 fell by 33% to 26. No injuries 
were reported during these events, 
but the resultant rock bursts did 
damage sidewalls and/or hanging 
walls. This required that the affected 
areas to be cleaned out and re-
supported. 

As part of South Deep’s effort to 
engineer-out safety risks, a proximity 
detection system (PDS) was rolled out 
which warns both pedestrians and 
drivers of railed and trackless vehicles 
of each other’s proximity. South Deep 
made steady progress on the 
implementation of the remedial action 
plan on the PDS for both rail-bound 
equipment and trackless mobile 
machinery. Our aim for this system is 
to stop and slow down vehicles, as 
well as warn of unauthorised positions 
and entries. 

  Health

Introduction
Occupational health is critical to Gold 
Fields’ operations and we are 
committed to reducing our 
employees’ exposure to occupational 
health risks, including those 
associated with silicosis, tuberculosis 
(TB), noise-induced hearing loss 
(NIHL), diesel particulate matter 
(DPM) and hearing loss. 

Our Occupational Health and Safety 
Policy Statement, revised in 2018, 
sets out our approach and we 
endeavour to provide a workplace 
that is conducive to the health of our 
employees. The implementation of 
the ICMM’s critical controls guidelines 
(p63) is key to ensuring healthy 
workplaces and assists with the 
identification and mitigation of 
adverse health impacts on our 
employees.

Longer term, we are working in a 
collaborative initiative with the ICMM 
on Innovation for Cleaner, Safer 
Vehicles (p75). In addition, we are 
implementing new technologies 
that allow us to move material 
underground through remote loading 
via an operating room on surface, 
thus moving operations away from 
potential risks.

All of Gold Fields’ regions run 
dedicated health programmes, 
tailored to both the national and local 
context of each mining operation. 
These programmes aim to identify 
and manage chronic medical 
conditions within the workforce, 
while also maximising its productive 
capacity and reducing absenteeism.

Health programmes are a strong 
focus for our South Deep mine, 
due to the heightened health risks 
associated with deep-level 
underground mining, as well as the 
prevalence of many chronic diseases 
as a result of the relatively poor socio-
economic conditions in the country. 
While there were no occupational 
health related deaths at our mines 
during 2018, seven contractors and 
employees in our service died as a 
result of wider health related issues: 
five from HIV/Aids-related 
complications, one from cerebral 
malaria and one from drug-resistant 
TB. Our condolences go out to the 
families and friends of our colleagues.

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

67

Regional performance 

South Africa 
region

Silicosis and TB
As per the South African mining 
industry regulations for silica dust 
exposure, 95% of all personal silica 
dust samples taken must be below 
0.05mg/m3 by 2024. By the end of 
2018, 18% of the employee silica 
dust samples exceeded this level, 
compared with 24% in 2017. This 
was mainly attributed to the progress 
made in improving engineering 
controls, such as improved dust 
allaying and footwall treatment in high 
risk areas. Installation of automated 
footwall treatment and upgrading of 
internal tip dust suppression systems 
will further improve conditions in 
2019.

During 2018, the number of silicosis 
cases submitted to the health 
authorities decreased to eight from 
11 in 2017, while the silicosis rate 
per 1,000 employees increased to 
1.72 from 1.71 in 2017 because of 
the reduced workforce. All employees 
diagnosed with silicosis were initiated 
on a six-month course of TB 
prophylaxis. However, as per the 
2014 Mine Health Safety Council 
milestones, no South Deep employee 
who joined the mine after 2008 and 
had previously not been exposed to 
silica dust has contracted silicosis. 
Continued focus is being placed on 
the dust mitigation strategy.

Since 2014, Gold Fields, along with 
five other companies in South Africa, 
has been involved in negotiations 
with the legal representatives of 
former mineworkers suffering from 
Silicosis in the so-called ”Silicosis 
class action case”. In May 2018, the 
companies and legal representatives 
reached an historic settlement in this 
matter, whereby the gold companies 
will contribute over R5.2bn 
(US$400m) towards a settlement 
trust fund, which will be used to pay 
compensation to all former 
mineworkers who are confirmed to 
have contracted Silicosis during their 
time working on the mines. In 
instances where these workers may 
have passed away, their dependants 
will receive a benefit. Gold Fields has 
provided an amount of US$32m 
(R390m) for its share of the 
settlement cost.

The settlement also provides for 
compensation for workers who have 
been diagnosed with certain severe 
forms of TB. In December 2018, the 
Johannesburg High Court initiated 
the process by which the settlement 
could eventually be made an order of 
court and subsequently implemented.

The mine recorded 15 CRTB cases in 
2018, compared to 21 in 2017, and 
the CRTB rate improved to 3.23 per 
1,000 employees in 2018 from 
3.26 in 2017. Due to the mechanised 
nature of our operation, this rate 
is significantly better than the 
5.45/1,000 recorded for the rest of 
the mining industry and 5.67/1000 for 
South Africa in 2017.

Occupational diseases at South Deep (rate per 1,000 employees 
and contractors at year-end)

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Noise Induced Hearing Loss 
(NIHL)1
Cardio-Respiratory 
Tuberculosis (CRTB)
Silicosis
Chronic Obstructive Airways 
Disease (COAD)2
South Deep workforce

0.86

0.78

0.80

0.68

1.52

3.23

1.72

0.65

3.26

1.71

0.47

5.26

1.12

0.64

6.16

1.54

0.17

9.15

2.67

0.76

4,643

6,432

6,277

5,837

5,246

1  Numbers are now presented per 1,000 employees and contractors. Comparatives have been 

restated

2  Based on the number of cases submitted for compensation

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 68

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Health continued

HIV/Aids
HIV/Aids management is integrated 
into Gold Fields’ mainstream health 
services at South Deep. Voluntary 
counselling and testing (VCT) is 
offered to prospective and permanent 
employees, including contractors, by 
the occupational health practitioners 
during regular employee health 
assessments. This has the added 
benefit of directly addressing the 
interaction of HIV/Aids with related 
health issues such as TB. 

Gold Fields is committed to lowering 
the HIV/Aids levels at South Deep, 
where the prevalence rate is 5.6% 
(percentage of the workforce living 
with HIV/Aids). There was an increase 
in the number of employees who 
tested positive for HIV/Aids in 2018, 
from 45 in 2017 to 79 in 2018. From 
2014 to 2018, approximately 5,786 
employees have been counselled 
and tested for HIV. A total of 
326 employees are currently on the 
highly-active anti-retroviral treatment 
(HAART) programme.  

South Deep’s integrated HIV/Aids 
and TB strategy directly addresses 
interactions between these diseases. 
It has four key pillars:
■■ Promotion: This includes regular 
publicity campaigns and condom 
distribution at all workplaces 

■■ Prevention: VCT is provided to all 
mine employees and contractors 
on a confidential basis. In 2018, the 
mine’s VCT participation rate was 
around 17% (2017: 29%) 
■■ Treatment: Free HAART is 

provided to HIV-infected employees 
through onsite, medical doctor-
staffed clinics. In 2018, 
31 employees joined the HAART 
programme (2017: 36). This takes 
the total number of active 

participants to 326 (2017: 336), 
with 605 cumulatively enrolled 
since the HAART programme 
began in 2004. Employees’ 
dependants can also receive 
HAART via the Company’s medical 
aid schemes. We do not provide 
treatment to employees from 
contracting firms, which provide 
their own support 

■■ Support: This includes doctor-
based primary healthcare, 
psychological counselling and 
social services for all employees 
and contractors. South Deep also 
supports a number of community-
based HIV/Aids projects 

Malaria
South Deep conducts quarterly 
wellness and wellbeing campaigns, 
during which employees and 
community members are informed 
about chronic medical diseases, 
including malaria, and are made 
aware of the risks associated with the 
discontinuation of medical treatment. 
During 2018, 19 employees were 
tested for malaria, of whom 10 tested 
positive.

Noise
There were four new cases of NIHL 
at South Deep mine (2017: five). 
Personal noise samples above the 
regulated occupational exposure limit 
of 85 dB(A) improved from 1.8% in 
2017 to 0.9% in 2018 – by 2024 no 
noise samples should be above that 
level. In line with the industry 
regulators’ 2024 milestones, all noise 
emitting equipment should be below 
107 dB(A) by then. Only 1.7% of 
South Deep’s equipment was still 
above that level at year-end. 

A survey indicated 87% compliance 
among employees in terms of 

wearing hearing protection devices 
in the working places. In response, 
South Deep has rolled out ear-
moulded protection devices to all 
underground employees exposed to 
high noise levels. The mine is also 
working through the Minerals Council 
of South Africa to encourage 
equipment manufacturers to produce 
low noise emission equipment. 
During 2018, the mine’s auxiliary fans 
were sound attenuated or retrofitted 
with silencers to ensure fan noise 
levels do not exceed 107dB(A). 

DPM
Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is a 
critical health issue at underground 
mines in South Africa. Although the 
Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) 
for DPM has not yet been 
promulgated by the regulator, an 
industry-best practice limit of 
0.16mg/m3 has been adopted in 
South Africa. South Deep has set a 
benchmark to have 95% of all 
personal samples measured below 
0.16mg/m≥ by 2024. DPM results 
above the 0.16mg/m≥ limit improved 
slightly from 11.54% in 2017 to 
10.96% in 2018. In an effort to 
reduce DPM exposure, South Deep 
continues to drive compliance to 
maintenance schedules and utilises 
only tier 3 and 4 machinery running 
on lower sulphur content diesel. Drill 
rigs only use diesel when travelling 
and switch to electrical when drilling. 

Substance abuse
During 2018, 6,206 cannabis (2017: 
7,755) and 277,100 (2017: 273,500) 
alcohol tests were performed. Nine 
employees were tested positive for 
cannabis and 82 were tested positive 
for alcohol. All employees who tested 
positive for these substances were 
put through an employee assistance 
programme. Should an employee be 
tested positive for a second time, a 
formal hearing is conducted that 
could lead to dismissal.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

69

Americas 
region

There were no new cases of NIHL 
reported during 2018. Furthermore, 
due to the nature of our Cerro 
Corona operation, the exposure 
levels and concentration of personal 
and area DPM samples are 
insignificant. 

Chewing coca leaves is a cultural 
practice in the high altitude areas 
of Latin America, but which has 
deleterious impacts on those who 
practice it. Cerro Corona’s ongoing 
programme to eradicate coca leaf 
consumption covers topics such as 
loss of insurance coverage, chronic 
fatigue and malnutrition. The entire 
workforce was taken through an 
awareness-raising refresher 
programme in 2018, which was 
incorporated into the new employee 
induction course. Six of the mine’s 
host communities and 130 family 
members of employees were also 
taken through the course.

The Chilean Ministry of Health 
inspected Salares Norte’s polyclinic, 
focusing on verifying compliance 
with hypobaric requirements and 
emergency response. The regulator 
verified the project’s compliance with 
health and emergency requirements. 
We also implemented the regulator’s 
occupational health protocols at the 
project. 

Australia 
region

No new cases of NIHL were reported 
during the year.

Our control strategies with regard to 
DPM are effective, with the majority 
of our samples yielding results 
substantially below the exposure limit 
recommended by the Australian 
Institute of Occupational Hygienists. 

Mental health has been highlighted 
as a problem that is particularly acute 
among Fly-In, Fly-Out workers at 
mining camps. Historically, our 
operations have implemented a range 
of initiatives to promote mental health 

amongst our employees. However, 
additional initiatives have been 
identified for implementation:
■■ At St Ives, we have introduced 
“Mates in Mining” as part of our 
“Vital Behaviours” programme, 
through which 400 employees 
received training in mental health 
during 2018. This programme 
includes providing them with the 
necessary skills to identify and 
facilitate early interventions when 
mental health issues become 
evident 

■■ At Granny Smith, our “Vital 

Behaviours” programme absorbed 
an initiative known as LIVINWell, 
which aims to enhance employee 
wellbeing by encouraging them to 
speak up when challenged with 
mental health issues and to seek 
help. The intent is to abolish the 
stigma associated with mental 
health

■■ Gold Fields Australia also support 
the national “RU OK day” initiative, 
which supports our mine-specific 
programmes. Our sites launched 
specific interventions on the day, 
and provided information sessions 
on mental health. For employees 
who are experiencing mental health 
problems, we are providing 
assistance in helping them address 
their problems

West Africa 
region

Contact with silica dust is limited at 
our Ghanaian operations. Mitigation 
measures have been implemented to 
ensure efficiency of existing controls, 
which have proven to be effective in 
reducing silica concentration levels. 

Our workforce in Ghana faces a high 
risk of exposure to malaria and we 
have a comprehensive malaria control 
strategy in place, which incorporates 
education, prevention, prophylaxis 
and treatment. It also includes 
provision of mosquito repellent for 
workers, support for community 
health facilities and rapid diagnosis 
and treatment. In 2018, 227 
employees (2017: 392) tested 
positive for malaria after 1,405 
individuals (2017: 2,460) were tested 
at both Tarkwa and Damang. None of 
the treated cases proved fatal. The 

lower treatment numbers were due 
to the move to contractor mining at 
Tarkwa. During the year, 279 
company housing units were covered 
under the malaria vector control 
indoor spraying programme, and 
700 insecticide-treated bed nets 
were distributed to community 
residents. 

HIV/Aids management is integrated 
into Gold Fields’ mainstream health 
services, and VCT takes place 
during regular employee health 
assessments. In Ghana, where the 
national HIV/Aids rate is around 2%, 
employees and contractors have 
access to a confidential VCT 
programme which they receive free of 
charge. During 2018, about 60% of 
the workforce underwent the VCT, 
of whom two tested positive. By year-
end, Ghana had 10 employees on 
HAART (2017: 34).  

Both Tarkwa and Damang identified a 
number of personal noise exposures 
exceeding the regulated limit of 
85dB(A). Employees were educated 
and counselled to use existing control 
measures to prevent hearing 
damage. On average, 43% of tested 
vehicles and machines exceeded the 
noise limit, but the use of hearing 
protection reduced the noise 
exposure by employees to below 
regulated limits. Equipment that 
exceeds the limits is also being 
re-engineered to reduce noise levels. 

During Tarkwa’s contract mining 
transition, employees underwent 
compulsory exit medical 
assessments. Two cases of 
silicosis, nine cases of NIHL and 
67 musculoskeletal disorders were 
identified. Employees retired on 
medical grounds were duly 
compensated as per regulations 
and the collective agreement. 

Drug and alcohol testing continued at 
both our Ghanaian operations, and 
87 contractors and three Gold Fields 
employees tested positive either for 
alcohol or drugs at Tarkwa. In line 
with the region’s zero tolerance for 
drug and alcohol policy, all employees 
who tested positive have either been 
dismissed or banned from the site. 
Testing is compulsorily for all 
employees and contractors entering 
the mine.

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 70

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Energy management

Amid rising energy costs, increasing 
depth of our underground mines and 
longer hauling distances for our open 
pits, our energy strategy focuses on 
ensuring security of supply, improving 
energy efficiencies and reducing the 
cost of energy while, at the same time, 
minimising our contributions to and 
building resilience against climate 
change.

Group energy performance
Gold Fields’ energy spend, which 
combines our spending on electricity 
and fuels, accounts for a significant 
portion of our operating costs. During 
2018, this percentage rose to 22% of 
operating costs from 17% in 2017, or 
15% of our AISC (2017: 12%). 

Given the importance of energy to 
the Group operations, we have set a 
number of aspirational goals for the 
year 2020:
■■ Maintain energy security outside the 

top 10 Group risks 

■■ Achieve 5% to 10% energy savings 

off our annual energy plans each year 

■■ Achieve 17% carbon emission 

reductions each year up to 2020, 
equivalent to 800,000t CO2-e of 
cumulative carbon emission 
reductions over the two years

Gold Fields has developed integrated 
energy and carbon management 
strategies at both Group and 
operational level that are aligned with 
the global ISO 50001 energy 
management system standard. The key 
pillars of this strategy are to reduce our 
diesel usage, to switch from diesel-
generated electricity to cleaner 

gas-generated, increasing the use 
of renewables and rolling out training 
and awareness programmes. During 
2018, Cerro Corona in Peru became 
the first Gold Fields mine – and the first 
mine in Peru – to be certified to the ISO 
50001 standard, and we aim to have all 
our operations aligned with the 
standard by 2020. 

Total energy consumption decreased 
by 4% to 11,628TJ in 2018, from 
12,178TJ in 2017, with 69% 
comprising fuel usage and 31% 
electricity, compared to a 67%/33% 
split in 2017. Fuel spend amounted to 
52% (2017: 44%) of the total energy 
spend, and electricity spend accounted 
for the rest. 

Total Group energy spend increased by 
17% to US$302m (US$146/oz) in 2018 
from US$258m (US$115/oz) in 2017, 
largely due to an average 23% increase 
in diesel prices paid by our Ghanaian 
and Australian mines. This was slightly 
offset by oil price hedges at our 
Ghanaian and Australian operations, 
which realised net gains of US $14m 
during 2018. In 2018, we invested 
US$3m in energy initiatives, which 
delivered 411TJ of savings and resulted 
in long-term cost savings of US$29m 
(US$14/oz), compared with US$22m 
(US$10/oz) in 2017.

With the exception of our South Deep 
mine in South Africa, which is still 
heavily reliant on coal-fired electricity, all 
of our operations are using low-carbon 
gas, with grid and diesel generators as 
emergency supply. During 2018, our 
Group had 134MW in installed gas 

capacity – about 54% of total electricity 
capacity – with an additional 16MW 
of capacity being evaluated. The 
independent power producers (IPPs) 
supplying the gas are finalising the 
construction of the gas pipeline to our 
Tarkwa and Damang mines in Ghana 
(77km) and have completed the 
pipeline to the Gruyere project in 
Australia (200km). This is a safer and 
more reliable option for supplying gas 
than trucking it to these operations.

Renewable energy is also becoming a 
viable option for our operations, not 
only due to their positive impact on 
our carbon emissions but also because 
the cost of renewables is rapidly 
decreasing. At present, Gold Fields has 
55MW of solar capacity and 18MW of 
wind capacity under study at our South 
African, Australian and Ghanaian mines. 
Two of our Australian mines, Granny 
Smith and Agnew, are also finalising the 
construction of battery storage facilities 
(p72). Our investments in renewables 
will result in solar and wind being added 
to our supply mix, initially at our 
Australian mines, where it is set to 
reach at least 10% of total energy 
usage by 2020. Several additional 
opportunities are being assessed at the 
rest of our operations. We also remain 
committed to our target of using 
renewables for 20% of the energy 
requirements of new projects over 
their life-of-mine.  

More details on Gold Fields’ climate 
change management and carbon 
emission performance can be found 
on p97 – 99. 

Gold Fields’ electricity consumption by source

Group energy consumption

0%

9%

2%

35%

2018

8%

2%

3%

34%

2020
(Estimated)

54%

53%

TJ
15,000

12,500

10,000

5,000

2,500

5
1
1

5
8
2
4

,

6
6
0
,
6

7
0
1

3
0
2
4

,

0
3
9
,
6

5
9
7

4
9
2
4

,

8
0
6
,
6

0
1
4
1

,

3
0
0
4

,

5
6
7
,
6

5
7
3

,

1

4
5
6
3

,

9
9
5
,
6

■ Coal based
■ Gas generated
■ Diesel generated

■ Hydro (largest scale)
■ Solar/wind

0

2014
■ Diesel

2015

2016

2017

2018

■ Electricity

■ Other fuels

   
 
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

71

Energy savings initiatives
Since 2013, the implementation of 
our integrated energy and carbon 
management strategy has realised 
cumulative savings totalling 1,685TJ, 
or 2.2%, of total energy consumption 
over the period. These savings 
amounted to US$92m and avoided 
432kt CO2-e in carbon emissions (6% 
of our total Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
over the same period). During 2018, 
Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, 
totalling 149kt CO2-e, were abated. 
Our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions 
decreased to 1,852Mt CO2-e from 
1,959Mt CO2-e in 2017. 

While energy efficiency initiatives have 
a dual benefit of improving energy 
productivity and reducing our carbon 
footprint, a number of our energy 
initiatives have significant carbon 

footprint reduction impacts without 
necessarily reducing energy usage. 
These include fuel switching from 
diesel to gas-generated electricity 
or renewable energy technologies).

For more details on our energy 
management approach, policies 
and guidelines, visit www.
goldfields.com/sustainability.php.

Gold Fields aims to deliver further 
energy savings through greater 
energy efficiencies and the use of 
new technologies. We implemented 
16 new energy saving projects in 
2018, which include:
■■ Changing lighting systems to new, 
efficient, light-emitting diode (LED) 
systems which, are expected to 
save 5.53TJ at Tarkwa, with 
emission reductions of 830t CO2e 
and cost savings of US$338,000 a 

Eskom electricity supply to 
South Deep
South Deep’s electricity is supplied by 
Eskom, the state-owned utility which 
generates 95% of its electricity from 
coal-fired power stations. As a result, 
South Deep is Gold Fields’ electricity 
most carbon intensive operation.

Eskom remains a critical risk to our 
South Deep operations, both from a 
supply reliability and a cost perspective. 
Eskom’s financial and operational 
viability have significantly weakened 
over the past few years, given the 
utility’s inability to service its debt 
obligations and keeping its power 
plants running consistently and 
efficiently. Since June 2018, Eskom 
has issued several emergency notices 

and initiated rolling blackouts, calling on 
large power users to reduce demand. 
Eskom has been plagued with coal 
shortages at its coal power stations and 
frequent plant breakdowns, given the 
ageing fleet whose maintenance has 
been deferred over the years.

South Deep, like other large power 
users, has a curtailment agreement 
with Eskom under which the mine is 
expected to reduce power demand 
when called upon by Eskom, but 
preserving a minimum critical load to 
achieve hoisting of staff and water 
pumping. As a short-term response, we 
reschedule our operations by stopping 
our process plant, when possible, and 
reschedule hoisting of ore and 
equipment.

Regional energy spend

US$m
200

5
7
1

0
3
1

150

100

50

0

3
3

3
2

2014

3
6
1

3
5
1

4
6
1

0
3
1

0
2
1

6
9

4
8

1
8

1
3

1
2

2
3

1
2

4
3

2
2

3
3

6
2

2015
■ South America

2016

■ West Africa

2017

2018

■ Australia

■ South Africa

year, and an annual saving of 
US$60,000 at Cerro Corona

■■ Rolling out more fuel efficient drill 

rigs and hauling trucks

■■ Replacing diesel generators with 

gas and solar systems

■■ Optimising compressed air 

systems

■■ Replacing inefficient cooling fans
■■ Comminution circuit optimisation. 

Our medium-term responses include 
running our own emergency diesel 
generators to ensure safe operations, 
but also continue investing in energy 
efficiency initiatives, to improve our 
energy productivity, reduce our carbon 
footprint and save energy costs. Our 
long-term solution is to increase our 
own supply capacity, including bringing 
in renewables into the power mix, 
including the solar photovoltaic plant 
currently in the review phase (p73).

On the cost side, Eskom tariffs have 
escalated sharply well ahead of 
inflation over the past few years and 
the tariff trajectory going forward 
remains uncertain. In 2010 a unit of 
electricity cost R0.36/kWh (in nominal 
terms); in 2018 the equivalent unit 
cost was R0.85/kWh for large 
industrial customers. In March 2019, 
Eskom received the go-ahead to 
raise its average tariff by 14% for 
2019 followed by increases of 8% 
and 5% for 2020 and 2021 
respectively. These will add significant 
cost pressures on South Deep and 
strengthen the case for reduced 
dependence on the utility.

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY  
72

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Energy management continued

Regional performance

Regional performance

2018 vs 2017 performance 

Americas

KEY RISKS

■■ Stable electricity supply and 

pricing

■■ Limited renewable energy 

opportunities

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

■■ Long-term energy supply 

agreements

■■ Energy reduction target set

Total energy usage (TJ)
Energy split electricity/fuel (%)
Total energy spend (US$m)
Energy spend per oz (US$/oz)
Energy initiatives savings (TJ)
Energy cost savings (US$m)
CO2-e emissions abated (kt)

2018

1,082
50/50
26
82
34
0.8
2.56

2017

997
55/45
22
72
27
0.6
2.00

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Electricity to Cerro Corona is 
supplied by an independent power 
producer, generated from hydro 
(30%) and gas (70%), and supplied 
via a transmission line. This makes it 
the least carbon intensive electricity 
in our portfolio.

Cerro Corona energy spend and 
consumption increased in 2018 

compared to 2017, due to greater 
tonnages mined in 2018 and 
consequently higher diesel and 
electricity consumption.

Among efficiency initiatives, Cerro 
Corona recently upgraded the 
haulage fleet to higher capacity 
trucks to improve diesel usage 
intensity, has been applying a diesel 
additive in its mining fleet and rolled 

out an LED lighting initiative for its 
pit lighting. Cerro Corona is also 
evaluating battery-operated vehicles 
for the transport of personnel within 
the mine. A pilot project was 
initiated in Q1 2019, and, 
depending on the results, we will 
investigate gradually replacing the 
diesel bus fleet with electric buses.

Australia

Regional performance

2018 vs 2017 performance  

KEY RISKS

■■ Increase in oil and diesel prices
■■ Remote location of our 

operations

■■ Reliance on energy supplies 

from third parties

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

■■ Increased investment in energy 

self-sufficiency

■■ Investment in renewables 

commenced

Total energy usage (TJ)
Energy split electricity/fuel (%)
Total energy spend (US$m)
Energy spend per oz (US$/oz)
Energy initiatives savings (TJ)
Energy cost savings (US$m)
CO2-e emissions abated (kt)

2018

3,142
41/59
78
88
207
10.5
33.60

2017

3,631
41/59
81
86
21
3.4
25.82

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Our Australian operations run on 
gas-generated electricity. Diesel is 
used primarily for our fleet vehicles 
and machinery. To further embed 
energy management into operational 
activities, we implemented an energy 
steering committee during the year.

Energy spend at our Australian 
operations was lower in 2018 than 
2017 due to the divestment from 
Darlot and operational adjustments. 
These included a 20% decrease in 
diesel usage as St Ives moved to 
increased underground operations. 
Hedging 50% of our diesel 

purchases during 2018, realised a net 
gain of US$4.6m in 2018, cushioned 
the impact of higher diesel prices.

At Granny Smith, we increased the 
generation capacity of the gas power 
station’s turbines and started 
development of a 8MW solar farm 
with 2MW battery storage facility, 
due for completion in Q4 2019. Both 
projects will address growing energy 
demand from the Wallaby 
underground mine, reduce gas 
consumption and cut carbon 
emissions.

Agnew is investing in a hybrid gas 
and renewable energy power supply 
with the capacity to expand to meet 
future mine growth. The gas supply 
and base load power plant is under 
construction and will start supplying 
energy to the mine in Q3 2019. 
Additional phases of the project are 
being investigated, with further 
development likely to occur during 
H2 2019.

At Gruyere, the 200km gas pipeline 
was completed, and gas introduced 
into the 45MW power plant. We 
are also piloting five solar power 
depressurisation pumps around 
the open pit.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

73

Regional performance

2018 vs 2017 performance

West
Africa

KEY RISKS

■■ Costly, unreliable national grid
■■ Gas supply concerns
■■ Mandatory renewable energy 

targets

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

■■ Gas pipeline construction 
■■ Energy reduction targets set
■■ Investigating renewable energy

Total energy usage (TJ)
Energy split electricity/fuel (%)
Total energy spend (US$m)
Energy spend per oz (US$/oz)
Energy initiatives savings (TJ)
Energy cost savings (US$m)
CO2-e emissions abated (kt)

2018

5,709
28/72
164
233
145
17.0
106.61

2017

5,647
28/72
143
201
102
18.0
80.94

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Our Ghanaian mines completed 
their transition from the national grid 
to an independent power producer 
(IPP), Genser Energy, during 2018. 
The IPP commissioned the last of 
the gas units at the Tarkwa power 
plant in February 2018 and now 
supplies 40MW to Tarkwa and 
18MW to Damang mine. We 
maintain nominal grid electricity 
consumption and our own 
emergency diesel generators 
ensure we have sufficient back-up 
infrastructure. Since the switch over, 
we have realised operational costs 

savings and processing efficiency 
gains.

During 2018, energy spend at our 
Ghanaian operations was higher than 
in 2017 primarily due to higher diesel 
prices. We hedged 50% of our diesel 
purchases against Brent crude 
prices, realising a net gain of 
US$7.9m in 2018. Heavy rainfalls and 
increased pit dewatering contributed 
to higher diesel consumption in 2018.

Genser Energy is advanced with 
construction of a 77km buried natural 
gas pipeline from the port of Takoradi 

to our mines, which is expected to 
be commissioned during Q2 2019. 
This will enable the IPP to convert 
both plants from propane to natural 
gas and discontinue transportation 
of gas on public roads, minimising 
road transportation risks.

Assessment for renewable energy is 
at an advanced stage, in support of 
the government efforts to increase 
the use of renewable energy by 
2020, especially for mining.

Regional performance

2018 vs 2017 performance

South
Africa

KEY RISKS

■■ Eskom’s future electricity tariff 

increases

■■ Increased risk of load-shedding 
■■ Uncertainty around renewable 

energy rules

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

■■ Industry pressure against hefty 

Eskom tariff hikes

■■ Implementing energy efficiency 

initiatives

■■ Finalisation of the solar 

photovoltaic power usage

Total energy usage (TJ)
Energy split electricity/fuel (%)
Total energy spend (US$m)
Energy spend per oz (US$/oz)
Energy initiatives savings (TJ)
Energy cost savings (US$m)
CO2-e emissions abated (kt)

2018

2017

169
96/4
33
211
24
0.8
6.43

190
94/6
34
122
26
0.4
7.10

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
South Deep’s electricity is supplied 
by Eskom, the state-owned utility 
which generates 95% of its 
electricity from coal-fired power 
stations. As a result, South Deep is 
Gold Fields’ most carbon intensive 
operation. 

Total energy usage was down 
by 21TJ in 2018 due to lower 
production, primarily due to a halt in 
production as a result of the labour 
strike during the fourth Q4. Energy 

spend, however, did not decline at 
the same rate due to a high baseload 
demand profile and an average 5.2% 
electricity tariff increase during the 
year. (See p71)

Due to regulatory uncertainty around 
the use of private power purchase 
agreements, South Deep has delayed 
the signing of a 25-year power 
purchase agreement with an IPP for a 
40MW solar photovoltaic facility at 
the mine. We are exploring ways to 

develop the facility incrementally in 
line with government’s recent 
Integrated Resource Plan, which for 
plants with a generation capacity 
above 10MW, requires both 
ministerial exemption and a power 
generation licence for IPPs. 

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 74

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Innovation and Technology

We need to operate as a low-cost 
gold producer in order to achieve our 
free cash-flow margin target. To this 
end we have set ourselves a 
medium-term aspiration of AIC of 
approximately US$900/oz by 2020. 
We need to do this within the context 
of a number of industry-wide 
challenges that include longer 
discovery to development times, a fall 
in average gold grades and a gold 
price that has declined around 30% 
since September 2011. 

Advances in innovation and 
technology provide an opportunity for 
gold miners to digitise and automate 
their operations, which will help 
increase levels of efficiency, reduce 
costs, improve safety and further 
mitigate environmental impacts. 

Gold Fields’ I&T strategy has five key 
objectives: 
1.  Grow reserve life: reduce 

discovery cost and cycle time 
from discovery to development 
handover

2.  Sustain and grow cash margin: 
improve operational efficiencies 
to sustain cash margin by the 
use of automation, information, 
integration and innovation
3.  Implement a future operating 
platform: develop a fully 
connected mine with a 
manufacturing culture of 
collaboration and innovation

4.  Improve health and safety: 

distance people from active 
mining areas

5.  Maintain social licence to operate: 
reduce mining waste/tailings and 
emissions

To guide the delivery of these 
objectives, clear execution principles 
have been defined, and the strategy 
will be selectively applied at each 
mine based on relevance and robust 
business cases. Other principles 
include that only proven technology 
will be deployed, a “fast follower” 
approach will be used and each 
region will have its Innovation and 
technology champion.

We are following a staged approach 
that will progressively move our 
operations through the phases of 
modernisation, integration and 
ultimately automation, when 
appropriate and within strict cost 
parameters. These stages have been 
broken into three “horizons”. 

■■ Horizon 1 – Modernisation phase: 
foundations are put in place to 
support the use of future 
technologies. This involves:
 – Increasing the use of sensors to 

improve the data we receive from 
our machines

 – Upgrading our data backbone to 
allow our IT systems to efficiently 
manage higher volumes of data

 – Pulling data from all areas onto 
an integrated platform to enable 
more effective operational 
decisions

■■ Horizon 2 – Transformation phase: 

completing the integration and 
optimisation of our data and 
systems and developing an 
innovative culture. This will allow us 
to develop a single, real-time view 
of all operating aspects of a mine, 
which in turn enables more flexible 
and responsive production 
planning and scheduling, all of 
which can be managed from 
remote operating centres. To be 
successful and sustainable, the 
mine of the future needs to be 
supported by new ways of working 
and a culture of innovation – 
building this culture is an additional 
area of focus during Horizon 2

■■ Horizon 3 – The Gold Fields mine 
of the future is delivered during this 
horizon, when and where 
appropriate. A new level of 
productivity and safety is achieved 
through automation, robotics and 
autonomous operations that are 
connected through remote sensors

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

75

GROW RESERVE PROJECT AND MINE LIFE

■■ Halve discovery cost and cycle time from 

discovery to development handover

SUSTAIN AND GROW CASH MARGIN
■■ Improve operational efficiencies to sustain 
cash margin by the use of automation, 
information, integration and innovation

FUTURE OPERATING PLATFORM
■■ Develop a fully connected mine with a 

manufacturing culture of collaboration and 
innovation

IMPROVE HEALTH & SAFETY

■■ Distance people from active mining areas

MAINTAIN SOCIAL LICENCE TO OPERATE
■■ Halve mining waste/tailings and emissions by 

2026

GOLD FIELDS’ INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

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Components of new operating platform to embed in our operations

Progress to date
During 2018 we advanced a number 
of important Horizon 1 projects:
■■ Fibre networks were installed 

underground and in some mining 
pits – these lay the foundation for 
connecting people and machinery 
at the face to employees and 
systems on-surface 

■■ At Granny Smith we trialled new 

technology to improve the 
precision alignment of drills, and 
increased the number of tele-
remote systems that control 
machinery at both this operation 
and St Ives

■■ Drones were deployed at Tarkwa 

and Damang to conduct surveying 
by remote 

■■ Cerro Corona rolled out new fleet 

management software

■■ Granny Smith, South Deep and St 
Ives improved their people and 
equipment tracking systems which 
are designed to improve man-
machine interface safety.

Looking ahead
In the year ahead, each Region will 
define the operating platform, 
systems and technology required to 
achieve the strategic goals of Horizon 
2, thereby laying the platform 
required for digital mining. These 
plans will also outline the technical 
design, resources, skills, funding and 
training required to support the 
successful roll-out of I&T projects at 
each site. Furthermore, the regions 
have been asked to bolster their I&T 
resources, appoint an I&T lead and 
roll-out workforce communication on 
their I&T programmes. Around 
US$9m has been set aside for I&T 
projects during 2019.

In the longer term, Gold Fields is 
working with the ICMM on a plan to 
make mining vehicles cleaner and 
safer. Under the Innovation for 
Cleaner Safer Vehicles (ICSV) 
programme, the ICMM is working 
with leading truck and mining 
equipment suppliers to accelerate 
innovation and develop a new 
generation of mine vehicles. The 
programme aims to:
■■ Introduce greenhouse gas 

emission-free surface mining 
vehicles by 2040

■■ Minimise the operational impact 

of diesel exhaust by 2025
■■ Make collision avoidance 

technology available to mining 
companies by 2025

Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland is one 
of three ICMM member CEOs on the 
ICSV advisory council.

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

A fit-for-purpose workforce

Workforce profile
Our workforce is structured to 
support the delivery of immediate and 
long-term strategic objectives. During 
2018, the two most significant 
people-related developments were 
the restructuring exercise and related 
strike action at South Deep, as well 

as the transition from owner to 
contractor mining at Tarkwa. The key 
people-related balanced scorecard 
objectives were driving diversity and 
inclusion, managing the talent 
pipeline and ensuring succession 
planning for critical roles, and 
strengthening a values-based culture 
that drives delivery.

Due to the workforce restructuring at 
South Deep, Tarkwa and Damang, 
overall workforce numbers dropped 
5% from 18,594 (2017) to 17,611 
(2018). The number of full-time 
employees declined by 37% from 
8,856 to 5,601, while the number of 
contractors rose 23% from 9,738 to 
12,010.

Workforce by region (end December)

Total 
workforce

2018

2,322
3,1761
4,643
7,370
100

17,611

Employees

Contractors

Proportion  

of Nationals

2018

373
1,577
2,472
1,079
100

5,601

2017

365
1,449
4,012
2,910
120

8,856

2018

1,949
1 5992
2,171
6,291
0

12,010

2017

1,669
888
2,420
4,761
0

9,738

2018

100%
100%
85%
99%
94%

Total workforce by region

Americas
Australia
South Africa
West Africa
Corporate

Total

Key HR metrics (end December)

Category

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Total workforce
HDSA employees South Africa (%)3
HDSA employees South Africa – senior 
management (%)3
Minimum wage ratio4
Female employees (%)
Ratio of basic salary men to women
Employee wages and benefits (US$m)
Average training hours per employee
Employee turnover (%)

17,611
72

18,594
71

18,091
72

16,850
71

15,440
71

435
2.396
19
1.25
442
262
357

57
2.43
16
1.25
506
223
6

55
2
15
1.31
482
273
12

48
2
14
1.09
435
240
8

47
2
14
1.10
468
181
20

1  Includes Gruyere
2  High increase due to the employment of contractors for Gruyere construction phase
3  Excluding foreign nationals, but including white females; HDSAs - Historically Disadvantaged South Africans
4  Entry level wage compared to local minimum wage
5  Lower ratio due to South Deep restructuring 
6  Excluding Ghana, as the region only employs management level employees with the move to contractor mining. Ratio is 3.39 if Ghana is included
7  High turnover due to South Deep restructuring and transition to Tarkwa contractor mining

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

77

Key developments in 2018
South Deep restructuring
Ongoing losses at South Deep during 
2017 led to a restructuring exercise in 
Q4 2017 and Q1 2018 during which 
261 employees and 47 managers 
(25% of management level 
employees) accepted voluntary 
severance packages. Despite these 
interventions the mine continued to 
experience a cash burn of around 
R100m (US$8m) a month, and, in 
August 2018, South Deep embarked 
on its most significant restructuring 
to date. In addition to operational 
interventions, the mine issued a 
section 189 notice in terms of South 
Africa’s Labour Relations Act to its 
trade unions, the National Union of 
Mineworkers (NUM) and UASA, to 
reduce the workforce by around 
30%.

At the end of the 60-day consultation 
period and after receiving 
submissions from the unions, South 
Deep started implementing the 
retrenchments of 1,082 employees 
and 420 contractors. The NUM 
opposed these retrenchments and 
commenced a legal, “no work, no 
pay” strike action on 2 November 
2018.

The strike was characterised by 
violence and intimidation, with 
protesters blocking access to the 
mine in contravention of the collective 
agreement and court interdicts 
served on the NUM and its members. 
Although critical essential services 
were maintained, employees who 
wished to return to work were 
prevented from doing so by a group 
of around 200 NUM branch members 
and supporters. The mine 
experienced a cash burn of around 
R6m (US$450,000) per day during 
the 45-day strike as no production 
was possible. 

Amid the continued violence, and 
following representations from many 
NUM members wanting to return to 
work, the NUM National and Regional 
suspended the NUM branch and 
called off the strike on 13 December 
2018. On 18 December 2018 a 
settlement agreement was signed 
with the trade unions, which included 
the retrenchment of the affected 
employees and contractors. 
Retrenched employees received the 
agreed upon financial packages, 
portable skills training and financial 
advice. 

As part of the settlement agreement, 
the NUM and management also 
agreed to renegotiate key aspects 
of the collective and other labour 
agreements. These were concluded 
in March 2019.

Tarkwa contractor mining
Our Tarkwa mine in Ghana made the 
transition from owner to contractor 
mining during 2018. As the mine 
matures it will incur increasing costs, 
which would have made the current 
owner mining model unsustainable. 
These costs include higher blasting 
costs as the pits deepen, increased 
fuel costs due to longer hauling 
distances, increasing cost of reagents 
and other input materials, high 
exploration costs, the cost of 
replacing an ageing fleet, and the 
year-on-year escalation of union-
negotiated wage increases. A change 
to contractor mining at our Damang 
mine in 2016 has seen a significant 
turnaround in productivity and 
operational flexibility, with a potential 
upside in terms of the mine’s 
longevity.

The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union 
(GMWU) opposed the move to 
contractor mining on the basis that 
Gold Fields had no justifiable basis to 

change its business model. However, 
its application to the Labour Division 
of the High Court was dismissed, 
following which Gold Fields issued 
severance letters to 1,346 employees 
in the mining and heavy equipment 
(HME) department and 
765 employees in other departments. 
Of these, 1,209 of affected HME 
employees were absorbed by the two 
mining contractors appointed and 
505 of the other affected employees 
were re-engaged by the mine on 
fixed-term contracts. In Damang, a 
further 306 employees were moved 
from a full-time to a contractor basis. 
All affected employees received 
generous retrenchment packages 
– in line with Ghana’s labour laws – 
and were offered financial wellness 
training. 

Balanced scorecard 
objectives
Driving diversity and inclusion
We continued to focus on building a 
more diverse and inclusive workforce, 
with particular emphasis on 
employing more women, residents 
from our host communities and, in 
South Africa, people from historically 
disadvantaged communities. This 
forms a key pillar of the HR strategy. 
A diversity policy was approved by 
the Board during the year – in 
addition to increasing employee 
representation from diverse groups, 
it also emphasises the importance of 
ensuring that all people are treated 
with dignity and respect. 

Diversity training was rolled out to 
managers, with a particular emphasis 
on cultural awareness and how to 
identify and overcome unconscious 
bias. This training will support our 
efforts to increase and retain the 
number of people we employ from 
diverse backgrounds.

Key diversity indicators include the percentage of women among our employees (excluding contractors) in management, 
women in mining and Indigenous/local/HDSA people:

Australia

Ghana

Peru South Deep Corporate

Group

Total women
Women in management
Women in mining
Indigenous people/localisation/ 
HDSA

20%
17%
13%

2%

9%
5%
9%

3%

18%
16%
4%

99%

23%
17%
17%

50%

49%
43%
0%

79%

19%
18%
13%

56%

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 78

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

A fit-for-purpose workforce continued

Managing talent pipeline and 
ensuring succession for critical 
roles
We continued to monitor succession 
planning and regional and operational 
level by tracking turnover rates with a 
focus on critical roles. The following 
figures indicate the extent of 
succession cover across the group: 
■■ Australia: 73% of Regional Exco 
and 100% of Mine Exco roles

■■ Ghana: 10% of Regional Exco and 

46% of Mine Exco roles

■■ Peru: 33% of Regional Exco and 

91% of Mine Exco roles

■■ South Deep: 44% of management 

roles 

■■ Corporate: 19% of all corporate 

roles

The reason for the low rate at 
Corporate level is that we have a 
lean corporate structure with few 
supporting roles. The low rate in 
Ghana reflects the move to 
contractor mining at both mines.

Strengthening a values-based 
culture that drives delivery
At the end of 2018, we rolled out an 
employee engagement survey as part 
of the ongoing work to drive a 
values-based, high-performance 
culture. Amongst other things, the 
survey measured employee 
satisfaction; understanding of 
strategy; and the extent to which 
the work environment supports 
employees in the achievement of their 
objectives. Its findings will feed into 
our HR work during 2019.

In 2019, initiatives are set to be 
implemented to address key areas 
of concern in each region and 
measurements of living the Gold 
Fields values will be incorporated into 
employees’ balanced scorecards. 

Workforce remuneration, 
benefits and wellness
We successfully concluded wage 
negotiations in: 
■■ Ghana: a 4% average salary 

increase was finalised with the 
GMWU, backdated for 2018 for all 
qualified active and ex-employees

■■ Peru: wage increases varying 

between 5.3% and 5.8% a year 
for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 
awarded to the unionised 
contractor workforce

■■ South Deep: a three-year wage 
agreement for 2018 to 2020 was 
concluded, with an average annual 
compounded salary increase of 
7.31% over three years for 
Category 4 to 8 employees, 
miners, artisans and officials. Other 
benefits included higher loco driver 
allowances, an increase in the 
housing allowance, introduction of 
a funeral benefit plan and improved 
maternity leave

High levels of employee indebtedness 
have resulted in the approval of just 
47% of bond applications by our 
South Deep employees, equating to 
the sale of only 126 houses under the 
mine’s Tswelopele Homeownership 
Scheme. A review of the scheme 
considered employee willingness to 
invest in property close to the mine 
and the time it could take for 
employees to clear their debts. 
Alternative options to house our 
employees and their families are 
currently being considered.

A Group Flexible Work Guideline was 
approved by Exco and provides 
regions with a framework to 
implement flexible work practices 
where appropriate and suited to local 
conditions. 

The mental health of Fly-In Fly-Out 
(FIFO) employees remains an 
industry-wide issue in Australia. Detail 
on how we are addressing this issue 
can be found on p69.

Training and developing 
our people
Gold Fields continued to focus on 
programmes and policies that 
develop and retain people who are 
skilled and motivated to deliver 
sustainable value creation. These 
programmes and policies are 
fundamental to ensuring we have the 
skills needed to keep our business 
agile, innovative and well-positioned 

to take on the challenges in our 
sector. They include:
■■ Our new diversity policy 
■■ Our employee climate survey 
■■ Disciplinary and grievance 

processes

■■ Talent management processes
■■ Learning and development 

approach

■■ Human rights 
■■ Our approach to vulnerable people
■■ Focus on gender rights

For more details on the progress 
made in these programmes during 
2018, visit www.goldfields.com/
integrated-annual-reports.com.

Looking ahead to 2019
HR targets and focus areas for 2019 
include the following:
■■ Achieve 5% increase in productivity 

beyond the business plan
■■ Further enhance leadership 

capability to align leadership skills 
with new competency framework 
■■ Continue to entrench diversity by:
 – Accelerating the development 

of female employees

 – Training leadership to embrace 

multicultural diversity 
 – Improving ranking in the 

Bloomberg Gender Equality 
Index 

 – Implementing a transformation 

strategy

 – Developing a baseline for 

measurement of the employment 
of vulnerable people across 
regions

 – Achieving >54% HDSA 

representation among South 
Deep management and <4% 
expatriate representation in 
Ghana 

■■  Decrease turnover of critical roles 

to 5%

■■ Improve performance management 

though line manager coaching 
programmes

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

79

Summarised Remuneration Report

This is a summarised version of the 
Remuneration Committee’s 
Remuneration Report, the full version 
of which can be found in the Annual 
Financial Report on p28 – 60.

ensures that each individual’s 
objectives are aligned to the Gold 
Fields strategy and all employees play 
a role in contributing to the overall 
value creation of the Group. 

Our remuneration philosophy 
and practices
Gold Fields’ remuneration philosophy 
is underpinned by a pay-for-
performance approach, in which 
people are rewarded for delivery 
against Balanced Scorecard (BSC) 
objectives.

There is a direct cascade of strategic 
objectives from the Group BSC — 
which is informed by the Group 
strategy — to the regional, 
operational, departmental and, 
ultimately, individual BSCs. This 

During 2018, the overall framework of 
our Remuneration Policy remained 
unchanged and no changes were 
made to the remuneration mix for 
executives. We did, however, make a 
number of enhancements and 
refinements to the implementation, 
including:
■■ Enhancing the link between 

performance and strategy by:
 – Simplifying the Gold Fields 

strategy to a “strategy-on-a-
page” to enhance 
communication

 – Implementing the cash-settled 
LTI plan for management-level 
employees, complete with 
localised targets

 – Refreshing the four drivers of the 
strategic objectives to maximise 
total shareholder return (TSR) 
sustainably

 – Ensuring strategic alignment 
between Group, regional and 
personal scorecards
■■ Clarifying policies, where 

appropriate, to remove ambiguity 
and to cater to the numerous 
jurisdictions in which Gold Fields 
operates

Gold Fields’ remuneration practices
We do:
■■ Provide pay for performance:
■■ 75% of CEO’s total remuneration is pay-at-risk
■■ A significant percentage of the CEO’s short-term incentive is based on corporate performance
■■ The CEO’s long-term incentive is entirely performance-based through performance shares
■■ Performance share awards are earned based on absolute and relative TSR and free cash-flow margin (FCFM)
■■ Threshold (partial) performance share payouts require relative TSR performance at least at the median when 

compared to the performance comparator group and absolute TSR to exceed the cost of equity

■■ Have a clawback policy
■■ Have executive director share ownership guidelines through the executive minimum shareholding plan
■■ Require a double-trigger for CEO and CFO upon a change of control
■■ Promote retention with equity awards that vest over three years
■■ Have an independent Remuneration Committee, with all members being independent directors
■■ Retain an independent remuneration consultant whose primary purpose is to advise the Remuneration Committee
■■ Conduct annual advisory votes on our remuneration policy and implementation report, as they appear in the 

Remuneration Report

We do not:
■■ Reprice ‘underwater’ share options
■■ Pay dividends on unearned performance shares
■■ Provide guaranteed bonuses
■■ Grant share awards to non-executive directors
■■ Allow the use of unvested LTI awards as collateral, or protect the value of unvested awards, or the value of any 

shares and securities held as part of meeting the MSR provisions

■■ Provide financial assistance to directors or prescribed officers

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY  
 
80

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

A fit-for-purpose workforce continued

Our remuneration mix

GUARANTEED PAY

BASE PAY 
(EITHER GRP OR BRP)

BENEFITS AND  
ALLOWANCES

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

A competitive salary for executives to ensure that 
their experience, contribution and appropriate market 
comparisons are fairly reflected. This also allows us to 
attract and retain the skills required to deliver on our 
strategic goals.

Market-related benefits are guided by local legislation 
and internal policies, and aim to strengthen the employee 
value proposition. This provides an additional level of 
competitiveness in line with Gold Fields’ strategy to attract 
and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. 

Implementation

Implementation

Based on local market trends and can include items such 
as group life insurance, disability and accidental death 
insurance, etc.
The Expatriate Policy provides that special allowances may 
be made in respect of, among others, relocation costs, 
cost of living, and the cost of education for children and 
their families.

Policy / practice

In line with the approved policy, the provision of benefits 
complies with legislation across the jurisdictions in which 
we operate, and benchmarking ensures that there are 
competitive benefits aimed at attracting and retaining key 
employees.

Performance measures

Not applicable

Base pay for all employees is reviewed annually after 
considering benchmarks against comparator group. Group 
performance, economic circumstances, affordability, 
individual performance, changes in responsibility and levels 
of increase for the broader employee population are also 
taken into account. Changes are effective from 1 March 
each year.
The CEO makes Exco recommendations, excluding his 
own base salary, to the RemCo for approval by the Board.

Policy / practice

We seek close alignment between executive salary 
increases and increases for all non-bargaining unit 
employees, where practical. This is informed by inflation, 
which can be matched directly or above/below consumer 
price index (CPI).
The guaranteed pay benchmark is the market median, 
with a significant proportion of performance-related 
variable pay comprising STIs and LTIs, especially for senior 
employees.

Performance measures

Both Company performance and individual performance 
against the BSC informs the individual base salary review. 
This is in addition to economic circumstances, affordability, 
changes in job responsibility and alignment across 
employee group.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

81

VARIABLE PAY

SHORT-TERM  
INCENTIVE (STI)

LONG-TERM  
INCENTIVE (LTI)

MINIMUM SHARE  
REQUIREMENTS (MSR)

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

Executives are required to hold shares 
in Gold Fields, in line with best practice. 
This ensures alignment between 
executive and shareholders’ interests.  

Implementation

CEO required to hold 200% of GRP 
by 31 December 2020. All other Exco 
members to hold 100% of GRP/BRP 
within five years of entry.  

Policy / practice

RemCo makes matching shares 
available on a ratio of 1:3, which vest at 
the end of a 5-year period.

Capped at 67% of GRP for CEO, 33% 
for others. 

Execs may elect to defer certain cash 
or equity awards to increase their MSR 
holdings. 

Performance measures

Not applicable

This is a performance-based Group 
annual incentive scheme that supports 
value creation and motivates our people 
to help us achieve success. 

Implementation

All Group executives, regional 
executives and management-level 
employees (Patterson D-band and 
above) categories are eligible to 
participate in the STI, subject to the 
achievement of applicable performance 
conditions.

Policy / practice

Employees can receive up to 200% of 
their target bonus, based on their  
personal performance rating in 
their BSC. No bonus is paid for a 
performance rating between 0 and 1,9,  
100% of the bonus is paid for a 
performance rating of 3 and 200%  
of target is awarded for a rating of  
4,7 to 5. 

Job  
grade

Bonus target incentive  
as % of GRP

Threshold

Target

Stretch

EVP

CFO

CEO

0%

0%

0%

55%

60%

65%

110%

120%

130%

Performance measures

Individual BSC performance (35%)
Company performance conditions 2018 
(65% or 45% for RexCo):
■  

 Safety (TRIFR 20%) (changed for 
2019)

■   Gold production (20%)
■   AIC (40%)
■   Development and waste stripping  

(20%)

Regional performance conditions (20% 
for RexCo) 

The long-term incentive plans award 
shares and/or cash to participants. This 
instills a sense of ownership among 
employees and executives, enabling: 
■  Alignment of executive rewards  
  with shareholder interests
■  Retention of key people
■  Alignment of people costs with  

business results

Implementation

Previously, all eligible management-level 
employees who participated in the LTI 
plan received performance shares. From 
2018 onwards, the following changes 
apply: 
■  Exco members: 100% of LTI  
award under the Share Plan

■  Regional Exco: 30% of LTI award  
under the Share Plan and 70%  
under the cash-settled LTI plan 
■  Other participants under the LTI  
receive 100% under the cash- 
settled LTI plan

Both cash and equity-settled plans 
have 3-year vesting periods and annual 
awards with performance conditions

Policy / practice

On-target 
award as % of 
GRP or BRP

Business

104
96
88

208
192
176

18-20

36-40

Role

CEO
CFO
Exco
Regional 
Exco1

Performance measures

Performance shares and Group cash-
settled
■  Absolute US Dollar Total  
  Shareholder Return (33% weighting)
■  Relative US Dollar TSR  

(33% weighting)

■  Free cash-flow Margin  

(34% weighting)
Regional cash-settled:
■  Decreasing AIC (40%)
■  Sustainably extending reserves -  
  Australia, Ghana, Peru (40%)
■  Three-year production targets -  
  South Deep (40%
■  Safety, licence to operate, reputation  

(20%)

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

A fit-for-purpose workforce continued
A fit-for-purpose workforce continued

Executive directors’ and prescribed officers’ remuneration

The table of remuneration for executive directors and prescribed officers based on the total single-figure remuneration prescribed by King IV is displayed below. 
King IV requires the disclosure of a total single figure of remuneration, received and receivable for the reporting period that ties remuneration to the individual’s 
performance for the period.

The definitions used in the adoption of these remuneration reporting requirements under King IV follow below. These should assist in a clearer understanding of 
the values and related terminology used in the table of remuneration. 

Reflected 
In respect of the LTI plans, remuneration is reflected when performance conditions have been met during the reporting period. If the only remaining vesting 
condition is continued employment, the remuneration is reflected in the period when all other performance conditions have been met. Remuneration included 
may not have legally transferred to the individual, and the individual may not yet have the unconditional right to enjoy the benefits thereof.

Settlement
This refers to remuneration that has been included in the total-single figure remuneration in respect of any prior period but has only been unconditionally 
transferred to the individual concerned in the current period.

Remuneration for executive directors and prescribed officers – All figures in US$’000

Name

Status

N Holland

Executive Director

P Schmidt

Executive Director

L Rivera8

Prescribed Officer

A Baku9

Prescribed Officer

R Butcher

Prescribed Officer

N Chohan

Prescribed Officer

B Mattison10

Prescribed Officer

T Harmse

Prescribed Officer

A Nagaser

Prescribed Officer

S Mathews11

Prescribed Officer

M Preece

Prescribed Officer

R Bardien12

Prescribed Officer

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018

Pension 
fund 
contribution

26.5
26.3

48.2
48.2

72.8
48.4

185.8
180.5

37.3
37.9

26.5
26.3

26.5
26.3

26.5
26.3

27.0
25.3

29.5
21.2

26.5
16.6

24.3

Salary1

1,251.6
1,186.9

626.6
588.6

668.6
626.3

808.0
784.7

384.5
353.0

367.2
342.8

453.6
426.7

369.7
344.7

243.3
228.1

438.2
397.5

541.7
338.2

274.3

Cash 
incentives2

661.5
1,002.2

306.2
542.7

134.0
270.4

634.8
719.8

192.4
278.5

213.9
288.3

271.9
369.9

215.3
290.1

131.1
192.0

289.4
326.1

168.8
—

150.5

Average exchange rates were US$1 = R13.20 for FY2018 and US$1 = R13.33 for FY2017. No termination payments during the year
1  The total US$ amounts paid for 2018, and included in salary were as follows: NJ Holland US$406,700, P Schmidt US$124,150 and BJ Mattison 
US$88,200. The total US$ amounts paid for 2017, and included in salary were as follows: NJ Holland US$396,500, P Schmidt US$121,000 and 
BJ Mattison US$86,000

2  The annual bonus accruals for the year ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018, paid in February 2018 and February 2019, respectively 
3  The values of the 2015 LTI Plan with a performance period ending 31 December 2017 is reflected in the 2017 figures
  The values of the 2016 performance shares with a performance period ending 31 December 2018 is reflected in the 2018 total single figure of 

remuneration based on a US$3.29 price as at 31 December 2018. The vesting date is 1 March 2019 and will be reflected in the 2019 cash value 
equivalent on settlement 

4  The 2017 total single figure of remuneration includes the cash equivalent value of matching shares awarded in terms of the MSR policy in 2017 
5  Other includes special bonuses and incidental payments unless otherwise stated
6  Includes cash incentive, cash LTI plan and matching shares reflected for the year

Matching 

shares 

reflected4

Other5

remuneration

Add: 

cash 

Total 

cash 

value on 

equivalent 

settlement7

remuneration

LTI plan 

reflected3

1,027.2

463.5

646.4

459.0

—

—

621.9

463.5

90.3

—

248.7

126.0

410.1

297.0

331.6

252.0

124.8

90.0

274.2

—

—

—

—

942.8

157.5

51.9

54.0

—

55.4

—

10.0

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

-

2.1

4.0

385.7

253.3

68.0

150.2

—

—

1.8

3.3

2.5

1.0

7.8

6.8

0.4

0.7

4.9

10.0

0.4

—

106.1

Total 

single 

figure 

of 

2,966.8

3,621.7

1,629.4

1,800.0

1,261.3

1,198.4

2,318.6

2,350.6

704.5

669.4

858.2

840.7

1,164.6

1,176.3

1,036.3

950.8

929.9

526.6

536.1

754.8

737.3

354.8

555.2

Less: 

amounts 

not yet 

settled6

(1,688.7)

(2,408.5)

(952.6)

(1,159.2)

(519.7)

(486.7)

(1,256.8)

(1,235.2)

(282.7)

(278.5)

(462.7)

(468.3)

(681.9)

(722.3)

(546.9)

(552.1)

(255.9)

(282.0)

(563.6)

(326.1)

(168.8)

—

(150.5)

1,475.6

677.6

1,011.2

891.2

481.3

111.0

1,237.2

924.4

267.6

323.2

403.5

417.2

672.5

622.2

548.0

484.3

245.1

221.1

514.2

—

—

—

—

2,753.7

1,890.8

1,688.0

1,532.0

1,222.9

822.7

2,299.0

2,039.8

689.4

714.1

799.0

789.6

1,155.1

1,076.2

951.9

862.1

515.8

475.2

986.9

428.7

568.6

354.8

404.7

  Remuneration for executive directors and prescribed officers – All figures in US$’000

Name

Status

Salary1

contribution

incentives2

N Holland

Executive Director

P Schmidt

Executive Director

L Rivera8

Prescribed Officer

A Baku9

Prescribed Officer

R Butcher

Prescribed Officer

N Chohan

Prescribed Officer

B Mattison10

Prescribed Officer

T Harmse

Prescribed Officer

A Nagaser

Prescribed Officer

S Mathews11

Prescribed Officer

M Preece

Prescribed Officer

R Bardien12

Prescribed Officer

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

Pension 

fund 

26.5

26.3

48.2

48.2

72.8

48.4

185.8

180.5

37.3

37.9

26.5

26.3

26.5

26.3

26.5

26.3

27.0

25.3

29.5

21.2

26.5

16.6

24.3

Cash 

661.5

1,002.2

306.2

542.7

134.0

270.4

634.8

719.8

192.4

278.5

213.9

288.3

271.9

369.9

215.3

290.1

131.1

192.0

289.4

326.1

168.8

—

150.5

1,251.6

1,186.9

626.6

588.6

668.6

626.3

808.0

784.7

384.5

353.0

367.2

342.8

453.6

426.7

369.7

344.7

243.3

228.1

438.2

397.5

541.7

338.2

274.3

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

83

Not yet settled
This refers to remuneration that has been included in the total single figure of remuneration in the current period but has not been unconditionally transferred to 
the individual concerned in the current period, or where an election has been made by the individual to defer the settlement thereof in fulfilment of their minimum 
shareholding requirement.

Unconditional transfer
Means that the individual now enjoys full right to the remuneration (excluding any applicable clawback), and it is no longer subject to any further service, 
employment or other conditions.

For the two executive directors, the 2018 total single figure of remuneration reported is lower than was reported for the 2017 period. The reasons are as follows:
■■ Matching shares awarded (US$942,800 and US$157,500 for the CEO and CFO respectively) were included in the reporting for the 2017 period as required, 

with none in 2018 

■■ Both the CEO and CFO have lower cash-incentives in 2018 than in 2017 due to these being performance-related outcomes as described in Section 2

LTI plan 
reflected3

1,027.2
463.5

646.4
459.0

Matching 
shares 
reflected4

—
942.8

—
157.5

—
—

621.9
463.5

90.3
—

248.7
126.0

410.1
297.0

331.6
252.0

124.8
90.0

274.2
—

—
—

—

—
—

—
51.9

—
—

—
54.0

—
55.4

—
10.0

—
—

—
—

—
—

—

Total 
single 
figure 
of 
remuneration

2,966.8
3,621.7

1,629.4
1,800.0

1,261.3
1,198.4

2,318.6
2,350.6

704.5
669.4

858.2
840.7

1,164.6
1,176.3

950.8
929.9

526.6
536.1

1,036.3
754.8

737.3
354.8

555.2

Other5

—
-

2.1
4.0

385.7
253.3

68.0
150.2

—
—

1.8
3.3

2.5
1.0

7.8
6.8

0.4
0.7

4.9
10.0

0.4
—

106.1

Less: 
amounts 
not yet 
settled6

(1,688.7)
(2,408.5)

(952.6)
(1,159.2)

(519.7)
(486.7)

(1,256.8)
(1,235.2)

(282.7)
(278.5)

(462.7)
(468.3)

(681.9)
(722.3)

(546.9)
(552.1)

(255.9)
(282.0)

(563.6)
(326.1)

(168.8)
—

(150.5)

Add: 
cash 
value on 
settlement7

Total 
cash 
equivalent 
remuneration

1,475.6
677.6

1,011.2
891.2

481.3
111.0

1,237.2
924.4

267.6
323.2

403.5
417.2

672.5
622.2

548.0
484.3

245.1
221.1

514.2
—

—
—

—

2,753.7
1,890.8

1,688.0
1,532.0

1,222.9
822.7

2,299.0
2,039.8

689.4
714.1

799.0
789.6

1,155.1
1,076.2

951.9
862.1

515.8
475.2

986.9
428.7

568.6
354.8

404.7

7  The 2018 figure includes the bonus related to the 2017 financial year paid in February 2018 and the 2015 cash LTIP vested and settled in March 
2018. The 2017 figure includes the bonus related to the 2016 financial year paid in February 2017 and the 2014 cash LTIP vested and settled in 
March 2017. 

8  L Rivera – other payments for 2018 relate to cash in lieu of 2016 share award payable upon vesting in March 2019. His appointment package and 
conditions were approved by RemCo but the LTI award was inadvertently not executed hence he was never physically awarded. This value reflects 
the equivalent cash compensation in this regard. Cash Incentives include legislated bonus portion. Company contributions to pension erroneously 
not reported previously

9  A Baku – other payments for 2018 relate to approved profit share bonus payment approved and 2017 relates to leave allowance in line with related 

policy.

10 BJ Mattison – other payments for 2018 relate to a service award in line with Company practice.
11 S Mathews – other payments for 2018 relate to bonus payment in lieu of most improved operation bonus scheme.
12 R Bardien – Appointed on 1 February 2018. Other payments relate to sign on bonus.

SAFE OPERATIONAL DELIVERY 84

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Average US$ gold price received

US$1,252/oz

KEY MEASUREMENTS – CAPITAL DISCIPLINE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE1

2018

Status

2017

2016

2015

2014

US$/A$ (average)

R/US$ (average)

Average US$ gold price received 
(US$/oz)

Average A$ gold price received  
(A$/oz)

0.75

13.20

1,252

1,694

Average Rand gold price received  
(R/kg)

531,253

Revenue (US$m)

All-in Sustaining Costs (AISC) (US$/oz)

All-in Costs (AIC) (US$/oz)

Cost of sales2 (US$m)

Total capital expenditure (US$m)

Net cash-flow3 (US$m)

Free cash-flow margin (%)

Net debt (US$m)

Net debt:adjusted EBITDA ratio4

Total dividend payment (R/share)

2,578

981

1,173

1,375

814

-132

16

1,612

1.45

0.40

¢
¢

¢

¢

¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢

0.77

13.33

0.75

14.70

0.75

12.68

0.81

11.56

1,255

1,241

1,140

1,249

1,640

1,675

1,541

1,404

538,344

584,894

478,263

441,981

2,811

955

1,088

1,404

840

-2

16

2,750

980

1,006

1,388

650

294

17

2,545

1,007

1,026

1,456

634

123

8

2,869

1,053

1,087

1,678

609

235

13

1,303

1,166

1,380

1,453

1.03

0.90

0.95

1.10

1.38

0.25

1.30

0.40

1  All figures are for total operations (continued and discontinued)
2  Cost of sales before amortisation and depreciation
3  Net cash-flow = cash-flow from operating activities less net expenditure, environmental payments and finance lease payments
4 This measure is defined and reconciled in note 39 of the consolidated financial statements

¢ 2018 performance improvement on 2017 or achievement in line with strategy
¢ 2018 performance drop against 2017
¢ 2018 performance on par with 2017

STRATEGIC GOALS

1 Strong balance sheet maintained while investment in future 

growth continued

RESULTS AND IMPACTS

Strategic 
responses 
– Financial 
discipline

Key 
initiatives

■■ Allocate capital in line with strategic priorities as per capital ranking
■■ Focus on cash-flow margins

■■ Technology strategies to improve safety, efficiencies and costs
■■ Gold and copper production and oil price hedging for various regions
■■ Cash generation to pay down debt
■■ Debt refinancing being considered

Related 
risks

■■ A sustained and significantly lower gold price and currency exchange rate volatility
■■ High debt levels

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Decent Work and 
Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation  
and Infrastructure

KEY STAKEHOLDERS –

SHAREHOLDERS 
AND INVESTORS

COPY TO BE SUPPLIED   
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

85

We focus on growing  
our margins and FCF  
for every ounce of gold  
produced to deliver sustainable  
financial returns to our  
investors and shareholders. 

■■ Introduction 
■■ Financial performance 
■■ Summarised financials 

p86
p87
p89

COPY TO BE SUPPLIEDPage heading continuedSecondary page heading continuedfor the year ended 31 December 2018Capital discipline  
 
 
 
 
 
 
86

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Financial performance

Introduction
The focus of Gold Fields’ business 
strategy is to grow margin and free 
cash-flow (FCF) for every ounce of 
gold produced, and to sustain this 
FCF in the long term. In this regard, 
our target is to generate a FCF 
margin of at least 15% per region at 
a notional long-term planning gold 
price of US$1,200/oz. However, to 
ensure the sustainability of this 
cash-flow, the Group had to reinvest 
in the portfolio during 2017 and 
2018, spending project capital of 
US$502m over this period. 
Importantly, Gold Fields spent this 
capital on projects that will improve 
the overall quality of its asset base 
and enhance FCF generation in the 
future. 

After two years of elevated levels of 
project capital, 2019 looks set to be 
an inflection point for Gold Fields in 
terms of FCF generation. During 
2018, the Group spent US$64m at 
Salares Norte and incurred project 
capital of US$277m (US$125m at 
Damang, US$134m at Gruyere, 
and US$18m at South Deep), 
underpinning a net cash-outflow 
of US$132m (2017: US$2m). 

Further project capital of US$143m 
will be spent at Damang and Gruyere 
in 2019, with the majority scheduled 
for the first half of the year. The 
project capital is then expected to 
decrease significantly in H2 2019, 

at which point an increase in FCF is 
anticipated. Once the capital bill has 
rolled off, Gold Fields does not 
envisage spending material growth 
capital in the short to medium term. 
The objective is to reap the rewards 
of the capital invested through an 
increase in FCF, which will go 
towards decreasing debt and, 
potentially, increased dividends.

The Group’s FCF margin, which is 
adjusted for share-based payments, 
Salares Norte exploration expenditure 
and Damang and Gruyere project 
capital, remained steady at 16% in 
2018 (2017: 16%). Encouragingly, 
this is in line with our targeted 15% 
FCF margin at a US$1,200/oz gold 
price.

Despite the significant project capital incurred, our priorities for the cash we generated have remained unchanged 
during the reinvestment period:
■■ Rewarding our shareholders with dividends
  Our policy is to pay out between 25% and 35% of normalised earnings

■■ Funding growth projects, which will improve the quality of the Gold Fields portfolio. The bulk of the project 

capital is being spent on Damang in Ghana and Gruyere in Western Australia. Once these two mines reach full 
production, which is anticipated by 2020, they are set to significantly improve Group AIC and, subsequently, 
cash generating ability

■■ Maintaining the strength of the balance sheet and limiting the increase in debt through the peak capital 

expenditure years. Gold Fields ended 2018 on a net debt:adjusted EBITDA of 1.45x. Once we have incurred all 
project capital expenditure on Damang and Gruyere, our target is to once again reduce our net debt:EBITDA 
to 1.0x.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

87

2018 financial performance
Gold Fields’ financial performance 
was underpinned by the strong 
operational performance of the 
Ghanaian, Australian and Peruvian 
assets in 2018, with South Deep 
presenting a drag on Group results. 
The outperformance of these 
operations (relative to guidance), 
coupled with a US Dollar gold price 
received that was higher than our 
business planning price, enabled the 
Group to contain the cash-outflow, 
limit the increase in net debt and 
maintain a healthy balance sheet 
during the year. Net debt increased 
to US$1,612m during 2018 from 
US$1,303m at end 2017, resulting in 
a net debt:adjusted EBITDA of 1.45x 
at 31 December 2018 (December 
2017: 1.03x). A large portion of this 
increase was due to the US$165m 
upfront payment relating to the 
Asanko Gold acquisition. 

Net revenue declined by 7% 
to US$2,578m in 2018 from 
US$2,762m in 2017, driven by the 
decrease in production coupled with 
a slightly lower gold price received. 
Cost of sales decreased by 3% to 
US$2,043m in 2018 from 
US$2,105m in 2017. The bulk of 
Gold Fields’ costs in Australia and 
South Africa are incurred in local 
currencies. As such, the slight 
strengthening of the Australian Dollar 
and South African Rand had a 
negative impact on costs in US Dollar 
terms – and ultimately profits – in 
these geographies during 2018.

The Group AISC of US$981/oz and 
All-in Costs (AIC) of US$1,173/oz in 
2018 compared with AISC of 
US$955/oz and AIC of US$1,088/oz 
in 2017. Encouragingly, costs came 
in below guidance (AISC: US$990/oz 
– US$1,010/oz; AIC: US$1,190/oz – 
US$1,210/oz) for the sixth 
consecutive year. The increase in AIC 
was driven by an increase in Salares 
Norte expenditure and project capital 
incurred at Gruyere.

Other salient features during 2018 
included:
■■ Royalty of US$63m in 2018 

compared with US$62m in 2017

■■ Total capital expenditure of 
US$814m in 2018 versus 
US$834m in 2017

■■ A decrease in the normal taxation 

charge to US$146m in 2018 (2017: 
US$205m)

■■ Asset write-downs and 

impairments of US$520m were 
recognised in 2018 (2017: 
US$200m), comprising mainly a 
US$482m impairment of South 
Deep 

Taking into account all of the above, 
the net loss attributable to Gold 
Fields’ shareholders amounted to 
US$348m in 2018, compared to 
a net loss of US$19m in 2017. 
Headline earnings were US$61m 
in 2018 compared to US$210m in 
2017.

A detailed analysis of our financial 
performance is provided in the 
management’s discussion and 
analysis of the financial statements in 
the 2018 Annual Financial Report on 
p61 – 124.

The consolidated income statement, 
statement of financial position and 
cash flow statement – extracted from 
the 2018 Annual Financial Report – 
are provided on p150 – 154.

Free Cash-Flow
Gold Fields recorded a net cash-
outflow (see footnote 3 on p2) of 
US$132m in 2018 compared with an 
outflow of US$2m in 2017. Included 
in the 2018 number is project capital 
of US$125m (2017: US$115m) and 
US$134m (2017: US$81m) for 
Damang and Gruyere, respectively. 
South Deep recorded a net cash-
outflow of US$141m compared with 
an outflow of US$60m in 2017. 
US$143m in project capital is 
budgeted for 2019, with the majority 
scheduled to be spent during H1 
2019.  

At a mine level, cash generation 
remained strong in 2018. Excluding 
project capital and off-site exploration 
expenditure, mine cash-flow was 
US$334m (US$195m in Australia, 
US$114m in Peru, US$149m in 
Ghana and a negative US$123m in 
South Africa) versus US$441m in 

2017. Our Australian, Ghanaian and 
Peruvian mines collectively generated 
a net cash-flow of US$457m (2017: 
US$484m), demonstrating again the 
quality of this portfolio of assets.

FCF margin, which is adjusted for 
share-based payments, Salares 
Norte exploration expenditure and 
Damang and Gruyere project capital, 
remained unchanged at 16% in 2018 
compared to 2017. 

Dividends
Gold Fields has a long and well-
established policy of rewarding 
shareholders by paying out between 
25% and 35% of normalised earnings 
as dividends. This policy is viewed as 
an important element of Gold Fields’ 
investment case, and we have 
consistently honoured this 
commitment with an average pay-out 
of approximately 30% of earnings 
every year over the past nine years.

Despite recording a net cash-outflow 
in 2018, the Group maintained its 
dividend policy and declared a final 
dividend of R0.20/share for the year. 
Together with the interim dividend of 
R0.20 per share (for the six months 
ending on 30 June 2018), this brings 
the total dividend for 2018 to 
R0.40/share. In 2017 we paid a total 
dividend of R0.90 per share.

Reducing debt
A strategic objective of management 
during the peak capital expenditure 
years (2017 and 2018) has been to 
maintain a healthy balance sheet and 
minimise the increase in net debt 
through limiting the cash-outflow.

Net debt increased by US$309m 
during 2018 to end the year at 
US$1,612m (end December 2017: 
US$1,303m). This includes US$165m 
related to the Asanko Gold 
acquisition, which closed on 31 July 
2018. The outperformance of the 
international portfolio and a higher 
gold price received than budgeted 
enabled Gold Fields to end 2018 
on a better than expected net 
debt:adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.45x 
(2017: 1.03x). 

CAPITAL DISCIPLINE 88

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Financial performance continued

During 2018, the Group successfully 
extended the maturity of its 
US$380m term loan by 12 months to 
6 June 2020 (from 6 June 2019). As 
such, the first material debt maturity 
is now due in June 2020. In addition, 
having entered into an A$500m 
revolving credit facility in June 2017, 
Gold Fields’ balance sheet is in a 
comfortable position with regards to 
solvency and liquidity. At the end of 
2018, the Group had committed and 
uncommitted loan facilities totalling 
US$2.5bn, A$500m and R4.2bn, of 
which US$976m, A$50m and 
R2.2bn,respectively, are unutilised. 
Our debt is currently rated BB+ by 

Standard & Poor’s and Baa3 
(investment grade) by Moody’s, the 
latter being an upgrade from 2017.

During the course of 2019, Gold 
Fields will look to refinance and 
extend the maturities of its 
syndicated bank facilities (US$1.3bn) 
and US$1bn bond (US$852m 
outstanding). 

Hedging
Given the high levels of project capital 
expenditure incurred during the year, 
together with the volatility in 
commodity prices and exchange 
rates, as well as our higher net debt 

position, management continued with 
the short-term, tactical hedging 
programme that was implemented in 
2017. These hedges were put in 
place to protect cash-flows during 
the investment phase, and Gold 
Fields will look to continue the 
hedging programme during the first 
half of 2019, whilst the remainder of 
capital is spent on Damang and 
Gruyere. Hedges during 2018 and 
those put in place in Q1 2019 are in 
the table below. Net realised gains 
from these hedge positions were 
US$17m in 2018, compared with 
US$13m in 2017.

Hedge

Country

Quantity hedged

Hedging instrument and price

2018

Gold  
hedge

Australia

Australia

Ghana

South Africa

Copper  
hedge

Oil  
hedge

Peru

Ghana

453koz (51% of 
production)
221koz (25% of 
production)
489koz (69% of 
production)
64koz (41% of 
production)

29.4kt (92% of 
production)

126 million litres

Australia

78 million litres

Zero-cost collars; Average (Ave) floor price of 
A$1,703/oz, Ave cap price of A$1,767/oz
Swaps; Ave strike price of A$1,714/oz

Zero-cost collars; Ave floor price of US$1,300/oz, 
Ave cap price of US$1,418/oz
Zero-cost collars; Ave floor price of R600,000/kg, 
Ave cap price of R665,621/kg

Zero-cost collars; Ave floor price of US$6,600/t, 
Ave cap price of US$7,431/t

Swaps; Equivalent Brent crude swap price 
US$49.80/bbl
Swaps; Equivalent Brent crude swap price 
US$49.92/bbl

2019

Hedge term

Apr 2018 – 
Dec 2018
June 2018 – 
Dec 2018
Jan 2018 – 
Dec 2018
Jan 2018 – 
Dec 2018

Jan 2018 – 
Dec 2018

June 2017 – 
Dec 2019
June 2017 – 
Dec 2019

Hedge

Country

Quantity hedged

Hedging instrument and price

Hedge term

Gold  
hedge

Australia

Australia

Australia

South Africa

283koz (31% of 
guidance)
173koz (19% of 
guidance)
456koz (51% of 
guidance)
113koz (59% of 
guidance)

Swaps; Ave strike price of A$1,751/oz

Zero-cost collars; Ave floor price of A$1,720/oz, 
Ave cap price of A$1,789/oz
Zero-cost collars; Ave floor price of A$1,800/oz, 
Ave cap price of A$1,869/oz
Forwards; Ave strike price of between  
R615,103/kg and R620,000/kg

A$ Forex 
hedge
Oil  
hedge

Australia

US$366m

Ghana

126 million litres

Australia

78 million litres

Average strike price between  
US$0.7075 – 0.7330/A$
Swaps; Equivalent Brent crude swap price 
US$49.80/bbl
Swaps; Equivalent Brent crude swap price 
US$49.92/bbl

Jan 2019 – 
Dec 2019
Jan 2019 – 
Dec 2019
Jan 2019 – 
Dec 2019
Between 
June 2019 – 
Dec 2019
Jan 2019 – 
Dec 2019
June 2017 – 
Dec 2019
June 2017 – 
Dec 2019

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

89

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Figures in millions unless otherwise stated

CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue
Cost of sales
Investment income
Finance expense
Gain on financial instruments
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)
Other costs, net
Share-based payments
Long-term incentive plan
Exploration expense
Share of results of equity accounted investees, net of taxation
Restructuring costs
Silicosis settlement costs
Gain on acquisition of Asanko
Impairment, net of reversal of impairment of investments and assets
Profit on disposal of investments
(Loss)/profit on disposal of assets

(Loss)/profit before royalties and taxation
Royalties

(Loss)/profit before taxation
Mining and income taxation

(Loss)/profit from continuing operations

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Profit from discontinued operations, net of taxation

(Loss)/profit for the year

(Loss)/profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent
– Continuing operations
– Discontinued operations
Non-controlling interests
– Continuing operations

(Loss)/earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent:
Basic (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations – cents
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations – cents
Diluted basic (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations – cents
Diluted basic earnings per share from discontinued operations – cents

United States Dollar

2018

2017

2016

2,577.8
(2,043.0)
7.8
(88.0)
21.0
6.4
(44.8)
(37.5)
(1.1)
(104.2)
(13.1)
(113.9)
4.5
51.8
(520.3)
 – 
(51.6)

(348.2)
(62.5)

(410.7)
65.9

(344.8)

 – 

(344.8)

(348.2)
(348.2)
 – 
3.4
3.4

(344.8)

(42)
 – 
(42)
 – 

2,761.8
(2,105.1)
5.6
(81.3)
34.4
(3.5)
(19.0)
(26.8)
(5.0)
(109.8)
(1.3)
(9.2)
(30.2)
 – 
(200.2)
 – 
4.0

214.4
(62.0)

152.4
(173.2)

(20.8)

13.1

(7.7)

(18.7)
(31.8)
13.1
11.0
11.0

(7.7)

(4)
2
(4)
2

2,666.4
(2,001.2)
8.3
(78.1)
14.4
(6.4)
(16.8)
(14.0)
(10.5)
(86.1)
(2.3)
(11.7)
 – 
 – 
(76.5)
2.3
48.0

435.8
(78.4)

357.4
(189.5)

167.9

1.2

169.1

158.2
157.0
1.2
10.9
10.9

169.1

19
 – 
19
 – 

CAPITAL DISCIPLINE 90

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Financial performance continued

Statement of financial position
at 31 December 2018

Figures in millions unless otherwise stated

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Inventories
Equity accounted investees
Investments
Environmental trust funds
Deferred taxation
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Stated capital
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Non-controlling interests

Total equity 
Non-current liabilities
Deferred taxation
Borrowings
Provisions
Finance lease liabilities
Long-term incentive plan
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Royalties payable
Taxation payable
Current portion of borrowings
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Current portion of long-term incentive plan
Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

United States Dollar

2018

2017

5,183.2
4,259.2
 – 
133.3
225.1
235.3
60.8
269.5
921.1
368.2
153.2
399.7
 – 

6,104.3

2,586.1
3,622.5
(2,110.3)
1,073.9
120.8

2,706.9
2,781.9
454.9
1,925.3
319.5
80.1
2.1
615.5
503.0
12.5
5.2
86.3
8.5
 – 
3,397.4

6,104.3

5,505.7
4,892.9
76.6
132.8
171.3
104.6
55.5
72.0
1,114.4
393.5
201.9
479.0
40.0

6,620.1

3,275.8
3,622.5
(1,817.8)
1,471.1
127.2

3,403.0
2,363.1
453.9
1,587.9
321.3
 – 
 – 
854.0
548.5
16.3
77.5
193.6
 – 
18.1
3,217.1

6,620.1

  Cash-flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Figures in millions unless otherwise stated

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated by operations
Interest received
Change in working capital

Cash generated by operating activities
Interest paid
Royalties paid
Taxation paid

Net cash from operations
Dividends paid/advanced

– Owners of the parent
– Non-controlling interest holders
– South Deep BEE dividend

Cash generated by continuing operations
Cash generated by discontinued operations

Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of Gruyere Gold project assets
Purchase of Asanko Gold joint venture investment
Purchase of investments
Proceeds on disposal of investments
Proceeds on disposal of APP
Proceeds on disposal of Darlot
Contributions to environmental trust funds 

Cash utilised in continuing operations
Cash utilised in discontinued operations

Cash flows from financing activities
Shares issued
Loans raised
Loans repaid
Payment of finance lease liabilities

Cash generated by continuing operations
Cash generated by discontinued operations

Net cash (utilised)/generated
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

91

United States Dollar

2017

2016

762.4
1,286.5
5.1
(69.4)

1,222.2
(90.4)
(66.0)
(239.5)

826.3
(70.7)

(62.8)
(6.4)
(1.5)

755.6
6.8

(908.6)
(833.6)
23.2
 – 
 – 
(80.1)
 – 
 – 
5.4
(16.7)

(901.8)
(6.8)

84.2
 – 
779.7
(695.5)
 – 

84.2
 – 

(62.0)
14.3
526.7

479.0

917.5
1,245.4
7.3
(2.3)

1,250.4
(81.7)
(76.4)
(155.6)

936.7
(40.7)

(39.2)
(0.2)
(1.3)

896.0
21.5

(867.9)
(628.5)
2.3
(197.1)
 – 
(12.7)
4.4
 – 
 – 
(14.8)

(846.4)
(21.5)

37.0
151.5
1,298.7
(1,413.2)
 – 

37.0
 – 

86.6
0.1
440.0

526.7

2018

557.8
998.0
6.8
(16.3)

988.5
(91.0)
(65.5)
(217.2)

614.8
(57.0)

(45.5)
(9.8)
(1.7)

557.8
 – 

(886.8)
(814.2)
78.9
 – 
(165.0)
(19.3)
0.5
40.0
 – 
(7.7)

(886.8)
 – 

257.3
 – 
691.7
(431.9)
(2.5)

257.3
 – 

(71.7)
(7.6)
479.0

399.7

CAPITAL DISCIPLINE 92

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Total value distribution

US$2.7bn

KEY MEASUREMENTS – LICENCE AND REPUTATION

2018

Status

2017

2016

2015

2014

Total value distribution (US$m)
SED spending (US$m)
Workforce from host communities 
(%)
In-country procurement (US$m)7
Host community procurement 
(US$m)
Environmental incidents (Level 3 and 
above)
Water recycled/reused (GL)
Water withdrawal (GL)1
Electricity purchased (TWh)1
Diesel (TJ)1
CO2 emissions (‘000 tonnes)2, 3
Mining waste (million tonnes)
Gross closure costs provisions 
(US$m)

2,711
25,71

566
1,542

4415

¢
¢

¢
¢

¢

¢
2
¢
41.4
21.24 ¢
¢
1.28
¢
7,974
¢
1,852
¢
149

400

¢

2,850
17.40

40
1,626

2,505
16.20

484
1,360

2,425
13.70

59
1,270

2,650
17.40

57
1,440

774

558

514

600

2
42.3
33.0
1.37
6,765
1,959
212

3
44.3
30.3
1.40
6,608
294
196

5
43.1
35.2
1.32
6,960
1,753
167

4
42.4
30.2
1.34
6,066
1,694
139

381

381

353

391

1  The numbers disclosed only include our operations, as head offices are not considered material
2  The CO2 emission numbers include head offices and comprise Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
3  Scope 1 emissions are those arising directly from sources managed by the Company, Scope 2 emissions are indirect 

emissions generated in the production of electricity used by the Company, Scope 3 emissions arise as a consequence 
of the activities of the Company

4  Significant drop due to change of definition of water withdrawal to exclude diverted water
5  The decline is due to a change in the definition of host communities by our Australian operations to only include 

communities in their area of influence (previously Perth was included in the definition due to the FIFO nature of our 
mines)

6  South Deep’s host community definition was changed in 2018 to align with the 2016 municipal boundary change which 
amalgamated the Westonaria and Randfontein municipalities. It now includes all individuals who reside in the Rand West 
City Local Municipality. This number also excludes the Perth office and Gruyere project

7  Procurement spending by mines only, not projects

¢ 2018 performance improvement on 2017 or achievement in line with strategy
¢ 2018 performance drop against 2017
¢ 2018 performance on par with 2017

STRATEGIC GOALS

1 We continued to enhance our social licence to operate through ESG focused initiatives

RESULTS AND IMPACTS

Strategic 
responses 
– Licence 
and 
reputation

■■ Total value creation for stakeholders
■■ Enhance governance and compliance
■■ Enhance reputation through community investment
■■ Shared Value initiations
■■ Environment stewardship – improving water and climate management practices

Key 
initiatives

Related 
risks

■■ Strengthening engagement with key stakeholders 
■■ Increased host community employment and host community procurement
■■ Working directly and through industry associations to engage on resource nationalism
■■ Growth opportunities in stable mining destinations
■■ Increased investment in low-carbon and renewable energy sources
■■ Comprehensive climate change risk assessment conducted at all mines with 

remedial action plans being implemented

■■ Align to ICMM water and tailings management standards
■■ Maintain Top 5 position in Dow Jones Sustainability Index

■■ Resource nationalism and political uncertainty
■■ Water pollution, supply and cost
■■ Impact on social licence to operate
■■ Cost of energy and security of power supply
■■ Failure to implement climate adaption measures

KEY STAKEHOLDERS –

COMMUNITIES

SHAREHOLDERS

GOVERNMENTS  
AND REGULATORS

COPY TO BE SUPPLIED  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

93

Through environmental stewardship we protect and 
enhance relationships between our operations and 
the communities in close proximity to it. These 
relationships are built on a commitment to good 
corporate governance, corporate citizenship, and 
sharing wealth with our stakeholders. It is critical that 
we nurture our relationships with a number of key 
external stakeholders that determine both our regulatory 
and social licences to operate, as well as the reputation 
we have with these stakeholders. As such, protecting 
our reputation and our licence to operate therefore 
remains a key pillar of our scorecard.

■■ Overview 
■■ Environmental stewardship 
■■ Stakeholder relations 

p94
p95
p106

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Good Health 
and Wellbeing

Clean Water 
and 
Sanitation

Affordable  
and Clean 
Energy

Decent Work 
and Economic 
Growth

Sustainable 
Cities and 
Communities

Responsible 
Consumption  
and Production

Climate  
Action

Life on  
Land

Partnerships 
for the Goals

COPY TO BE SUPPLIEDPage heading continuedSecondary page heading continuedfor the year ended 31 December 2018Licence and reputation  
 
 
 
 
 
94

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Overview

Sustainable gold mining is imperative 
for Gold Fields’ longevity and key to 
being the company of choice for all 
our stakeholders – our workforce, 
government, businesses, capital 
providers and our communities. This 
means developing mines across the 
world, operating responsibly and 
profitably over lives-of-mine and 
creating shared value for 
stakeholders. 

Through environmental stewardship, 
we protect and enhance relationships 
between our operations and the 
communities in close proximity. By 
minimising the impact of our 
operations on these communities, 
ensuring ongoing meaningful 
engagement with stakeholders, and 
implementing sustainable 
development policies, we create 
Shared Value and deliver clear 
economic, social and environmental 
benefits to them.

The ability to fulfil our commitment to 
stakeholders requires that we operate 
sustainably and profitably. Above all, 
we require the highest levels of 
corporate governance and 
compliance. This is essential given 
the long-term, capital-intensive nature 
of our mining projects, as well as the, 
at times, challenging social and 
political contexts in which we 
operate. 

In this section we deal with our 
licence and reputation, a pillar of our 
balanced scorecard. The section is 
divided into two parts, environmental 
stewardship and stakeholder 
relations. 

Regulatory licences are issued by all 
levels of governments of the 
countries we operate in, and requires, 
first and foremost, good corporate 
citizenship from Gold Fields in terms 

of adherence to all relevant 
legislation. This includes the payment 
of taxes and other levies, as well as a 
robust governance and compliance 
approach. By building strong 
relationships with our stakeholders, 
we ensure that we operate beyond 
pure compliance.

During 2018, Gold Fields’ total value 
distribution to our stakeholders was 
US$2.71bn (2017: US$2.85bn), in 
the form of payments to 
governments, capital providers, 
communities, businesses and our 
workforce. Over 90% of the value 
created remains in the countries of 
operation and increasingly in the 
communities that host our mines 
and projects.

The five key elements of our sustainable development strategy are:

Our objectives

Priorities

Energy and climate change

■■ Maintain security of supply 
■■ Stabilise energy costs
■■ Drive renewables and a lower carbon energy mix
■■ Start managing climate change adaptation risks

Social acceptance

■■ Build strong community and government relationships
■■ Drive impact through Shared Value
■■ Enhance stakeholder engagement and communications

More info

p70 – 73  
p97 – 99

p106 – 124

Water stewardship

■■ Set and achieve water withdrawal and recycling/reuse targets
■■ Achieve water security through catchment approach

p100 – 102

Integrated mine closure 
and progressive 
rehabilitation

■■ Business-wide integrated approach
■■ Liabilities optimised through progressive closure and rehabilitation
■■ Address social transition at closure

p105

Integrated approach

■■ Achieve collaboration across disciplines
■■ Regional leadership
■■ Integrated planning

p29 – 39

  Environmental stewardship

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

95

Introduction
Gold Fields seeks to enhance the 
environments in which it operates 
and limit the impact that mining can 
cause on the surrounding areas. To 
manage this, we remain committed 
to responsible environmental 
stewardship. 

Gold Fields has three Group 
environment-related policy 
statements, on environmental 
stewardship, climate change and 
materials stewardship, and five 
environmental guidelines, on energy 
and carbon management, water 
management, tailings management, 
mine closure and biodiversity.
Furthermore, all regions are aligning 
processes to our critical control 
management approach (p63).

Our approach to environmental 
stewardship is guided and informed 
by several external standards as well 
as local legislation, supported by risk 
management, internal policies and 
priorities. Additional local priorities 
are identified through stakeholder 
consultation. 

All our mines are certified according 
to the International Cyanide 
Management Code (ICMC), which 
prescribes how to manage, treat, 
transport, store and dispose of 
cyanide. Our operations work to 
prepare for recertification audits every 
three years by helping to identify and 
address potential gaps in advance. 
South Deep, Damang and Tarkwa 
were successfully recertified during 
2018 and Q1 2019. Gruyere was 
recommended for pre-operational 
certification. However, we are still 
awaiting confirmation by the 
International Cyanide Management 
Institute. Gold Fields does not use 
mercury for the beneficiation of gold 
or in any of its processes. 

In 2018, we completed the process 
of recertifying our operations in 
terms of the new ISO 14001 (2015) 

environmental management 
standard. During the year, Agnew, 
St Ives, Damang, Tarkwa, 
Cerro Corona and South Deep 
secured recertification, while an audit 
will be conducted at Gruyere in 2019. 
Other than Gruyere, no operation is 
due for recertification in 2019. 

During 2018, risk assessments were 
completed in all regions on the 
transport of hazardous materials. 
No material risks were identified. 
Opportunities for improvement were 
found, the most important of which 
was the construction of a pipeline to 
deliver gas to our Ghana operations 
instead of by road (p73).

For details of our environmental 
management approach, policies and 
guidelines go to www.goldfields.com/ 
sustainability.php.

Environmental incidents
A scale of Level 1 (most minor) is 
used to 5 (most severe) to report 
environmental incidents. We have 
not experienced any Level 4 or 5 
environmental incidents over the past 
ten years.

During 2018, we experienced two 
Level 3 environmental incidents 
(2017: two):
■■ During the commissioning of 

Damang’s Far East tailings storage 
facility (FETSF) in April, supernatant 
water leaked into the external 
environment. Permeable waste 
rock overburden, originally believed 
to represent natural ground during 
construction, led to the transfer of 
the liquid to underlying waste rock 
fill, which had not been identified 
and from there to an adjacent 
water body. Deposition was 
immediately returned into the East 
TSF (ETSF) and downstream 
monitoring initiated. The incident 
was communicated to relevant 
regulatory bodies and communities 
adjacent to affected water courses. 
Drinking water was provided to 

these communities, though 
monitoring showed that their water 
supplies were safe to drink. No 
lasting environmental impacts were 
identified, and, after the permeable 
rock burden was removed, the area 
was rehabilitated to the original 
design with a final clay tie-in. 
The storage facility was 
recommissioned.

■■ On 16 December, over a period of 
three hours, approximately 180m³ 
of water containing tailings from the 
Cerro Corona TSF flowed through 
an authorised diversion pipe into a 
creek leading to the Tingo river. 
A nearby fish farm on the bank of 
the river was affected. The incident 
did not compromise the dam’s 
integrity or physical stability. Gold 
Fields immediately communicated 
the incident, and subsequently sent 
a full report, to the environmental 
authorities. An emergency 
response team was activated and 
corrective measures were taken 
immediately to stop the discharge; 
within 24 hours the environmental 
parameters in the river had 
returned to normal. Rehabilitation 
of the affected area also started 
immediately and was completed 
within 20 days. No fines nor 
sanctions have as yet been 
formalised.

Group environmental incidents

Year

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Level 2  
incidents

Level 3  
incidents

54

67

131

83

68

4

5

3

2

2

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 96

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Environmental stewardship continued

Supporting biodiversity 
Our Biodiversity Conservation 
Practice guideline ensures that we 
integrate biodiversity conservation 
into all aspects of mine life, from 
pre-feasibility to closure. We aim to 
contribute to the conservation of 
biodiversity where opportunities arise. 
Furthermore, we subscribe to the 
International Council on Mining & 
Metals (ICMM) Position Statement on 
Mining and Protected Areas, which 
includes a commitment to respect 
protected areas and an undertaking 
not to explore or mine in World 
Heritage listed sites. Biodiversity 
considerations are incorporated into 
our integrated mine closure and 
progressive rehabilitation processes. 

Two examples indicating our 
commitment to biodiversity are:
■■ During 2018 we invested around 

US$2.2m in environmental 
programmes at our Salares Norte 
project in the Atacama Desert of 
northern Chile, including 
US$700,000 on initiatives to 
protect the endangered Short-
tailed Chinchilla found in the area. 
During 2018, with the help of 
environmental experts, we 
continued improving our the 
baseline information on the 
Chinchilla and worked on a detailed 
plan and protocol to relocate them 
if the EIA is approved. 

■■ The St Ives operations in Western 

Australia extend over a large 
salt-lake system known as Lake 
Lefroy. In recent years, the riparian 
(bank) zones of such salt lake 

systems have been recognised as 
areas of sensitive biodiversity. The 
current mining disturbance of the 
Lake Lefroy riparian zone by St Ives 
and other mining companies is 
limited to 90ha or 2.5% of the 
riparian habitat. St Ives has 
undertaken numerous ecological 
studies and monitoring 
programmes in the area. The 
studies indicate that, outside of the 
physical disturbance of a small 
portion of the riparian zone, mining 
and related activities have no 
discernible impact on the area’s 
biodiversity. Nonetheless, as part of 
the Beyond 2018 project at St Ives, 
regulatory approval of which is still 
awaited, we have included 
protection measures for Lake 
Lefroy’s fauna.

Exploration 
drilling at 
Lake Lefroy

  Climate change 

Gold Fields’ climate change 
programme focuses on the 
assessment and mitigation of climate 
change-related risks, including the 
development and implementation of 
action plans and energy management 
programmes to reduce emissions 
(p70 – 73), while at the same time 
ensuring water security (p100 – 102). 
Gold Fields’ objectives are to 
minimise the Company’s contribution 
to climate change and to build 
resilience to impacts of climate-
related risks on our operations and 
host communities. It is increasingly 
clear that the negative physical 
impacts of climate change are real 
and immediate, due to: 
■■ The long-term risks posed by 
climate change to the Group’s 
operations and surrounding 
communities

■■ Increasing efforts to regulate 

carbon emissions in most of our 
jurisdictions

■■ Taxes increasingly imposed by 

governments on non-renewable 
energy consumption

Climate change-related regulations, 
comprising carbon emission and 
renewable energy targets, continue 
to evolve across our regions, and we 
consistently assess and investigate 
how these changes will affect our 
operations. These are detailed in the 
regional reports on p98 – 99.

For details of our climate change 
management approach, policies and 
guidelines go to www.goldfields.com/
sustainability.php 

Task Force on Climate-
related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD)
Business impact on the climate, and 
companies’ ability to withstand 
climate change, are issues of 
increasing global importance, and 
vital to our stakeholders. In 2018, 
Gold Fields became the second 
Johannesburg Stock Exchange 
Limited (JSE)-listed company in 
South Africa (and the first mining 
company) to publicly back the 
United Nations (UN)-endorsed 
recommendations of the TCFD. 
The recommendations have been 
adopted by many national financial 
regulators.

By following the TCFD, we will 
be reporting our climate-related 
performance in a more targeted and 

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

97

practical way than before, linking it to 
financial risks and opportunities. In 
2019, we will release our first TCFD 
report, which will replace our annual 
submission in terms of the CDP, 
formerly the Carbon Disclosure 
Project. The report details aspects of 
governance and climate-related risks, 
as well as our risk management 
framework, our strategic approach in 
adapting to and mitigating impacts of 
climate change, and presents trends 
in our key climate change-related 
metrics.

Gold Fields has been disclosing 
emissions, risks and opportunities for 
more than 10 years through the CDP. 
Key energy and carbon emissions 
data are assured externally. Gold 
Fields maintained its A- score for its 
2018 CDP performance, ranking it 
among the leaders in the mining 
sector for both our disclosures and 
management practices. 

Group performance and 
strategies
The 2018 Group risk register includes 
the impact of climate change among 
the top 20 Group risks. Furthermore, 
the Board’s Safety, Health and 
Sustainable Development (SHSD) 
Committee reviews the performance 
of energy and climate change 
programmes on a quarterly basis. 
Every five years we review our 
vulnerability to climate change and 
develop Group-wide strategies and 
programmes in response to these. 

During 2017 our Ghanaian 
operations’ piloted use of an ICMM 
climate-data viewer tool, which 
provides insight into physical changes 
in precipitation, temperature, wind 
and water stress levels. These 
outcomes were used in developing 
adaptation plans, such as reviewing 
design flood lines and inclusion of 

climate change impacts in our project 
standards. The ICMM tool is in the 
process of being rolled out to our 
other operations.

Our carbon emission performance 
mirrors the energy usage trends at 
our operations. These are detailed on 
p70 – 73. Gold Fields’ disclosures 
cover all three carbon emission 
scopes, Scope 1 – 3, both in 
absolute figures and intensities. Total 
Scope 1 – 3 CO2-e emissions during 
2018 amounted to 1.85Mt, a 
significant drop from 1.96Mt in 2017, 
reflecting the decrease in total energy 
usage to 11.62TJ in 2018 from 
12.18TJ in 2017. Emission intensity 
was unchanged from the 0.66t 
CO2-e/oz in 2017, due to a decline 
in Group gold production. Our 
aspirational target is to reduce 
cumulative carbon emissions by 
800kt CO2-e between 2017 and 
2020. Cumulative carbon emission 
reductions from 2017 – 2018 totalled 
265kt CO2-e.

Our commitment to low-carbon and 
renewable energy is a significant 
contributor to our efforts in reducing 
carbon emissions. All our operations, 
other than South Deep, are largely 
powered by LP gas, a low carbon 
energy source. In Q1 2019, Granny 
Smith and Agnew announced 
significant renewable energy projects 
to be operational later in 2019 or 
early 2020 (p72). South Deep, Tarkwa 
and Damang are also investigating 
developing renewable energy assets 
in the near future.

Given the water security impact of 
climate change to our operations, we 
also closely monitor our water usage 
and spending and invest in water 
security and efficiency initiatives.

Gold Fields Scope 1 – 3 CO2 emissions
Million tonne CO2-e

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

8
6
1

.

6
4
.
0

9
7
.
0

4
4
.
0

5
7

.

1

3
5
.
0

9
7
.
0

3
4
.
0

2014

■ Scope 1

■ Scope 2

2015
■ Scope 3

6
9
1

.

4
5
0

.

7
9
.
0

5
4
.
0

2016

6
9

.

1

9
5

.

0

8
8
.
0

9
4
.
0

5
8

.

1

8
5

.

0

8
7
.
0

8
4
.
0

2017

2018

LICENCE AND REPUTATION  
98

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Climate change continued

Americas

Australia

Regional performance

KEY RISKS

■■ Water shortages during 

drier months
■■ Ability to deliver 

concentrate for shipping 
during severe weather 
events

STRATEGIC 
RESPONSES

■■ Seek approval for water 
abstraction in regular 
Environmental Impact 
Assessment (EIA) 
updates

■■ Ensure that an alternate 
route to the port is ready 
for use

■■ Dynamic and predictive 

water balances

■■ Increase storage capacity 

at the port and Cerro 
Corona

KEY RISKS

■■ Adequacy of flood 

management measures

■■ Declining water 

availability

■■ Tailings dam stability
■■ Increased cooling costs
■■ Legislative changes

STRATEGIC 
RESPONSES

■■ Flood management plans 

and critical hazard 
standards

■■ Trialling site-based 

weather modelling at 
Gruyere

■■ Maintenance of water 

balances 

■■ Implemented energy 

management plans, with 
a savings target of up to 
10% 

■■ Conversion to renewable 
energies at Agnew, and 
the assessment thereof 
at Granny Smith

■■ Dynamic and predictive 

water balances

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
In April, Peru released a Climate Change Framework law, seeking 
collaboration between government and the private sector on the 
government’s commitments to:
■■ Reduce emissions by 20% to 30% below business-as-usual 

by 2030

■■ Meet 20% of carbon reduction goals through the energy, 

industry, transport, resources and waste sectors

The mine is looking at ways in which it can contribute to the 
achievement of these targets. 

As part of Cerro Corona’s climate resilience plan, the mine:
■■ Commencing the permitting process for withdrawing additional 
water from the Tingo river in preparation for a low rainfall year 

■■ Evaluated the key risks of route disruptions as a result of 
flooding or landslides for transporting ore concentrates to 
the Salaverry port

■■ Constructed an additional storage building for ore concentrate 

at the Salaverry warehouse.

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Australia’s government is reviewing the safeguard mechanism 
(SGM) introduced in 2016, which applies to facilities emitting 
more than 100,000 tonnes CO2-e emissions each year. We 
expect Gruyere, once operational, to also be governed by the 
SGM with the baseline determined by its production plan. 
Penalties are applied for exceeding emission baselines, or 
domestic carbon offsets must be purchased to make up the 
difference. Our Agnew and Granny Smith mines have not 
exceeded their baseline, but St Ives did so in 2017; emission 
credits from the Granny Smith gas power were used to offset the 
penalties. The main impact of the SGM review, which is expected 
to be implemented by mid-2019, will be the transition from 
historic to calculated baselines, which will better reflect our 
operations’ current production profiles. 

We continue to manage the lack of certainty regarding the 
government’s climate change policy through efforts to improve 
energy efficiencies, as well as taking advantage of the 
government’s carbon abatement initiatives. During 2018, this 
initiative at Granny Smith generated 21,032 Australian Carbon 
Credits Units (ACCUs), with a positive balance of 13,450 ACCUs 
for use against future liabilities or trading in the open market.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

99

West
Africa

South
Africa

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Ghana experienced abnormally heavy rainfalls, which impacted 
both Tarkwa and Damang, and resulted in production delays, 
the Tarkwa pits being flooded, and additional diesel usage for 
dewatering. In response, we modified our pumping, storage 
and pit dewatering strategies.

In 2018, we implemented recommendations of the climate 
change risk and vulnerability assessment conducted in 2017, 
including increasing pumping capacity for pit dewatering, 
reduced reliance on the national power grid, which is reliant on 
hydro power, and engaging communities on climate change 
impacts. We also started a new water treatment facility at 
Damang, which includes adding chemicals to reduce nitrate 
levels to approved standards, while improving water treatment 
costs and effectiveness. 

To meet the requirements of the Renewable Energy Act of 2011, 
proposals for renewable power, amounting to 6MW for Damang 
and Tarkwa, are currently being investigated.

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
South Deep continues to work with an independent power 
producer (IPP) to finalise the construction of a solar photovoltaic 
(PV) plant at the mine, though the approach may be more 
incremental than originally envisaged, taking cognisance of more 
recent financial and regulatory requirements. In terms of the plan, 
the IPP will raise funding for the plant in return for a long-term 
purchase power agreement with South Deep. Funding issues are 
currently being finalised. The IPP is consulting with the 
Department of Energy on regulatory clarity around the licensing, 
technical and other requirements of the plant. 

Legislation to levy taxes on companies’ Scope 1 CO2 emissions 
will come into effect on 1 June 2019. South Deep’s exposure to 
the tax is minimal as its Scope 1 emissions, largely related to 
diesel usage, were only 5,504t CO2-e in 2018. A carbon tax levy 
of R0.10/l was announced by the Finance Minister in early 2019, 
which amounts to an exposure of around R197,000 (US$15,000) 
for South Deep. However, should Eskom, the state utility, be 
allowed to pass on the cost of the tax on diesel usage to 
customers, their electricity tariffs could rise significantly. 

KEY RISKS

■■ Increased operational 
costs linked to road 
maintenance, 
replacement of tyres 
and dewatering 

■■ Increased volumes of 
contaminated water 
requiring treatment 
■■ Short-term impacts to 
mining during intense 
rainfall events 

STRATEGIC 
RESPONSES

■■ Staggering of pit floors 
to aid drainage and 
dewatering 

■■ Review catchment 

mapping 

■■ Implement a control 

process for maintaining 
road quality for long 
haulage routes

■■ Dynamic and predictive 

water balances

■■ Provision made for rain 

delays in operational plan

KEY RISKS

■■ Variability in rainfall 

intensity increasing costs 
of alternative water 
sources

■■ Temperature increases 
affect surface cooling 
plant efficiency and 
causes heat stress for 
surface employees 
■■ Climate change-related 
regulatory uncertainty 

STRATEGIC 
RESPONSES

■■ Dynamic and predictive 

water balances 
■■ Reduce freshwater 

withdrawals 

■■ Reduce potential Scope1 

and Scope2 and 
emissions through 
improved diesel 
efficiencies and 
renewable energy

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 100 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Water management

Access to clean water is a 
fundamental human right and a vital 
resource for Gold Fields’ mining and 
ore processing activities. We are 
committed to responsible water 
stewardship as it enables security of 
supply to our own operations. 
Managing our impact on and access 
to water is also essential to 
maintaining our licence to operate, as 
water is a critical resource for many 
of our host communities.

We have adopted an integrated 
approach to water management, 
including alignment to the ICMM 
Water Position Statement, baseline 
water assessments at the operations, 
and the adoption of a catchment 
approach to water management 
based on risk and opportunity 
analyses. Through careful 
management, we are able to reduce 
our environmental impact through 
responsible use, storage and release 
of water, while also reducing our 
costs. Furthermore, we aim to 
develop our water management 
policy by Q2 2019.

The ICMM Position Statement on 
water stewardship commitments 
was adopted by Gold Fields in 2017. 
Gaps in terms of our alignment with 
the ICMM statement were assessed 
and closed-out by each of our 
operations in 2018. During this year, 
we also engaged an external 
company to conduct a third-party 
review to verify this alignment to the 
position statement. This company 
confirmed our overall alignment rating 
and found a strong commitment to 
water stewardship at both corporate 
and operational levels, with 
transparent communication and 
disclosure of our water performance 
statistics both internally and 
externally. They also found a need 
for greater alignment of Gold Fields’ 
operations’ water balances within the 
context of the water requirements of 
the wider catchment area, particularly 
adjacent communities.

For details of our water management 
approach, policies and guidelines, as 
well as our adoption of the ICMM Water 
Stewardship Position Statement, go to 
www.goldfields.com/sustainability.php

Group performance
All our operations have predictive and 
dynamic water balances in place. 

During 2018, Gold Fields spent a 
total of US$32m on water 
management and projects (2017: 
US$29m). Our operations are 
investing heavily in improving water 
management practices, including 
pollution prevention, recycling and 
water conservation initiatives. 

Water withdrawal1 across the Group 
decreased to 21.2Gl (2017: 32.9Gl), 
including a total of 14.5Gl relating to 
freshwater usage. The main reason 
is a change in the definition of water 
withdrawal to align with the ICMM 
Water Reporting Guideline. 
Dewatered and diverted water4 was 
previously reported as withdrawn 
water by our Australian operations, 
but has been reclassified as water 
diverted in alignment with the ICMM 
definitions as it is not used in the 
mine processes. Water withdrawal 
per tonne processed declined to 
0.64Kl (2017: 0.96Kl) and per ounce 
produced to 10.3Kl in 2018 (2017: 
14.8Kl), in line with the significant 
drop in water withdrawal. 

Water recycled2 or reused3 amounted 
to 41.4Gl (2017: 43.3Gl). The ICMM 
has recommended a recycling/reuse 
target of 65% for mining operations, 
which we adopted in 2018 and we 
achieved 66% (2017: 57%). 

We benchmark our water usage 
by participating in the CDP water 
disclosure programme. The CDP’s 
water score is an indicator of a 
company’s commitment to 
transparency around its water risks, 
and the sufficiency of its response 
to them. During 2018, Gold Fields 
achieved a B score, down from the 
A- score in its 2017 CDP water 
assessment. This is a notch below 
the top mining performers and 
reflects broader assessment criteria 
for the mining sector, many of which 
are not relevant to Gold Fields. 

Total water used in processes5

43%

2017
76.3 Mℓ

25%

32% 

37%

34%

2018
62.6 Mℓ

Water withdrawal per ounce of gold 
produced
■ Water withdrawal 
(Mℓ)
■ Water recycled 

■ Water reused 

29%

Water withdrawal per tonne processed

Kl

1.2

0.9

0.6

0.3

0

7
0
.
1

1
9
.
0

6
9
.
0

9
8
.
0

4
6
.
0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Water recycled/reused as percentage 
of total

%

70

66

62

58

54

50

6
6

ICMM target 
of 60%

9
5

7
5

8
5

5
5

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1  Water withdrawal – The the sum of all water drawn into Gold Fields’ operations from all sources (including surface water, ground water, rain water, 

water from another organisation or state/municipal provider) for any use at the mine
2  Recycled water – water/waste water that is treated before being recycled and reused
3  Reused water – water/waste water that is re-used without treatment at the same operation
4  Diverted water – water pumped from our underground operations or pits that is discharged into the environment with regulated limits so as to 

ensure continued and safe mining

5  Total water used in process = water withdrawal + water recycled/reused

   
 
 
Americas

Regional performance

KEY RISKS

■■ Poorly developed public water 

infrastructure
 – Cerro Corona being blamed for 

ongoing or perceived water quality 
pollution by neighbouring mines
 – Leakage of polluted water from our 

mine into neighbouring rivers

 – Water-related activism at local and 

regional levels

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

Cerro Corona has a water management 
strategy in place that includes:
■■ Permits for water use 
■■ Water balance to control the volume 
of run-off water stored in the TSF
■■ Rainwater storage and recycling
■■ Community water supply programmes
■■ Water monitoring and quality controls 

at discharge points 

■■ Proactive engagements with community 

organisations and local government

■■ Diversion channels for clean water
■■ Water permits for the mine, plant and 

tailings dam

Australia

KEY RISKS

■■ The limited availability of fresh water
■■ Impacts of flooding from extreme events 

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

■■ Water management strategies are in 

place, including the development and 
maintenance of appropriate water 
balances, linked to operating strategies 
and post-closure water management 
plans

■■ The operations have a long history of 

using saline to hypersaline water

■■ Nano-filtration water treatment 

technologies are being evaluated at 
St Ives to remove magnesium from the 
water, improving the quality of recycled 
water

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

101

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Cerro Corona remains committed to providing 
local communities with potable water and 
implements projects focusing on water provision 
and improvement of municipal water systems. 
The Health Authority approved the registration of 
Cerro Corona’s water systems used for human 
consumption. 

On 16 December 2018, approximately 180m³ of 
water containing tailings from the Cerro Corona 
TSF in Peru, flowed through a creek and reached 
the nearby Tingo river. This has since been 
rectified (p95).

We continued negotiations to purchase land for 
a water treatment plant for the Haulgayoc 
drinking water system, improving the availability 
of drinking water for about 4,000 beneficiaries. 

Two water efficiency projects, which will reduce 
the consumption of drinking water in the 
accommodation camp and reduce the 
evaporation from water ponds, are planned for 
2019/2020.

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Granny Smith implemented an initiative to 
improve surface water through harvesting rain 
and surface water and reinjecting this water into 
an aquifer, improving recharge rates and yield. 
This reduces the reliance on the Mt Weld 
borefield and supplements the water required 
for the process plant and Wallaby underground 
mine. 

St Ives has two water agreements in place: the 
first with the Water Corporation, terminating in 
2050, which provides for the majority of the 
potable water, as well as an agreement with a 
neighbouring mine, which provides for declining 
entitlements until 2021 when it will be replaced in 
full by provisions from the Water Corporation.

Agnew receives water from a number of sources, 
including a range of pits filled with rainwater. 

At the Gruyere project, two borefields will supply 
the mine and the Gruyere village. The Yeo 
borefield will serve as the main water source for 
Gruyere’s processing plant. To date, 21 
boreholes have been drilled and installation of a 
95km water pipeline to the processing plant has 
commenced. 

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 102 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Water management continued

West
Africa

South
Africa

KEY RISKS

■■ Intense periods of precipitation during 

Ghana’s rainy seasons 

■■ Water pollution affecting communities 

adjacent to both operations

■■ Providing potable water in the event of 

possible water pollution

■■ The impact of illegal mining on water 

sources

■■ Mining landforms affecting natural surface 

water flow

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

Water management strategies include:
■■ Water storage and reuse
■■ Water volume and quality monitoring
■■ Controlled water releases to external 

water bodies

■■ Landform reviews to ensure adequate 

surface water drainage
■■ Expanded cut-off trenches
■■ Enhanced pit dewatering strategies

An inaugural Regional Water Working Group was 
held in Q4 2018, seeking to identify and further 
incorporate water management opportunities at 
our Ghanaian operations.

Brine recirculation from the Tarkwa northern 
heap leach pads continued in 2018. Tarkwa is 
also examining contracting external companies 
to provide more advanced treatment options for 
brine and increase treatment capacity. Damang 
implemented the treatment of nitrate-laden water 
from the open pits. The mine also established a 
water monitoring team, comprising members of 
the local community, to enhance transparency 
and communication of water results. 

Both operations now have fully functioning 
water balance software, with teams trained in 
developing water management models.

KEY RISKS

■■ Growing concerns around water scarcity 

in South Africa

■■ Seepage plumes at South Deep’s 

Doornpoort TSF

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

Usage of a number of water sources, 
including recycling and conservation 
initiatives, water treatment plants, boreholes 
and access to the public water system
■■ Ongoing water monitoring, containment 
in storage facilities, water treatment and 
purification, to ensure water security and 
mitigate water pollution. Undertaking 
studies of the mine’s impact on the wider 
catchment area, including a post-closure 
water management plan and the 
Leeuspruit legacy study

■■ Participation in the existing catchment 

forum

■■ Environmental educational lectures and 

tours for local communities

2018 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) 
issued South Deep’s water licence in December 
2018.

South Deep and Sibanye-Stillwater jointly 
undertook a study of the impact of historical 
mining pollution in the Leeuspruit stream, which 
flows through the operational area of both 
companies. The Leeuspruit Legacy Project 
report was presented to the DWS and an 
environmental NGO, the Federation for a 
Sustainable Environment. Both parties supported 
the study and recommended that further work 
be undertaken. A risk assessment and 
development of a remediation and closure 
plan with costs are under way.

Seepage plumes have previously been identified 
at South Deep’s Doornpoort TSF. As part of the 
project to contain and reduce these plumes, 
13 boreholes and two seepage sumps were 
equipped with a pumping and monitoring 
system, which is monitored on an ongoing basis.

  Waste and tailings

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

103

The most significant waste materials 
produced by our operations are 
tailings, waste rock, chemical waste 
and hydrocarbon waste. By 
managing these wastes responsibly, 
we minimise the environmental and 
potential social impact, so as to 
maintain our licence to operate. 

All of our operations have tailings 
management plans in place, 
including closure and post-closure 
management plans. In total, as at 
end-2018, our ten operations 
(including three JV sites) contained 
33 tailings dams, of which 14 were 
active and one under construction. 
With regards to active TSFs, Gold 
Fields currently has two in-pit tailings 
dams operating at Agnew and St 
Ives, five downstreams/centreline 
tailings dams and seven upstream 
tailings dams.

Gold Fields operations with active 
downstreams/centreline tailings dams 
are Cerro Corona, Damang and 
Tarkwa. 
The new Gruyere TSF, currently in 
construction, is also a downstream 
TSF. Gold Fields has only three 
operations where upstream tailings 
are being used, being South Deep, 
Tarkwa and Granny Smith.

As two of our sites, South Deep and 
Granny Smith, are located in relatively 
dry regions, limited amounts of water 
need to be stored on the facilities, 
significantly reducing the risk of 
saturation on the dams. Tarkwa’s 
upstream tailings dams in Ghana 
have been constructed from imported 
fill materials, and are designed 
assuming worst-case scenario 
conditions, to ensure the 
embankments remain stable 
throughout both the wet and dry 
seasons, and also for the life of the 
facility.

METHODS OF TAILINGS CONSTRUCTION

Upstream 

Supernatant pond

Downstream 

Supernatant pond

Embankment consisting 
mostly of tailings 
material

Tailings material

Starter dyke

Impervious layer

Embankment consisting 

mostly of fill material, 
such as rock  
and waste

Tailings material

Starter dyke

Source: Jon Engels www.tailings.info/disposal/conventional.htm

The two most common designs for a raised tailings embankments are upstream 
and downstream TSFs. A downstream tailings facility is one where the new 
embankment raise is constructed and supported beyond the downstream slope.
Downstream TSFs may have supernatant water ponded against the embankment, 
as shown in the diagram, or they may have a tailings beach. 
In upstream tailings dams, each new embankment raise is constructed partially on 
the embankment immediately below and partially on the consolidated tailings 
beach adjacent to the embankment. 

TSF management
The mining industry’s TSFs are in the 
spotlight following the catastrophic 
tailings failure at Vale’s Feijão iron 
ore mine in Brumadinho, Brazil, in 
January 2019, which resulted in 
over 300 deaths. This follows the 
19 fatalities during the Samarco TSF 
failure in 2015, and significant 
environmental damage after the 
Mt Polley tailings dam collapse 
in 2014. 

After the Samarco accident, the 
ICMM members developed a Tailings 
Position Statement in 2016 and 
approved a tailings aspirational goals 
roadmap in late 2018. Gold Fields’ 
Group Tailings Management 
Guidelines are aligned to the ICMM 
Tailings Position Statement. The 
guidelines were strengthened during 
2017 with the inclusion of additional 
performance guidance and minimum 
assessment criteria. Subsequent to 
the Brumadinho tragedy, the ICMM 
agreed to establish an independent 
panel of experts to develop an 
international standard for tailings 
facilities for its member companies. 

All Gold Fields’ TSFs, as well as 
associated pipeline and pumping 
infrastructure, are subject to an 
independent, external audit every 
three years – or more frequently 
where required by local 
circumstances or regulations – as 
well as regular inspections and formal 
annual Engineer of Record reviews. 

A number of improvement areas 
were recommended, including:
■■ Seismicity design considerations
■■ Appointment of an Engineer of 

Record for each TSF
■■ Dam break assessments
■■ Update of emergency response 

plans

■■ TSF seepage management and 

control

In addition to closing out these 
identified gaps during 2018, Gold 
Fields also embarked on a 
programme to further improve 
operational safety of its TSFs, 
including moving away from the 
construction of upstream facilities 

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 104 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Waste and tailings continued

Gold Fields is also working with Lepanto Mining, its majority partner in the Far 
Southeast project in the Philippines, on enhancing risk mitigating measures for 
the TSF used by Lepanto for tailings disposal from its nearby gold mine. Gold 
Fields and Lepanto have commissioned external consultants to undertake 
detailed hydrological, seismic and geotechnical reviews and make 
recommendations on strengthening the TSF. The TSF is located in a region with 
high seismic activity and frequent typhoons.

Our technical teams are also working with Asanko Gold to further strengthen risk 
assessment and governance of the lined and upstream-designed TSF at the 
Asanko gold mine (AGM) JV in Ghana.

During 2018, two new TSFs were commissioned at our West African operations: 
the FETSF at the Damang mine and TSF 5 at Tarkwa.

Waste management

Group mining waste

Million tonnes

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

0

50

100

150

200

■ Waste rock

■ Tailings

Total Group waste rock volumes mined decreased to 149Mt in 2018 from 171Mt 
in 2017, due to lower volumes moved at our Tarkwa and St Ives mines. Tailings 
depositions were at 41Mt in 2018, unchanged from 2017 and despite a sharp 
fall in depositions at South Deep, due to lower production. 

Gold Fields has set a target to maintain the general landfill waste mass (non-
hazardous waste other than tailings and waste rock) at 2015 levels of 11.2Mt, 
by ensuring a reduction in the waste that reaches landfill through greater use of 
on-site waste separation and recycling. During 2018 the Group reduced landfill 
waste by 19% to 9Mt as a result of lower waste volumes at Damang, Cerro 
Corona and St Ives.

to centre-line or downstream 
designs, consideration of filtered and 
dry stacked tailings, as well as in-pit 
tailings disposal. 

These are in line with the main areas 
of work under the ICMM’s aspirational 
goals: improving critical controls and 
reducing tailings water content. 

The following actions have been 
implemented or are currently in 
process at our operations:
■■ The use of a new downstream 

TSF for the Damang Reinvestment 
project

■■ The use of filtered and dry stacked 
tailings for the planned Salares 
Norte mine

■■ The increased use of in-pit tailings 
disposal in Australia (Agnew and 
St Ives)

■■ Increased use of tailings for 

underground backfill at the Granny 
Smith and St Ives Invincible mines

■■ Improved governance over 

seepage control at TSFs through 
the installation of liners. All new 
TSFs recently constructed at 
Tarkwa, Damang and Gruyere 
are lined

In February 2019, the Gold Fields 
Board also requested strengthened 
governance of the Group’s TSFs 
through among others, quarterly 
TSF update reports, continuous 
environmental monitoring, including 
satellite monitoring scans, and 
increased external and independent 
verification. These are currently being 
investigated by management with a 
view to rapid implementation.

The Far East 
Tailings Storage 
Facility (TSF) at 
our Damang 
mine in Ghana

    
The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

105

supporting the Gold Fields focus on 
social transitioning.

All mining operations have closure 
plans and closure cost estimates in 
place, which are reviewed and 
updated annually. Noteworthy was 
that the Western Australian 
Department of Mines, Industry 
Regulation and Safety informed the 
St Ives mine in 2018 that its closure 
plan had been approved for 
implementation and would be used 
as a benchmark for other Western 
Australian mines. The mine closure 
plan has established a platform for 
the site’s progressive rehabilitation 
and has realised an 11% reduction of 
the closure liability of A$14m 
(US$10.5m) through improved 
closure planning and practices. 

All operations updated their 2018 
closure cost estimates, which were 
externally assured. The funding 
methods used in each region to 
make provision for the mine closure 
cost estimates are:
■■ Peru – bank guarantees
■■ Australia – existing cash and 

resources1 

■■ Ghana – reclamation security 

agreements and bonds 
underwritten by banks along with 
restricted cash

■■ South Africa – contributions into 
environmental trust funds and 
guarantees

The total gross mine closure liability 
for Gold Fields rose by 5% to 
US$400m in 2018. A breakdown 
is provided in the table below.

Group closure estimates 2018 (US$m)

Australia region1
West Africa region
Americas region
South Africa region

Group total

2018

2017

1782
100
79
42

400

179
98
62
42

381

1  Due to legislative changes introduced in Western Australia, there is no longer a legal obligation 
to have unconditional performance bonds in place for mine closure liabilities. Such liabilities for 
continuing operations are now self-funding. In addition, companies are now required to pay a 
levy to the state based on the total mine closure liability. This levy is 1% of the total liability per 
mine, paid annually. This levy goes into a state administered fund known as the Mine 
Rehabilitation Fund. Capital and interest from the fund will be used to rehabilitate legacy sites 
or sites that have prematurely closed or been abandoned

2  Includes 50% of the total Gruyere closure cost estimate

Mine closure 

Sustainable and integrated mine 
closure remains one of Gold Fields’ 
five key sustainability focus areas. 
We aim to reduce our environmental, 
community and social impacts, 
optimise our closure liabilities and, 
where possible, enhance asset 
values. Integrated mine closure 
planning and progressive 
rehabilitation are a crucial part of 
our mine closure management 
programme.

The Group’s focus on progressive 
rehabilitation during mining 
operations was advanced in 2018. 
Progressive rehabilitation presents 
many opportunities for mining 
operations, including building 
credibility with regulators and 
stakeholders, reducing closure 
liabilities and achieving cost savings 
through: 
■■ Utilising available equipment
■■ Eliminating the need for contractor 

mobilisation costs

■■ Utilising current resources such as 
the environmental management 
team

■■ Potential tax savings
■■ Improving the rehabilitation 

knowledge base 

Progressive rehabilitation 
opportunities, as identified in mine 
closure plans, have been embedded 
in our mines’ 2019 business plans. 
Our operations have identified 
practical progressive rehabilitation 
activities and costs that are aligned to 
regulatory requirements and which 
can be implemented in 2019. The 
2020 objective is to identify 
integrated mine closure opportunities 
to reduce the Group’s long-term 
closure liabilities. This means 
planning for post-closure and 
long-term sustainability in 
consultation with our communities 
and other stakeholders. Ongoing 
participation in the ICMM Mine 
Closure Working Group and Social 
Guidance for Closure Taskforce is 

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 106 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Stakeholder relations

The quality of our relationships with 
our stakeholders, those individuals 
and organisations who have a 
substantial influence on our ability to 
create value, are integral to our 
licence to operate. We consistently 
balance the needs and expectations 
of our stakeholders with the best 
interests of Gold Fields, and therefore 
cultivate relationships that are open, 
transparent and constructive. Gold 
Fields has well established 
stakeholder engagement practices, 
and we actively engage our key 
stakeholders continuously on material 
issues and publicise these 
engagements. We consider the 
following to be our key stakeholders: 
shareholders and other investors, 
employees and contractors, 
communities, governments and 
business partners (suppliers).

Our Stakeholder Relationship and 
Engagement Policy, approved by the 
Board in February 2018, was rolled 
out during the year as part of the 
alignment with King IV “to adopt a 
stakeholder-inclusive approach that 
balances the needs, interests and 
expectations of material stakeholders 
in the best interests of the company”. 
We further developed an internal 
portal to register material 
engagements with our key 
stakeholders. Our management 
teams have been incentivised to 
enhance the number and quality 
of their engagements with these 
stakeholders during 2019.

We create and distribute value for 
all stakeholders in the countries in 
which we operate. Our total value 
distribution, graphically depicted on 
p6, highlights the economic value we 
created at Group level during 2018, 
as well as value created in our 
individual regions. Gold Fields’ total 
value distribution during 2018 
amounted to US$2.71bn (2017: 
US$2.85bn), in the form of payments 
to governments, business partners, 
our workforce, host communities 
and capital providers.

For details of our stakeholder 
relationship and engagement 
management approach, policies and 
guidelines go to www.goldfields.com/
sustainability.php. 

Investor relations
Gold Fields has positioned itself as 
a globally diversified gold mining 
company with a portfolio that is 
characterised by mechanised 
underground and open-pit mining. 
Central to our vision of leadership 
in sustainable gold mining, is the 
objective of positioning the Group 
as a focused, lean and globally 
diversified gold mining company that 
generates significant free cash-flow, 
and provides investors with leverage 
to the price of gold.

Mining is a long-term game. As 
a business, we need to balance 
investing for future growth of our 
portfolio whilst generating cash today. 
Through our investment projects and 
strategic decisions, we aim to 
sustainably extend the life of Gold 
Fields’ overall portfolio at lower costs 
than today. We believe that this is 
also a prerequisite for improving the 
confidence with which long-term 
investors as well as buy-side and 
sell-side market participants view 
Gold Fields. 

For a full analysis of our stakeholder 
relationship with investors, see the 
Capital Discipline section on p84 – 90 
and the Portfolio Management 
section on p40 – 55.

Summaries of the stakeholder 
engagements held by corporate and 
each region in 2018 are available at 
www.goldfields.com/societal-
stakeholders.php. 

Employee relations
Our workforce is critical to safe 
operational delivery. We remain 
focused on ensuring we have the 
necessary skills, culture and 
workforce profile required to meet our 
objectives and that our workforce is 
structured to support the delivery of 
immediate and long-term strategic 
objectives.

During 2018, the two most significant 
people-related developments were 
the restructuring exercise and related 
strike action at South Deep, as well 

as the transition from owner to 
contractor mining at Tarkwa. The key 
people-related balanced scorecard 
objectives were driving diversity and 
inclusion, managing the talent 
pipeline and ensuring succession 
planning for critical roles, and 
strengthening a values-based 
culture that drives delivery.

For a full analysis of our stakeholder 
relationship with our workforce see 
p76 – 78. 

Government relations
As the issuers of mining licences, 
developers of policy and 
implementers of regulations, host 
governments are among Gold Fields’ 
most important stakeholders. This 
requires first and foremost good 
corporate citizenship from Gold Fields 
in terms of adherence to all relevant 
legislation, including the payment 
of taxes and other levies. We are 
committed to working with 
governments at national, regional and 
local level in establishing sound and 
transparent working relationships that 
benefit the countries and host 
communities. 

Gold Fields does not provide financial 
contributions to political parties and 
lobby groups unless explicitly 
approved by the Gold Fields Board 
of Directors in accordance with the 
Company’s Code of Conduct. No 
political donations were made in 
2018. 

Gold Fields’ tax strategy is to proactively 
manage our tax obligations in a 
transparent, responsible and sustainable 
manner, acknowledging the differing 
interests of all our stakeholders. Our full 
tax strategy and policy can be found at 
www.goldfields.com/integrated-annual-
reports.com

A worrying development over the 
past few years has been a strong 
resurgence of resource nationalism 
in many leading mining jurisdictions. 
During 2018, these have been 
particularly pertinent in our South 
Africa and West Africa regions.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

107

Americas 
region

Our engagement in Peru is focused 
at local, regional and national 
government levels to address 
operational, social and sustainability 
matters. A business-friendly national 
government is in power in Lima and 
our engagement with the relevant 
departments is largely carried out via 
the National Chamber of Mines, Oil 
and Energy, especially on regulatory 
matters. Gold Fields Peru’s legal 
stability agreement, signed with the 
Peruvian government in 1997 to 
facilitate the build-up of our Cerro 
Corona mine, expired during 2017 
and Gold Fields is now subject to the 

South Africa 
region

From a regulatory perspective, Gold 
Fields’ South Deep mine is guided 
primarily by the Mineral and 
Petroleum Resources Development 
Act (MPRDA) of 2002. In 2014, 
critical amendments to the MPRDA 
were tabled by the government in the 
MPRDA Amendment Bill, but the bill 
has still not been signed into law 
amid opposition to some of the 
proposed changes. Among other 
things, the proposed MPRDA grants 
the Minister of Mineral Resources 
discretionary powers which we 
believe go beyond the original intent 
of the Act and are unconstitutional, 
such as the ability to unilaterally set 
the terms of the Mining Charter at 
his/her discretion. 

One of the key requirements of the 
MPRDA, which Gold Fields supports, 
is to facilitate meaningful and 
substantial participation of Historically 
Disadvantaged South Africans 
(HDSAs) in the mining industry. To 
provide guidance on this open-ended 
requirement, the Mining Charter, as 

same taxation regime as the rest of 
the mining sector. 

members but also with regional and 
local authorities. 

Traditionally, regional and local level 
officials in the Cajamarca province, 
which is home to Cerro Corona, have 
adopted anti-mining strategies and 
policies, reflecting wider public 
sentiment among communities. 
During 2018 there were a number of 
socio-economic conflicts related to 
mining in the Cajamarca province, 
but a more business-friendly 
government was elected which has 
stressed the need to build trust 
between mines and communities. 
This will make it easier for our social 
and environmental policies as well as 
our extensive engagement with all 
stakeholders, to gain further traction 
and support not only from community 

revised in 2010, was published by 
the DMR, providing for a range of 
empowerment actions and a corollary 
time frame. In terms of the Mining 
Charter, all mining rights holders 
are required to submit an annual 
compliance assessment to the DMR 
on progress made against meeting 
the annual targets in the Charter. 
Gold Fields continues to comply 
with this process. 

The DMR published Mining Charter 3 
in September 2018 after consultation 
with the industry through the Minerals 
Council South Africa (MCSA, formerly 
the Chamber of Mines). The MCSA 
considers most aspects of the 
Charter a framework within which the 
industry can live. There are, however, 
critical areas over which Gold Fields 
and the industry has very deep 
concerns, namely that the Charter 
does not fully recognise the black 
economic empowerment (BEE) 
ownership credentials of previous 
BEE transactions. This is the 
case in respect of mining right 
renewals and transfers of these 
rights. Such a requirement has a 
severely dampening effect of the 
attractiveness of South African mining 
in the eyes of investors and appears 

Our engagement activities will be 
intensified during 2019 following 
our tailings leak in December 2018 
which, while having a negligible 
environmental impact, received wide 
publicity in Cajamarca province and 
led to protest action at the mine 
(p116). The extension of Cerro 
Corona’s life-of-mine to 2030 
will also require more long-term 
community investment programmes 
and strategies.

also a breach of a Court declaratory 
order – handed down in April 2018 
– which supported the so-called 
“once empowered, always 
empowered” principle. The MCSA 
continues to engage with the Minister 
and the DMR in an effort to resolve 
these concerns, and may also follow 
due process in this regard.

Gold Fields supports achieving a 
solution that is viable to support 
economic growth and economic 
transformation while at the same time 
fostering a sustainable mining 
industry in South Africa in which 
investment is encouraged and 
rewarded. 

While the renewal of South Deep’s 
mining licence is only due in 2040, 
we are concerned by the prospect 
of having to renegotiate our licence 
under completely different 
circumstances to those that prevailed 
when our licence was awarded in 
2010. We believe that our current 
BEE ownership level of 35% meets 
the principles and spirit of the original 
Mining Charter, and has created 
the framework for the ongoing 
transformation of South Deep.

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 108 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Stakeholder relations continued

Mining Charter Scorecard
All mining rights holders in South 
Africa (including South Deep as the 
mining rights holder) are required 
to submit an annual compliance 
assessment to the DMR on progress 
made against meeting the annual 
targets in the Mining Charter.

Gold Fields has reviewed its 2018 
performance against the 2014 Mining 
Charter. South Deep’s 2018 
scorecard is shown on this page and 
illustrates Gold Fields achievements 
against the provisions of an online 
scorecard created by the DMR 
in 2015. In aligning with Mining 
Charter 3, South Deep has 
conducted a gap analysis against 
the Mining Charter 3 scorecard 
guidelines released by the DMR in 
December 2018, though there are 
still some areas of uncertainty and 
ongoing consultations between the 
DMR and the MCSA. 

As part of its obligations under its 
mining licence, South Deep also 
submits a five-year Social and Labour 
Plan (SLP). The SLP includes projects 
benefiting communities that are 
impacted by mining, both in host 
communities and labour-sending 
areas. An SLP requires the mining 
industry to develop and implement 
comprehensive local economic 
development, skills and human 
resource programmes (including 
employment equity plans and 
facilitated home ownership) and 
mine community development.

Under its 2013 to 2017 SLP, South 
Deep spent approximately R750m 
(US$53m) in terms of its various SLP 
commitments. A draft SLP for the 
period 2018 to 2022 was submitted 
to the DMR in December 2017 – and 
resubmitted in August 2018 – for 
approval. The draft SLP outlines 
future financial commitments of over 
R283m (US$20m), with the bulk of 
this – R258m (US$18m) – being 
dedicated to human resource 
development programmes, including 
learnerships, bursaries and skills 
development. 

Element

Description

Reporting
Ownership
Housing and 
living conditions

Procurement 
and enterprise 
development

Report on the level of compliance with the Revised Charter for the calendar year
Minimum target for effective HDSA ownership
Conversion and upgrading hostels to attain the occupancy rate of one person 
per room
Conversion and upgrading hostels into family units

Procurement spent on BEE entity

Multinational suppliers' contribution to the social fund

Annual spend on procurement from 

0.5% of procurement value

Employment 
equity

Diversification of the workplace to reflect the country's demographics to attain 
competitiveness

Human 
resources 
development

Mine community 
development

Developing requisite skills, including support for South Africa-based research 
and development initiatives intended to develop solutions in exploration, mining, 
processing, technology, mining, beneficiation, as well as environmental 
conservation
Conduct ethnographic community consultative and collaborative processes 
to delineate community needs analysis

Human resources development expenditure 

as a percentage of total annual payroll 

(excluding mandatory skills development levy)

7.7% (R123m)

Implement approved community projects

Up-to-date project 

implementation

Measure

2018 Mining Charter 

compliance target

Progress against targets as at 

31 December 2018

Documentary proof of receipt from the DMR

Annually

South Deep annual submission

Meaningful economic participation

26%

Percentage reduction of occupancy rate 

towards 2014 target

Occupancy rate of one 

person per room

Percentage conversion of hostels into family 

Family units established

100%

0.49 person per room ratio

units

Capital goods

Services

Consumable goods

multinational suppliers

Top management (Board)

Senior management¹

Middle management

Junior management

Core and critical skills²

40%

70%

50%

40%

40%

40%

40%

40%

5%

35%

75%

81%

91%

1.2%

50%

50%

45%

52%

70%

Sustainable 
development  
and growth

Improvement of the industry's environmental management

Implementation of approved environmental 

100%

management programmes (EMPs)

Improvement of the industry's mine health and safety performance

Implementation of tripartite action plan on 

100%

health and safety

Beneficiation

Utilisation of South Africa-based research facilities for analysis of samples 
across the mining value chain
Contribution towards beneficiation

Percentage of samples in South African 

100%

facilities

Added production volume contribution to local 

Section 26 of MPRDA (% of 

value addition beyond the baseline

above baseline)

1  Includes members of the SA Regional Executive Committee and the South Deep mine 

Executive Committee

2  Core skills include A, B and C graded employees in the miner and artisan categories as well as 

officials with core skills for mining and/or working in a core mining area(s)

The two remaining 2013 – 2017 SLP projects, brought forward from 

2017 – a poultry farm and a bakery – were fully implemented during 

2018 with total spend of R4.8m. Regarding the 2018 – 2022 SLP, 

effective 1 January 2018, for which DMR approval is still pending –  

project implementation commenced with a focus on project plans 

and Memorandums of Understanding with project partners. Actual 

implementation as at 31 December 2018 was therefore at 0%. This 

will accelerate once DMR approval has been received.

R44.1m was spent on SED (including community trusts), with 0.05% 

spent on training 14 small medium and micro-sized enterprises 

(SMMEs).

100%

96%

100%

An EMP performance assessment was undertaken in Q1 2018. The 

assessment was conducted by ECO Partners Consulting in terms of 

NEMA Regulation. The results of the assessment were submitted to 

the DMR in April 2018. 

South Deep is also ISO 14001:2015 certified, which assists tracking 

the implementation of the EMP commitments. In addition, the mine 

commissions annual reviews of the mine closure cost estimates, 

using independent experts.

The implementation of the two remaining programmes of the five 

culture transformation pillars (elimination of discrimination and risk 

management) is still in progress. 

Current regulations and guidelines are not clear in relation to the 

baseline levels and targets. However, Gold Fields has made a capital 

intensive investment in our smelting facility at South Deep, which 

adds significant value to the gold being mined as well as creating 

jobs. Gold Fields also owns 2.76% of Rand Refinery, which has 

established the ‘‘Gold Zone’’. The aim is for the Gold Zone to 

become a major hub for precious metals fabrication in South Africa 

for global export, while at the same time assisting local communities 

with skills development (including beneficiation).

  Element

Description

Reporting

Ownership

Report on the level of compliance with the Revised Charter for the calendar year

Minimum target for effective HDSA ownership

Housing and 

living conditions

per room

Conversion and upgrading hostels to attain the occupancy rate of one person 

Conversion and upgrading hostels into family units

Procurement 

and enterprise 

development

Procurement spent on BEE entity

Multinational suppliers' contribution to the social fund

Employment 

equity

competitiveness

Diversification of the workplace to reflect the country's demographics to attain 

Human 

resources 

development

Developing requisite skills, including support for South Africa-based research 

and development initiatives intended to develop solutions in exploration, mining, 

processing, technology, mining, beneficiation, as well as environmental 

conservation

Mine community 

Conduct ethnographic community consultative and collaborative processes 

development

to delineate community needs analysis

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

109

Measure

Documentary proof of receipt from the DMR
Meaningful economic participation
Percentage reduction of occupancy rate 
towards 2014 target
Percentage conversion of hostels into family 
units
Capital goods
Services
Consumable goods
Annual spend on procurement from 
multinational suppliers
Top management (Board)
Senior management¹
Middle management
Junior management
Core and critical skills²
Human resources development expenditure 
as a percentage of total annual payroll 
(excluding mandatory skills development levy)

2018 Mining Charter 
compliance target

Progress against targets as at 
31 December 2018

Annually
26%
Occupancy rate of one 
person per room
Family units established

40%
70%
50%
0.5% of procurement value

40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
5%

South Deep annual submission
35%
0.49 person per room ratio

100%

75%
81%
91%
1.2%

50%
50%
45%
52%
70%
7.7% (R123m)

Implement approved community projects

Up-to-date project 
implementation

Sustainable 

development  

and growth

Improvement of the industry's environmental management

Implementation of approved environmental 
management programmes (EMPs)

100%

Improvement of the industry's mine health and safety performance

Implementation of tripartite action plan on 
health and safety

100%

Utilisation of South Africa-based research facilities for analysis of samples 

across the mining value chain

Beneficiation

Contribution towards beneficiation

Percentage of samples in South African 
facilities
Added production volume contribution to local 
value addition beyond the baseline

100%

Section 26 of MPRDA (% of 
above baseline)

1  Includes members of the SA Regional Executive Committee and the South Deep mine 

Executive Committee

2  Core skills include A, B and C graded employees in the miner and artisan categories as well as 

officials with core skills for mining and/or working in a core mining area(s)

The two remaining 2013 – 2017 SLP projects, brought forward from 
2017 – a poultry farm and a bakery – were fully implemented during 
2018 with total spend of R4.8m. Regarding the 2018 – 2022 SLP, 
effective 1 January 2018, for which DMR approval is still pending –  
project implementation commenced with a focus on project plans 
and Memorandums of Understanding with project partners. Actual 
implementation as at 31 December 2018 was therefore at 0%. This 
will accelerate once DMR approval has been received.

R44.1m was spent on SED (including community trusts), with 0.05% 
spent on training 14 small medium and micro-sized enterprises 
(SMMEs).
100%

An EMP performance assessment was undertaken in Q1 2018. The 
assessment was conducted by ECO Partners Consulting in terms of 
NEMA Regulation. The results of the assessment were submitted to 
the DMR in April 2018. 

South Deep is also ISO 14001:2015 certified, which assists tracking 
the implementation of the EMP commitments. In addition, the mine 
commissions annual reviews of the mine closure cost estimates, 
using independent experts.
96%

The implementation of the two remaining programmes of the five 
culture transformation pillars (elimination of discrimination and risk 
management) is still in progress. 
100%

Current regulations and guidelines are not clear in relation to the 
baseline levels and targets. However, Gold Fields has made a capital 
intensive investment in our smelting facility at South Deep, which 
adds significant value to the gold being mined as well as creating 
jobs. Gold Fields also owns 2.76% of Rand Refinery, which has 
established the ‘‘Gold Zone’’. The aim is for the Gold Zone to 
become a major hub for precious metals fabrication in South Africa 
for global export, while at the same time assisting local communities 
with skills development (including beneficiation).

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 110 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Stakeholder relations continued

West Africa 
region

In March 2016, Gold Fields Ghana 
entered into a Development 
Agreement (DA) with the government 
of Ghana for both the Tarkwa and 
Damang mines. The highlights of the 
agreement include a reduction in 
the corporate tax rate from 35% to 
32.5% and a sliding scale royalty 
tax based on the gold price. The 
US$1,251/oz average gold price our 
mines received during 2018 attracted 
a royalty of 3%, the lowest in terms 
of the formula. 

The DA applies if Gold Fields spends 
US$500m at each of the two mines 
for an 11-year period for Tarkwa and 
a nine-year period for Damang. The 
DA can be extended by a further five 
years should additional investments 
of US$300m each be made. 

Australia 
region

During 2017, the gold industry twice 
managed to halt attempts by the 
Western Australian government to 
increase the gold royalty tax from 
2.5% to 3.75%. Political pressures to 
boost state revenues from the sector 
remain. To garner ongoing public and 
political support for the industry Gold 
Fields, together with West Australian 
industry peers in the Gold Industry 
Group, will continue to highlight 
the positive social and economic 
contributions the sector makes and 
how this can be further enhanced 
through growth in gold mining rather 
than through higher taxes and 
royalties. 

The commencement of the Native 
Title Act 1993 significantly changed 

The DA was a critical consideration 
for Gold Fields Ghana to commence 
with the US$341m capital 
reinvestment programme at Damang 
during 2017. This investment has 
significant socio-economic benefits 
for communities around Damang. 
The DA will also lead to cost and 
cash-flow benefits for the Tarkwa 
mine. The mine has accelerated its 
near-mine exploration activities, 
which, if successful, will enable it 
to invest in future expansion when 
required. 

Another DA commitment by Gold 
Fields was funding the construction 
of the 33km road between Tarkwa 
and Damang at an estimated cost 
of US$26m. This project is set to be 
completed in early 2019. The DA 
does not apply to the Asanko gold 
mine, in which we acquired a 
45% stake during 2018, but our 
investment illustrates the confidence 

the regulatory framework in Australia 
with respect to industry engagement 
with Indigenous People. Until 
recently, there has not been a legal 
requirement for Gold Fields to engage 
with Native Title groups, as our mines 
are located on mining tenements 
that were granted prior to the 
commencement of this legislation. 
This position has shifted significantly 
in the last few years, as Native Title 
claims have been lodged and 
determined over many areas in which 
Gold Fields operates. In addition, the 
entry into a joint venture with Gold 
Road Resources for development of 
the Gruyere project, has handed 
Gold Fields its first comprehensive 
agreement with a Native Title group 
for the development of a mine. 

In response, Gold Fields has 
significantly stepped up engagements 
with Native Title groups in recent 
years and, during 2018, developed a 

we have in Ghana’s fiscal and 
regulatory framework. 

The DA has cemented our status as 
one of the largest contributors to the 
country’s fiscus. In 2018, Gold Fields 
paid US$90m in direct taxes, royalties 
and dividends to the government 
of Ghana (2017: US$105m). The 
government holds a 10% interest 
in the legal entities controlling our 
Tarkwa and Damang mines.

During 2018 the Ghanaian 
government issued a letter to the 
mining sector requiring all gold 
companies, including Gold Fields, 
to sell 30% of their gold production 
to the government with a view to 
refining it and adding value to the 
metal locally. The Chamber of Mines 
is continuing to engage with the 
government through a joint 
committee which is looking at 
mutually beneficial strategies to add 
value to the country’s gold resources.

comprehensive Indigenous Peoples 
strategy. The strategy, as well as our 
engagements, are discussed on 
p114 – 115.

In November 2018, the Modern 
Slavery Bill 2018 was passed by the 
country’s House of Representatives. 
Companies with a turnover of 
A$100m a year will be required to 
report annually on their actions to 
ensure transparency in their supply 
chains, including the steps they are 
taking against modern slavery. A 
preliminary assessment of Gold Fields 
Australia’s key human rights risks and 
the effectiveness of its control 
framework, including supply chain 
risks, has been undertaken. Gaps 
identified will now to be addressed.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

111

Community relations
We recognise the importance of solid 
relations with our host communities 
to our social licence to operate. Host 
communities are identified by each 
of our operations for the purpose of 
securing our mining licences – both 
legal and social. These communities 
reside in the vicinity of our operations, 
have been directly affected by 
exploration, construction or 
operations, and have a reasonable 
expectation regarding the duties and 
obligations of the mining operator. 
We aim to avoid and minimise 
negative impacts of our operations 
on our host communities while 
maximising the positive benefits.

In 2018, all operations prepared 
community relations and stakeholder 
engagement strategies and three 
year plans focused on maintaining 
the social licence to operate in their 
host communities. The regions are 
progressing with implementation of 
their plans. Progress on highlights for 
all of our mines is outlined in the 
infographics on p114 – 121.

We remain focused on social 
investment that results in a 
meaningful and sustainable impact 
on our host communities, and 
therefore strive to create Shared 
Value through host community 
employment and procurement.

An infographic detailing how we create 
value for our communities is on p7.

For details of our community relations 
and stakeholder engagement approach, 
policies and guidelines go to www.
goldfields.com/sustainability.php. 

Community investment drives 
integrated development. We focus on 
socio-economic development (SED) 
initiatives and Shared Value 
programmes to create and share 
value with our host communities. 
These projects create positive 
socio-economic impacts for host 
communities by targeting their priority 
needs, which we have identified as: 
■■ Employment, particularly for youth
■■ Skills and enterprise development 
■■ Environmental rehabilitation
■■ Access to water

SED spending
We have invested US$25.7m (2017: 
US$17.5m) in SED projects in our 
host communities during 2018, 
mainly in the following areas:
■■ Infrastructure development
■■ Education and training
■■ Economic diversification 

These investments are detailed for 
each region on p114 – 120.

Group and regional SED spend

US$m
30

25

20

15

10

5

0

7
.
5
2

2
.
6
1

5
.
7
1

6
.
3
1

2015

2016

2017

2018

Grievance mechanism
We are committed to addressing 
community issues and concerns 
timeously and effectively. Therefore, 
we rely on a grievances system to 
maintain confidence and transparent 
communication with our 
stakeholders. Our grievance 
mechanism enables and encourages 
community members to freely put 
forward their complaints, while 
obligating our mines to address the 
grievances within an agreed period.

Not managing a complaint can lead 
to further conflict and discontent 
within our host community. In certain 
instances we engage members from 
our local communities to act as 
mediator should our teams not be 
able to resolve the grievance. During 
2018, our operations dealt with 
127 economic, social, and 
environmental grievances lodged 
by our host communities (2017: 76). 
88 of these grievances were resolved 
and 39 are still being dealt with.

Measuring our impact and 
relationships
We conduct independent 
assessments to gauge the strength 
of our relationships with our host 
communities. In South Africa and 
Ghana, we use the ICMM 
Understanding Company Community 
Relations (UCCR) tool, while in Peru 
we have used the IPSOS research 
tool to assess our mine-community 
relationships. 

Reflecting a positive upward trend 
in company community relationship 
at our operations, the headline 
findings of these assessments are 
reflected below:

Region

Description

■ Gold Fields

South Africa

Peru

Ghana

Community support rose from 33% in 2015 to 52% in 2017

Community acceptance improved from 5% in 2012, to 7% in 2014, to 32% in 2016

Strong community support with a relationship index of 73% at Damang and 78% at 
Tarkwa in 2015

We plan to commission independent 
assessments of our community 
support again in 2019. Beyond the 
relationship assessment, Gold Fields 
has also instituted socio-economic 
impact assessments and piloted a 
social return on investment study of 

South Deep’s community investment 
projects. These assessments focused 
on: 
■■ The South Deep host community 
socio-economic baseline study, 
using available secondary 

economic and social data to 
measure quality of life and 
contribution indicators for South 
Deep host communities in 2011 
and 2016

LICENCE AND REPUTATION  
 
 
 
112 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Stakeholder relations continued

■■ A social impact measurement and 

valuation study that provides 
measurable indicators of the 
effectiveness, impact of and Social 
Return On Investment (SROI) of 
South Deep’s 15 most critical 
community investment projects. 
The assessment showed that 10 
projects had a SROI greater than 
the money spent

A presentation on the South Deep 
measures can be found at www.
goldfields.com/presentations.php.

An SROI guide has been developed 
and we plan to roll it out at our other 
operations. 

Shared Value programmes
Shared Value is created when we 
take a proactive role in simultaneously 
addressing business and social 
needs, and benefit both communities 
and our mines. To achieve synergies 
of sustainable development with the 
communities, understanding Shared 
Value as an opportunity for mutual 
development is the generator of 
positive opinion for our work with the 
communities surrounding our 
operations, as well as the generator 
of solid ties of coexistence with our 
neighbouring communities. 

Gold Fields continues to focus on 
maximising in-country and host 
community economic impact 
wherever it operates. In order to 
obtain this, we increase the 
proportion of sustainable host 
community procurement and 
employment to drive Shared Value. 
Group guidance on host community 
procurement spend and job creation, 
which are our most critical Shared 

Value projects, was developed during 
the year and was implemented in 
all our regions.

suppliers to also employ from the 
community. Job creation is further 
promoted through our SED initiatives.

Both the communities and Gold 
Fields benefit from host community 
employment and procurement 
programmes.

Benefits to the community
■■ Build the capacity of local 

companies to take advantage 
of mining industry spend

■■ Provide employment and enhance 
the livelihoods of host communities 
through increased incomes

■■ Enhance the development of small 
and medium-scale business nodes 
in host communities

■■ Improve skills of the youth in host 
communities to meet the current 
and future skills needs of our mines

Benefits to Gold Fields
■■ Increase supply base and reduce 
risks related to supply of critical 
inputs

■■ Reduce inventory and, as such, 

the locking up of capital 

■■ Reduce cost and lead time in 

procuring inputs 

■■ Develop a pipeline of skilled 

personnel in host communities

■■ Secure and enhance social licence 

to operate

Host community employment
We consistently strive to maximise 
local opportunities and employ host 
community members at our 
operations. We build a skills base in 
our communities through investments 
in education and skills development. 
We make our community a priority 
when employment opportunities arise 
and encourage our contractors and 

A multi-disciplinary team at Cerro 
Corona works to increase host 
community employment by using 
host community employees for 
seasonal labour requirements. 

Australia has a strategy to increase 
employment of Indigenous Peoples 
through growing a pipeline of 
work-ready persons, developing a 
culturally-inclusive workplace and 
creating broader opportunities for 
service provisions to the mines.

Both Tarkwa and Damang have 
community employment committees 
in place, comprising representatives 
from the community, to increase host 
community workforce employment 
– with a specific focus on youth 
employment. At Tarkwa, the 
community employment committee 
co-ordinated job vacancies with the 
mine contractors, who then recruited 
130 youth from our host communities 
in 2018. 

At South Deep, employment declined 
due to the restructuring process 
at the mine. Local economic 
development projects enabled 
258 jobs.

In the table below we set out the 
number of host community members 
– including both employees and 
contractors – working at each of 
Gold Fields’ regions in relation to our 
total workforce.

HOST COMMUNITY WORKFORCE1 EMPLOYED FROM TOTAL WORKFORCE

Region

Peru
Ghana
Australia2
South Deep3
Group

Host 
community 
workforce 
number – 
2018

633
5,411
647
2,568
9,259

2018

27%
73%
29%
55%
56%

2017

28%
68%
29%
16%
40%

2016

23%
72%
95%
13%
48%

2015

29%
67%
90%
14%
59%

2014

24%
66%
94%
12%
57%

1  Workforce comprises total employees and contractors
2  Australia’s 2017 and 2018 performances are based on its new host community definition which is aligned with the Group’s host community 

definition where communities are those living within an operations’ direct area of influence. These numbers exclude the Perth head-office and the 
Gruyere project. Previous years’ numbers have not been restated

3  South Deep’s 2018 performance is based on its revised host community definition which is aligned with needs of the regulator, local government 

and community stakeholders as well as wit the Group’s guidance. Previous years’ numbers have not been restated

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

113

In 2018, our operations set targets 
to increase their host community 
workforce employment. At the end 
of 2018, 56% of our workforce, or 
9,259 people, were employed from 
our host communities. The sharp 
increase reflects the prioritisation of 
host community employment by 
our Ghanaian operations and the 
expansion of our South Deep host 
community to reflect the 2016 
municipal boundary change. It now 
includes all individuals who reside 
in the Rand West City Local 
Municipality. The previous definition 
required individuals to own property 
in or have been born in the area. We 
seek to maintain the current levels of 
host community employment during 
2019. Our management teams at the 

mines are incentivised to achieve 
long-term host community job 
creation targets.

Host community procurement
We focus on host community 
procurement to create sustainable 
community jobs and supply 
opportunities. We achieve this by 
supporting areas where community 
suppliers can participate, identify 
community suppliers with the ability 
to supply the mine and providing 
skills development to close capability 
gaps. It is key that we procure goods 
and services from the countries and 
host communities, where feasible, 
given the remote locations of several 
of our mines.

The Group has made good progress 
on preferential host community 
procurement with all regions 
exceeding their 2018 targets. We 
spent a total of US$441m on host 
community procurement, which was 
27% of our total spend. 

Of our total procurement spend 
of US$1.81bn for 2018, 85%, or 
US$1.54bn, was spent by our mines 
on businesses based in countries 
where Gold Fields has operations 
(2017: US$1.62bn/88%). US$441m, 
or 27%, was spent on suppliers and 
contractors from the mines’ host 
communities (2017: US$774m/45%). 
In 2019 we seek to sustain 2018 host 
community procurement spending 
levels.

LOCAL AND HOST COMMUNITY PROCUREMENT

Local (in-country) spend

Host community spend

Region

Peru
Ghana
Australia4
South Deep5
Group

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

96%
86%
99%
100%
93%

90%
85%
99%
100%
94%

89%
79%
99%
100%
92%

87%
64%
97%
100%
85%

88%
72%
99%
100%
91%

16%
32%
24%
29%
27%

7%
13%
79%
18%
45%

8%
7%
71%
14%
38%

7%
9%
66%
10%
35%

5%
6%
69%
9%
39%

4  Australia’s 2018 performance is based on its new host community definition which is aligned with the Group’s host community definition where 

communities are those living within an operation’s direct area of influence. Previous years’ numbers have not been restated

5  South Deep’s 2018 performance is based on its revised host community definition which is aligned with needs of the regulator, local government 

and community stakeholders as well as with the Group’s guidance. Previous years’ numbers have not been restated

In the regions
West Africa
Both Tarkwa and Damang 
significantly exceeded their host 
community procurement targets of 
15% by achieving 40% and 27% of 
total procurement spend respectively 
in line with the redefinition of host 
community procurement. The two 
mines spend a combined US$229m 
on procuring from host community 
suppliers. Following the transition to 
contractor mining at Tarkwa, the two 
mining contractors committed to the 
established procurement model, 
including procuring from established 
host community suppliers.

Americas
In Peru, host community procurement 
spend for 2018 was US$24m, 16% 
of total procurement spend, against 
a target of 9%. A steering committee 
was established to align host 
community procurement with Group 
guidance, deliver on spend targets 
and identify work opportunities to 
shift purchasing from non-host 
community companies to those 
enterprises within our host 
community, and to focus on host 

community employment by non-host 
community businesses.

Australia
In 2018, Australia invested a total 
of US$147m in host community 
procurement, 24% of total 
procurement spend, against a target 
of 18%, for the year. This region is 
implementing seven strategic 
initiatives for procurement processes 
to enable host community and 
Indigenous People participation in the 
value chain. We initiated a process of 
implementing the Host Community 
Vendor Programme, which is based 
on a three-phase approach aimed at 
identifying, engaging and mobilising 
local vendors.

South Africa
The definition of host community has 
been reworked in 2018 to include the 
Rand West City Local Municipality 
and all those that reside in it, and the 
2018 host community procurement 
spend has been restated in line with 
the revised definition. South Deep’s 
host community procurement spend 
for 2018 was R518m (US$39m), 29% 
of total spend and ahead of its 20% 

target for the year. In 2017 the spend 
was R448m (US$34m), 18% of total 
spend.

Beyond the relationship assessment, 
Gold Fields has also instituted 
socio-economic impact assessments 
and piloted a social return on 
investment study of South Deep’s 
community investment projects. 
These assessments focused on: 
■■ The South Deep host community 
socio-economic baseline study, 
using available secondary 
economic and social data to 
measure quality of life and 
contribution indicators for South 
Deep host communities in 2011 
and 2016

■■ A social impact measurement and 

valuation study that provides 
measurable indicators of the 
effectiveness, impact of and Social 
Return On Investment (SROI) of 
South Deep’s 15 most critical 
community investment projects. 
The assessment showed that 
10 projects had a SROI greater 
than the money spent

We plan to roll out similar studies 
at our other operations. 

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 114 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Community relations in Australia

Context

■■ Our operations in Australia are 
situated in remote regions of 
Western Australia. Our host 
community definition covers 
communities within the Eastern 
Goldfields region, with a primary 
postal address that is located 
within a determined perimeter 
of the mine. Previously, given 
the Fly-in, Fly-out nature of most 
of our mines, we extended that 
definition to include Perth

■■ Our host communities are home 
to an estimated 37,000 people 
in the Shires of Laverton, 
Menzies, Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie 
and Leonora. The majority of 
the people reside in the city of 
Kalgoorlie, near our St Ives 
mine, with an estimated 
population of over 29,000. The 
Indigenous population makes 
up only about 9% of this total, 
with a greater representation 
in isolated locations

■■ Indigenous People are a key 

part of our host communities, 
and important stakeholders for 
our operations in Western 
Australia. This includes those 
Indigenous People who hold, or 
claim to hold, Native Title rights 
and interests over the area on 
which our sites are located

■■ The combined area of registered 

and determined Native Title 
claims over Western Australia 
is approximately 90% of the 
state’s land mass. All Gold 
Fields’ operations in Australia 
are covered by Native Title 
determinations or claims  

■■ Many of our sustainability 

projects have been funded 
by the Gold Fields Australia 
Foundation. For more details 
on the Foundation go to www.
goldfields.com/societal-
stakeholders.php

Build relationships and trust

Indigenous People strategy
Because of their traditional rights and important connection to land, Indigenous 
People are key stakeholders whose support is critical in achieving social 
acceptance. The relationship with our indigenous stakeholders has been 
focused in recent years on management of cultural heritage in our areas of 
operation. The current status of our relationships are:

■■ At Gruyere, we have built our relationship with the Yilka People (who are the 

determined Native Title holders for the area, together with the Sullivan 
Edwards family) through a formal Native Title agreement. Through regular 
engagement we have been able to pursue opportunities for employment and 
contracting, as well as manage environmental and cultural heritage issues 
throughout the construction phase

■■ At St Ives, we engage with the Ngadju People, the determined native holders 

for the area, with a focus on the conduct of heritage surveys. We also 
participate in community activities in the nearby town of Kambalda and 
the city of Kalgoorlie

■■ At Agnew, we have relationships with the Tjiwarl People (determined Native 

Title holders for part of the land) and the Wutha People (Native Title claimants 
over the remaining part of the Agnew property). We regularly engage with 
both groups in relation to the conduct of heritage surveys, and have been 
exploring opportunities to formalise these arrangements with both groups

■■ At Granny Smith, our key relationship is with the local community at Laverton. 
We continue to build on our relationship with Indigenous People in the area 
through the conduct of heritage surveys and cultural awareness programmes

During 2018, we launched Gold Fields’ Aboriginal Participation Strategy, based 
on three pillars – societal staging, employment attraction and retention, and 
value chain participation – and identified actions to be completed under each 
pillar. Many of these had a focus on the employment of and procurement 
from Indigenous People (refer to “Create and share value”) with some early 
successes. We identified a need to bring our existing initiatives and planned 
programmes together under a consolidated strategy. This strategy was 
launched in Q1 2019 and seeks to ensure that Gold Fields’ Australian region 
has a strategy that is aligned with key internal Group policies, as well as 
external guidelines.  

The key steps under this strategy are to:
■■ Engage to build trusted relationships and resolve conflict
■■ Deliver benefits that have real impact
■■ Demonstrate respect

Manage risks and impacts

MATERIAL UNWANTED EVENTS AT OUR SITES 

Material unwanted events (MUEs) at our sites can affect our social licence to operate. 
This is how we addressed them:
■■ Completed a bow-tie analysis for 15 safety-related, and 13 consolidated, 

health, environment and community MUEs

■■ Developed audit tools to address the 15 health, environment and community 

MUEs

■■ Aligned our sites to the critical control management methodologies
■■ Developed a regional heritage management standard

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

115

Create and share value

HOST COMMUNITY PROCUREMENT

■■ During 2018, our supply chain department commenced development of a 
host community vendor programme to generate greater opportunities for 
local businesses to supply to our operations. This was achieved by investing 
A$198m (US$147m) – 24% of total spend – in host community 
procurement, exceeding our 2018 target of 18%, through 279 host 
community suppliers

■■ Pursuing procurement initiatives to enable host community and Indigenous 

people to participate in the value chain

■■ The engagement of Indigenous People in the conduct of heritage surveys 

and cultural awareness training of our workforce

■■ Supporting our mining contractor, Downer EDI Mining, to identify and 

develop opportunities for Indigenous contracting opportunities at Gruyere

HOST COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Our Australian operations have a strategy in place to increase employment 
of Indigenous People by growing a pipeline of people who are work-ready, 
developing a culturally inclusive workplace and creating broader opportunities 
for service provisions to the mines. During 2018, we achieved the following:
■■ We exceeded our target for employment of Indigenous People through 

additional job opportunities

■■ We continued discussions with key contractors at Gruyere to increase 

the jobs for and employment of Indigenous People 

■■ We engaged with training companies to assist with the identification of 

potential traineeship programmes for members or our host communities 

Measure actions 
and impacts

Australia SED spend

US$m
1.0

0.5

0

9
4
.
0

9
2
.
0

3
3
.
0

9
1
.
0

15

16

17

18

Australia SED by type 2018

4% 3%

44%

Total spend 
in 2018:
US$50,000

49%

■ Economic diversification
■ Infrastructure
■ Health and wellbeing
■ Conservation and environment
■ Education and training

For more details of our host community programmes see p7 and p112 – 113.

Engagement with communities

OTHER MATERIAL VALUE CREATION PROJECTS

The following projects were funded by the Gold Fields Australia Foundation:
■■ Our St Ives operation provides a three-year, A$150,000 (US$112,000) grant 

to the East Kalgoorlie Primary School to support around 150 Aboriginal 
students and their families 

■■ Annual funding of A$30,000 (US$22,000) provided to Teach, Learn Grow, 
a programme that addresses educational inequality at schools in our host 
communities

■■ We contributed A$50,000 (US$37,000) to the Lions Outback Vision 

programme, which will allow eye specialists to perform diabetic retina 
screening in the Goldfields region, particularly for Aboriginal people

Gold Fields Australia funds Football West, the governing body for fast-growing 
soccer in Western Australia, through an annual sponsorship of A$100,000 
(US$75,000) for three years. Football West has a strong commitment to the 
region, inclusiveness and cultural and gender diversity.

2017

10

2018

87

Grievances

One grievance was carried over 
from 2017, which was lodged on 
behalf of the Sullivan Edwards 
Native Title group and related to the 
Gruyere project. While not formally 
closed, Gold Fields has received no 
further communication regarding the 
issue. The Sullivan Edwards families 
were found to hold Native Title by 
the Federal Court of Australia in 
2016, together with the Yilka 
People. However, prior to this 
determination, the Sullivan Edwards 
Native Title claim was being run as 
a separate and unregistered claim, 
which meant that they did not have 
the same procedural rights as the 
Yilka People, whose Native Title 
claim was registered. The Yilka 
People and the Sullivan Edwards 
families are currently engaged 
in a process to appoint a single 
corporation to represent them. We 
continue to engage with the Yilka 
and Sullivan Edwards families 
together, wherever possible.    

Beyond this grievance, in 2018 we 
had one further community-related 
grievance, which was resolved.

LICENCE AND REPUTATION  
 
116 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Community relations in Americas

Build relationships and trust

■■ Cerro Corona hosts a monthly Dialogue Roundtable, in which progress on 

several development projects is provided and future work discussed with the 
Hualgayoc district local government and community organisations. We also 
meet regulatory with representatives from our villages, local business 
organisations and worker representatives

■■ We regularly engage with and support events hosted by our communities 

near Cerro Corona. Among others, we sponsored the Cajamarca Book Fair, 
the El Tingo Agricultural and Livestock Fair and supported the Patronage 
Festival in Honour of Our Lady of Carmen in Hualgayoc, one of the most 
important religious festivals in the province

■■ We host regular school and community visits to our mine, as well as visits 

from other interested organisations and institutions

■■ We trained 29 journalists from community media on investigative journalism 

to build a better understanding of responsible mining 

Manage risk and impact

POTENTIAL PROTESTS AS A RESULT OF ALLEGED IMPACTS OF 
BLASTING ON HOST COMMUNITIES

Risk: Possible social protests set off by the collapse of houses with structural 
damage in Hualgayoc, as well as houses allegedly affected by in-pit blasting in 
the Pilancones hamlet. 

Action
■■ Engagement with the Pilancones community to address housing claims and joint 

monitoring of vibrations and noise

■■ We submit weekly blasting schedules to the local municipal authorities and place 

notices announcing blasting times at the Gold Fields office in Hualgayoc

■■ Close coordination with communities for temporary evacuation of families and their 

cattle before blasting 

■■ An assessment carried out during 2016 and 2017 identified 22 houses to be rebuilt 

in Hualgayoc because of a high risk of collapse. So far ten houses have been 
rebuilt and the demolition and reconstruction of six others is currently ongoing

■■ A reconstruction committee has been set up in Hualgayoc, comprising community 

representatives, the municipality and other authorities

2018 spend: US$471,000

COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST TAILINGS SPILLAGE

Risk: Community action against Cerro Corona in protest of the 16 December 
2018 tailings discharge into the Tingo river (p95).

Action
■■ Regulator, local authorities and communities notified and activated immediately 

on news of the leakage and environmental parameters returned to normal within 
24 hours

■■ Rehabilitation of the affected area started immediately and was completed within 

20 days – community members were used in clean-up operation

■■ Compensation of US$36,000 paid to a nearby trout farmer 
■■ About US$132,000 paid in restoration activities
■■ Engagement with regional environmental activists through government mediation

Context

■■ Cerro Corona is located in the 
district of Hualgayoc in Peru’s 
northern Cajamarca province, 
where agriculture and cattle 
raising are the main economic 
activities. The mine’s direct area 
of influence, which has around 
5,100 inhabitants, includes the 
city of Hualgayoc and five rural 
villages – El Tingo, Pilancones, 
Coymolache Alto, Coymolache 
and La Cuadratura (2014) 

■■ Poverty among the Cajamarca 
region’s 1.3m residents is high 
and education levels low by 
national standards. While 90% 
of the district’s population now 
has access to electricity, only 
53% have access to potable 
drinking water in their homes

■■ Cerro Corona’s latest perception 
study (2016) indicates that the 
main needs of our local 
communities are access to 
drinking water, employment 
and support for their economic 
activities 

■■ MesÌas Guevara, a candidate 
with a neutral stance towards 
mining, was elected as 
Cajamarca regional governor 
during 2018. Previous 
governors have been strongly 
anti-mining and the province 
has seen anti-mining protests 
by communities

■■ During 2018, we changed our 
main mining contractor from 
San Miguel to MUR-WY. While 
there were initially some 
protests against this decision by 
affected workers, MUR-WY 
prioritised the hiring of host 
community personnel

■■ In 2017, Cerro Corona 

announced an extension of 
its life-of-mine by six years to 
2030. Our community 
engagement strategies have 
been adjusted to the new 
timescales

■■ The majority of our community 

projects are funded by our Gold 
Fields Peru Foundation APPD

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

117

Create and share value

HOST COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND PROCUREMENT

■■ By end-2018, we achieved a 27% host community employment representation – 

above our target of 25% – meaning that 633 members of our host community now 
work at Cerro Corona. The mine is working to increase host community 
employment by using host community employees for seasonal labour requirements. 
The new mining contractor, MUR-WY, has also focused on employing community 
members in line with our policies

■■ In 2018, we successfully focused on increasing the proportion of sustainable host 

community procurement spend. This totalled US$24m, 16% of our total 
procurement spend, against a target of 9% from 233 host community suppliers 
■■ A steering committee was established to deliver targets, as well as align with new 
guidance, and to identify work opportunities to shift purchasing from non-host 
community companies to host community enterprises

For more details of our host community programmes see p7 and p112 – 113.

WATER SUPPLY 

During 2018, we renewed our goal of bringing permanent, high-quality water to our 
host community for domestic and agricultural purposes. The following projects were 
completed or are in development under this strategy:
■■ Construction of the water systems for the Kiwillas and Lipiag hamlets was 

completed in early 2018. The construction involved 19km of distribution piping, 
134 house connections, three water reservoirs and three water catchments. An 
additional 15 pylons were added to the project 

■■ The Cuadratura water project commenced in 2017 and was set to be completed 

in mid-2018. However, the project has been delayed as negotiations continue with 
a private landowner. Alternatives are being identified.

Benefits to the community: The water systems for the Kiwillas and Lipiag hamlets 
have provided 1,494 families access to water at a low cost.

Benefits to Gold Fields: These projects further solidify our social licence to operate 
and reputation in a region where many mining companies have experienced 
water-related conflicts with their host communities.

2018 spend: US$370,000

Measure actions 
and impacts

Peru SED spend

US$m
10

8

6

4

2

0

1
0
.
8

9
4
.
6

9
3
.
6

3
5
.
8

15

16

17

18

Peru SED by type 2018 

17%

19%

Total spend 
in 2018:
US$6.39m

10%

14%

40%

■ Economic diversification
■ Infrastructure
■ Health and wellbeing
■ Conservation and environment
■ Education and training

Engagement with communities

2016

123

2017

172

2018

325

LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 

Grievances

■■ In Cerro Corona’s direct area of influence this programme benefits 599 cattle 

breeders. During 2018, agricultural experts made 550 visits to farmers during which 
cattle were given medical treatment and 160 artificial inseminations completed

■■ 260ha of pasture were improved or installed in the Pilancones and Alto 

Coymolache hamlets

■■ Within the wider district, we funded 329 inseminations as part of our genetic 

improvement project for local cattle. Almost 400 new cows were provided to local 
farmers

■■ Milk production improvement programmes were rolled out to more than 750 

families in the wider district 

■■ Sheds for guinea pigs and hens were donated to 67 families

Benefit to the community: Our livestock development programmes have improved 
the income and economic welfare of over 1,000 families in our communities over the 
years.

Benefit to Gold Fields: With this programme, which supports the most critical 
economic activity of our communities, Gold Fields further solidifies relationships with 
the farmers in the area, contributing to strengthening our social licence to operate.

2018 spend: US$1.3m

OTHER MATERIAL VALUE CREATION PROJECTS

■■ We completed the 4km access road to the Cuadratura hamlet at a cost of 

US$200,000, giving its 1,000 residents easier access to the surrounding area
■■ We built and equipped a modern community centre for the El Tingo hamlet at a 

cost of US$310,000

■■ We spent US$45,000 on constructing a Kindergarten and upgrading a children’s 

shelter in two of our host communities

There was a marked increase in 
grievances at Cerro Corona in 2018. 
However, this is an anticipated 
outcome of the awareness raising 
about the grievance mechanism 
in the communities. A total of 69 
grievances (2017: 12) were recorded 
during the year, of which 21 were 
employment- and procurement-
related grievances, 29 were 
environmental issues caused by 
perceptions of water contamination 
and dust,14 related to social 
impacts/damage due to blasting at 
Cerro Corona, three grievances 
related to claims for property limits 
and two related to concerns with the 
results of the livestock development 
project. 33 of these grievances were 
resolved in 2018, 36 grievances are 
in the process of being addressed.

LICENCE AND REPUTATION  
 
118 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Community relations in Ghana

Build relationships and trust

■■ In 2018, we further solidified relationships with our host communities by 
engaging regularly with local government, community organisations and 
residents, as well as dealing transparently with grievances submitted

■■ During 2018, 130 community youth gained employment in Tarkwa with the 
mining contractors through the host community employment committee, 
comprising Gold Fields, the contractors and community leadership. 
A similar committee oversees host community employment at Damang

■■ The Tarkwa mine collaborates with local government to implement 

community projects and programmes

■■ Gold Fields celebrated 25 years in Ghana during 2018. The communications 
campaign included the launch of the Gold Fields Ghana Facebook page to 
communicate with employees and community members. Details can be 
found at www.goldfields.com/gold-fields-in-ghana.php

Manage risk and impact

DAMANG – SEEPAGE AND FLOODING

Risk: The Damang mine experienced a Level 3 environmental incident during the 
commissioning of the its new tailings storage dam (p95). A farming community, Togbe 
Junction, raised concerns when they found dead fish in the river. This could 
potentially impact the mine’s social licence to operate.

Action
■■ Intensive engagements with leaders and members of the community
■■ Provided the community with potable water even though there was no 

contamination of any of the water sources used by the community

■■ Implemented three-year livelihood enhancement projects that were agreed 

with members of the community

■■ Ensured that surrounding communities were not impacted

Spend to date: US$80,200

TARKWA – VALUATION OF CROPS AND STRUCTURES

Risk: During 2016, a group of farmers near the Tarkwa mine’s Kottraverchy waste 
dump area disputed previously paid compensation and petitioned the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) to mediate. The farmers argued that their crops and 
structures were not accurately assessed and valued. Various proposals by the mine 
and the EPA have been rejected by the farmers.  

Action
■■ Independent valuation to re-evaluate the crops and structures carried out in 2017
■■ Meetings between Gold Fields and the Land Valuation Board (LVB) to determine 

the appropriate compensation to be paid
■■ Submission of relevant documents to the LVB
■■ Investigation by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources ongoing

TARKWA – BRAHABOBOM COMMUNITY DISPUTE

Risk: A group of residents within the Brahabobom host community, whose structures 
are close to the Tarkwa mine’s Atuabo-Mantraim pits, petitioned the Commission on 
Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), alleging infractions by the mine, 
and demanding resettlement. After its investigation, CHRAJ recommended the 
following:
■■ Resettlement of those in the Brahabobom community who are located within 500m 

of the pits

■■ The adoption of sound blasting practices
■■ Operate within the provision of minerals and mining regulations 

Action
Measures that have been taken by the mine to reduce blast impacts include:
■■ Introduction of electronic blasting
■■ Reduction in the number of blast holes
■■ Creation of noise barriers
■■ Planting of vegetation between the pits and the community
■■ Engagement of an independent body to monitor blasts
■■ Suspension of mining in the area closest to the Brahabobom community

Following CHRAJ’s recommendations, the Minerals Commission subsequently 
granted approval for blasting activities within 400m of the community, subject to 
the implementation of blast controls and blasting protocols. This has been officially 
communicated to CHRAJ. Tarkwa continues to engage on a final and amicable 
resolution.

Context

■■Tarkwa and Damang are located 
in the western region of Ghana, 
which is also home to other gold 
mines 

■■ The Tarkwa mine is located in 

the Tarkwa/Nsuaem municipality, 
which has a total population of 
90,477 (2010 census), though 
the mine’s host communities 
only have a population of 
47,861. The working population 
are mainly engaged in 
agriculture, the informal sector, 
industry and services provision 
■■ Damang is in the Prestea/Huni 
valley district, which has a total 
population of 159,304 (2010 
census). Damang’s nine host 
communities have a population 
of 36,231 people. Over half of 
the working population in the 
district are engaged in crop 
farming and almost 30% in 
livestock rearing 

■■ During 2018, Gold Fields 

acquired 45% in the Asanko 
gold mine, about 100km north 
of our existing mines. However, 
Asanko Gold remains the 
manager and has responsibility 
for community relations (p49)

■■ Illegal miners continue to 

encroach on the Tarkwa and 
Damang mining concessions. 
Encroachers are usually arrested 
by the patrol team (comprising 
the mines’ protection services 
team and the local police) and 
arraigned before court for 
prosecution. The patrol teams 
have been trained in applying 
the Voluntary Principles on 
Safety and Human Rights in 
handling encroachers

■■ The Tarkwa mine changed its 

business operating model from 
owner mining to contractor 
mining, necessitating the 
retrenchment of over 
2,500 employees. The majority 
of the retrenched employees 
were absorbed by the mining 
contractors. Qualified 
community residents were given 
preferential job opportunities 
during the transition to contract 
mining 

■■ Gold Fields Ghana’s community 
investments are managed by the 
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, 
which receives 1.5% of our 
mines’ pre-tax profits and US$1 
for every ounce of gold sold by 
them. During 2018, the 
Foundation invested US$15.3m 
in community development 
(2017: US$6.5m). For more 
details on the foundation go to 
www.goldfields.com/societal-
stakeholders.php

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

119

Create and share value

We set and monitor quarterly and yearly host community procurement and 
employment targets. At both Tarkwa and Damang, we exceeded our 2018 host 
community employment targets of 70%. This is attributed to focused efforts to hire 
or retain host community members during the transition to contractor mining at 
Tarkwa and during the retrenchments at Damang. Furthermore, our host community 
procurement spend at Tarkwa increased from 12% in 2017 to 27% in 2018 and, 
at Damang, increased from 14% to 40% in 2018, exceeding our targets of 15%. 

For more details of our host community programmes see p7 and p112 – 113.

REHABILITATION OF THE 33KM ROAD BETWEEN TARKWA AND DAMANG

During 2016, Gold Fields began a comprehensive rehabilitation of the 33km public 
road that links the Tarkwa and Damang mines, and serves several communities 
along the corridor. Due for completion in Q1 2019, the road will have an asphalt 
finish, with safety features to prevent speeding and accidents. The total cost is 
US$26m. 

Benefits to the community: The road is being constructed by local contracting 
companies who were asked to source workers mostly from our host communities. 
The improved road will reduce travel time, increase access to social amenities and 
markets, reduce the cost of transportation, and increase economic activities along 
the route. Dust pollution will be eliminated, and safety will improve.

Benefits to Gold Fields: A reduction in the cost of transportation and maintenance, 
improvement in safety, and reduction in travel time and fatigue, which will positively 
impact productivity. Many Damang employees live in and around Tarkwa, and 
commute by this road on a daily basis.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE

In 2016, we started the Youth in Horticulture Production (YouHoP) programme in 
collaboration with the German government aid agency GIZ, which is aimed at 
creating employment opportunities and improving incomes for youth in our host 
community. 

The second phase of the YouHoP programme started in 2018. During phase 2, 
323 farmers were selected, bringing the total number of farmers engaged by the 
programme to 498. Other allied community employment created through YouHoP 
includes credit officers (12 youth), off-takers (18) and extension officers (9). During 
the year, farmers were training in disease and pest identification, green label 
certification, proper harvesting of produce, and off-take agreements. 

Benefits to the community: The YouHoP programme reduces youth 
unemployment in our host communities and improves agricultural production in the 
area, which leads to increased income that can be reinvested in the community.

Benefits to Gold Fields: The YouHoP programme successfully reduces tension 
between the mines and the communities, maintains our social licence to operate and 
improves our reputation within the community.

Spend to date: US$584,000

OTHER MATERIAL VALUE CREATION PROJECTS

■■ During 2018 we awarded 110 new scholarships and bursaries to tertiary students 

from our host communities, valued at US$271,000

■■ Following practical assessments carried out for applicants of the apprenticeship 
programme at Tarkwa, 50 young men and women were selected in October 
for training on how to operate dump trucks and excavators. Furthermore, 
55 applicants received training in associated professions

■■ A medical outreach programme was held in Tarkwa and Sekondi-Takoradi. Over 
1,000 residents from nearby communities received free health screening and 
medication

■■ A cocoa support programme, aimed at assisting at least 100 cocoa farmers each 

year, was introduced and piloted during 2018

Measure actions 
and impacts

West Africa SED spend

US$m
20

16

12

8

4

0

1
3
.
5
1

7
4
.
2 6
4
.
3

8
6
.
1

15

16

17

18

West Africa SED by type 2018

1% 3%

6%

Total spend 
in 2018:
US$15.31m

90%

■ Economic diversification
■ Infrastructure
■ Health and wellbeing
■ Conservation and environment
■ Education and training

Engagement with communities

2016

153

2017

220

2018

152

Grievances

There was a decrease in grievances 
submitted during 2018. 49 
grievances were received by both 
mines through their formal 
mechanisms during 2018 (2017: 
54), relating to social issues (7), 
compensation (6), and 
environmental issues (36). All 
49 grievances received in the year, 
and eight unresolved ones from 
2017, were resolved. The 2016 
grievance relating to disputed 
compensation by a group of 
farmers near Tarkwa’s Kottraverchy 
waste dump remains under 
mediation. We will migrate our 
grievance mechanism to an 
electronic system in 2019. 

LICENCE AND REPUTATION  
 
120 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Community relations in South Africa

Context

■■ The South African region 

comprises one mine, South 
Deep, situated about 45km 
from Johannesburg in the Rand 
West City Local Municipality of 
Gauteng. South Deep operates 
alongside mines, many of whom 
have gone through restructure 
and retrenchment processes in 
recent years

■■ South Deep embarked on a 

section 189 process in 2018, 
and approximately 1,084 
employees and 420 contractors 
were retrenched by the end of 
the year (p46) 

■■ South Deep has re-evaluated its 
definition of host communities 
and recognises all communities 
within the expanded Rand West 
City Local Municipality as host 
communities

■■ The local municipality has 

around 272,000 residents, and 
struggles with high levels of 
unemployment, poverty, food 
insecurity and crime 

■■ The mine has delivered on its 
last Social and Labour Plan 
(SLP) projects, which ended in 
2017, and has started on a new 
SLP cycle for 2018 – 2022 
(p108)

■■ South Deep embarked on a 

new communication strategy, 
including launching a Gold 
Fields South Deep Facebook 
page to engage with employees 
and community members 

■■ During 2017, South Deep 
conducted a Westonaria 
socio-economic baseline study 
as well as a SROI study of the 
impact of South Deep’s 15 most 
critical community investment 
projects. These influenced the 
choice of 2018 – 2022 SLP 
projects

Build relationships and trust

■■ South Deep hosted environmental visits to the mine, facilitated by the 

Federation for a Sustainable Environment, a local NGO, as well as open days 
for communities and schools aimed at increasing awareness of environmental 
rights and the impacts of gold mining 

■■ South Deep collaborated with the DMR on the Learners Focus Week, 

which targeted 300 Grade 9-12 learners from previously disadvantaged 
communities to address the shortage of skills in the mining industry

■■ The development round table established in 2016 conducted three sessions 
in 2018, with representatives from the mining companies (Gold Fields and 
Sibanye-Stillwater), the local and district municipalities and the West Rand 
community stakeholder forum. A formal Memorandum of Agreement governs 
the round table

■■ South Deep extensively engages the Department of Mineral Resources on 
issues relating to community investments, particularly around the Mining 
Charter and SLP

Manage risks and impact

COMMUNITY SAFETY

South Deep’s commitment to safety extends further than the borders of its operation, 
and the mine therefore works closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 
Westonaria, Bekkersdal and Randfontein, as well as the Community Policing Forums 
(CPFs), to improve the safety of its host communities.  

In 2018, there were three community incidents which resulted in the deaths of nine 
community members, most of them in the Thusanang informal settlement on the 
boundary of the mine. South Deep undertook a community risk assessment with 
SAPS, a number of government departments and Thusanang stakeholder groups. 
The risk assessment focused on empowering local stakeholders to identify risks to 
community safety and formulate mitigation measures. 

The community safety project focuses on crime prevention through increasing visible 
policing, training, information sourcing and improved crime reporting. Our investments 
in the CPFs, which were done in conjunction with an NGO, Qhubeka, included a 
donation of bicycles and winter jackets to patrollers who work as volunteers in their 
communities. The CPFs have increased its crime prevention awareness campaigns, 
and are reporting an improved impact of their campaigns since the donation. 
Investment in the safety of our host communities solidifies and fosters relationships 
between South Deep and community members.

Spend to date: R251,000 (US$18,000), including spending by the South Deep 
Community Trust

Partnerships with South Deep 
trusts 

South Deep Community Trust
Spend 2018: R3.4m (2017: R3.1m)

South Deep Education Trust
Spend 2018: R19.1m (2017: R15.0m)

Spend to date (2010 – 2018): R21.9m

Spend to date (2010 – 2018): R112.8m

Key projects during 2018:
■■ Community safety
■■ Enterprise development
■■ SMME development

Key projects during 2018
■■ Westonaria TVET College (using funds 
from the now-disbanded Westonaria 
Community Trust)

■■ 25 scholarships (2017: 71) for high school 

students

■■ 58 bursaries (2017: 37) for tertiary 

education students

■■ School food garden projects

For more details on the South Deep Trusts see  
www.sdtrusts.org.za.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

121

Create and share value

South Deep can make a tremendous impact on the employment rate and local 
economy through its work in host community employment and host community 
procurement. The host community definition now includes all individuals who reside in 
the Rand West City Local Municipality. As a result the host community workforce rose 
to 55% of our total workforce during 2018, though the overall number of host 
community employees and contractors came down as a result of the retrenchments 
during Q4 2018. 

At the end of 2018, our host community procurement spend was 29% of total spend, 
or R517m (US$39m). This exceeded the target of 20% and the minimum spend of 
R500m a year. Host community jobs from mine employment, procurement and 
community projects totalled 2,569 at the end of 2018. 

Measure actions 
and impacts

South Africa SED spend

US$m

5

4

3

2

1

0

6
6
.
3

0
9
.
3

9
4
.
3

3
3
.
4

15

16

17

18

For more details of our host community programmes see p7 and p112 – 113.

South Africa SED by type 2018

FOOD SECURITY

Food security at household levels is a challenge in our host communities. We 
therefore initiated food security projects by planting vegetable gardens in four high 
schools in Westonaria. The infrastructure includes a tunnel, irrigation system, water 
tank and gardening equipment.

Benefit to the community:
■■ The planned food gardens in four high schools in Bekkersdal, Simunye and 

Poortjie will feed about 5,000 children

■■ South Deep employed a local enterprise for the clean-up of school grounds 

and preparation of soil for the food gardens

■■ Eight school gardeners have were appointed and receive mentoring  

17%

Total spend 
in 2018:
R46.1m
(US$3.49m)

4%
2%
2%

75%

■ Economic diversification
■ Infrastructure
■ Health and wellbeing
■ Conservation and environment
■ Education and training

Benefit to Gold Fields: Investment in the food security of our host communities will 
lead to increased school attendance and decreased drop-out rates.

Spend to date: R645,000 (US$45,000), including spending by the South Deep 
Education Trust

Engagement with communities

2016

137

2017

169

2018

471

OTHER MATERIAL VALUE CREATION PROJECTS

Grievances

■■ South Deep entered into a new partnership with Sibanye-Stillwater to close out 
legacy projects from the former Gold Alliance partnership, and to align social 
investment projects for optimal benefit to our host communities

■■ South Deep continues to work with the Rand West City Local Municipality, the 

Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Sibanye-Stillwater 
to employ 35 people collectively as business owners of small agriculture 
enterprises

■■ We continue to support two small enterprises – a bakery and poultry project – 

until these have developed into sustainable businesses. The bakery has an outlet 
in Westonaria, supplying the local market, and also has a contract with the mine. 
The poultry project has successfully sold live chickens and continues to grow its 
profit margin

■■ South Deep has advanced the planning of the construction of the Simunye 

Secondary School, which will be completed during 2019 and will benefit more 
than 1,200 learners who are currently being taught in a prefabricated structure

■■ South Deep, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Rural 

Development, supported 65 households in the Bekkersdal and Westonaria host 
communities with the implementation of homestead gardens, by supplying 
seedlings, agricultural equipment, manure, compost and basic agricultural training

During 2018, seven grievances 
were logged, of which four were 
employment and procurement-
related and three were of a social 
nature. Four grievances have been 
resolved, one resurfaced from 2017 
grievances, one is outstanding and 
one is ongoing.

LICENCE AND REPUTATION  
 
122 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Human Rights

Introduction
Gold Fields’ activities from exploration 
through to mine closure have the 
potential to impact the human rights 
of our workforce and communities, 
which in turn could negatively affect 
our ability to create value for our 
shareholders. Respect for human 
rights is a baseline expectation for all 
our operations and fundamental to 
sustainable development and 
responsible mining.

Gold Fields’ commitment to respect 
the rights and dignity of its 
stakeholders is described in our 
Human Rights Policy Statement. The 
policy statement, which is embedded 
in our Code of Conduct, is aligned to 
the ICMM Principles on Human 
Rights and guided by the UN Guiding 
Principles on Business and Human 
Rights as well as the conventions of 
the International Labour Organisation. 
The policy statement also supports 
the United Nations Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights and the 
Voluntary Principles on Security and 
Human Rights. The policy statement 
and the Code of Conduct can be 
found on our website at www.
goldfields.com/policies.php and 
www.goldfields.com/code-of-
conduct.php respectively. Our 
engagement and relationships with 
our key stakeholders - our workforce, 
our communities, governments and 
shareholders are discussed on 
p106-121.

Under the policy statement, Gold 
Fields commits to, among others: 
■■ Not interfering with or curtailing 

others’ enjoyment of their human 
rights 

■■ Defending, where possible, 

employees and external Gold 
Fields stakeholders, such as 
community members, against 
human rights abuses by third 
parties

■■ Taking positive action to facilitate 
the entrenchment and enable the 
enjoyment of human rights 

The Code of Conduct, which is fully 
endorsed by the Gold Fields Board of 
Directors, guides our business ethics 
and values. The human rights policy 

statement applies to all directors, 
employees and third parties 
(including, among others, suppliers 
and contractors) and regular training 
and awareness are offered to all 
stakeholders. 

Given the nature of Gold Fields’ 
footprint and activities, our human 
rights activities are currently managed 
through the following functions: legal 
and compliance, sustainable 
development, human resources, 
procurement, community relations, 
risk and security. A steering 
committee oversees the work by the 
various disciplines and regions on 
human rights and regular feedback is 
provided to the Board’s Social Ethics 
and Transformation Committee.

Salient Human Rights issues
We are consistently looking at ways 
to improve our business and this 
includes evolving human rights 
through the identification of salient 
human rights issues in the Group. 
Salient human rights issues as 
defined by the UN Guiding Principles 
are those human rights that have the 
most severe negative impacts as a 
result of the company’s activities or 
business relationships. 

During 2018 we considered the 
stakeholder groups impacted by the 
key activities in the business and in 
our supply chain and prioritised the 
human rights impacts by determining 
their severity.

The eight salient issues identified 
were:
1.  Health & Safety: Occupational 
incident or exposure leading to 
physical and/or psychological 
harm and/or Illness

2.  Human Resources: The impact of 
our working environment, policies 
and procedures on employees 
and contractors

3.  Water: The loss of containment 
and the subsequent impact on 
water quality released into the 
environment

4.  Public and private security: Abuse 
of power by public or private 
security

5.  Transportation: Transport 

incidents involving hazardous 
substances and/or people
6.  Mine Closure: The ineffective, 

incomplete or failed 
implementation of mine closure 
plans

7.  Resettlement: Land acquisition, 
economic compensation and 
community resettlement
8.  Breaches by suppliers/

contractors: Breaches of human 
rights by suppliers, contractors 
and other business partners in 
our supply chain

Following the identification process 
we conducted detailed bow-tie 
analyses of these issues. The analysis 
included: listing the causes of each 
salient issue, their consequences, 
and preventative controls, mitigatory 
controls in place. It also listed future 
mitigation actions to be considered. 
The bow-tie analysis for our most 
important salient issue - health & 
safety of our workforce - is displayed 
on this page. The other seven 
bow-tie analyses can be found on 
our website at www.goldfields.com/
integrated-annual-reports.com

While the failure of a tailings facility is 
identified under the water salient 
issue, TSFs are in the spotlight 
following the catastrophic tailings 
failure at the Córrego do Feijão iron 
ore mine in Brumadinho, Brazil, in 
January 2019, which resulted in over 
300 deaths. In the wake of the 
tragedy, Gold Fields is undertaking 
technical reviews and strengthening 
governance of our TSFs as an active 
participant in the ICMM-led process 
described on p103. We are working 
to improve our emergency 
preparedness and response and 
community engagement around this 
issue, in addition to ensuring that our 
management and technical oversight 
remain vigilant.

During 2019 we plan to appoint a 
pilot site among our eight mines to 
repeat the Group process and identify 
its key salient human rights issues. 
We also plan to start the process of 
closing out mitigation actions 
identified during the Group’s salient 
issue process.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

123

Salient issues – health and safety:
Occupational incident or exposure leading to physical and/or psychological harm and/or Illness

Causes

■■ Negligence
■■ Poor understanding of link between 

mining and community health and safety 

■■ Natural events
■■ Failure of infrastructure
■■ Poor occupational assessment (physical 

■■ Catastrophic infrastructure failure
■■ Exposure to harmful environment
■■ Inadequate safety standards and 
implementation/enforcement

■■ Poor safety culture
■■ Non-compliance with legislation, 

policies, standards and/or procedures

and mental)

■■ Organisational culture
■■ Poor leadership
■■ Occupational and personal stress
■■ Fatigue
■■ Pollution 
■■ Inadequate resources to control risks

Leading up to the event  „

Preventative controls

■■ Policies and procedures – up to date, 

■■ Support to public health institutions 

communicated and understood
■■ Targeted health education and 

awareness campaigns

■■ Compliance to regulatory framework
■■ Health and safety management system 
■■ Organisational culture interventions
■■ OHSAS certifications
■■ Disciplinary and grievance procedure
■■ Behaviour based safety programmes
■■ Occupational health assessments
■■ Proper design, certified where applicable
■■ Health and safety training on relevant 

risks

in host communities

■■ Infrastructure maintenance policy
■■ Zero Harm commitments
■■ Employee assistance programmes
■■ Board and management oversight
■■ Industry networking and collaboration
■■ Employee support and life skills 

programme

■■ Risk management
■■ Community grievance mechanism
■■ Recognition and incentive programme

Consequences

■ Injury, disability, loss of life
■ Loss of government support
■ Illness and incapacitation
■ Legal liability (civil and/or criminal)
■ Psychological effects
■ Increased anti-mining sentiment in communities
■ Business interruption
■ Low morale
■ Fines and sanctions
■ Reputational damage
■ Scrutiny from regulators
■ Difficulty in attracting skills
ƒ	Once the event has occurred

Mitigation and damage control

■ Accident investigation and close out of corrective 

actions 

■ Provide access to medical care to indigent community 

members

■ Family compensation
■ Health care
■ Rehabilitation
■ Address community concerns/complaints
■ Compensation and insurance

Physical and 
psychological 
harm and illness

Considerations  
for further mitigation  

■  Focus on psychological harm (e.g. risks arising from Fly-In, Fly-Out work arrangements)
■ 

 Consideration of shared value opportunities, such as safety and wellness training

Our due diligence actions
Gold Fields has in place numerous 
policies and strategies to deal with 
the salient human rights issues at our 
mines and projects listed earlier. 
These cover interactions and 
engagements with governments, our 
workforce, communities, suppliers 
and security personnel, as well as 
mechanisms for dealing with 
stakeholders’ grievances. 

Workforce Rights
The Gold Fields policy statement 
notes our commitment to uphold the 
highest standards of human rights 
within our workforce, including: 
freedom from child labour; freedom 
from forced or compulsory labour; 
freedom from discrimination (while 
recognising the need to affirm 
previously disadvantaged groups); 
and freedom of association and 
collective bargaining. All induction 
training (including that provided by 
the Gold Fields Internal Protection 

Services team) includes key human 
rights elements, and the Company’s 
internal grievance mechanisms 
ensure employees and contractors 
can raise human rights concerns.

All grievances are handled by the 
Gold Fields Human Resources 
function, in consultation with legal 
teams for human rights concerns, 
which uses a defined process to 
record, evaluate and address 
legitimate complaints. Employees can 
also raise concerns via independent 
counsellors, as part of the Gold Fields 
Employee Assistance Programme, 
and make use of Gold Fields’ 
confidential, third-party 
whistleblowing hotline. 

All new employees are required to 
sign the Code of Conduct and 
receive awareness training during 
induction. Code of Conduct 
eLearning, which was launched in 
2017, is mandatory for all employees. 
Gold Fields runs a human rights 

campaign on Human Rights Day to 
raise awareness of these issues.

Performance in 2018: 
■■ We received 61 grievances from 

employees, of which 14 related to 
harassment or discrimination. Of 
these, 60 were resolved, with 
seven cases leading to the 
dismissal of the accused employee 
or contractor. Two cases are still 
being addressed

■■ By end-2018, 66% of Gold Fields 
employees had completed the 
Code of Conduct eLearning 
course, which was launched in 
2017 and will be completed during 
2019

Community Rights
In our engagement with communities, 
we ensure that the following key 
human rights, amongst others, are 
respected: Indigenous People’s 
rights, minimisation of involuntary 
resettlement (subject to fair 

LICENCE AND REPUTATION 124 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Human Rights continued

compensation where unavoidable), 
treatment of artisanal and small-scale 
miners as well as respectful security 
enforcement. 

Human Rights Policy Statement. 
Compliance with the Gold Fields 
Supplier Code of Conduct is also 
required in the agreements.

Environmental and social impact 
assessments, which assess the 
actual or potential impacts of our 
operations and projects on local 
communities and other stakeholders, 
have been undertaken by all 
operations. The assessments include 
human rights aspects. Risk 
assessments are undertaken on an 
ongoing basis and grievance 
mechanisms are in place at the 
operations to record, address and 
respond to social, environmental and 
human rights grievances.  

Performance in 2018: 
■■ We recorded two Level 3 

environmental incidents - at our 
Damang mine in Ghana and at 
Cerro Corona in Peru. Both 
incidents were successfully 
mitigated. Details on p95

■■ A group of community residents 
near our Tarkwa mine in Ghana 
have petitioned a government 
agency for resettlement, alleging 
infractions by the mine. Details on 
p118

Suppliers
Gold Fields’ business relies on 
multiple, large-scale suppliers and 
contractors to carry out mining, 
development, construction and other 
forms of work at its operations. All 
suppliers and contractors are 
included in Gold Fields’ own health 
and safety management systems to 
ensure that contractors benefit from 
safe and healthy working conditions. 
All internal and external stakeholders 
wishing to report human rights 
violations are able to make use of 
Gold Fields’ confidential, third-party 
whistleblowing hotline. Where such 
complaints are made, the relevant 
Gold Fields department follows up on 
the matter, establishing its 
authenticity and, if proved accurate, 
institutes the appropriate corrective 
measures.

From a contractual point of view, all 
our Third Party agreements contain a 
standard provision requiring 
compliance with the Gold Fields 

The Group has developed an external 
Third Party screening solution to 
screen new and existing suppliers 
and contractors for an array of 
pre-defined risk categories, including 
human rights and related violations 
and/or transgressions. Risk profiles 
for active external suppliers and 
contractors with post-screen alerts 
are then established and risk 
mitigated. The screening solution 
screens all suppliers and contractors 
on a monthly basis for adverse media 
exposure alerts, involving regulators, 
governments, recorded 
discrimination, workers’ right issues 
and human rights transgressions in 
the workplace.

Performance in 2018: 
■■ We developed a Supplier Code of 
Conduct which translates the 
requirements of the Gold Fields 
Code of Conduct into terms 
appropriate to our suppliers

Security
Gold Fields’ protection services 
teams work with both private and 
public security providers - for the 
effective and responsible protection 
of workers and assets. All private 
security contractors receive human 
rights training during induction, and 
at least annually thereafter, including 
on the Voluntary Principles on 
Security and Human Rights (VPSHR). 
A study was carried out during 2017 
to assess the gaps between our 
current systems and the VPSHR - no 
substantive gaps were identified. 
Work was carried out in 2018 to 
close the gaps. Where we work with 
public law enforcement personnel, 
such as in Ghana in dealing with 
illegal mining, we ensure that the 
personnel operate responsibly, 
guided by the VPSHR.

Gold Fields is committed to 
responsible materials stewardship. In 
this context, we support global efforts 
to prevent the use of newly mined 
gold to finance conflict. We have 
voluntarily adopted the Conflict-Free 
Gold Standard of the World Gold 

Council (WGC). The standard is 
applied at all relevant locations 
through assurance audits. Although 
we withdrew our WGC membership 
in 2014, we have and will continue to 
apply both the Standard and its 
guidelines. Further information is 
available at www. goldfields.com/
sustainability-reporting.php. 

Performance in 2018:
■■ We reviewed private sector security 
providers’ contracts to ensure they 
are aligned to the VPSHR

■■ We updated out Human Rights 

Policy Statement to reference our 
support for the VPSHR

■■ Cerro Corona used an independent 
contractor to carry out a detailed 
assessment of its human rights 
risks and implementation 
requirements, with particular 
reference to the VPSHR. This had 
the additional benefit of improving 
human rights awareness of senior 
staff

Grievance Mechanisms
We are committed to addressing 
community issues and concerns 
timeously and effectively. Therefore 
we rely on a grievance reporting 
system to maintain confidence and 
transparent communication with our 
stakeholders. Our grievance 
mechanism enables and encourages 
community members to freely put 
forward their complaints, while 
obligating our mines to address the 
grievances within an agreed period.

Not managing a complaint can lead 
to further conflict and discontent 
within our host community. In certain 
instances we engage members from 
our local communities to act as 
mediator should our teams not be 
able to resolve the grievance. 

Performance in 2018:
Our operations dealt with 127 
economic, social, and environmental 
grievances lodged by our host 
communities (2017: 76) during the 
year. 88 of these grievances were 
resolved and 39 are still being dealt 
with. Details of the grievances raised 
against our mines can be found in 
the community relations section on 
p114 - 124.

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

125

Safety briefing 
before a shift at 
South Deep

  126 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

  The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

127

Internal and external assurance is 
provided over selected sustainability 
data contained in the Integrated 
Annual Report 

■■ First party: Internal audit statement 
■■ Independent assurance statement to the  
Board of Directors and stakeholders of  
Gold Fields

■■ Key sustainability performance data 
■■ Administration and corporate information 

p128
p129 

p131
IBC

Assurance 128 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

First Party: Internal Audit Statement 

Gold Fields Internal Audit (GFIA) is an independent assurance provider to the Gold Fields Audit Committee on the 
effectiveness of the governance, risk management and control processes within Gold Fields.

The internal audit activities performed during the year were identified through a combination of the Gold Fields risk 
management and combined assurance framework, as well as the risk-based methodology adopted by the Gold Fields 
Internal Audit function. Internal audit complies with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Standards for the 
Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, in the execution of its assurance function. Furthermore, GFIA operates a quality 
assurance programme that involves performing detailed quality review assessments.

Annually, the risk-based annual audit plan is approved by the Audit Committee. The internal audit activities are executed by a 
team of appropriately qualified and experienced internal auditors, or through the engagement of external practitioners on 
specified and agreed terms. The internal audit team is based in South Africa and services all the Gold Fields operations 
globally. The Vice-President and Group Head of Internal Audit has a functional reporting line to the Audit Committee and 
provides quarterly feedback to the Audit Committee.

Based on the work performed by GFIA during the year, the Vice-President and Group Head of Internal Audit has presented 
the Audit Committee with an assessment on the effectiveness of the Company’s governance, risk management and system 
of internal control. It is GFIA’s opinion that the governance, risk management and internal control environment are effective 
within the Gold Field business and provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of Gold Fields will be achieved. This 
GFIA assessment forms one of the basis for the Audit Committee’s recommendation in this regard to the Board.

Shyam Jagwanth
Vice-President and Group Head of Internal Audit
Johannesburg, South Africa
25 March 2019

  Independent Assurance Statement to the Board of 
Directors and Stakeholders of Gold Fields Limited

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

129

ERM Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (ERM) was engaged by Gold Fields to provide assurance in relation to selected sustainability 
information set out below and presented in Gold Fields’ 2018 Integrated Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 
2018 (‘the Report’).

Engagement summary

Engagement 
scope (subject 
matters):

1.  Whether the 2018 data, for the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, for the selected 
performance indicators listed in Tables 1 and 2 overleaf, are fairly presented, in all material 
respects.

2.  Whether the Directors’ statement in the About this Report section of the Report that Gold Fields 

has complied with the ICMM Sustainable Development Framework, Principles, Position 
Statements and reporting requirements is, in all material respects, fairly stated.

For environmental, health and safety and social KPIs:
■■ GRI Standards (‘Core’ in-accordance option) and the GRI’s Mining and Metals Sector Disclosure 

(2013)

■■ Gold Fields GRI Standards Sustainability Reporting Guideline, V16 (September 2018)
■■ International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Sustainable Development Framework reporting 

Reporting 
Criteria:

requirements (2015)

For Mining Charter related KPIs:
■■ Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals 

Industry (BBSEEC) (2002) and related Scorecard (2004)

■■ Amendment to the BBSEEC (2010) and related scorecard (2010) for the South African Mining and 

Minerals Industry

Standard Used:

ERM CVS’ assurance methodology based on the International Standard on Assurance 
Engagements ISAE 3000 (Revised) and ISAE 3410 (for GHG Statements).

Assurance 
Level:

Respective 
responsibilities:

Reasonable assurance for all Subject Matters

Gold Fields is responsible for preparing the Report, including the collection and presentation of the 
selected sustainability information within it, in accordance with the reporting criteria, the design, 
implementation and maintenance of related internal controls, and for the integrity of its website. 

ERM’s responsibility is to provide an opinion on the selected information based on the evidence we 
have obtained and exercising our professional judgement.

Our assurance activities  
We planned and performed our work to obtain all the information and explanations that we believe were necessary to reduce 
the risk of material misstatement to low and therefore provide a basis for our assurance opinion. Using the ICMM Sustainable 
Development Framework: Assurance Procedure (2008) as a guide, a multi-disciplinary team of sustainability and assurance 
specialists performed the following assurance activities, including:
■■ Reviewing external media reporting relating to Gold Fields, peer company annual reports and industry standards to identify 

relevant sustainability issues in the reporting period.

■■ Interviews with relevant corporate level staff to understand Gold Fields’ sustainability strategy, policies and management 

systems, including stakeholder engagement and materiality assessment.

■■ Interviews with a selection of staff and management, including senior executives, to gain an understanding of:

 – The status of implementation of the ICMM Sustainable Development Principles in Gold Fields’ strategy and policies;
 – Gold Fields’ identification and management of sustainable development risks and opportunities as determined through 

its review of the business and the views and expectations of its stakeholders;

 – Observation of an external stakeholder engagement meeting on material issues facing the business.

■■ Reviewing policies and procedures and assessing alignment with ICMM’s 10 Sustainable Development Principles and 

other mandatory requirements set out in the ICMM’s Position Statements in effect as at 31 December 2018.

■■ Testing the processes and systems, including internal controls, used to generate, consolidate and report the selected 

sustainability information.

■■ Reviewing the suitability of the internal reporting guidelines, including conversion factors used. 
■■ Physical visits to interview responsible staff and verify source data and other evidence at the following sites: 

 – South Deep, South Africa
 – Tarkwa, Ghana
 – Damang, Ghana
 – Granny Smith, Australia 

■■ Virtual reviews to verify source data for the following sites: 

 – Agnew, Australia
 – St Ives, Australia 
 – Cerro Corona, Peru

ASSURANCE 130 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Independent Assurance Statement to the Board of 
Directors and Stakeholders of Gold Fields Limited continued

■■ An analytical review of the year-end data submitted by the sites listed above, and testing of the accuracy and 

completeness of the consolidated 2018 Group data for the selected KPIs.

■■ Reviewing the presentation of information relevant to the scope of our work in the Report to ensure consistency with our 

findings.

Our assurance opinion
In our opinion:
■■ The selected sustainability performance information set out in Tables 1 and 2 for the year ended 31 December 2018 is 

prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Gold Fields reporting criteria; and

■■ The Directors’ statement in the About this Report section of the Report that Gold Fields has complied with the ICMM 
Sustainable Development Framework, Principles, Position Statements and reporting requirements is, in all material 
respects, fairly stated.

The limitations of our engagement
The reliability of the assured data is subject to inherent uncertainties given the methods for determining, calculating or 
estimating the underlying information. It is important to understand our assurance opinions in this context. Our independent 
assurance statement provides no assurance on the maintenance and integrity of the Gold Fields’ website, including controls 
used to achieve this integrity, and in particular, whether any changes may have occurred to the information since it was first 
published.

Our observations
We have provided Gold Fields with a separate detailed management report. Without affecting the opinions presented above, 
we have the following observations:  
■■ Following ERM’s recommendation made in last year’s statement for South Deep and Tarkwa mines to address deficiencies 
in documentation relating to safety performance information, ERM did indeed observe improvements in documentation. 
ERM also noted several efforts initiated by Gold Fields during 2018 to mitigate employee health and safety risks and 
improve safety performance. We strongly encourage Gold Fields to continue its programme of strengthening its safety 
culture through these efforts.   

■■ We observed considerable efforts to reduce energy consumption through energy savings initiatives implemented across 
the Group, notably in the Australia and West Africa regions. In addition, in response to the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations, Gold Fields has begun to evaluate the financial risks and opportunities for 
its business. We encourage Gold Fields to continue its efforts in this regard and in reducing the carbon intensity of its 
operations.

■■ Regarding socio-economic development spend information, consistent with last year’s observations; an opportunity for 

improvement exists in the Australia region in structuring and formalising a process for consolidating and reporting its social 
performance data.

Donald Gibson 
Partner 
25 March 2019 

Jennifer Iansen-Rogers
Partner, ERM CVS, London
25 March 2019

ERM Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, South Africa
www.erm.com 
Email: donald.gibson@erm.com 

ERM Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and ERM Certification and Verification Services (CVS) are members of the ERM Group. Our 
work complies with the requirements of ERM’s Global Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (available at https://erm.com/
global-code). Further, ERM CVS is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and our operating system is 
designed to comply with ISO 17021:2011. Our processes are also designed and implemented to ensure that the work we 
undertake with clients is free from bias and conflict of interest (refer to both the abovementioned Code of Business Conduct 
and Ethics, and the ERM CVS Independence and Impartiality Policy available at  http://www.ermcvs.com/our-services/
policies/independence/). The ERM and ERM CVS staff that have undertaken work on this assurance engagement provide no 
consultancy related services to Gold Fields in any respect related to the subject matter assured.

  Key sustainability performance data

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

131

Table 1. Data for selected sustainability performance indicators for the 2018 reporting year presented for reasonable 
assurance in accordance with Subject Matter 4 of the International Council on Mining and Metals’ (ICMM) Sustainable 
Development Framework: Assurance Procedure, and prepared in accordance with the Gold Fields Assurance KPI Definitions 
(available on Gold Fields’ Website) and the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards.

Parameter

Environment
Total CO2 equivalent emissions, Scope 1-3
Electricity purchased

Diesel

Unit

Tonnes

MWh

Kl

Total energy consumed/total tonnes mined

GJ/total tonnes mined

Total energy consumed/ounces of gold produced

GJ/ounces of gold 
produced

Reported 2018 data

1,852,190

1,283,940

183,520

0.06 
(11,628,058 GJ / 
184,345,022 tonnes)

5.64 
(11,628,058 GJ / 
2,063,202 ounces)

21,179

41,382

Total water withdrawal

Total water recycled/re-used per annum

Water intensity

Number of environmental incidents - 
Level 2 
Level 3 and above

Health

Number of cases of Silicosis reported

Number of cases of Noise Induced Hearing Loss 
reported

Cardio Respiratory (Tuberculosis)

Number of cases of Malaria tested positive per annum

Ml

Ml

Kl withdrawn/ ounces of 
gold produced

10.3 
(21,178,512 Kl / 
2,063,202 ounces)

Number of incidents

68
2

10

13

16

237

Number of cases

Number of cases

Number new cases 
reported

Number of positive 
cases

Number of South African and West African employees in 
the HAART programme (cumulative)

Number of employees

336

Percentage of South African workforce on the voluntary 
counselling and testing (VCT) programme

Percentage (%) of 
workforce

Percentage of West African workforce on the voluntary 
counselling and testing (VCT) programme

Percentage (%) of 
workforce

17

60

Safety

Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) - 
Employees, Contractors, Total

Number of TRIs/
manhours

Employees: 1.94
(43 TRIs / 22,151,709 manhours)

Contractors: 1.75
(56 TRIs / 32,047,611 manhours)

Total: 1.83
(99 TRIs / 54,199,320 manhours)

Number of fatalities

Social

Total socio-economic development (SED) spend

Percentage of host community workforce employment

Percentage of host community procurement spend

Total value created and distributed

Number

1

%

US$

%

%

US$

25,711,891

56

27

2,711,000,000

ASSURANCE 132 The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

Key sustainability performance data continued

Table 2. Selected sustainability performance indicators for the 2018 reporting year presented for reasonable assurance in 
accordance with Subject Matter 4 of the ICMM’s Sustainable Development Framework: Assurance Procedure, and prepared 
in accordance with the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals 
Industry (BBSEEC) (2002) and related Scorecard (2004); the Amendment to the BBSEEC (2010) and related scorecard 
(2010) for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry.

Unit

Reported 2018 data

Parameter

Mining Charter

Housing and living conditions

Occupancy rate of one person per room

Ratio (employee : hostel 
room)

Percentage conversion of hostels into family units

Percentage (%)

Procurement & Enterprise Development

Procurement spend from BEE1 entity

Annual spend on procurement from multinational suppliers: 
Contribution set aside / allocated by the mining right holders

Employment equity

HDSAs2 in management

Capital goods (%)

Services (%)

Consumable Goods (%)

Percentage (%)

Top (Board) (%)

Senior (Exco) (%)

Middle (%)

Junior (%)

Core skills (%)

Human Resource Development (HRD)

HRD expenditure as a percentage of total annual payroll 
(excluding mandatory skills development levy)

Percentage (%)

0.49

100

75

81

91

1.21

50

50

45

52

70

7.7

Mine Community Development

Total LED3 spend for the year and LED spend per SLP4 project 
in the current year

Total LED spend (R)

4,842,948

Total SED5 spend for the year, including community trusts

Total SED spend (R)

44,108,690

Up-to-date implementation of approved community projects

Percentage (%) overall 
implementation and of each 
project

0

Sustainable Development & Growth

Approved EMP6 implementation

Percentage (%)

Tripartite action plan on health and safety implementation

Percentage (%)

Percentage of samples in South African facilities

Percentage (%)

100

95.8

100

1Black Economic Empowerment
2 Historically Disadvantage South African
3 Local Economic Development
4 Social and Labour Plan
5 Social Economic Development
6 Environmental Management Programme

 Administration and corporate information

The Gold Fields Integrated Annual Report 2018

COMPANY SECRETARY 
Lucy Mokoka 
Tel: +27 11 562 9719
Fax: +27 11 562 9829 
e-mail: lucy.mokoka@goldfields.com 

REGISTERED OFFICE
Johannesburg 
Gold Fields Limited 
150 Helen Road 
Sandown 
Sandton 
2196 

Postnet Suite 252 
Private Bag X30500 
Houghton 
2041 
Tel: +27 11 562 9700 
Fax: +27 11 562 9829 

OFFICE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM 
SECRETARIES 
London 
St James’s Corporate Services Limited 
Suite 31, Second Floor
107 Cheapside
London
EC2V 6DN
United Kingdom 
Tel: +44 20 7796 8644
Fax: +44 20 7796 8645
e-mail: general@corpserv.co.uk

AMERICAN DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS 
TRANSFER AGENT 
Shareholder correspondence should be mailed to:
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
PO Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170

Overnight correspondence should be sent to:
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
211 Quality Circle, Suite 210
College Station, TX 77845
e-mail: shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com

Phone numbers
Tel: 888 269 2377 Domestic
Tel: 201 680 6825 Foreign

SPONSOR 
J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa Proprietary Limited

Gold Fields Limited 
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa 
Registration number 1968/004880/06 
Share code: GFI 
Issuer code: GOGOF 
ISIN – ZAE 000018123

INVESTOR ENQUIRIES
Avishkar Nagaser
Tel: +27 11 562 9775
Mobile: +27 82 312 8692
e-mail: avishkar.nagaser@goldfields.com

Thomas Mengel
Tel: +27 11 562 9849
Mobile: +27 72 493 5170
e-mail: thomas.mengel@goldfields.com

MEDIA ENQUIRIES 
Sven Lunsche
Tel: +27 11 562 9763 
Mobile: +27 83 260 9279 
e-mail: sven.lunsche@goldfields.com 

TRANSFER SECRETARIES 
South Africa 
Computershare Investor Services Proprietary Limited 
Rosebank Towers
15 Biermann Avenue
Rosebank
Johannesburg
2196
PO Box 61051 
Marshalltown
2107 
Tel: +27 11 370 5000 
Fax: +27 11 688 5248 

United Kingdom 
Link Asset Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent BR3 4TU
England
Tel: 0871 664 0300 
Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s 
access charge.
If you are outside the United Kingdom,
please call +44 371 664 0300.
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the 
applicable international rate.
The helpline is open between 9:00am – 5:30pm. Monday 
to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales.
e-mail: enquires@linkgroup.co.uk

Website
WWW.GOLDFIELDS.COM

Listings
JSE / NYSE / GFI
SIX: GOLI

CA Carolus° (Chair) RP Menell° (Deputy Chair) NJ Holland*• (Chief Executive Officer) PA Schmidt• (Chief Financial Officer)
A Andani#° PJ Bacchus° TP Goodlace° C Lettonˆ° P Mahanyele-Dabengwa* SP Reidˆ° YGH Suleman° 
ˆ Australian * British # Ghanaian 
° Independent Director • Non-independent Director

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www.goldfields.com