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OceanaGold Corporation

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FY2009 Annual Report · OceanaGold Corporation
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OceanaGold Corporation
Annual Report 2009

OceanaGold  
Corporation
OceanaGold Corporation 
Corporate Office 
Level 5, 250 Collins Street 
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000  
Australia

PO Box 355,  
Flinders Lane Post Office 
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000  
Australia

T: +61 3 9656 5300 
F: +61 3 9656 5333 
E: info@oceanagold.com

www.oceanagold.com

Directors
James E Askew (Chairman) 
Terrence N Fern 
Jacob (Jake) Klein 
Jose P Leviste Jr. 
J Denham Shale

Company Secretary
Matthew Salthouse

Registered Office
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP 
2900–550 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C OA3 
Canada

Share Registries

Canada
Computershare Investor Services 
3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B9 
Canada

T: +1 604 661 9400 
F: +1 604 669 1548

Australia
Computershare Investor  
Services Pty Ltd 
452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067  
Australia

T: +61 3 9415 4000 
F: +61 3 9473 2500

New Zealand
Computershare Investor  
Services Limited 
Level 2, 159 Hurstmere Road 
Takapuna, North Shore City, 0622  
New Zealand

T: +64 9 488 8700 
F: +64 9 488 8787

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Freshwater Place  
2 Southbank Boulevard 
Southbank, Victoria, 3006  
Australia

T: +61 3 8603 1000 
F: +61 3 8603 1999

Stock Exchanges

Canada
Toronto Stock Exchange 
3rd Floor, 130 King Street W. 
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1J2 
Canada

Ticker symbol: OGC

Australia
Australian Stock Exchange Limited 
Level 4, Stock Exchange Centre 
20 Bridge Street, Sydney 
New South Wales, 2000  
Australia

Ticker symbol: OGC

New Zealand
New Zealand Stock Exchange 
ASB tower, 2 Hunter Street 
Wellington  
New Zealand

Ticker symbol: OGC

Website
www.oceanagold.com

Investor Relations
T: +61 3 9656 5300 
E: info@oceanagold.com

Cert no. SGS-coc-006603

Printed by a certified ISO14001 Environment Management Systems printer.  
Printed on FSC certified 100% post consumer recycled paper, using vegetable based inks. 
In partnership with the Federal Governments’ Greenhouse Challenge program.

Design by Three’s a Crowd

1

 
 
 
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information. Certain statements in this Annual Report constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 
Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to the future financial and operating performance of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, its 
mining projects, the future price of gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, costs of production, estimates of initial capital, 
sustaining capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of the development of new mines, costs and timing of future exploration, 
requirements for additional capital, governmental regulation of mining operations and exploration operations, timing and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable mineral legislation, 
environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and regulatory matters. Often, but not always, forward-looking 
information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, “anticipates” or “believes” or 
variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or 
“will” be taken, occur or be achieved. While the Company has based these statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such information was prepared, the statements are not 
guarantees of the Company’s future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed 
or implied by such forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, among other factors, future prices of gold; 
general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current production, development and/or exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations and 
studies; fluctuations in the value of the United States dollar relative to the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar or the New Zealand dollar; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; 
possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability or 
insurrection or war; labour force availability and turnover; delays in obtaining financing or governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities or in the commencement 
of operations; as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Company’s Annual Information Form in respect of its year ending December 31, 2009 filed with Canadian securities 
regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking 
statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information 
contained herein is made as of the date of this Annual Report and, subject to applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a 
result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Also, many of the factors are beyond our control. As 
actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. 
All forward-looking statements and information made herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

02  Chairman and CEO’s Review

06 

Financial Analysis

08  Assets at a Glance 

12  Operations

14  Development

15 

Exploration 

17  Resources and Reserves 

20 

Sustainability

42  Our People

44  Corporate Governance

52 

76 

Financial Statements

Shareholder Information

77  Glossary 

Profile 
OceanaGold Corporation (OceanaGold) is a significant  
Pacific Rim gold producer listed on the Toronto, Australian 
and New Zealand Stock Exchanges. With three operating 
gold mines and a portfolio of assets located in New Zealand 
and the Philippines, the company is forecast to produce 
between 270,000 and 290,000 ounces of gold in 2010. 

Cover
The ‘Haast Eagle’ sculpture by New Zealand artist,  
Mark Hill. The sculpture is part of OceanaGold’s  
‘Heritage and Art Park’ at its Macraes operation  
in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. 

OceanaGold has adopted United States dollars (USD) as its presentation 
currency. The financial statements are presented in USD and all numbers 
in this document are expressed in USD unless otherwise stated.

(b) Distribution of shareholdings 

FuLLy PAID oRDINARy ShAReS

holding

1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 and over
Total number of holders

Number of holders

Number of Shares

2,942
2,269
511
468
64
6,254

1,287,566
5,497,485
3,926,160
12,912,439
204,380,076
228,003,726

Number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel (of 188 shares) – 757

(c) Substantial Shareholders 

The company’s substantial shareholders and the number of equity securities in which they have an interest as disclosed by notices received under section 671B of the Corporations  
Act 2001 as at 16 April 2010 are:

Name	

Fully	Paid	Ordinary	Shares

Baker Steel Capital Managers LLP 

20,197,585

(d) Top Twenty Shareholders

The names of the 20 largest holders of each class of security as at 16 April 2010 are listed below:

FuLLy PAID oRDINARy ShAReS

Rank 

Name 

1
2
3
4 
5
6
7
8
9
10

CDS & Co
ANZ Nominees Ltd (Cash Income A/C) 
HSBC Custody Nominees
National Nominees Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited
Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Ltd 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd 
Goldman Sachs & Co TR (Donald Smith)
Franway Pty Ltd (Kennedy Family S/Fund)
Forbar Custodians Limited (Forsyth Barr) 

Number 

89,488,985
27,271,555
16,905,465
16,742,939
15,270,580
10,222,985
3,474,080
2,000,000
2,000,000
1,988,606

%

39.25
11.96
7.42
7.34
6.70
4.48
1.52
0.88
0.88
0.87

Glossary

Rank
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Name
Tempio Group of Companies Limited
Den Duyts Corporation Pty Ltd 
Hestian Pty Ltd
SFB Investments Pty Ltd (SFB Settlements) 
Yandal Investments Pty Ltd 
Lippo Securities Nominees (BVI) Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd (CFSIL CWLTH)
UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Ltd
Dr Peter Malcolm Hayworth 
Lu’s International Limited 

Number
1,636,800
1,542,855
1,318,123
1,300,000
1,200,000
1,164,516
1,097,890
654,184
533,300
455,700
196,268,56

%
0.72
0.68
0.58
0.57
0.53
0.51
0.48
0.29
0.23
0.20
86.08

A ‘Mineral Resource’ is a concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects 
for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological 
evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories.

An ‘Inferred Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from geological 
evidence and assumed but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is based on information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, 
workings and drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain quality and reliability.

An ‘Indicated Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable 
level of confidence. It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill 
holes. The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed.

A ‘Measured Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high  
level of confidence. It is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches,  
pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and grade continuity.

A ‘Mineral Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when  
the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, 
marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. Ore Reserves are  
sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore Reserves.

A ‘Probable Mineral Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of an Indicated, and in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances  
for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed 
mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably  
be justified.

A ‘Proven Mineral Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material  
is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic marketing,  
legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified.

77

02

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

03

Chairman and
CEO’s Review

Since last year’s annual report was written, 
the company has undergone a significant 
transformation that has seen OceanaGold 
consolidate its operating base in New Zealand, 
make changes to the core management team, 
undertake measures to strengthen the balance 
sheet and most recently, successfully close  
out all remaining hedge contracts to create  
a 100% unhedged gold producer.

Although OceanaGold was impacted by the 
economic volatility and general uncertainty 
throughout the world, 2009 was a year that 
the company focused on optimising its core 
business and this, in turn, underpinned a very 
strong result for the New Zealand operations. 
OceanaGold produced some 300,000 ounces 
of gold for the year which was a record for 
the company.

By mid year, following a A$19 million capital 
raising, the company was well positioned  
to embark on a brownfields exploration 
program with the goal of extending the  
mine reserves at the New Zealand operations. 
A successful start to this program, combined 
with consistent operational performance,  
resulted in OceanaGold being rated as one  
of the top ten performing stocks of the  
year on the Australian All Ordinaries Index.

The business uncertainty however that 
characterised 2008, continued in 2009  
with several major economies including  
the United States and Great Britain falling 
into recession and most listed companies 
continued to experience share price volatility 
as well as challenges managing balance  
sheet risk.

As the year progressed, the international 
capital markets began to stabilise and by  
the end of the year a degree of business 
optimism had returned. Throughout this,  
the US$ gold price remained strong as the 
safe haven investment continued to shine 
through with the yellow metal ending the  
year 25% higher at US$1088.

2009 was a record breaking year in  
which the company posted better than 
expected results across most areas  
of the business and where the focus  
was on delivering on commitments.  
This will continue in 2010.

04

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Replacing reserves at a rate that equals  
or exceeds depletion is imperative for a 
sustainable mining business and thus this  
is an area that has been a key focus in 2009.  
In less than six months, the brownfields 
exploration program has shown success in 
delivering an increase to existing resource 
estimates. In December 2009, OceanaGold 
announced an increase of 617,000 ounces  
of gold to the mineral reserve inventory at 
Macraes and Reefton. Additional increases 
were also announced early in 2010.  
The success of the exploration program 
re-affirmed the company’s view that 
OceanaGold will be mining in New Zealand  
for many years to come.

In Luzon province, the Philippines,  
the Didipio gold-copper project remained  
on care and maintenance throughout 2009. 
During this period, the company undertook  
a comprehensive internal study of the  
project design and capital cost. This study  
will be subjected to an external independent 
review early in 2010 that will help determine 
development options for what is one of  
the highest grade gold-copper porphyries  
at development stage in the world today. 
OceanaGold’s local team in the Philippines 
continued to work closely with key  
stakeholders throughout 2009 and the 
company contributed significant financial  
and human resources to a range of local 
community and environmental programs.

2009 was a record breaking year in which  
the company posted better than expected 
results across most areas of the business 
and where the focus was on delivering on 
commitments. This will continue in 2010.  
As the world’s major economies claw their 
way out of recession, even in the face of 
global economic uncertainty, OceanaGold 
sees opportunities to further unlock embedded 
value within the company. As the fourth 
largest gold producer among Australasian 
based gold companies, with 100% of 
its operations in a stable jurisdiction in 
New Zealand and now 100% unhedged, 
OceanaGold is well-positioned to continue 
to increase its profile globally as a gold 
investment of choice.

OceanaGold’s Board and management  
thanks its stakeholders for their support 
throughout 2009 which, following the 
challenges experienced in 2008, was a  
more positive, dynamic and notable year  
for the company. OceanaGold is excited  
about the performance prospects for  
precious metals and looks forward to 
opportunities that lie ahead in 2010.

As always the Board and management 
welcome your comments at: 
info@oceanagold.com

Jim Askew 
Chairman

Paul Bibby 
Chief Executive Officer

1 April 2010

05

Financial
Analysis

Cash Flow
Cash flow from operating activities for 2009 
increased markedly to $94.2 million compared 
to $47.7 million in 2008. This improvement 
was achieved primarily through increased 
production volumes, significantly higher gold 
prices for spot sales, and reduced mining costs. 

Cash utilised for investing activities during 
2009 totalled $71.0 million which was  
$37.3 million less than in 2008 and largely 
attributable to the suspension of development 
work at the Didipio Gold Copper Project  
at the end of 2008. The majority of 2009 
expenditure was associated with capitalised 
production costs at the New Zealand  
mining operations. 

Financing related cash inflows in 2009  
were $2.9 million compared to $49.1 million 
outflows during the previous year. These cash 
inflows were from an equity raising of $19.6 
million in July offset by $16.6 million for  
loan and lease repayments. 

   The company reported  

a 2009 operating profit,  
before interest, income tax, 
other expenses and unrealised 
gains and losses on hedges,  
of $40.3 million compared  
to $13.5 million in 2008. 

Revenue increased during the year to  
$237.1 million with gold sales of 300,044 oz,  
an increase of 13.6% over 2008. Increased 
spot gold prices, production gains and higher 
grades all contributed to improved earnings 
from operations. There was some partial 
offset from delivery into hedges throughout 
the year.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation 
and amortisation and gains/losses on 
undesignated hedges was $106.2 million  
for the year, an increase of $40.1 million  
over 2008. This increase was driven  
primarily by production together with  
margins through a combination of higher  
gold prices and lower cash costs.

The market to market adjustment to 
the carrying value of derivative financial 
instruments resulted in an unrealised hedge 
gain of $58.2 million, in part as gold was 
delivered into hedges, compared with 
$73.1 million loss in 2008. Interest expense 
decreased to $15.1 million and the company 
reported net earnings of $54.5 million for  
the year (2008: $54.7 million loss).

Results from Operations 
Gold production for the year was up 15.6% 
to 300,391 oz and represents a full year’s 
production from the higher grade Frasers 
Underground mine in 2009. The company 
now has three gold producing operations 
in New Zealand, with the processing plant 
having simultaneous access to three different 
production streams operating efficiency gains 
achieved off-set by maintenance during 
the reline of the auto clave in April 2009. 
Gold production is expected to be between 
270,000 oz and 290,000 oz in 2010 as  
the result of slightly lower average grades, 
when compared with 2009.

The average gold price per ounce achieved 
during the year was $790, a 3.9% decrease 
over the 2008 average price of $822 and was 
impacted by delivery of 35% of production 
into hedges compared to 2008 when the 
majority of sales were made directly into  
spot sales.

During the year, the prices of a number  
of key consumables such as electricity  
and diesel fuel, were well below the peaks 
experienced in 2008 and remained under  
plan for the full year. Offsetting these 
benefits were some increased maintenance 
costs and increased US dollar costs as the 
New Zealand dollar strengthened throughout 
the year. The company achieved cash costs 
per ounce sold of $411 in 2009; $121 per 
ounce lower than in 2008. Cash operating 
margins were $379 per ounce, a 31% 
improvement compared to 2008. 

Increased cash flow from 
operatIng actIvItIes to

$94.2 mIllIon, 

a 97% Increase on 2008

06

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Funding and Capital Requirements 
The company completed the year in a strong financial position with cash on hand of 
$42.4 million as at 31 December 2009 compared to $9.7 million at the close of 2008. 

The table below provides a financial summary for the year ended December 31,  
2009 in comparison to the previous year. 

Table 1

results summary

As reported in the financial statements

Sales revenue

Operating profit/(loss)

Profit/(loss) before income tax

Profit/(loss) after income tax

excluding unrealised hedge gains/(losses)

Sales revenue

Operating profit/(loss)

Profit/(loss) before income tax

Profit/(loss) after income tax

Table 2

financial statistics

Gold produced (ounces)

Gold sales (ounces)

Average price received ($ per ounce)

Cash operating cost

Cash cost ($ per ounce)

Total cash operating cost ($ per ounce)

Non-cash cost ($ per ounce)

Gross cash operating margin ($ per ounce)

Year ended 

31 dec 2009 

Us$’000

Year ended 

31 dec 2008 

Us$’000

237,057

40,287

83,849

54,512

237,057

40,387

25,608

13,743

217,214

13,454

(75,623)

(54,735)

217,214

13,175

(2,494)

(3,545)

Year ended 

31 dec 2009

300,391

300,044

Year ended 

31 dec 2008

259,812

264,124

790

411

630

219

379

822

532

722

190

290

Total cash operating cost ($ per tonne processed)

17.84

20.80

07

08

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

09

Assets at 
a Glance 

OceanaGold’s management team successfully 
guided the company through the global 
financial downturn, ensuring it remained 
stable in the midst of widespread business 
and investor uncertainty. As market volatility 
began to subside, management took steps 
progressively throughout the year to begin 
unlocking value in the company’s assets not 
recognised by the marketplace. In particularly, 
a focus was placed on the core New Zealand 
operation along with strengthening the 
balance sheet and progressing the Didipio 
project in the Philippines.

The commitment and experience within 
OceanaGold’s management and operational 
team is substantial and includes a successful 
track record in project development and  
low cost mining.

This high level expertise and specialist 
attention to projects with superior exploration 
and/or development potential, has seen 
the company establish a solid production 
platform based on its three operational mines 
in New Zealand. OceanaGold’s production 
achievements in New Zealand have earned  
it a reputation for operational excellence  
with metallurgically complex ore bodies  
in environmentally sensitive areas.

The company’s robust production platform 
has also allowed it to operate at, or above 
plan for the last six quarters, culminating  
in an unprecedented gold sales result in  
2009 of 300,044 ounces.

OceanaGold is now strongly positioned to 
deliver on its commitments to the market  
and will continue to enjoy the long-term 
benefits associated with having its major 
production assets located in a region with 
negligible geopolitical risk – New Zealand.

The company also controls the Didipio Gold 
Copper project in Luzon, Philippines. Didipio 
is a high-grade gold-copper porphyry project 
that is partially constructed and the company 
is currently evaluating strategies to maximize 
value of the asset.

Announced A 
comBined minerAl 

reserve 
increAse 

At the mAcrAes mine   
of 754,000 ounces

10

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Operations

Development

Exploration

Didipio Gold & Copper Project 
The Didipio Project is located 270 kilometres 
north of Manila on Luzon Island in the 
Republic of the Philippines. The development 
project is held under a Financial & Technical 
Assistance Agreement (FTAA).

OceanaGold exercises dominant control  
of the prospective Reefton and Macraes 
goldfields in New Zealand. The exploration 
focus is on near-mine surface mineable 
prospects as well as down-dip extensions  
for underground targets.

The company also owns an extensive  
gold-copper exploration portfolio in  
the Philippines, one of the world’s most 
mineralogically prospective regions.  
This includes numerous prospects  
already identified within two kilometres  
of the company’s Didipio deposit.

Based on the most recent 43-101 technical 
report in June 2008, the mine design 
forecasts an average annual production  
of 120,000 ounces of gold and 15,000 
tonnes of copper in concentrate for the first 
decade of an anticipated 15 year mine life. 
Construction commenced on the project in 
2008, however it was placed on care and 
maintenance in December 2008 following 
a general deterioration of global financial 
markets and a marked decline in copper  
and gold prices.

In 2009, OceanaGold undertook a 
comprehensive optimisation study of  
the project to examine and recommend 
avenues for project recommencement.

Macraes
OceanaGold operates New Zealand’s largest 
gold mine, Macraes, located 100 kilometres 
by road, north of Dunedin in the Otago 
region of the South Island of New Zealand. 
The Macraes Gold Project comprises two 
mines; Macraes open pit – which has 
been operating since 1990 and Frasers 
underground which was commissioned  
in January 2008.

In 2009, the company announced a mineral 
reserve increase of 495,000 ounces of gold  
at the Macraes mine. Subsequent to the year 
end an additional 259,000 ounces of gold  
was also added to reserves at Macraes. This is 
expected to extend the mine life to at least 
2016. The mine life extension at Macraes is  
an important part of the company’s strategy 
of extending and maintaining a mine life 
across the New Zealand operations of  
at least 7-8 years.

Reefton
Commissioned by OceanaGold in 2007, the 
Reefton mine is located seven kilometres 
southeast of the township of Reefton an 
historic mining district in the West Coast 
region of New Zealand’s South Island.

The mine comprises a series of open pits 
developed along a major regional shear 
structure and its offshoots. The processing 
plant which has a design capacity of one 
million tonnes per annum exceeded that 
capacity by 28% in 2009. A gold bearing 
concentrate is produced at the facility  
which is then railed over 600 kilometres  
south to Palmerston from where it is  
trucked to the Macraes operation for final 
processing through the pressure oxidation 
and carbon in leach circuits.

Reefton produced a record 87,342 ounces  
of gold in 2009. Based on current reserves 
only, Reefton has an estimated four years  
of mine life remaining. 

11

Operations

   OceanaGold achieved annual 
gold sales of 300,044 ounces 
in 2009, a 14% increase on  
the previous year.

The results for the year were characterised  
by increased revenue from higher gold  
prices and production, compared with 2008, 
and supported by lower cash operating  
costs year on year.

The company recorded cash costs for the year 
of $411 per ounce, a 23% improvement on 
2008 which, when combined with gold sales, 
comfortably exceeded the original market 
guidance set in early 2009 of 280,000–300,000 
ounces at cash costs of $425–$475 per ounce. 
The significantly reduced cash costs were the 
result of the decline in many input costs from 
the peaks experienced in mid 2008 together 
with improved efficiencies and increased 
ounces of production.

Cash operating margins also remained robust 
throughout 2009 and were higher than 2008 
by 30% at $379 per ounce. This result was 
reflected in the company’s reported earnings 
before interest, tax, depreciation and 
amortisation (EBITDA) including gains/ 
losses on undesignated hedges (EBITDA)  
of $106.2 million in 2009, compared with  
$66.1 million in 2008.

Cash flows from operating activities increased 
to $94.2 million compared to $47.7 million 
in 2008. Again, this increase was driven by 
higher gold revenue and lower costs.

Across the year, USD costs increased due to 
the exchange rate impact which saw the NZD 
increase by 25% during 2009, and higher 
maintenance costs which were offset, in part, 
by lower input costs for diesel and power, 
compared with 2008.

The company reported a net profit of $54.5 
million in 2009, compared with a net loss  
of $54.7 million in 2008. The impact of  
non-cash charges for market to market  
gains and losses on hedges was significant 

12

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

between the periods. This does not affect 
cash flow in the reporting period but can 
have a significant impact on reported net 
earnings. As a result, EBITDA and EBIT before 
undesignated hedge gains/losses are reported 
as measures of operating performance on  
a consistent and comparable basis.

In 2009, the increase in gold production and 
average gold price received together with a 
decrease in the cost of sales, saw EBIT before 
fair value adjustment of hedges reach $25.6 
million for the year, compared with a loss  
of $2.5 million in 2008.

OceanaGold finished 2009 as the fourth 
largest, Australasian-based gold producer.

Macraes 
The Macraes project performed strongly 
in 2009, with record annual production of 
232,900 ounces. This result was 27% higher 
than in 2008 and was attributed to an overall 
higher feed grade and increased tonnes from 
the combined Macraes open pit and Frasers 
underground operation. 

Mining will continue at a similar rate in 2010,  
while a number of production improvements 
are also planned, including improved haul road 
construction and increased truck efficiency.

The Frasers underground mine demonstrated 
quarter on quarter mining rate improvements 
during the year. Total ore mined from the 
Fraser’s underground mine increased to  
905,674 tonnes in 2009, a 26% improvement 
on 2008. More than 5.5 km of mine 
development was completed during the year, 
mainly associated with access to continue 
stoping the Panel 2 area. The mining method 
of retreat long hole open stoping continued  
to be successful and the mined grade of  
2.83 g/t was in line with expectations.

Processing plant throughput for 2009 was 
5.64 million tonnes, compared with 5.55 
million tonnes in 2008 with grade through 
the mill reporting at 1.47 g/t which was also 
higher than last year. Slightly higher grades 
from the open pit combined with increased 
tonnes from the underground were the main 
contributors to the higher overall grade.

Total material movement from the Macraes 
open pit was 55.2 million tonnes compared 
with 47.3 million tonnes in 2008. This 
improvement was driven by lower labour 
turnover than the previous year and enhanced 
truck and equipment utilisation. The Golden 
Bar road realignment was also completed 
ahead of schedule opening the Frasers 
East Waste Stack to full capacity and an 
improvement in rock haulage efficiencies  
is expected throughout 2010.

Overall gold recovery was 79.6% and was 
another improvement on the previous year. 
Process improvements implemented during 
the year included increased electowinning 
efficiency and modifications to the 
classification cyclones to increase capacity.  
A number of further recovery enhancement 
initiatives are planned for 2010 including 
expanding the capacity of the classification 
cyclones and further optimisation of the 
flotation circuit.

Mining continued in Stage 4 of the Frasers 
open pit and a cutback of the pit walls 
commenced in the Stage 5 area.  

Process recovery improvements will continue 
to be a key area of focus in 2010.

reported a net profIt of

$54.5 mIllIon

and a 23 per cent redUctIon 
In cash costs on 2008 

Reefton
Higher head grade and further improvements 
to the tonnes processed resulted in a record 
production year for the Reefton mine.  
Annual production was 87,342 ounces,  
a 15% increase on 2008.

Major rebuilds of two excavators occurred 
during the year and following a short slump 
in overall mining productivity mid year, 2009 
finished strongly. A healthy improvement in 
total material mined was achieved in 2009, 
rising from 13.8 million tonnes in 2008,  
to 14.4 million tonnes in 2009.

Total ore mined was 1.43 million tonnes 
and was an increase on the previous year, 
resulting in both tonnes and grade through 
the mill being higher.

As was the case in 2008, most of the material 
movement and ore mined was from the ‘Globe 
Progress’ pit, with minor amounts contributed 
by the ‘Empress’ and ‘General Gordon’ pits.

Overall gold recovery was 81.5% compared 
to 81.8% in 2008. Some improvements 
associated with concentrate filtering  
and handling as well as with the flotation 
circuit were undertaken during the year. 
These modifications have resulted in  
improved performance of the flotation  
circuit and concentrate filter which has  
removed bottlenecks in these areas of the  
process plant and increased consistency.

13

Development

Didipio Gold & Copper  
Project (Philippines)
The Didipio Gold and Copper Project  
remained on care and maintenance in 2009 
while an internal study of project capital  
cost and execution strategy was completed.  
An external independent review of the internal 
study was also commenced late in the year.

Reduced workforce was maintained at the  
site during the year undertaking primarily  
care and maintenance focused activities  
in the areas of environment, safety and 
security of project property.

Site accommodation and office facilities 
were maintained for personnel to provide 
site security, maintenance, environmental 
management and community relations.

All community commitments were fulfilled  
and in some cases expanded, via ongoing 
financial support to assist development of 
priority projects identified in the local area. 
Key areas of community support relating  
to health, education and environmental  
initiatives were undertaken as noted in  
the sustainability report.

Didipio is one of the highest grade gold- 
copper porphyries at development stage 
today and OceanaGold is committed to  
a project development plan that maximises 
the social, economic and environmental  
benefits to local communities in the 
Philippines.

14

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Key areas of community 
support relating to health, 
education and environmental 
initiatives were undertaken.

Exploration 

During 2009, $3.2 million was spent on 
exploration across New Zealand and the 
Philippines. An injection of capital to the  
New Zealand exploration budget late in 
the third quarter permitted an expanded 
brownfields program to be undertaken  
at the Macraes and Reefton goldfields.

Exploration activities in the Philippines 
focussed primarily on field community 
relations and geological reconnaissance 
works. Field sampling activities on Didipio 
regional exploration permits also was 
undertaken with results from these programs 
expected to be followed up in early 2010.

In New Zealand, the company has reported 
gold reserves of 1.9 million ounces and 
controls the two most prospective goldfields 
in the South Island. OceanaGold holds more 
than 28 kilometres of mineral tenements at 
Macraes, as well as more than 30 kilometres 
along the mineral trend at Reefton.

New Zealand

Macraes 
Drilling activities at Macraes increased 
measurably in the third quarter as the 
brownfields exploration program  
commenced and continued to ramp  
up in the fourth quarter.

Significant focus was placed on the historic 
Round Hill deposit with parallel campaigns  
of “twinning” (completed) and “step-out” 
drilling aimed at increasing the confidence 
and growing the overall resource. By the  
end of 2009, 5,524 metres of drilling had  
been completed on both programs.

The results of the diamond drill “twinning” 
campaign undertaken were successful in 
increasing the confidence of the resource  
with no trend in grade bias being found  
when compared to previous wet RC drilling  
on the deposit. This has resulted in the 
upgrade from what was primarily an inferred 
resource to an indicated resource.

The outlook for gold continues to strengthen, 
and in 2010 the company will maintain focus 
on further brownfields programs and begin  
to look at greenfield opportunities at Macraes 
and Reefton. The improving outlook for gold 
is also expected to drive further review of the 
Macraes and Reefton open pits which will 
examine opportunities for future cut-backs 
and subsequently, increased reserve life.

The Philippines exploration program will focus 
largely on analysis of field samples assayed  
in the second half of 2009. The outcome  
of the analysis will determine the next steps  
for exploration in the permitted areas.

The back-road area generally to the east of 
the old Southern Pit underwent a wide spaced 
sterilisation program to allow for planning  
of future site infrastructure, namely a tailings 
storage facility and/or waste dumps. This 
2,300 metre program was successful with  
no significant mineralisation encountered.

To the north of the existing Macraes 
operation, a comprehensive soil sampling 
program collected over 2,400 first pass 
and infill samples over a 36km2 area was 
completed. This work identified a number  
of soil geochemical anomalies which will  
be followed up in 2010.

The outlook for gold continues  
to strengthen, and in 2010 the  
company will maintain focus  
on further brownfields programs  
as well as begin to look  
at greenfield opportunities  
at Macraes and Reefton.

At the Frasers underground mine, three 
separate campaigns were initiated during 
the year. From surface, a nominal 200 metre 
spaced program stepped directly east and 
down-dip of current mining at Panel 2.  
Locally called the Panel 3 program, it involves 
six RC collared holes with diamond tails and 
once completed will be the deepest holes 
drilled on the Macraes field. All RC pre-collars 
were completed and diamond tails commenced 
by late 2009. A total of 4,170 metres were 
completed during the year.

Underground, OceanaGold committed  
to a 950 metre long exploration drive to 
establish a platform from which to test the 
eastern fringe of Panel 2. The total program 
approved includes 9,200 metres of which 
2,297 metres were drilled in 2009.

Financial Analysis

15

Reefton 
Detailed structural mapping of the Globe 
Progress open pit in early 2009 substantially 
advanced the understanding of the ore body 
within the Reefton goldfield. To accelerate 
the Reefton exploration program, the 
exploration team was expanded. Since then, 
data compilation, followed by a structural and 
geochemical review over the field is nearing 
completion and has generated a number of 
near mine targets. These will be ranked and 
the most prospective targets drilled during 
2010. The structural and geochemical review  
will then be rolled out over the remaining 
Reefton exploration area with a view to 
extending the life of the Reefton goldfield  
by advancing near mine targets.

Two diamond drill holes of 280 metres were 
completed to test deeper extensions of a high 
grade shoot beneath the Empress open pit 
located 500 metres to the south of the Globe 
Progress open pit. Significant results include 
17 metres at 2.82 g/t, 9 metres at 3.19 g/t 
and 18 metres at 5.56 g/t Au.

A thirteen hole, 935 metre reverse circulation 
drilling program was also completed to infill  
and extend a high grade shoot within the 
Souvenir open pit located 700 metres to 
the south of the Globe Progress open pit. 
Significant results include 9 metres at  
6.83 g/t, 15 metres at 6.50 g/t, 13 metres  
at 6.05 g/t and 12 metres at 8.26 g/t Au.  
A follow up program of thirteen holes is 
planned for early 2010 and is expected  
to increase the resource.

16

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Australia

Philippines 

OceanaGold has an 18.8% interest in the 
Junction Reefs Joint Venture with Newcrest 
Mining Ltd and Barrick Gold Corporation  
on exploration leases near Orange,  
New South Wales. 

Didipio
Exploration activities at the Didipio Gold and 
Copper Project comprised field community 
relations including presentations to the 
community for various permit locations, in 
addition to geological reconnaissance works, 
mapping and geochemical sampling programs.

Other Prospects 
The company controls a suite of exploration 
tenements in various parts of the Philippines. 
These tenements have been subject to varying 
degrees of exploration by OceanaGold and 
predecessor companies. Of these prospects, 
the main focus was on six Didipio regional 
exploration permits. Field community relations 
activities were completed and then followed 
by a field sampling program.

Resources 
and Reserves 

As at 31 December 2009, OceanaGold had  
total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources 
of 5.83Moz of gold and 0.28Mt of copper  
and Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.34Moz  
of gold and 0.06Mt of copper. This includes 
Mineral Reserves of 3.57Moz of gold and 
0.19Mt of copper.

The tables below summarise the company’s 
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve 
inventories as at 31 December 2009. 
They supersede all previous statements of 
OceanaGold’s Mineral Resource and Mineral 
Reserve inventories. The Mineral Resources 
stated include the Mineral Reserves.

 Resource Statement as at December 31, 2009

resource area 

measured

Indicated

measured & Indicated

Inferred resource

Mt

Au g/t

Cu%

Mt

Au g/t

Cu%

Mt

Au g/t

Au Moz

Cu% Cu Mt

Mt

Au g/t

Au Moz

Cu% Cu Mt

macraes

reefton

sams creek

didipio

total

24.15

2.11

–

15.73

42.00

1.30

2.69

–

1.71

1.53

–

–

–

0.57

–

60.09

9.06

–

47.54

116.69

1.06

1.88

–

0.77

1.01

–

–

–

0.40

–

84.25

11.17

–

63.27

158.69

1.13

2.03

–

1.01

1.14

3.05

0.73

–

2.05

5.83

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.44

–

0.28

0.28

43.34

3.01

13.50

23.80

83.66

1.27

4.81

1.78

0.43

1.24

1.77

0.47

0.77

0.33

3.34

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.25

–

0.06

0.06

For Didipio the cut-off grade applied is 0.4 g/t EqAu >2550mRL and 1.0 g/t <2550mRL. No resource is reported below 2270mRL EqAu cut-off  
is gold equivalent based on US$500/oz gold and US$1.90/lb copper. The Didipio resource was updated in October, 2008 and is presented  
in this report. The Didipio reserve as stated in this report however, is based on the January 2007 resource estimate.

recorded a net increase  
in the measured and indicated  
mineral resource inventory of
0.57 mIllIon 
oUnces of gold

17

  Reserve Statement as at December 31, 2009

reserve cut off grade 

reserve area

proved

probable

total reserve

Mt

Au g/t

Cu%

Mt

Au g/t

Cu%

Mt

Au g/t

Au Moz

Cu% Cu Mt

0.5g/t

0.7g/t

0.56g/t

macraes

reefton

didipio

total

16.42

1.42

21.82

39.66

1.30

2.56

1.82

1.63

0.59

–

22.89

3.98

13.00

39.87

1.17

1.98

0.89

1.16

0.50

–

39.31

5.41

34.82

79.53

1.23

2.12

1.48

1.40

1.55

0.37

1.65

3.57

0.56

–

0.19

0.19

The Macraes and Reefton cut-offs are based on a gold price of US$800/oz. 

The Didipio cut-off is gold equivalent based on US$500/oz gold and US$1.9/lb copper; 0.56 g/t AuEq for open pit, 1.0 g/t AuEq  
for underground. A 0.7 g/t gold cut-off was used in the oxide zone.

The reserve figures are in-situ, delivered to ROM (no mill factor applied).

Technical Disclosure
The estimates of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources in this report were prepared in accordance with the standards set out in the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, 
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves – The JORC Code” (December 2004) as published by the Joint Ore Reserve Committee of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian 
Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (JORC) and in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) under the 
guidelines set out by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. The JORC Code is the accepted reporting standard for the Australian Stock Exchange and New Zealand Stock 
Exchange. Unless otherwise stated, the scientific and technical information in this Annual Report in respect of the mineral projects of the company, updates, and encompasses the following 
NI 43-101 compliant technical reports (collectively, the “Technical Reports”) which have been filed and are available at www.sedar.com under the company’s name: (a) “Technical Report for 
the Macraes Project located in the Province of Otago, New Zealand” dated February 12, 2010, prepared by R. Redden and J. G. Moore OceanaGold (New Zealand) limited;(b) “Independent 
Technical Report for the Reefton Project located in the Province of Westland, New Zealand” dated May 9, 2007, prepared by J. S. McIntyre, I. R. White and R. S. Frew of Behre Dolbear 
Australia Pty Limited, B. L. Gossage of RSG Global Pty Limited and R. R. Penter of GHD Limited; and(c) Independent Technical Report for the Didipio Gold-Copper Project located in Luzon, 
Philippines” dated June 23, 2008, prepared by A van der Heyden of Hellman and Schofield Proprietary Limited, J. Wyche of Australian Mine Design and Development Proprietary Limited 
and J. McIntyre of Behre Dolbear Australia Pty Limited. Each of the authors of the Technical Reports is a “qualified person” for purposes of NI 43-101 and is independent of the company 
within the meaning of NI 43-101. Where Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources of the company’s mineral properties have been shown to be depleted by annual production as at December 
31, 2009, such information is based on information compiled by Jonathan Moore (Exploration and New Zealand Resources), Rod Redden (Macraes and Reefton Reserves) and John Wyche 
(Philippines Reserves) . Jonathan Moore and Rod Redden are Members of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and are full-time employees of OceanaGold (New Zealand) 
Limited. John Wyche is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is a full-time employee of Australian Mine Design and Development Pty Ltd. All such persons  
are “qualified persons” for purposes of NI 43-101 and have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which  
they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. 
Messrs Moore, Redden and Wyche consent to inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

Comparison of 2008 and 2009 Inventories
During 2009 OceanaGold realised significant resource and reserve increases due to an increase to the gold price assumptions used to calculate 
reserves, in addition to upgrading of resources from inferred to indicated which were then subsequently put through an economic analysis.

measured

Indicated

Inferred

2008 moz

2009 moz

2008 moz

2009 moz

2008 moz

2009 moz

0.71

0.09

–

0.91

1.71

1.01

0.18

–

0.86

2.07

1.69

0.67

–

1.21

3.57

2.05

0.55

–

1.18

3.78

1.00

0.49

0.77

0.31

2.57

1.77

0.47

0.77

0.33

3.34

 Mineral Resources

macraes

reefton

sams creek

didipio

total

18

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 Mineral Reserves

macraes

reefton

didipio

total

proved

probable

total

2008 moz

2009 moz

2008 moz

2009 moz

2008 moz

2009 moz

0.53

0.07

1.28

1.87

0.69

0.12

1.28

2.08

0.57

0.28

0.37

1.23

0.86

0.25

0.37

1.49

1.10

0.35

1.65

3.10

1.55

0.37

1.65

3.57

Mineral Resources
The company’s Measured and Indicated Mineral 
Resource inventory showed a net increase of 
0.57Moz of gold between 31 December 2008 
and 31 December 2009 due to:

Mineral Reserves
The company’s Mineral Reserve inventory 
showed a net increase of 0.47Moz between 
31 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 
due to:

Looking Forward
During 2010, OceanaGold intends to increase 
its resource base net of mining depletion 
through concurrent exploration campaigns  
at Macraes, Reefton and the Philippines.

Decreases resulting from:

Decreases resulting from:

•  Mining at Frasers Underground mine, 

Frasers open pit and stockpiles at Macraes 
and mining at Globe Progress, General 
Gordon and Empress open pits at Reefton.

•  Mining at Frasers Underground, Frasers 
open pit and stockpiles at Macraes and 
mining of Globe Progress, General Gordon, 
Empress open pits and stockpiles at Reefton.

Increases resulting from:

•  The reintroduction of Round Hill, Southern 
Pit and Innes Mills resources at Macraes to 
the inventory.

•  Expansion of the Frasers open pit 

allowing transferral of resource from the 
underground inventory to the open pit 
inventory. This reintroduced stockwork 
resource to the inventory.

•  The infill drilling and remodeling of  

Panel 2 Deeps at Frasers Underground.

•  The remodeling of the Globe  

Progress resource.

OceanaGold’s Inferred Mineral Resource 
inventory showed a net increase of 0.77Moz 
of gold between 31 December 2008 and  
31 December 2009 largely as a result of  
the reintroduction of Round Hill resource  
to the inventory.

•  Remodelling and reoptimisation  

of Coronation open pit at Macraes.

•  Transferral of a significant portion of  

Panel 1 reserves at Frasers Underground  
to open pit reserves.

Increases resulting from:

•  The addition of Southern Pit at Macraes.

•  Reoptimisation of the Frasers open pit  

at Macraes.

•  The addition of some Panel 2 Deeps material.

•  Remodeling and reoptimisation of the  
Globe Progress and General Gordon  
open pits at Reefton.

The Macraes program includes defining 
near-surface, open-pittable, resources  
at the northern end of the Hyde-Macraes  
Shear Zone (HMSZ) both via drilling,  
stepping off known Coronation type 
mineralisation, and soil sampling along 
untested strike. A two-pronged approach  
has been undertaken to identify additional 
underground mineralisation in proximity to 
Panel 2 of the Fraser’s Underground mine; 
surface drilling to test mineralisation more 
than 200 metres down-dip of the current 
eastern limit of drilling has commenced,  
as has the development of an underground 
drilling drive, both to prove up sparsely  
drilled resource and to extend mineralisation 
northwards, towards the Macraes Fault. 

In early 2009, a detailed structural map 
was produced for the Globe Progress pit at 
Reefton. Since then structural interpretation 
has been completed over the central portion 
of the gold field. This work is ongoing and 
will be extended over the remaining areas of 
the gold field. Regional soil and rock sampling 
programs are being conducted over areas of 
geological interest. A number of these targets 
will be drill tested during 2010. 

In the light of improving economic parameters, 
the company continues to review its Macraes 
and Reefton open pits for cut-back 
opportunities. 

Financial Analysis

19

20

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

heritage and art park  
(macraes)

21

sustainability 
Sustainability 
Performance Highlights 

Governance and Policy 
•  Reviewed company wide security procedures.

•  Implemented sustainability Key Performance 

Indicators (KPI) and data collection protocols. 

•  Developed a ‘Sustainable Procurement 
Guidance Document’ and commenced 
working with company suppliers to improve 
their management of sustainability issues. 

Environment 
•  Successfully tracked, documented and 
reported environmental compliance 
and management programs, energy and 
greenhouse, water, waste and biodiversity 
and rehabilitation performance across  
all operational business units.

•  Maintained and further enhanced the 
Macraes Wetlands project to ensure 
optimum biodiversity preservation.

•  Produced 7650 trout for release and  
50,000 ova (from broodstock) at the 
Macraes Trout Hatchery.

•  Achieved Reefton certification under the 
Negotiated Greenhouse Gas Agreement 
with the New Zealand Government.  
The Company’s two New Zealand mines, 
Macraes and Reefton, now operate  
under this Agreement. 

•  Completed another four hectares of 

rehabilitation planting at the Reefton site. 
To date, 12.5 hectares of the site has been 
restored. The Year 6, 2010 Annual Work 
and Restoration Plan was also approved and 
an Authority to Enter and Operate granted 
by the Department of Conservation.

•  Recognised for outstanding environmental 
achievement by the Philippine Department 
of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR). The 2009 Best Forestry Program 

22
22

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009
OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

by a Mining Company Award covers a range 
of environmental rehabilitation programs 
within the mining lease and adjoining 
communities. OceanaGold was selected 
the award winner from a group of nominee 
minerals companies who were judged 
against the criteria contained in the  
DENR National Executive Committee 
Circular No. 2008-01. 

•  Extended the Didipio tree planting program 
by a further 8.8 hectares and continued  
the Didipio tree nursery expansion. Since 
2007, OceanaGold has planted approximately 
60,000 seedlings raised from the nursery. 
The majority of these seedlings were planted 
in new reforestation areas, while a smaller 
portion were used for enrichment planting  
in old reforestation areas.

Community
•  Allocated over half the operational spend  
of the Macraes and Reefton operations 
(52.9 per cent) to suppliers with a base 
and/or operations in New Zealand via  
the sustainable procurement strategy.

•  Undertook targeted promotion of the 
Heritage and Art Park at Macraes in  
New Zealand to build greater public 
awareness of the initiative and attract  
more visitors to the area.

•  Struck a new partnership agreement with 
Basketball Otago that will bring a national 
basketball team back to Dunedin for the 
first time in many years. The partnership 
will also develop new, and enhance existing, 
grassroots level youth basketball programs 
while encouraging youth participation  
and athletics development throughout  
the Otago region. 

•  Increased funding for the DARE (Decision-
making, Assertiveness, Responsibility and 
Esteem program of the DARE Foundation) 
West Coast Program in Reefton, New Zealand.

•  Maintained funding for ‘The Inangahua 
Vision 2010’ project that raises funds  
for investment into Reefton’s local 
community initiatives.

•  Began an ongoing series of ‘Medical 

Missions’ in the Philippines in partnership 
with local health units, municipal and 
provincial government agencies and  
Red Cross volunteers. The missions bring  
free professional medical assistance,  
dental and optical services and supplies  
to areas where access to these facilities  
is limited and/or non-existent. In total,  
10 medical missions were undertaken  
and over 3,500 people treated.

•  Remained an active and dedicated 

member of the Global Fund Movement 
Against Malaria, with particular focus 
on the delivery of malaria prevention 
programs in regions close to the Didipio 
project in Northern Luzon, Philippines. 
The effectiveness of the initiative was 
dramatically demonstrated by the province 
of Quirino in Northern Luzon where malaria 
cases fell from a high of 1,230 in 2003,  
to only five by the close of 2009. This is  
a 99 per cent reduction in total malaria 
cases for the province.

•  Continued the OceanaGold scholarship 

program in the Philippines for a fourth year 
providing a total to date of 143 university 
scholarships to Filipino students. 

Recognised  
foR outstanding 
environmental achievement  
by the philippines department  
of environment and natural 
resources 

•  Continued financial support to the broader 
Didipio community through a Memorandum 
of Agreement with the Didipio Community 
Development Association (DCDA). Together 
with the DCDA, the local Barangay Council 
and community representatives, a number 
of infrastructure projects were completed 
by the company including three overflow 
bridges, the upgrading and rehabilitation 
of two water systems, a community 
multi-purpose hall building and perimeter 
fence and upgrade of 450 metres of 
circumferential road. 

   Free education for high school students 
at the Didipio Green Valley Institute, 
elementary pupils at the Didipio Elementary 
School and children attending Didipio’s four 
day care centres was also provided through 
funds managed by the DCDA.

Health and Safety
•  Standardised health and safety reporting 
across the Macraes and Reefton sites and 
contractor compliance was robustly audited 
to ensure adherence to company health  
and safety standards. 

•  Ran numerous training programs across  
the Macraes and Reefton operations 
including work and rescue at heights, 
vertical and rope rescue, pre hospital  
care training, advanced first aid,  
BG4 and CABBA breathing apparatus 
use, confined space and rescue in toxic 
atmospheres and underground rescue 
training. A ‘Healthy Heart’ program  
was also introduced along with health 
checks for all employees.

•  Introduced a new health and safety policy 
at the Macraes and Reefton operations 
requiring all employees to be re-inducted 
before accessing the process area. This was 
later expanded to include the induction 
of all major and minor contractors off site 
in their own work places to ensure all are 
satisfactorily inducted before site entry. 

•  Reduced workers compensation claims  
at the Macraes and Didipio operations. 

•  Maintained the Didipio Health and Safety 

clinic in the Philippines. The clinic comprises 
Red Cross trained paramedics and is backed 
by an emergency response team of select 
security personnel with first aid and life 
support training. Clinic personnel assisted 
hundreds of local community members with 
a range of minor and serious afflictions. 

What Sustainability Means to OceanaGold: Future Generations
OceanaGold is committed to the principles of sustainable development. For OceanaGold, 
sustainability means operating in a way that protects and supports social integrity, 
environmental biodiversity and equitable economic development.

Many of the company’s programs and projects are now based on these criteria, while  
further work will be undertaken in the future to more fully integrate sustainability  
principles into company decision making and management.

OceanaGold is guided by its ethics and held to account by its policies, stakeholders  
and shareholders.

The company’s core sustainability objective is the creation of a positive, lasting legacy  
that ensures benefits continue well beyond the life cycle of its projects. It aims to meet  
and where possible, exceed industry benchmarks for excellence in environment,  
community and health and safety programs. 

In 2007, OceanaGold established a roadmap to help it achieve its sustainability goals.  
Three years on, the results are encouraging and demonstrate the consistent progress 
OceanaGold has made in implementing a wide range of effective and innovative  
sustainability initiatives across the business. 

Action

Track data using procedures  
for inclusion in 2009 report

Measurement

Compile second ‘Towards  
Sustainability’ report

Accountability

Stakeholder and  
shareholder feedback 

23

Key Policy and  
Process Developments 

   OceanaGold retained 

the services of specialist 
sustainability consultancy, 
Net Balance, who reviewed 
the capture of company 
sustainability data.

This review aimed to ensure that OceanaGold 
continues to build on the work undertaken 
in 2008. It will also ensure that the company 
continues to collect robust performance  
data over time. 

The company’s Corporate Social 
Responsibility (CSR) Policy was approved  
by the OceanaGold Board in early 2009.  
This policy outlines the company’s 
sustainability philosophy and can  
be found on the company’s website 
www.oceanagold.com

Through the CSR policy, OceanaGold aims 
to add value consistent with international 
best practice in mineral exploration and 
extraction, environmental stewardship, safety 
and community engagement. Simply put, 
OceanaGold believes it can help transform 
communities in a way that reflects broader 
global sustainability initiatives centred on 
economic development, poverty alleviation  
and improved health outcomes.

OceanaGold’s commitment to building  
strong and lasting partnerships with the  
local communities in which it operates has 
seen the company work with a large and 
varied number of organisations throughout 
2009, the primary goal of which has been  
to deliver long term, positive change.

24

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

sustAinABle Procurement  
in new ZeAlAnd

In 2007, OceanaGold developed its first sustainable procurement strategy  
via development of a Sustainable Procurement framework. The framework  
established a focal point for guiding supply and detailed a clear preference  
for pursuing a local community supply base wherever possible.

Subsequent implementation of the framework at the company’s Macraes  
and Reefton operations in New Zealand also saw development of Supplier  
Prequalification Forms that sought information on a supplier’s financial  
stability, commitment to OceanaGold company policies, the local community  
and continuous improvement. Contract schedule sustainability registers  
were also introduced.

Within two years, these initiatives have enabled Macraes and Reefton to  
allocate over half their operational spend (52.9 per cent) to suppliers with  
a base and/or operations in New Zealand including Otago, West Coast,  
Canterbury, Nelson, Wellington and Auckland. This is a better than  
anticipated result which the company is set to further expand in 2010.

oceAnAGold wins toP PhiliPPines 
environmentAl AwArd

The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)  
recognised OceanaGold with one of its top environmental awards in 2009.

The ‘2009 Best Forestry Program by a Mining Company’ covers a wide range  
of environmental rehabilitation programs within the mining lease and  
adjoining communities.

OceanaGold was selected from a group of minerals companies who were  
nominated for the award judged against the criteria contained in the DENR  
National Executive Committee Circular No. 2008-01.

The company received the award at the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment 
Conference in Baguio City in November. The Conference is staged annually by  
the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), the Mines  
and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the DENR.

Environment 

OceanaGold places great importance on 
responsible environmental management  
at its operations globally. While compliance 
with all applicable statutory requirements  
in the countries in which it operates remains 
the overarching goal, the company has also 
developed and expanded a number of unique 
and innovative environmental programs.

OceanaGold is committed to continued 
improvement in the identification, 
assessment, mitigation and monitoring of  
the environmental effects of its operations. 
The company works hard to plan and 
implement environmental projects that 
protect and support the natural environments 
associated with its operations and that 
demonstrate its focus on international  
best practice environmental stewardship.

Clearly, the company’s activities can impact 
the environment and in some cases, create 
lasting effects. Wherever possible, OceanaGold 
seeks to ensure a net environmental gain from 
its activities and is diligent in its adherence  
to all applicable laws and standards here  
and offshore.

In 2008, the company undertook a material 
issues assessment of all its business units  
and identified the key areas of focus  
and environmental reporting. 

These comprise the following and are 
reported on in more detail below:

• Compliance

• Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas

• Water

• Waste

• Land Use

OceanaGold now employs a company 
wide, structured approach to performance 
monitoring via its environmental management 
data protocols. A series of KPIs have also 
been established as part of this approach 
and relate to the tracking of environmental 
management in the areas listed above. 
Tracking this data, year on year, assists the 
company to better analyse its performance  
and identify opportunities for improvement 
and focus in the future.

More specifically, the protocols will enable 
the company to more accurately report trends 
in the years to come and adopt a pro-active 
response to potential risks.

The company’s environmental policies 
and programs are regularly reviewed and 
for the latest version of the OceanaGold’s 
environmental policy go to 
www.oceanagold.com

Environmental Compliance  
and Management Programs 
OceanaGold’s environmental management 
program is based on the complete mine life 
cycle, from exploration through development 
and operation, to eventual decommissioning, 
closure and site rehabilitation. The company 
seeks to not only meet, but consistently 
exceed regulatory requirements in place 
to protect the environment for future 
generations and safeguard the sustainability 
of nearby communities.

The comprehensive environmental  
monitoring programs in place at each 
company site means it can monitor 
effectively, various key environmental  
factors including:

•   Potential seepage from tailings dams  

and waste rock stacks;

• Groundwater quality

• Surface water quality

• Stream sediments

• Site biodiversity

• Aquatic biological diversity

• Noise 

• Dust

25

Environmental Performance
OceanaGold’s environmental performance against the goals set in 2008 is detailed below:

2009 target 

Obtain or better carbon emission targets set out in the Negotiated 
Greenhouse Gas Agreement with the New Zealand Government.

Continue to accurately report environmental incidents in a timely fashion, 
maintaining the number of Moderate, Significant and Major Impact  
(levels 3 to 5) environmental incidents at 0.

Complete rehabilitation work on 40 hectares in line with the area available  
for rehabilitation and apply maintenance fertiliser to 40 hectares of the site. 

Produce 10,000 trout for release from the Macraes Flat Trout Hatchery.

Maintain the Macraes township and the Heritage and Art Park features  
to a high standard to encourage tourism in the local community.

Bring the site in under the Negotiated Greenhouse Gas Agreement with  
the New Zealand Government.

Continue to accurately report environmental incidents in a timely fashion.

Maintain the number of Moderate, Significant and Major Impact  
(levels 3 to 5) environmental incidents at 0. 

Complete 4.75 hectares of rehabilitation in line with the area available  
for rehabilitation.

Assess pit perimeter restoration trials. 

Stabilise and/or rehabilitate disturbed areas as soon as areas  
become available. 

Maintain the site tree nursery. 

Maintain the tree planting program. 

status 

Refer to 
Footnote 1

A

NA

PA

A

A

A

NA

PA

A

A

A

A

Expand and enhance the environmental monitoring program in line  
with increased activity and development on site.

Refer to 
Footnote 2

(a)  achieved 

(pa)  partially achieved 

(na)  not achieved

1  OceanaGold submitted a draft milestone report to the New Zealand Government on time, in April 2009. The report  

has been reviewed by an external party on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment –Climate Change Office and some  
interim recommendations implemented. At the time of printing, the Government was yet to finalise the milestone report 
which, once done, will allow OceanaGold to complete its annual Negotiated Greenhouse Gas report and post to the 
company website: www.oceanagold.com

2  Due to the Philippines project being on care and maintenance throughout 2009, environmental reporting was in line  

with expectations for reduced activity at site. Once the project moves out of care and maintenance, tracking and reporting 
of environmental performance will recommence at the same company standard for operations. This will be undertaken 
using the same systems and data management protocols that have been applied across the New Zealand Business Units.

Business Unit 

macraes

reefton

philippines 

26

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

didiPio tree nursery (PhiliPPines)

In 2006, OceanaGold established a pioneering and highly productive tree  
nursery at its Didipio Gold-Copper project in the Philippines.

In 2009, the nursery and associated tree planting program was further expanded.  
Since 2007, OceanaGold has planted approximately 60,000 seedlings of various  
tree species raised from the nursery. The majority of these seedlings were  
planted in new reforestation areas, while a smaller portion were used for 
enrichment planting in old reforestation areas.

The company’s 2009 Philippines environmental award recognised the  
significant reforestation achievements of OceanaGold’s Didipio tree nursery.  
(See previous case study).

OceanaGold is dedicated to the ongoing success and continued expansion  
of its tree nursery and reforestation initiatives, both of which showcase the 
company’s world’s best practice approach to environmental management  
in mineral provinces.

The widespread use of environment  
induction programs has also helped better 
define responsibilities and duty of care  
in relation to the environment at each  
of the company’s sites.

OceanaGold has invested substantial 
resources in fostering a culture of continuous 
improvement in environmental management. 
The company’s commitment to setting a  
high environmental benchmark is reflected  
in management of its operations globally.

The Macraes operation recorded three  
non-compliance events. All three were 
classified ‘minor’ and did not exceed the 
‘moderate’, ‘significant’ or ‘major’ categories 
(levels 3 to 5). The incidents related to 
depositional dust, water samples and water 
flow. Two of the incidents have been resolved 
to the satisfaction of the regulator, while 
the water samples non-compliance is being 
addressed by OceanaGold in partnership  
with the regulator.

The Reefton operations also recorded three 
non-compliances related to suspended solid 
exceedances in discharge water. Fines were 
issued, incident reports forwarded to the  
West Coast Regional Council and site 
inspections undertaken. 

Following the incidents, OceanaGold 
recognised that a major water management 
improvement would result from installing  
a full capacity clean water bypass from  
the Empress pit diversion through to 
downstream of the main sediment retention 
pond. A new pipeline became operational  
on 14 September 2009 and no exceedences  
of downstream sediment load limits have  
been recorded since then. The median 
sediment load has also fallen to about  
half of the stipulated level.

The Philippines project did not record  
any environmental non-compliance  
incidents in 2009. 

Energy and Greenhouse
OceanaGold is focused on reducing 
greenhouse emissions across the company. 
Wherever possible it implements procurement 
initiatives designed to significantly reduce 
its largest source of direct emissions – 
transport (diesel) and stationary fuel (LPG) 
consumption. To illustrate, purchase of more 
fuel efficient trucks in 2008 is forecast to 
save millions of litres of fuel over the life  
of the New Zealand mines while delivering  
a large and tangible greenhouse benefit.

OceanaGold is a partner to a Negotiated 
Greenhouse Gas Agreement with the  
New Zealand Government to minimise 
greenhouse emissions.

Results for its 2009 performance are currently 
being finalised and will be published on the 
company’s website once available. 

In the Philippines, tracking fuel and energy 
use at Didipio continued using the data 
management protocols outlined. This data 
will be useful when establishing the required 
systems and quantifying emissions once the 
project is recommenced.

27

Water
Water quality and water use are both 
monitored and managed through the 
company’s established data management 
protocols. The water use data gathered to 
date has provided a valuable baseline and  
will determine company water conservation 
and management efforts into the future.

As the 2009 results illustrate, the Macraes 
operation is responsible for the bulk of the 
company’s water consumption. While 2009 
saw a reduction in potable water used at 
Macraes – from 1917 ML to 1806 ML, it was 
matched by a slight increase in surface water 
consumed from 1869 ML to 2099 ML.

Macraes’ substantially higher water usage 
when compared to the other operations stems 
from increased milling operations at the site. 
The difference in water use is also reflective 
of the site processing ore from both the 
Macraes and Reefton operations.

Water use in the Philippines has remained  
low and is not expected to increase  
notably until such time as the project  
is recommenced.

OceanaGold’s water sources and water  
use are outlined in the graph to the right.

Waste 
Although waste management systems  
have been in place for many years at the  
New Zealand operations, implementation  
of a formal waste data management protocol 
in 2008 permitted the company to more 
effectively track and monitor the type  
of waste it generates and its methods  
of disposal.

At both New Zealand sites, OceanaGold now 
tracks waste by type and method of disposal. 
This information will be used to formulate 
a baseline and to guide waste management 
programs in the future.

Wherever possible, OceanaGold’s waste  
is recycled, with the remainder being sent 
to landfill. Recycling initiatives employed 
by the company include scrap metal, drums, 
cardboard and paper. In instances where 
hazardous waste is generated, it is handled  
by specialty waste removalists.

28

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

2008  Water Use by Source (ML)

4000.0

3500.0

3000.0

2500.0

2000.0

1500.0

1000.0

500.0

0.0

Macraes 

Reefton 

Philippines

2009  Water Use by Source (ML)

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Macraes 

Reefton 

Philippines

Surface Water

Potable Water

Groundwater

Biodiversity and Rehabilitation
Biodiversity preservation at and around 
OceanaGold’s operations is a key 
environmental target for the company. 
OceanaGold’s business units are equipped 
with plans to track and monitor the health  
of ecosystems, while its commitment to 
ensuring a positive legacy post mining has 
seen it thoroughly rehabilitate disturbed  
land and implement closure planning 
processes that also take into account  
ongoing employment, social and  
community benefits.

In 2009, four hectares of rehabilitation 
planting was completed at the Reefton site. 
To date, 12.5 hectares of the site has been 
restored. The Year 6, 2010 Annual Work and 
Restoration Plan was also approved and an 
Authority to Enter and Operate granted by 
the Department of Conservation.

The Macraes mining schedule prevented any 
substantial rehabilitation works from being 
undertaken in 2009, however development  
of a detailed site closure plan was commenced, 
coupled with further work on a comprehensive 
site rehabilitation plan.

Although the Didipio project in the 
Philippines was on care and maintenance in 
2009, OceanaGold maintained its involvement 
in the Mines Rehabilitation Fund Committee 
which continued to meet quarterly to address 
various aspects of the planned project and 
continue interaction with local communities 
regarding eventual closure and restoration 
plans. At present, the Fund contains 
US$124,144.

A further 8.8 hectares of reforestation was 
also planted within the vicinity of the Didipio 
project site. This substantial and ongoing 
initiative contributed to OceanaGold’s 2009 
environmental award from the Philippines 
Government.

mAcrAes wetlAnds ProJect 

A Macraes Wetland Walkway was developed in 2002 to enhance the Macraes  
area by restoring a heavily modified 13.6 hectare site adjacent to the township. 
The site was alluvial mined during the late 1890’s through to the 1930’s and  
then used for agricultural activities including, at one stage, a race horse training 
track. As a result, the site was essentially void of any native vegetation and  
heavily overgrown with gorse and broom.

OceanaGold established a series of ponds and drainage channels running  
through the site and with the north branch of the Waikouaiti River adjacent,  
the area was naturally damp and swampy, lending itself to a comprehensive 
wetland development.

Initial development by the company included clearing the gorse and broom  
and installation of a 2.2 kilometre gravel and boardwalk track. A bird hide  
and interpretation signage were then installed to provide educational resources. 
The main wetland pond was deepened in places by raising the outlet bund and 
excavating islands for bird habitat in the centre pond area and native plantings 
were completed with a view to restoring the area to a mixed tussock grassland  
with shrub land pockets. 

The wetlands project is regularly maintained by OceanaGold staff and further 
plantings are ongoing to enhance the project.

The Wetland Walkway now provides refuge for an array of native and  
introduced wildlife and forms part of the OceanaGold’s broader Heritage  
and Art Park.

29

2010  
Environmental Targets 

Macraes
•  Achieve or better the carbon emission 

targets set out in the Negotiated 
Greenhouse Gas Agreement with  
the New Zealand Government.

•  Renew the wetland walkway and replace 
informative signage to enhance the  
amenity value of this natural attraction.

•  Conduct a three year review of mine  

site rehabilitation activities (2007-2009), 
detailing successful rehabilitation/
restoration to date, and recommendations 
for rehabilitation strategies moving forward.

•  Implement a web-based digital framework 
to support Environmental Management 
Conditions and compliance with statutory 
requirement and environmental permits.

•  Develop and finalise the Environmental 

Management System to provide a 
systematic approach to achieving 
environmental objectives and continual 
environmental improvement.

•  Manage environmental impacts to  

maintain the number of ‘Moderate’  
or ‘Major’ environmental incidents  
(i.e. Levels 3 to 5) at zero.

Reefton
•  Achieve zero environmental  
non-compliance incidents.

•  Complete five hectares of restoration  

in line with available areas.

•  Evaluate the potential installation  

of automatic monitoring equipment  
for real-time monitoring at four water 
sampling locations on and around  
the mine site.

Philippines
• Maintain the site tree nursery.

• Maintain the tree planting program.

•  Maintain established environmental  

control measures.

•  Continue to comply with relevant  
provisions of environment permits.

•  Conduct internal audit on the 
implementation of relevant  
environment procedures.

30

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Community 

OceanaGold takes pride in the partnerships 
forged and benefits delivered to local 
communities at each of its operations. 
Looking beyond social corporate donations, 
OceanaGold strives to create opportunities 
for ongoing growth and development in 
host country communities. Whether it be 
malaria eradication and medical missions 
in the Philippines, or art parks and sports 
sponsorship in New Zealand, the company 
is committed to continued improvement  
in its community programs and initiatives.

Company growth will further expand 
OceanaGold’s ability to invest in the social 
and economic well-being of its communities, 
a major and abiding priority for the company.

oceAnAGold helPs win fiGht  
AGAinst mAlAriA

Until recently, three Filipinos died each day of malaria. With well over  
1000 malaria fatalities annually, the disease was the eighth leading cause  
of death in the Philippines and a large percentage of its victims were  
children and adolescents.

In 2006, OceanaGold joined the Global Fund Movement Against Malaria,  
the Philippine Shell Foundation and the Cabarroguis Municipal Health  
Authority to combat this devastating, yet preventable disease.

The aim of the Global Fund Movement Against Malaria was simple,  
reduce malaria related deaths by 70 per cent by 2010.

Today, OceanaGold is an active and dedicated member of the Provincial 
Management Committee of the Global Fund Movement Against Malaria  
and is particularly focused on the delivery of malaria prevention programs in  
regions close to its Didipio gold-copper project in Northern Luzon, Philippines.

In 2009, the effectiveness of the initiative was dramatically demonstrated  
by the province of Quirino in Northern Luzon where malaria cases have fallen  
from a high of 1,230 in 2003, to only five by the close of 2009. This is a  
99 per cent reduction in total malaria cases for the province.

Malaria, while deadly, is an entirely preventable disease. The Global Fund 
Movement Against Malaria has given the Philippines its best opportunity  
yet to eradicate malaria fatalities permanently through widespread education  
and professional medical care.

 Community Performance 
OceanaGold’s community performance  
against the goals set in 2008 is detailed  
in the table below:

Business Unit

macraes

reefton 

2009 target 

status 

Continue to hold bi-monthly meetings with Macraes Community Incorporated – 
the local communities representative group - and continue to consult with  
local Iwi (Maori). 

Continue to organise fishing days at Macraes which staff and the community 
are invited to attend. 

Ongoing consultation will be undertaken with other key stakeholders 
including the Department of Conservation, Historic Places Trust, Waitaki 
District Council, Otago Regional Council and Otago Fish and Game Council. 

Continue to provide presentations to schools and community groups focusing 
on all aspects of mining including geology and the environment. 

Continue to meet financial commitments to the Inangahua Vision 2010 
project (subject to resolution of project organisational issues). 

Remain actively involved with community groups.

Run an open house day at the Reefton mine site for local community 
members and visitors.

Consider any request to subsidise school groups from all regions of New Zealand 
on commercial tours on a per head basis to encourage visits to the mine.

Continue funding community sports and activity groups within the Reefton 
and wider Inangahua district on consideration of specific requests. 

Increase funding for the DARE (Decision-making, Assertiveness, 
Responsibility and Esteem program of the DARE Foundation) West Coast 
Program in Reefton.

philippines 

Continue assisting the Global Fund Movement Against Malaria program.

Continue sponsoring students through the scholarship program, and to  
which the Company has committed funding to March 2010. 

Continue working with the local council in partnership for infrastructure 
improvements such as public roads, upgrades and maintenance. 

(a)  achieved 

(pa)  partially achieved 

(na)  not achieved

oceanagold ran 10  
targeted medical missions  
in the philippines  
bringing professional
medical, dental  
and optical
assistance to local  
communities in need

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

31

heritAGe And Art PArk ( mAcrAes)

The gold mining industry is the unlikely canvas in a visionary collaboration with  
artists that is paving the way for a mind shift in land use.

OceanaGold has teamed up with New Zealand artists to create an outdoor art park  
on land once used for mining at its Macraes gold mine in Otago, New Zealand.

An unprecedented Australasian mining industry initiative, the Heritage and  
Art Park is a unique visitor attraction based on heritage sites, local ecology  
and stunning, large scale contemporary artworks. It marks a radical departure  
from traditional mine site rehabilitation and has enabled OceanaGold to deliver  
an innovative and iconic asset to the local community.

Land use in the Macraes Flat region of New Zealand prior to modern mining  
was predominantly sheep and cattle farming. Rehabilitating OceanaGold’s mine 
site back to farmland however, offered little in the way of local community 
sustainability or benefits for the wider community.

Alternatively, creation of an attraction that would bring visitors to the region  
and generate local jobs was viewed by OceanaGold as a superior outcome for  
the area and formed the genesis of the Heritage and Art Park.

The decision was taken to build an iconic series of small, medium and large scale 
contemporary artworks to be scattered over the former mine site. They would  
be completely unique and therefore comprise a “must see” tourist destination.

The artworks drew on the talents of recognised local artists with national and  
international reputations and in 2004 the first work, a planting of snow tussocks  
in a grid pattern by artist, John Reynolds, was completed.

Despite being his first venture into outdoor artwork, John Reynolds went on to  
complete a second planting work of 15,000 golden spaniards – another striking,  
tussock like plant. The logistics of installing this work were very challenging  
given no one had previously cultivated such a vast number of spaniards, let alone 
planted them out. In this case, the East Otago Rugby Club formed the planting 
team. Both the snow tussock and golden spaniard plantings are said to be  
the largest art works in New Zealand.

Other exceptional art installations were completed in the following years including 
print media artist, Gavin Hipkins, ‘The Mine’, Jae Hoon Lee’s light boxes in the 
old Catholic Church on Macraes Flat which display images of subtly manipulated 
photos taken in the area, and Mark Hill’s breathtaking, nine metre high stainless 
steel, ‘Haast Eagle’.

OceanaGold has invested considerable time and resources developing the Heritage  
and Art Park which will provide an enduring and positive legacy for the region.

32

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

creAtinG educAtion And cAreer 
develoPment oPPortunities

In partnership with local community groups and educational institutions, 
OceanaGold has developed a scholarship program that provides scholarships  
to local students to attend college or university at Nueva Vizcaya State University 
(NVSU), Quirino State College, St Mary’s University and St Louis University.

To date, 143 tertiary scholarships have been awarded to local students, 15 of 
whom have graduated with a university qualification. The scholarships are made 
on merit and cover tuition and all other miscellaneous school fees. Areas of study 
include Environmental Science, Forestry, Agriculture, Chemistry, Education and 
Hotel and Restaurant management.

One of the many beneficiaries of OceanaGold’s scholarship program has been 
Oliver Donato, a 25-year old resident of the Didipio Valley. Oliver is one of seven 
children who live with their mother. Oliver had wanted to attend college and 
secure a job to support his mother and siblings. Through Oliver’s hard work  
and determination he was awarded an OceanaGold scholarship to attend NVSU.

According to Oliver, the scholarship has not only allowed him to attend university,  
but also become actively engaged in a number of extra-curricular college activities 
including being a member of the school‘s academic organisation – Society of 
Future Foresters Environmentalists and Agro-Foresters as well as the Zeta Beta 
Rho Honor Fraternity. As a member of these organisations, Oliver is able to 
participate in many community programs including tree planting, cleaning  
and other sustainability and forest management projects.

“I am determined to finish university in 2010 and then I hope to obtain a job  
at OceanaGold’s Didipio Project with the environmental team so that I can  
fully utilise my new skills and help support my family,” said Oliver.

OceanaGold will continue to support and fund its scholarship program in 
partnership with local organisations and the Philippines Department of Education.

33

 Supporting Philippines Communities 
OceanaGold support of the communities 
in which it operates begins from the early 
exploration and development stages.  
In the Philippines, the company’s work is 
underpinned by a comprehensive five year 
Social Development Management Program 
(SDMP) which forms an essential element 
of the required permitting for the Didipio 
Project. The SDMP seeks to provide sustained 
improvement in the living standards of the 
host and neighbouring communities by 
helping them define, fund and implement 
the development program. The SDMP will 
continue to be implemented during the  
life of the mine and after mine closure.

In 2009, and under the auspices of its SDMP, 
OceanaGold launched a new and innovative 
medical initiative in the Philippines.

Partnering with local health units, municipal 
and provincial government agencies and Red 
Cross volunteers, OceanaGold commenced 
an ongoing series of ‘Medical Missions’ that 
bring free professional medical assistance 
and in some cases dental and optical services 
and supplies, to areas where access to these 
facilities is limited and/or non-existent.

In May 2009, together with the Kasibu 
Municipal Rural Health Unit of Nueva  
Vizcaya and the Red Cross, OceanaGold 
hosted a Medical Mission at the Barangay 
Didipio Elementary School. Over 260 
community residents were treated for  
various medical conditions. Approximately  
20% received dental work and 23%  
received reading glasses.

Following a request from the Barangay Council 
of Dibibi, a second mission was organised  
to coincide with the area’s three-day Annual 
Barangay Fiesta. Held at the local school 
gymnasium and public market in Dibibi, 
Quirino, OceanaGold together with members 
of the Quirino Provincial Government, 
Cabarroguis Municipal Government, Didipio 
Barangay Council, Barangay Council of Dibibi 
and the Rural Health Unit of Cabarroguis, 
helped treat more than 500 people. 
Approximately 376 community members  
were treated for medical complaints  
and 130 treated for optical needs. 

The Honorable Narciso Kitan, Barangay 
Captain, who opened the fiesta commented, 
“OceanaGold’s sponsorship of the Medical 
Mission and food assistance has definitely 
contributed to the fiesta’s success.  
Even though the company has currently 
suspended its operations at Didipio, 
OceanaGold’s assistance is still felt  
and appreciated by the people.” 

In June, two further medical missions  
were run in Alimit and Upper Tucod, Kasibu.  
In these, OceanaGold partnered with the 
Rural Health Unit of Kasibu, the Kasibu 
Municipal Local Government Unit, Alimit 
Barangay Council and the Upper Tucod 
Council. Over 300 community members 
attended the medical clinics and of those 
that attended, 280 people received medical 
assistance and 55 dental examinations. 

In 2009, oceanagold launched 
a new and innovative medical 
initiative in the philippines.

34

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Following the mission, Upper Tucod  
Barangay Captain, Jose Dulnuan,  
commented “Our community is located  
far away from the hospital so we are  
thankful for this help. To OceanaGold,  
we thank you for granting our request  
for medicine and for coming to our  
area to see our situation.”

Between commencement of the program  
in May through to December 2009, 
OceanaGold sponsored 10 medical  
missions in the Philippines which treated  
over 3,500 community members.

Aside from physical checkups, community 
residents also received free medicine 
including vitamins and reading glasses  
via the missions.

OceanaGold will continue to work closely  
with community leaders and the local rural 
health units in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino  
to examine ways these successful programs 
can be expanded to ensure they continue to 
meet the medical needs of local communities.

In the words of Aniceta Baguilat, a Barangay 
Tucod health worker, “We thank you for  
these medical missions. We need them  
as this is the time when our children start 
getting sick. We badly need these medicines 
as our hospital is located very far from our 
community and we rely on these things being 
brought to us. I am thankful that you have 
been able to come to this far away place of 
ours and I believe that you will come again 
and visit us here in Tucod.”

OceanaGold also continued its financial 
support to the broader Didipio community 
through a Memorandum of Agreement 
with the Didipio Community Development 
Association (DCDA) in 2009. Together with 
the DCDA, the local Barangay Council and 
community representatives, a number of 
infrastructure projects were completed by  
the company including three overflow bridges, 
the upgrading and rehabilitation of two  
water systems, and the construction of a 
community multi-purpose community hall.

35

oceAnAGold nuGGets

In 2009, OceanaGold struck a new partnership agreement with Basketball  
Otago that will bring a National Basketball team back to Dunedin after one  
year of absence.

National Basketball League Chairman, Sam Rossiter-Stead described the 
sponsorship deal as “a major step in securing the team’s future”, adding that it 
was beneficial for the entire league and not just the Otago basketball community.

As a significant employer and contributor to the Otago regional community, 
OceanaGold is particularly excited about the opportunities this partnership will 
provide to develop new, and enhance existing, grassroots level youth basketball 
programs throughout the region.

Community programs such as this will encourage youth participation and  
athletics development throughout the Otago region.

New Zealand
•  East Otago Community Sports 

& Cultural Centre Trust

Philippines 
•  Didipio residents and neighbouring 

communities

• Otago Life Education Trust

• Didipio and Dingasan Elementary Schools

• Buller Arts and Recreation Trust

•  Local teachers, college and university 

students

• Didipio Tree Nursery

• Philippines National Red Cross

•  Buller, Reefton and Cashmere High schools

• The Kids Foundation

• Reefton Senior Citizens

• DARE West Coast Inc.

• Local Sporting Clubs

• Blacks Point Museum

• Inangahua Tourism

•  Waikouaiti Primary School and  

East Otago High School

•  Cancer Society and Epilepsy  

Foundation of NZ

• Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust

• Australian Mining History Association

Supporting  
New Zealand Communities
The establishment of data management 
protocols for community investment activities 
at its New Zealand operations, has enabled 
OceanaGold to accurately track how it 
engages with and supports local communities. 
The community investment spend is the 
Key Performance Indicator that allows the 
company to measure the level of direct 
monetary support it provides. This does not 
include the many instances where ‘in kind’ 
support is provided for various community 
programs and initiatives, nor does it cover 
the cost of staff committed to manage and 
contribute to the programs.

Business Unit Community Spend 
New Zealand (Dunedin, Macraes & Reefton)  
$91,434

Philippines  
$143,708

Some of the community members, 
organisations and programs that benefited 
from company support in 2009 include: 

36

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Community Feedback 

In 2009, OceanaGold continued to refine and streamline its formal and informal pathways  
for community consultation and engagement.

Stakeholder feedback provided via these pathways is viewed by OceanaGold as critical  
to its ability to build strong and trustworthy relationships with local communities.

All company business units are equipped with feedback and grievance mechanisms which 
community members or organisations can use to express their views and/or concerns.  
Again, the data protocols established in 2008 have allowed the company to track and  
collate this information for reporting purposes. This information will also be used to  
determine future stakeholder engagement activities and identify ongoing opportunities.

Business Unit 

macraes

reefton 

philippines*

number of complaints 

number of complaints remaining  
unresolved at the end of the year (2009)

0

2

16

0

0

13

*  Of the 16 complaints received in the Philippines, one was settled in favour of the company and two cases were not completely 
mediated as the complainant failed to present the necessary documents. Of the 13 unresolved complaints, two were previously 
filed in the proper courts, while nine require resolution with the panel of arbitrators as these cases involve surface rights 
acquisition. The remaining two complaints are pending as the company and complainants seek a resolution.

2010 Community Targets

Macraes
•  Continue to hold bi-monthly meetings with 

Reefton 
•  Continue presentations to school  

Macraes Community Incorporated – the local 
community’s representative group – and 
continue to consult with local Iwi (Maori).

and community groups focusing on  
all aspects of mining, including geology  
and the environment. 

•  Continue to organise fishing days at 

•  Remain actively involved with  

community groups.

Philippines
•  Meet funding commitments to the DCDA 

managed community development programs 
and projects.

•  Continue to support community initiatives 
on infrastructure improvements, health  
and sports development.

Macraes which staff and the community  
are invited to attend.

•  Undertake consultation with other key 

stakeholders including the Department of 
Conservation, Historic Places Trust, Waitaki 
District Council, Otago Regional Council 
and Otago Fish and Game Council. 

•   Consider requests to subsidise school 

groups from all regions of New Zealand on 
commercial tours on a per head basis to 
encourage visits to the Macraes mine site.

•  Provide a limited number of places for 

university students to access experience  
in their relevant fields of study through  
the employment of students during the 
vacation periods. 

•  Run an open day at Reefton Globe  

•  Continue to sponsor education  

Progress mine site for local community 
members and visitors.

programs in partnership with local  
schools and universities.

•  Consider any request to subsidise school 
groups to encourage visits to the mine.

•  Continue funding for community sports, 
activity and other groups within the  
Reefton and wider Inangahua district.

•  Aim for zero complaints in 2010. If this 
cannot be achieved, ensure complaints  
are resolved in a timely fashion.

•  Offer time and human resources to assist 
predator control at the Blue Penguin  
Trust Program and the Maruia Pest  
Control Program. 

37

Health and Safety

   OceanaGold places  

enormous importance on  
the health and safety of  
its employees, contractors  
and the communities in  
which it operates. Looking  
after their wellbeing forms  
part of the company’s  
licence to operate and is  
the foundation on which  
its business success is built.

Improving OceanaGold’s health and safety 
performance is an ongoing priority and the 
company strives to create a mindset in which 
its workforce believes that an incident and 
injury free workplace is an achievable goal  
in today’s mining industry.

Training and education are the key to 
development of this mindset and to 
highlighting the principle that all incidents 
and injuries are preventable. OceanaGold’s 
objective is to increase the level of health  
and safety awareness and in so doing,  
make its goals in this area a reality.

Health and Safety Performance
OceanaGold’s health and safety performance 
against the goals set in 2008 is detailed below: 

Business Unit 

new Zealand 

philippines 

2009 target 

Objective to decrease Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate and maintain a rate 
that is below the Australian average. 

Standardise health and safety reporting across all the company sites.

Continue to implement auditing of contractor compliance to OceanaGold 
health and safety standards and requirements. 

First aid and basic fire fighting skills training for all employees.

Conduct bi-annual internal Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) 
workplace safety management plan audit.

Sponsor at least two mock drills at site during the year.

Require at least 90 per cent attendance at OHSC committee meetings by 
available members.

Conduct ‘healthy heart’ health checks for employees.

Continue operating the Health and Safety Clinic at site which provides  
medical care to the local community. 

(a)  achieved 

(pa)  partially achieved 

(na)  not achieved

status 

NA

A

A

A

A

PA

A

A

A

standardised
health  
and safetY
reporting across  
the macraes, frasers 
and reefton sites

38

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

OceanaGold’s health and safety management 
principles dictate that a combined effort is 
necessary requiring not only a commitment 
from management, but a similar dedication 
from its employees and contractors. 
To achieve this, OceanaGold’s annual 
improvement targets are set out to  
be Specific, Measurable, Achievable,  
Realistic and Time framed, or ‘SMART’.

The company has developed specific KPIs  
that refer back to the SMART targets and 
help track its health and safety performance 
over time. These include:

• Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

• Injury Type

• Workers Compensation Claims

Tracking this data year on year assists 
OceanaGold to effectively analyse its 
performance and identify opportunities 
for further improvement, training and 
development. The company has used  
the 2008 data protocols and its health  
and safety systems to help track and  
report this information.

Health and Safety Training
At the Macraes and Reefton operations in  
New Zealand, a number of new health and 
safety training initiatives were undertaken 
including Training for Responders which 
involved work and rescue at heights,  
vertical and rope rescue, pre hospital care 
training, advanced first aid, BG4 and CABBA 
breathing apparatus use, confined space  
and rescue in toxic atmospheres and 
underground rescue training.

A ‘Healthy Heart’ program was also run at 
both sites in conjunction with the company 
health provider and district health board.  
An annual health check for all employees  
was introduced, in addition to back care 
training, first aid and fire extinguisher 
training, driver skid training and ongoing  
drug and alcohol testing.

The New Zealand Macraes operation enacted 
a new health and safety policy requiring all 
employees to be re-inducted before they  
are able to enter the process area. This policy 
was further extended to include the induction 
of all major and minor contractors off site 
in their own work places to ensure all are 
inducted before coming on site. Additional 
back care and correct lifting courses were also 
run for all New Zealand sites and associated 
contractors with more courses planned for 
those who have missed out so far.

In the Philippines, an Emergency Response 
Team refresher course was conducted under 
the auspices of the broader Emergency 
Management Plan currently in place.  
Basic life support and standard first aid 
training was also undertaken in conjunction 
with the Philippine National Red Cross,  
while an occupational health and safety 
training course was attended by two  
staff safety inspectors.

In 2009, a health and safety incident was 
experienced at the company’s Didipio project 
in the Philippines. The incident resulted in 
the fatal shooting of an OceanaGold security 
contractor. It has not yet been determined 
who was responsible for the shooting, 
however OceanaGold continues to assist  
the Philippines police with its investigation. 
As the investigation remains ongoing at 
the time of print, the fatality has not been 
included in this year’s Health and Safety 
statistics. The deceased contractor was a 
respected member of the Didipio project 
team and OceanaGold offered its sincere 
condolences to his family and friends.

OceanaGold’s company Lost Time Injury 
Frequency Rate (LTIFR) increased from  
3.57 (per million man hours) in 2008,  
to 8.12 in 2009. This is higher than the 
Australian mining industry average of 5.

Health and Safety Statistics

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (per million man hours)

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Macraes 

Reefton 

Philippines 

Oceana Gold

LTIFR 2007

LTIFR 2008

LTIFR 2009

*Australian  
Industry Average

39

All operations saw a reduction in first aid 
injuries in 2009, however all sites recorded  
an increase in medical treatment and lost  
time injuries. Clearly, additional company 
focus will be applied to achieving a marked 
reduction in the number of medical treatment 
and lost time injuries experienced in 2010.

Previous OceanaGold analysis of incident 
trends in New Zealand revealed a need for 
stronger promotion of contractor educational 
awareness within the process and mining 
domains of the various operations. This 
initiative commenced in third quarter 2008 
and continued through 2009. This included  
a series of refresher inductions that ensure 
new and current contractors are more 
aware of the health and safety standards 
OceanaGold requires be adhered to in  
order to prevent injuries and incidents.  
It is anticipated that this program coupled 
with ongoing review of all contractors  
health and safety policies and training 
programs generally will help contractor 
personnel achieve the company’s goals  
in this important area.

LTI: Lost Time Injury

MTI: Medical Treatment Injury

FAI: First Aid Injury

While all sites experienced increases in their 
LTIFR figures, Reefton reported a 54% 
increase in its number from 13.11 in 2008, 
to 24.17 in 2009. The majority of the LTIFR 
increase was attributable to minor soft tissue 
injuries with several involving only a single  
day off work. The availability of good medical 
care and support on the West Coast of  
New Zealand continues to be an issue  
for the Reefton operation.

The Reefton workforce also lives in towns  
as diverse as Hokitika, Greymouth, Nelson 
and Christchurch, which has added to the 
difficulty of providing care for employees 
and fulfilling the goals of the New Zealand 
Accident Compensation Commission’s  
‘Stay at Work’ program.

Operations across the Reefton site were shut 
down in February and again in December 
to hold a series of site-wide meetings to 
reinforce the importance of reliably achieving 
the company’s goal of ‘zero harm’. The 
Reefton site is committed to the prevention 
of incidents and injuries by having the best 
risk management and risk mitigation systems 
available in place through a range of methods.

In 2010, OceanaGold will intensify its efforts 
to improve Reefton’s performance in this 
area to bring it back in line with industry 
best practice results, while paying particular 
attention to contractor performance.

To better understand the company’s injury 
profile, OceanaGold has carried out analysis 
of the company’s 2009 Injury Types.  
This analysis is detailed in the graph below.

Injury Type

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Macraes 
2008 

Macraes 
2009 

Reefton 
2008 

Reefton 
2009 

Philippines 
2008 

Philippines
2009

40

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

In the Philippines, injuries recorded were 
within the lost time and first aid injury 
categories. Difficulties associated with 
traversing challenging terrain in adverse 
weather conditions contributed to various 
slips and minor vehicle incidents that resulted 
in the bulk of lost time injuries reported.

Workers compensation claims are detailed  
in the graph to the right.

Workers compensation claims saw a reduction 
in Macraes claims from 23 in 2008, to 21 
in 2009, and a reduction in Philippines 
claims from 4 in 2008, to 2 in 2009. Reefton 
recorded an increase in claims from 2 in 
2008, to 17 in 2009. This increase in claims 
is directly linked to the increase in Reefton’s 
increased LTIFR. While the majority of 
Reefton’s claims related to minor strain 
injuries and are managed by the Accident 
Compensation Corporation, the company  
is determined to reduce the number across  
all its operations and will make this an  
area of focus in 2010.

Contribution to Health  
and Safety in the Community
The company’s first response teams are  
not only on call to assist at incidents on  
site, but also routinely provide aid to off  
site incidents that occur from time to time 
within the communities surrounding the 
Company’s operations in New Zealand.

In 2009, the Macraes emergency response 
team assisted with four emergencies in  
the local community. Due to the relatively  
remote nature of the Macraes operation,  
the company’s emergency response teams  
are more accessible and quicker to respond 
than civil services.

In addition to being first response or mine 
rescue members, many company staff are  
also dedicated volunteers outside of work 
with organisations such as the local fire 
brigade and the St John ambulance service. 
This preparedness to volunteer within a  
range and number of independent community 
organisations illustrates the unique individual 
commitment company employees have to  
the communities in which they live and work. 

Workers Compensation Claims

25

20

15

10

5

0

2008 Claims

2009 Claims

Macraes 

Reefton 

Philippines

The clinic staff comprise Red Cross trained 
paramedics and is backed by an emergency 
response team of select security personnel 
with first aid and life support training.  
Clinic personnel also provide house calls  
when patients are unable to attend the  
clinic themselves. Since the clinic’s inception, 
thousands of local community members have 
been treated for afflictions ranging from 
coughs, fever, body pains and minor cuts and 
burns wounds, through to trauma and other 
major ailments which are given immediate 
treatment and then referred to the nearest 
hospital using the Company ambulance.

2010 Health  
and Safety Targets

New Zealand
•  Introduce the Positive Attitude Safety 

System (“PASS”).

•  Implement the Incident Cause  

Analysis Method (“ICAM”) to assist  
in determining how incidents occur  
and how to prevent them. 

•  Complete internal audit of ACC Workplace 

Safety Management Program. 

•  Develop and implement critical site  

safety standards.

•  Conduct yearly health checks, back care 
training and flu inoculations for all staff. 

•  Ensure health and safety compliance  

across site. 

•  Undertake quarterly emergency response 

exercises and fire evacuation trials.

Philippines
•  Continue operating the Health and Safety 

clinic at site which provides medical  
services to the local community.

•  Achieve at least 80 per cent attendance  

at the central safety committee meetings  
by available members.

•  Deliver relevant occupational safety 

training to at least 80 per cent of the 
members of the Central Safety Committee.

•  Conduct internal audit on the implementation 

of relevant safety procedures.

Despite the Didipio project moving to care 
and maintenance in 2009, the Health and 
Safety clinic established there in 2006 was 
maintained by the company. 

• Achieve nil lost time injuries.

•  Achieve zero notifiable serious  

harm incidents.

41

Our People

James (Jim) e askew
Chairman  
(appointed 6 November 2006)

Jacob (Jake) Klein
Non Executive Director  
(appointed 16 December 2009)

Jim Askew is a mining engineer with over  
30 years broad experience as a Director/Chief 
Executive Officer for a wide range of Australian 
and international publicly listed mining, mining 
finance and other mining related companies. 
He has served on the board of numerous 
resource public companies which currently 
include Sino Gold Mining Ltd, Ausdrill Ltd, 
Asian Mineral Resources Ltd and Golden  
Star Resources Ltd.

Mr Askew holds a Bachelor of Mining 
Engineering (Honours) and a Masters  
Degree, Engineering Science.

Mr Askew is Chairman of the Sustainability 
Committee and Acting Chairman of the 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee. 

Jake Klein is the former President and CEO  
of Sino Gold Mining Ltd, a company he 
co-founded in 2000. Sino Gold Mining Ltd 
grew to become the largest foreign investor  
in the gold industry in China until it was 
purchased by Eldorado Gold Corporation  
for over $2 billion in 2009. Mr Klein has  
over 20 years experience in international 
finance and mining and metals in South  
Africa and Australia, including periods  
at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Macquarie  
Bank Limited. Mr Klein is a non executive 
director of Lynas Corporation Ltd and  
member of the NSW-Asia Business Council.

Mr Klein is Chairman of the Remuneration  
and Nomination Committee and a member  
of the Audit and Financial Risk Management 
Committee.

terrence n fern
Non Executive Director  
(appointed 6 November 2006)

Terrence Fern is Chairman and Managing 
Director of Petsec Energy Ltd. He has over 
25 years of extensive international experience 
in petroleum and minerals exploration, 
development and financing.

Mr Fern holds a Bachelor of Science 
Degree from the University of Sydney and 
has followed careers in both exploration 
geophysics and natural resource investment.

Mr Fern is a member of the Audit and 
Financial Risk Management Committee and 
the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Jose (Joey) p leviste Jr.
Non Executive Director  
(appointed 10 December 2007)

Joey Leviste is the current Chairman of 
OceanaGold’s wholly-owned subsidiary 
company in the Philippines, OceanaGold 
(Philippines), Inc. and has been a Director  
of the Philippines company since OceanaGold’s 
merger with Climax Mining in 2006. He is  
also a Chairman of Pilipinas SIFE (Students  
in Free Enterpise); an international NGO  
in 40 countries promoting entrepreneurship  
for students in universities to help their 
communities, and the Philippine Resident 

42

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Representative of the Australia-Philippine 
Business Council. In 2005, Mr Leviste  
was appointed as a Commissioner to  
the Consultative Commission tasked  
with advising the Philippines’ President  
on the changes needed to the 1987 
Constitution of the Philippines. 

Mr Leviste graduated in economics from  
the Ateneo University with an MBA degree 
from Columbia University and an MA 
Economics degree from Fordham University  
in the United States.

Mr Leviste is a member of the Sustainability 
Committee.

J. denham shale
Non Executive Director  
(appointed 9 February 2004)

Denham Shale is a lawyer in practice in 
Auckland, New Zealand. He was previously 
Chairman of Kensington Swan, a leading  
New Zealand law firm and has been a director 
of listed companies for over 20 years. 

Mr Shale is currently Chairman of The  
Farmers Trading Company Limited Group  
and a director of listed companies – Turners 
Auctions Limited and South Canterbury 
Finance Limited as well as a director of 
unlisted – Munich Reinsurance Company  
of Australasia Limited and several other 
private companies.

He has a Bachelor of Laws degree and is an 
Accredited Fellow of the Institute of Directors 
in New Zealand. 

Mr Shale is Chairman of the Audit and Financial 
Risk Management Committee and a member 
of the Sustainability Committee.

paul Bibby
Chief Executive Officer  
(appointed 5 November 2009)

Paul Bibby is a metallurgist with broad 
international operations and business 
development experience across many 
commodities, with leadership roles in recent 
years at Capral, Zinifex and most recently,  
as London based Chief Development Officer 
with Nyrstar, which was created through  
the IPO of Zinifex’s smelting operations.  
Prior to this, he spent 23 years at Rio Tinto  
in a broad range of operating and business 
development roles.

Mr Bibby holds a Bachelor of Applied Science 
(Metallurgy) and a Diploma of Applied 
Science (Secondary Metallurgy).

matthew salthouse
General Counsel  
and Company Secretary  
(appointed 7 January 2008)

Matthew Salthouse was previously Company 
Secretary and Legal Counsel at Drivetrain 
Systems International Pty Ltd, a multi-million 
dollar exporter of automotive components. 
Before joining Drivetrain, he was employed as 
a Senior Associate at Chambers and Company 
where he consulted on various merger and 
acquisition matters for large scale mining  
and resource companies. He has also worked 
as a commercial lawyer and legal practitioner 
at Coles Myer, ION Limited, Herbert Smith 
and Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Mr Salthouse holds a Bachelor of Laws and  
a Bachelor of Economics, Graduate Diploma 
of Industrial Relations and an Advanced 
Certificate – Business Analysis and Valuation.

marcus engelbrecht
Chief Financial Officer  
(appointed 26 January 2009)

Marcus Engelbrecht has over 20 years 
resources experience and a proven track 
record operating in often challenging locales 
in Africa, Asia and Latin America. He spent 
nine years in South Africa with Deane & 
Thresher Chartered Accountants before 
starting a 20 year career with BHP Billiton  
and affiliated companies.

Most recently Marcus was a Principal and 
Director of Mandate Finance, a private 
company within the financial services industry.

Mr Engelbrecht holds a Post Graduate 
Bachelor Degree (Finance) from the  
University of South Africa.

mark cadzow
Chief Operating Officer – New Zealand 
(appointed 29 April 1991)

Mark Cadzow is a metallurgist with over 
30 years experience in mineral processing, 
precious metals, sulphide minerals and coal. 
He spent eight years with BP Australia in coal 
and mineral research and development which 
resulted in a number of patented processes 
for the recovery of gold and other minerals.

Mr Cadzow joined OceanaGold in 1991  
and held the position of Senior Metallurgist 
and Processing Manager for 10 years during 
which time he developed the Macraes 
processing plant into one of Australasia’s 

most complex gold processing plants.  
He has since become an integral member  
of the management team, most recently  
being appointed Chief Operating Officer  
for the New Zealand operations in 2009.

He holds a Bachelor of Applied  
Science (Metallurgy).

darren Klinck
Vice President, Corporate  
and Investor Relations  
(appointed 23 April 2007)

Darren Klinck was previously Vice President, 
Corporate and Investor Relations at Kimber 
Resources Inc, a gold and silver development 
company listed on the American and Toronto 
stock exchanges.

Mr Klinck is responsible for managing 
OceanaGold’s market exposure and building 
relationships with investor and financial 
networks internationally.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from  
the Haskayne School of Business at  
the University of Calgary.

43

44

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

45

1. Australia

The Board is of the view that, with the 
exception of the departures set out below,  
it otherwise complies with the ASX Corporate 
Governance Principles and Recommendations 
“Principles”. 

A summary of specific matters to note in 
relation to the company’s current corporate 
governance practices is set out below. Further 
information on corporate governance policies 
and practices is available in the “Governance” 
section on the company’s website: 
www.oceanagold.com

1.1 Lay solid foundations for 
management and oversight
The Board is responsible for providing 
strategic direction, defining broad issues  
of policy and overseeing the management  
of the company to ensure it is conducted 
appropriately and in the best interests  
of shareholders.

In summary, the Board is responsible for:  
the management of the affairs of the company, 
including its financial and strategic objectives; 
evaluating, approving and monitoring the 
company’s strategic and financial plans; 
evaluating, approving and monitoring the 
company’s annual budgets and business plans; 
evaluating, approving and monitoring major 
capital expenditure, capital management  
and all major corporate transactions, including 
the issue of the company’s securities; and 
approving all financial reports and material 
reporting and external communications by the  
company in accordance with the company’s 
Shareholder Communications Policy.

The Board has delegated certain 
responsibilities and authorities to the  
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his 
executive team to enable them to conduct  
the company’s day-to-day activities,  
subject to certain limitations set out in  
an authorisation policy approved by the 
Board. Matters that are beyond the scope  
of those limitations require Board approval.

There is a formal Board Charter documenting 
the membership and operating procedures  
of the Board and the apportionment of 
responsibilities between the Board and 
management. A copy of the Board Charter  
is available from the OceanaGold website.

The Board maintains a Remuneration  
and Nomination Committee responsible  
for reviewing and making recommendations  
to the Board in respect of the performance 
measurement and remuneration of senior 
executives of the company. The Committee  
is further described below.

Details of how the performance evaluation 
process is undertaken in respect of the CEO  
(by the Board) and other key senior executives 
(by the Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee), including how financial, operational 
 and qualitative measures are assessed, will be 
set out in the 2010 Management Proxy Circular.

Senior management evaluations in accordance 
with the above mentioned process have been 
undertaken in respect of the 2008/2009 
reporting period.

1.2 Structure the Board to add value
As at 31 December 2009, the Board is 
comprised of five non-executive directors,  
who provide an appropriate mix of business 
and specialist skills and qualifications.  
During the company’s 2009 financial year,  
the composition of the Board was as follows:

•  James E Askew (Chairman and non-executive 
director; executive Chairman for the period 
10 June 2009 to 5 November 2009);

•  Stephen A Orr (Chief Executive Officer  

until 10 June 2009);

•  Jacob Klein (non-executive director since  

16 December 2009);

• J. Denham Shale (non-executive director);

• Terence N Fern (non-executive director); and

• Jose P Leviste, Jr (non-executive director).

Corporate 
Governance 
Statement 

   This statement provides an 

outline of the main corporate 
governance policies and 
practices that the company  
had in place during the 2009 
financial year. The purpose  
of such policies and practices 
is to enhance and protect 
shareholder value, ensure  
risks are managed appropriately 
and maintain stakeholder 
confidence in the integrity  
of the company. OceanaGold 
has established a governance 
system that is designed to 
comply with the regulatory 
requirements applicable  
in Australia, Canada and  
New Zealand. Further  
details are set out below.

46

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 Mr J E Askew was appointed Chairman by  
the Board in November 2006. He was an 
independent non-executive director until 10 
June 2009, when he assumed the interim role 
of executive Chairman following the departure 
of the then Chief Executive Officer Mr S A Orr. 
The Board was of the view that Mr Askew was 
best placed to assume an interim executive 
function for the purposes of facilitating  
a smooth transition between outgoing  
and incoming CEO’s. On 5 November 2009,  
the Company announced the appointment  
of Mr Paul Bibby as the new Chief Executive 
Officer. With this appointment, Mr J E Askew 
reverted to his position as non-executive 
Chairman of the Company. For the reasons  
set out above, and notwithstanding the 
existence of a relationship listed in Box 2.1  
of the Principles, the Board considers that  
at all times throughout the financial year 
(other than the period in which Mr Askew 
assumed an interim role as executive 
Chairman), Mr Askew was an independent 
non-executive director who was free  
of any relationship that could materially 
interfere with the independent exercise  
of his judgment.

Independence of  
non-executive directors
The Board Charter requires the Board to 
assess the independence of the company’s 
non-executive directors by reference to the 
criteria suggested in Recommendation 2.1  
of the Principles. These criteria are considered 
subject to the materiality thresholds set  
by the Board from time to time. In the case  
of service providers or similar, the general 
standard for materiality is that the fees to  
the firm from the company do not represent 
more than 5% of the firm’s total fees,  
nor more than 5% of the company’s total 
spend, in the relevant area and the relevant 
director does not receive any remuneration 
directly related to the company’s use of  
the firm (e.g. ‘finders fee’). The Board may 
determine a director to be independent  

so long as the director retains the ability  
and willingness to operate independently  
and objectively and to challenge the Board 
and management, notwithstanding the 
existence of a relationship listed in Box  
2.1 of the Principles. 

The Board was of the view that, except for 
the interim executive Chairman as disclosed 
above, the non-executive directors were 
independent in the manner contemplated  
by the Board Charter and the Principles. 
Accordingly, during the company’s 2009 
financial year the Board comprised a majority 
of independent, non-executive directors.

Director profiles
Directors’ skills, qualifications, experience, 
dates of appointments and details of other 
listed company directorships are outlined  
on pages 42–43. 

Term of appointment of  
non-executive directors
In accordance with the Articles of the 
Company, the directors of the company  
shall be elected and shall retire in rotation, 
with two or three directors (depending on  
the size of the Board at the relevant time) 
subject to election at each annual general 
meeting of shareholders of the company. 
When elected, directors will hold office for  
a term of two years from the date of their 
election or until the second annual general 
meeting of shareholders following such date, 
whichever is earlier. At the next following 
annual general meeting of the shareholders  
of the company, the two or three directors 
not elected at the prior meeting shall be 
nominated for re-election to hold office  
for a term of two years from the date  
of their election, until the second annual  
general meeting of shareholders following 
such date or until his or her successor is  
duly elected or appointed.

Independent advice
Directors are entitled to seek independent 
professional advice, at the company’s 
expense, to assist them in fulfilling their 
responsibilities, subject to obtaining the prior 
approval of the Chairman. Any such advice 
must be made freely available to all directors.

Committees of the Board
The Board has also established three 
committees to assist it in discharging its 
responsibilities as follows: 

•  Audit and Financial Risk Management 

Committee;

•  Remuneration and Nomination  

Committee; and

• Sustainability Committee.

Each committee is governed by a formal 
charter approved by the Board, documenting 
the committee’s composition and 
responsibilities. Copies of these charters  
are available from the OceanaGold website.

The audit and financial risk management 
committee’s primary responsibility is to 
oversee the company’s financial reporting 
process, financial risk management systems 
and internal control structure. It also reviews 
the scope and quality of the company’s 
external audits and makes recommendations 
to the Board in relation to the appointment  
or removal of the external auditor.  
The members of the Audit Committee  
as at 31 December 2009 comprises:

• J D Shale (Chairman); and

• J E Askew; and

• T N Fern.

47

 Mr J E Askew was appointed as an independent 
non-executive member of the Audit Committee 
on 5 June 2009. As discussed above, Mr J E 
Askew was an interim executive Chairman  
of the Board during the period 10 June  
2009 to 5 November 2009 for the purposes  
of facilitating a smooth transition between 
outgoing and incoming CEO’s. Not 
withstanding this interim arrangement,  
the Board considered it appropriate that  
Mr Askew continue to serve on the 
committee given the nature of his interim 
appointment and that it was not considered 
to materially interfere with the independent 
exercise of his judgment. Except for this 
interim period, the Audit Committee consisted 
only of independent non-executive directors.  
Further, Mr Jacob Klein, who was appointed 
non-executive director on 16 December 2009, 
joined the Audit Committee subsequent to 
year end on 17 February 2010.

The Board considers that the skills, experience 
and independence of the current Audit 
Committee members allow the Committee  
to discharge its functions in accordance  
with the Principles. Further, the committee  
is authorised by its charter to retain, at  
the company’s expense, outside counsel, 
consultants or advisors. 

The remuneration and nomination 
committee is responsible for reviewing  
and making recommendations to the  
Board in respect of: 

•  Recruitment, retention, remuneration, 

performance management and termination 
policies and procedures for non-executive 
directors, the CEO and any other executive 
director, the company secretary and all 
senior executives reporting directly  
to the CEO;

•  Considering nominees for independent 

directors of the company;

•  Establishing processes for the review of the 
performance of individual directors, Board 
committees and the Board as a whole;

•  Planning for the succession of directors  
and executive officers of the company  
to ensure that the Board and management 
have appropriate skill and experience; and 

•  The skills and competencies required on  
the Board and the extent to which the  
those skills are represented on the Board. 

The Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee Charter includes the:

•  Key elements of the performance  

evaluation process;

•  Appointment letter used by the company  

to appoint new directors and inform  
new directors of their roles and 
responsibilities; and

•  Induction procedures and policies for new 
directors (including procedures for briefing 
new directors on the company, its business 
and the gold industry in general).

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee 
is required to meet at lease twice a year  
and to report to the Board following each 
meeting. The Company Secretary is also  
the secretary of the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee. During the Company’s 
2009 financial year, the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee conducted reviews  
of performance, remuneration and skills  
and competencies of individual directors, 
Board committees and the Board as a whole 
in accordance with the procedure set out  
in the Charter and made recommendations  
in accordance with its Charter.

The members of the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee as at 31 December 
2009 comprises:

• J E Askew (Chairman); and

• T N Fern.

The Board considers that the skills,  
experience and independence of the  
current Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee members allow the committee  
to discharge its functions in accordance  
with the Principles. Further, the committee  
is authorised by its charter to access 
professional advice from employees  
of the company and from appropriate  
external advisors.

The sustainability committee is responsible 
for reviewing and making recommendations 
to the Board in respect of the management  
of technical risk and the furtherance of the 
company’s commitments to environmentally 
sound and responsible resource development 
and a healthy and safe work environment.  
As at 31 December 2009, members of the 
Sustainability Committee are:

• J E Askew (Chairman);

• J D Shale; and

• J P Leviste Jr.

With the exceptions noted above, each 
committee contained a majority of independent 
non-executive directors during the period 
under review. It is customary for the chairman 
to invite company executives (including the 
CEO) to attend committee meetings.

48

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Participation in Board and Committee meetings
For the period under review, director’s participation in meetings of the Board and sub-committees is summarised in the table below. 

director

J E Askew

S A Orr  
(until 10 June 2009)

J D Shale

T Fern

J P Leviste Jr

Jacob Klein  
(since 16 December 2009)

Board of directors 

audit and risk committee

remuneration and 
nomination committee

sustainability committee

number  
held

number  
attended

number  
held

number  
attended

number 
held

number 
attended

number 
held

number 
attended

8

4

8

8

8

0

8

4

8

8

8

0

2

2

4

4

2

2

4

3

- Non-member

3

1

3

1

- Non-member

3

3

- Non-member

1

0

1

1

0

1

- Non-member

1

1

- Non-member

- Non-member

- Non-member

dealing in the company’s securities.  
An internal disclosure procedure applies  
to directors and senior employees wishing  
to buy or sell company securities or exercise 
options over company securities. Directors 
also have specific disclosure obligations under 
laws and regulations applicable in Australia  
and Canada.

Copies of the Codes and the Securities 
Trading Policy are available on the 
OceanaGold website.

1.3 Promote ethical and 
responsible decision making
The Board supports high standards of 
ethical behaviour and requires all directors, 
employees and contractors to act with 
integrity at all times.

The company has both a Corporate Code  
of Conduct and a Directors Code of Conduct  
that seek to foster high standards of ethics 
and accountability among directors, 
employees and contractors in carrying 
out the company’s business. The Codes 
provide guidance on a variety of matters 
such as expected standards of behaviour, 
confidentiality, securities dealing, public 
statements, use of company property, 
conflicts of interest and financial reporting.

The Codes are supplemented by formal 
policies and procedures in relation to matters 
such as health and safety, environment  
and community, discrimination, harassment 
and bullying, diversity and equal opportunity 
and investor relations. 

Specific issues of note are summarised below:

directors’ conflicts of interest – directors 
of the company must keep the Board advised, 
on an ongoing basis, of any material personal 
interest in a matter that relates to the affairs 
of the company. Where a director has a 
material personal interest in a matter, the 
director concerned will absent himself from 
Board discussions of the matter and will not 
cast a vote in relation to the matter; and

securities trading policy – the company’s 
comprehensive securities dealing policy 
applies to all directors, employees and 
contractors. The policy prohibits trading  
in the company’s securities by directors, 
employees or contractors at any time when 
they are in possession of price sensitive 
information that is not generally available  
to the market. In addition, the policy places  
a total embargo on short term trading by 
directors and senior employees at all times. 
The policy further identifies “blackout” 
periods where directors and senior 
management are embargoed from  

49

1.4 Safeguard integrity  
in financial reporting
As noted above under section 1.2, the 
company has established an Audit and 
Financial Risk Management Committee  
to oversee financial reporting and  
safeguard integrity.

Details of the Audit and Financial Risk 
Management Committee membership and 
meetings attended are set out in section 1.2.

1.5 Make timely and  
balanced disclosure
The company has developed a Continuous 
Disclosure Policy and related procedures  
to ensure timely and balanced disclosure  
to stakeholders. A copy of the Policy is 
available on the OceanaGold website. 

The company complies with its continuous 
disclosure obligations by ensuring that price 
sensitive information is identified, reviewed 
by management and disclosed to applicable 
listing regulators in a timely manner and 
that all such information is posted on the 
OceanaGold website as soon as possible after 
disclosure. The company secretary manages 
compliance with the company’s continuous 
disclosure obligations and communications 
with applicable listing regulators.

1.6 Respect the  
rights of shareholders
The Board aims to ensure that shareholders 
are kept informed of all major developments 
affecting the company by communicating 
information through continuous disclosure, 
periodic reporting, investor briefings and 
presentations at the company’s annual 
general meetings. The company posts public 
announcements, notices of general meetings, 
reports to shareholders, presentations  
and other investor-related information  
on the company’s website. Shareholders  
are encouraged to attend all meetings or,  
if unable to attend, to vote on the resolutions 
proposed by appointing a proxy.

The company’s auditor attends each annual 
general meeting and is available to answer 
questions about the conduct of the audit  
and the preparation and contents of the 
auditor’s report.

The company has adopted a Shareholder 
Communications Guidelines and Policy, 
available on the OceanaGold website.

1.7 Recognise and manage risk
The Board is responsible for risk oversight  
and management, and is assisted in the 
discharge of its responsibilities in relation  
to risk by both the Audit and Financial  
Risk Management Committee and the 
Sustainability Committee.

The Board has delegated day-to-day 
responsibility for risk management and internal 
controls, including the implementation of 
systems to manage material business risk,  
to the CEO. The CEO is primarily responsible 
for identifying risks, monitoring risks, 
promptly communicating risk events to  
the Board, responding to risk events and 
reporting to the Board on the effectiveness  
of the Company’s management of its material 
business risks. The Board confirms that 
management has reported to it as to the 
effectiveness of the company’s management 
of its material business risks. Communication 
to investors of any material changes to the 
Company’s risk profile is covered by the 
Company’s Continuous Disclosure Policy.

The Company’s risk management framework 
includes various internal controls and written 
policies, such as policies regarding authority 
levels for expenditure, commitments and 
general decision making and policies and 
procedures relating to health, safety and 
environment designed to ensure a high 
standard of performance and regulatory 
compliance. 

The Board requires the CEO and Chief 
Financial Officer to confirm in writing, 
on an annual basis, that the Company’s 
financial reports present a true and fair 
view of the Company’s financial position 
and performance, have been prepared 
in accordance with relevant accounting 
standards and are based on the Company’s 
internal systems of financial control and 
compliance. The Board has received this 
confirmation for the 2009 financial year 
and management has confirmed that the 
company’s internal systems are operating 
effectively in all material respects in  
relation to financial reporting risks. 

50

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

1.9 Additional information
In addition to the above and as a  
pre-condition to initial listing on the  
ASX, the company notes as follows:

•  The company’s jurisdiction of incorporation 

is British Columbia, Canada;

•  The company is not subject to Chapters 6, 
6A, 6B or 6C of the Corporations Act; and

•  No limitations have been placed on the 
acquisition of securities in the place  
of incorporation.

2. Canada

In addition to Australian requirements, 
the company also complies with specific 
Canadian corporate governance obligations. 
In accordance with Canadian requirements, 
specific disclosures are contained in 
the company’s proxy circular, furnished 
to shareholders in connection with the 
company’s annual general meeting. 

3. New Zealand

New Zealand shareholders should note  
that the company is listed with the Toronto 
Stock Exchange (TSX) as its home exchange. 
The TSX corporate governance rules and 
principles may materially differ from the  
New Zealand Exchange Limited (NZX) 
corporate governance rules and the principles 
of the Corporate Governance Best Practice 
Code of NZX. More information about the 
corporate governance principles of the TSX  
is available from the TSX website at 
www.tsx.com

1.8 Remunerate  
fairly and responsibly
As noted above, the Board maintains a 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee 
responsible for making recommendations  
to the Board regarding remuneration.  
The committee’s charter is available on  
the OceanaGold website. This charter  
forms the basis for the company’s 
remuneration policies and procedures.

Details of Remuneration and Nomination 
Committee composition and attendance  
are set out above in section 1.2.

As the company is incorporated in Canada, 
it is not required to comply with section 
300A of the Corporations Act or Accounting 
Standard AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures. 
The company is however required under 
Canadian law to provide details on director 
and senior executive compensation 
arrangements and these details can be  
found in the Management Proxy Circular. 
Whilst these disclosures are not materially  
the same as would otherwise be disclosed  
if the company were incorporated in Australia 
and regulated by the Corporations Act,  
the company regards such disclosures as 
providing shareholders with an appropriate 
level of information.

51

52

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

54  management’s responsibility for the financial statements

55  Auditors’ report

56  consolidated Balance sheets

57  consolidated statements of operations

57  consolidated statements of Accumulated deficit

57  consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss)

58  consolidated statements of cash flows

59  notes to consolidated financial statements

this report does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United states or to  
any person that is, or is acting for the account or benefit of, any U.s. person (as defined in 
regulation s under the United states securities act of 1933, as amended (the “securities act”)) 
(“U.s. person”), or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. the securities 
have not been and will not be registered under the securities act, and may not be offered or sold 
in the United states or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.s. persons unless the securities are 
registered under the securities act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 
securities act is available. the securities may be offered and sold solely in “offshore transactions” 
in reliance on regulation s under the securities act.

53

management’s responsibility for financial reporting

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of OceanaGold Corporation were prepared by management in 
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Management acknowledges responsibility for the 
preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements, including responsibility for significant accounting 
judgments and estimates and the choice of accounting principles and methods that are appropriate to OceanaGold 
Corporation and the entities it controls (“the Group’s”) circumstances. The significant accounting policies of the  
Group are summarised in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Management has established systems of internal control over the financial reporting process, which are designed  
to provide reasonable assurance that relevant and reliable financial information is produced. 

The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements and for 
ensuring that management fulfils its financial reporting responsibilities. An Audit and Financial Risk Management 
Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling this responsibility. The members of the Audit and Financial Risk 
Management Committee are not officers of the Group. The Audit and Financial Risk Management Committee meets 
with management to review the internal controls over the financial reporting process, the consolidated financial 
statements and the auditors’ report. The Audit and Financial Risk Management Committee reports its findings  
to the Board of Directors for its consideration in approving the consolidated financial statements for issuance  
to the shareholders. 

Management recognises its responsibility for conducting the Group’s affairs in compliance with established financial 
standards, and applicable laws and regulations, and for maintaining proper standards of conduct for its activities.

Paul Bibby 
Chief Executive Officer 
Melbourne, Australia 

marcus engelbrecht 
Chief Financial Officer 
Melbourne, Australia

February 25, 2010 

February 25, 2010

54

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

To the Shareholders of OceanaGold Corporation

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of OceanaGold Corporation as at December 31, 2009 and December 
31, 2008 the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income / (Loss), the consolidated statements 
of accumulated deficit and consolidated statements of cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements 
are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require 
that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material 
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made  
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.

In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position  
of the company as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash  
flows for the years then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Pricewaterhousecoopers
Melbourne, Australia

February 25, 2010

PricewaterhouseCoopers  
ABN 52 780 433 757 

Freshwater Place  
2 Southbank Boulevard  
SOUTHBANK VIC 3006  
GPO Box 1331 
MELBOURNE VIC 3001  
DX 77  
Telephone 61 3 8603 1000  
Facsimile 61 3 8603 1999  
www.pwc.com/au 

55

2009
$’000

42 423

3 460

25 315

1 116

141

9 006

81 461

33 133

-

8 684

118 156

546 272

706 245

787 706

29 996

2 358

89 875

62 794

38

185 061

2 709

69

-

77 753

120 880

8 621

210 032

395 093

354 915

(57 014)

32 690

62 022

392 613

787 706

2008
$’000

9 711

2 680

21 910

961

1 493

8 936

45 691

18 763

1 997

31 175

131 377

400 987

584 299

629 990

24 459

1 726

48 780

14 087

53

89 105

3 216

68

80 066

61 457

142 625

6 797

294 229

383 334

334 975

(111 526)

33 897

(10 690)

246 656

629 990

consolidated Balance sheets
As at December 31 2009

(in thousands of United states dollars)

notes

assets

current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounts receivable and other receivables

Inventories

Prepayments

Derivatives

Future income tax assets

total current assets

non-current assets

Inventories

Derivatives

Future income tax assets

Property, plant and equipment

Mining assets

total non-current assets

total assets

liaBilities and sHaReHoldeRs’ eQuitY

current liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Employee benefits

Derivatives

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Asset retirement obligation

total current liabilities

non-current liabilities

Other long term obligations

Employee benefits

Derivatives 

Future income tax liabilities 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Asset retirement obligation

total non-current liabilities

total liabilities

sHaReHoldeRs’ eQuitY

Share Capital 

Accumulated deficit

Contributed surplus

Accumulated other comprehensive income

total shareholders’ equity

total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

Nature of operations

Commitments 

Contingencies

On behalf of the Board of Directors: 

8

9

20

6

9

20

6

10

11

19

20

13

12

19

20

6

13

12

14

16

15

1

23

24

James Askew 
Director

J denham shale 
Director

The accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

56

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31 2009

(in thousands of United States dollars except per share amounts)

Notes

Revenue 

Gold sales

Release from other comprehensive income of deferred  
unrealised gain on designated hedges

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation and amortisation

General & administration

Other (expenses)/income

Interest expense and other finance charges

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Loss on disposal of equipment 

Gain/(loss) on fair value of derivative instruments

Interest income

Other income 

Earnings/(loss) before income taxes

Income taxes benefit/(expense)

Net earnings/(loss)

Net earnings/(loss) per share:

- basic 

- diluted 

Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Deficit
For the year ended December 31 2009

(in thousands of United States dollars)

Accumulated deficit at beginning of period

Net earnings/(loss)

Accumulated deficit at end of period

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
For the year ended December 31 2009

(in thousands of United States dollars)

Net earnings/(loss)

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax:

Cash flow hedge gain/(loss), net of tax

Currency translation differences

Comprehensive income/(loss)

5

6

7

Notes

Notes

15

15

2009 
$’000

237 057

-

237 057

(121 310)

(66 181)

(9 179)

40 387

(15 086)

(24)

(400)

(15 510)

58 241

697

34

83 849

(29 337)

54 512

$0.32

$0.29

2009 
$’000

(111 526)

54 512

(57 014)

2009 
$’000

54 512

-

72 712

72 712

127 224

2008 
$’000

217 214

279

217 493

(138 154)

(50 547)

(15 338)

13 454

(20 992)

2 254

-

(18 738)

(73 408)

2 936

133

(75 623)

20 888

(54 735)

($0.34)

($0.34)

2008 
$’000

(56 791)

(54 735)

(111 526)

2008 
$’000

(54 735)

(882)

(53 410)

(54 292)

(109 027)

The accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

57

2009
$’000

54 512

66 181

400

2 861

(210)

(171)

(855)

(58 241)

29 337

494

(2 501)

2 916

(540)

94 183

27

(6 696)

(2 168)

(3 022)

(59 154)

(71 013)

20 698

(1 122)

(7 605)

-

(9 038)

2 933

6 609

32 712

9 711

42 423

(11 674)

2008
$’000

(54 735)

50 547

(34)

6 062

-

(2 998)

1 518

73 408

(20 888)

(555)

(5 811)

5 153

(3 942)

47 725

46

(2 974)

(5 381)

(56 373)

(43 634)

(108 316)

-

-

(7 513)

(25 906)

(15 715)

(49 134)

(401)

(110 126)

119 837

9 711

(15 130)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31 2009

(in thousands of United States dollars)

Operating activities

Net earnings/(loss)

Charges/(credits) not affecting cash

Depreciation and amortisation expense

Net loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Non-cash interest charges 

Accrued interest income

Unrealised foreign exchange gains

Stock based compensation charge

Non-cash derivative (gain)/ expense

Future tax expense/(benefit)

Changes in non-cash working capital

(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable and other receivables

Increase in inventory

Increase in accounts payable

Decrease in other working capital

Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Payments for mining assets: exploration and evaluation

Payments for mining assets: development

Payments for mining assets: in production

Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing activities

Proceeds on issue of capital stock

Payment of transaction costs for equity raising

Payment of finance lease liabilities

Settlement of derivatives

Repayments from other borrowings

Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash held in foreign currency

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Cash interest paid

58

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

1 NATURE OF OPERATIONS

OceanaGold Corporation (“OceanaGold”) is engaged in exploration and the development and operation of gold and other mineral mining activities. OceanaGold is a significant gold  
producer and is operating two open cut mines and an underground mine at Macraes and Reefton in New Zealand. The group also has the Didipio Gold-Copper Project in the Philippines  
as part of its portfolio.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“Canadian GAAP”) applicable to a going 
concern, which contemplates the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business, as they fall due. 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported a profit of $54.5m. As at December 31, 2009 the current liabilities of the company exceeded current assets  
by $103.6m and included derivative liabilities of $89m, which will be settled from future gold production, and $48.7m of convertible notes with a call option held by the note holders,  
for repayment in December 2010. The company has cash on hand of $42.4m and cash flow projections indicate sufficient funds to meet all operating obligations for at least 12 months.  
However a funding shortfall was forecast to arise if all convertible note call options were exercised by the note holders, prior to completion of the committed equity raising described below.

On February 19, 2010 the Company announced that it has secured, through the issue of 27,099,132 Subscription Receipts in Canada and 10,949,648 CHESS Depository Interests (CDI’s)  
in Australia, an equity raising of C$78m (before costs) at a price equivalent to C$2.05 per share. The Subscription Receipts will be converted to common shares and the CDI’s will be issued, 
on shareholder approval, at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on March 25, 2010. The proceeds from the Subscription Receipts will be held in escrow until the Release Conditions 
(which include shareholder approval) have been met. The company expects these conditions will be met by 31 March 2010.

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Foreign currency translation

These consolidated financial statements are expressed in United States dollars (“US$”) which is the reporting currency. The controlled entities of OceanaGold have either US Dollars, Australian 
dollars (“A$”) or New Zealand dollars (“NZ$”) as their functional currency. The financial statements of the Group have been translated to the reporting currency using the current rate method 
described below.

The Group employs the current rate method of translation for its self-sustaining operations. Under this method, all assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end rates and all revenue and 
expense items are translated at the average monthly exchange rates for recognition in income. Differences arising from these foreign currency translations are recorded in shareholders’ equity 
as a component of other comprehensive income until they are realized by a reduction in the net investment. 

The Group employs the temporal method of translation for its integrated operations. Under this method, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end rates and all other assets 
and liabilities are translated at applicable historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense items are translated at the rate of exchange in effect at the date the transactions are recognized in 
income, with the exception of depreciation and amortisation which is translated at the historical rate for the associated asset. Exchange gains and losses and currency translation adjustments 
are included in income. 

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated 
financial statements and related notes. Significant areas where management’s judgement is applied include ore reserve and resource determinations, carrying values of exploration and 
evaluation assets, carrying values of mine development costs, plant and equipment lives, contingent liabilities, current tax provisions and future tax balances and asset retirement  
obligations. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet comprise cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are initially recorded at the amount of contracted sales proceeds, and then subsequently carried at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts. 

Inventories

Bullion and ore

Inventories are valued at the lower of weighted average cost and net realisable value. Costs include mining and production costs as well as commercial, environmental, health and safety 
expenses, and stock movements.

Gold in circuit

Gold in circuit is valued at the lower of weighted average cost and net realisable value. The average cash cost of production for the month is used and allocated to gold that is in the circuit at 
period end. These costs include mining and production costs as well as commercial, environmental, health and safety expenses, and stock movements.

Stores

Inventories of consumable supplies and spare parts are valued at cost less a provision for obsolescence. Cost is assigned on a weighted average basis.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. All such assets, except freehold land, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives on a straight line, reducing 
balance or units of production basis, as considered appropriate, commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use.

Depreciation rates used: 
Buildings 
Mining equipment 
Other plant and equipment 

Impairment 

5% per annum straight line  
unit of production based on reserves and certain resources 
8% – 33% per annum straight line 
20% – 30% per annum reducing balance

The carrying values of plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. If any such indication 
exists and where the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows from these assets, the assets are written down to fair value. 

59

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Exploration, Evaluation, Development and Restoration Costs

Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure

Exploration and evaluation expenditure is stated at cost and is accumulated in respect of each identifiable area of interest. 

Such costs are only carried forward to the extent that they are expected to be recovered through the successful development of the area of interest (or alternatively by its sale),  
or where activities in the area have not yet reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable resources, and where  
active work is continuing.

Accumulated costs in relation to an abandoned area are written off to the statement of operations in the period in which the decision to abandon the area is made.

A regular review is undertaken of each area of interest to determine the appropriateness of continuing to carry forward costs in relation to that area of interest.

Mining Properties in Production or Under Development

Mining properties in production (including exploration, evaluation and development expenditure) are accumulated and brought to account at cost less accumulated amortisation in respect  
of each identifiable area of interest. Amortisation of capitalised costs, including the estimated future capital costs over the life of the area of interest, is provided on the units of production 
basis, proportional to the depletion of the mineral resource of each area of interest expected to be ultimately economically recoverable. 

Impairment

The carrying values of exploration, evaluation and development costs are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. 
If any such indication exists and where the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows from these assets, the assets are written down to fair value. 

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Group recognises the fair value of a future asset retirement obligations as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal or constructive obligation associated with the retirement of 
tangible long-lived assets that results from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the assets. The Group concurrently recognises a corresponding increase in the 
carrying amount of the related long-lived assets that are depreciated over the life of the asset. The key assumptions on which the fair value of the asset retirement obligations are based include 
the estimated future cash flow, the timing of those cash flows and the credit-adjusted risk-free rate or rates on which the estimated cash flows have been discounted. Subsequent to the initial 
measurement, the liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings. 

Trade and other payables

Trade payables and other payables are carried at fair value and represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year that are unpaid and arise 
when the Group becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of the purchase of these goods and services.

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received net of issue costs associated with the borrowing.

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently adjusted using the effective interest method by taking into account any issue costs, and any discount  
or premium on settlement.

Convertible notes

For convertible notes, the component of the convertible note that exhibits characteristics of a liability is recognised at fair value as a liability in the balance sheet, net of transaction costs. 

On issuance of the convertible note, the fair value of the liability component is determined using a market rate for an equivalent non-convertible note and this amount is carried as a long-term 
liability, using the amortised cost basis, until extinguished on conversion or by repayment of debt. The increase in the liability due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost in the 
statement of operations.

The remainder of the proceeds is allocated to the conversion option that is recognised and included in shareholders’ equity, net of transaction costs. The carrying amount of the conversion 
option is not re-measured in subsequent periods. 

Interest on the liability component of the convertible note is recognised as an expense in profit or loss.

Transaction costs are apportioned between the liability and equity components of the convertible note based on the allocation of proceeds to the liability and equity components when the 
instrument is first recognised.

Stock based compensation

The company provides benefits to employees (including directors) in the form of stock based compensation transactions, whereby employees render services in exchange for shares or rights 
over shares (‘equity-settled transactions’).

There are currently two plans in place to provide these benefits:

(i) The Executive Share Options Plan (“ESOP”), which provides benefits to the managing director and senior executives,

The cost of these equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value of the compensation at the date at which they are granted. The fair value of options 
issued is determined by using a binomial tree lattice model and the Black Scholes closed form model for those options with a 1 day exercise period.

In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account is taken of any performance conditions, other than conditions linked to the price of the shares of OceanaGold Corporation  
(‘market conditions’).

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance conditions are fulfilled, ending on the  
date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (‘vesting date’).

The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until vesting date reflects:

(a) the extent to which the vesting period has expired, and

(b) the number of awards that, in the opinion of the directors of the consolidated entity, will ultimately vest

No adjustment is made for the likelihood of market performance conditions being met as the effect of these conditions is included in the determination of fair value at grant date.

(ii) The Employee Share Acquisition Plan (“ESAP”), which provides benefits to all employees, excluding directors.

The cost of the plan is recognised as an operational expense. The value is measured by the company’s contribution to the ESAP which matches the employee’s contribution dollar for dollar.

60

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Leases

The determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and requires an assessment of whether the fulfilment of the arrangement  
is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets and the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset.

Capital leases, which transfer to the consolidated entity substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item, are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the  
fair value of the leased property or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments.

Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. 
Finance charges are recognised in the statement of operations.

Capitalised leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term.

Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating an operating  
lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised over the lease term on the same basis as the lease income.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

The consolidated entity uses derivative financial instruments to manage commodity price and foreign currency exposures.

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised in the balance sheet at fair value and are subsequently re-measured at their fair values at each reporting date. 

The fair value of gold hedging instruments including forwards, puts & call options are calculated by discounting the future value of the hedge contract at the appropriate prevailing quoted 
market rates at reporting date. 

The Group applies Section 3855 “Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement”, Section 3865 “Hedges” and Section 1530 “Comprehensive Income”, and certain derivative financial 
instruments have been designated as hedges under the requirements of Section 3865. For the purposes of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as either fair value hedges when they  
hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability; or cash flow hedges where they hedge exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to  
a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a forecasted transaction.

The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss is dependent on the nature of the item being hedged.

At the inception of the transaction, the consolidated entity documents the relationship between the hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and 
strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives designated as hedges to specific forecast gold sales.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated against future production qualify as cash flow hedges and, if deemed highly effective, the gain or loss on the effective portion is 
recognised in accumulated other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion is recognised in the statement of operations. Amounts deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income 
are transferred to the statement of operations and classified as revenue in the same periods during which the hedged gold sales affect the statement of operations. 

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in accumulated other comprehensive 
income at that time remains in other comprehensive income and is recognised when the committed or forecasted production is ultimately recognised in the statement of operations.  
However, if the committed or forecasted production is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss reported in other comprehensive income is immediately transferred to  
the statement of operations.

When the hedged firm commitment results in the recognition of an asset or a liability, the associated gains or losses, previously recognised in accumulated other comprehensive income  
are included in the initial measurement of the acquisition cost or other carrying amount of the asset or liability. Cash received or paid on the settlement or maturity of (gold derivatives)  
are recorded as operating cash flows.

The net gains and losses that relate to contracts not designated for hedge accounting purposes have been recognised in the statement of operations.

Revenue

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the consolidated entity and revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific  
recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Bullion sales
Revenue from sales of gold and silver is recognised when there has been a passing of the significant risks and rewards of ownership, which means the following:

• The product is in a form suitable for delivery and no further processing is required by, or on behalf of the consolidated entity;

• The quantity and quality (grade) of the product can be determined with reasonable accuracy;

• The product has been despatched to the customer and is no longer under the physical control of the consolidated entity (or title of the product has earlier  
  passed to the customer);

• Title has passed once the product is no longer under the physical control of the consolidated entity

• The selling price is determinable;

• It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the consolidated entity; and

• The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction are determinable.

Interest income

Interest income is recognised on a time proportion basis using the effective interest rate method.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs are expensed as incurred with the exception of borrowing costs directly associated with the construction, purchase or acquisition of a qualifying asset, which are capitalised  
as part of the cost of the asset.

Income tax

The Group follows the liability method of income tax allocation. Under this method, future tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and 
tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the substantially enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance 
is provided to the extent that it is more likely than not those future income tax assets will not be realised.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings/loss per share is calculated by dividing the profit/loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings/loss per share is calculated  
by dividing the earnings/loss by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year, assuming that all potentially dilutive securities were exercised. 

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Deferred Stripping

Costs associated with the removal of overburden and other mine waste materials that are incurred in the production phase of mining operations are included in the costs of inventory 
produced in the period in which they are incurred, except when the charges represent a betterment to the mineral property. Charges represent a betterment to the mineral property when the 
stripping activity provides access to reserves that will be produced in future periods that would not have been accessible without the stripping activity. When charges are deferred in relation  
to a betterment, the charges are amortized over the reserve in the betterment accessed by the stripping activity using the units of production method.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the relevant Taxation authority. In this case, it is recognised as part of 
the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of the expense.

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from or payable to, the relevant taxation authority is included 
with other receivables or payables in the balance sheet.

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing and financing activities that are recoverable from, or payable to, the relevant taxation 
authority are classified as operating cash flows. Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the relevant taxation authority.  
The net of GST payable and receivable is remitted to the appropriate tax body in accordance with legislative requirements.

Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of all entities controlled by the company. The effects of all transactions between entities in the consolidation 
group are eliminated in full.

Where control of an entity is obtained during a financial year, its results are included in the consolidated statements of income from the date on which control commences. Where control  
of an entity ceases during a financial year its results are included for that part of the year during which control exists.

3 NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the following new accounting standards that were issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”). 

Adopted in fiscal 2009

Mining Exploration Costs

In March 2009, the CICA issued EIC-174, “Mining Exploration Costs.” The EIC provides guidance on accounting for capitalization and impairment of exploration costs. This standard was 
effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The application of this EIC had no effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Credit Risk and the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2009, the CICA issued EIC-173 “Credit Risk and the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This guidance clarified that an entity’s own credit risk and the credit risk 
of the counterparty should be taken into account in determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities including derivative instruments. This guidance is applicable to fiscal 
periods ending on or after January 12, 2009. The application of this EIC had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

CICA 3064 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The CICA has issued Handbook Section 3064 “Goodwill and Intangible assets” which may affect the financial disclosure and results of the Company. This Section applies to annual and 
interim financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008 and the Company adopted the requirements commencing in 2009. Section 3064 establishes revised 
standards for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. The application of this standard had no effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Amendment to Financial Instruments – Disclosures (“Section 3862”)

During 2009, CICA Handbook Section 3862, Financial Instruments –Disclosures (“Section 3862”), was amended to require disclosures about the inputs to fair value measurements, including 
their classification within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurement. wThe three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data

See note 20 for relevant disclosures.

4 ACCOUNTING POLICIES EFFECTIVE FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Business Combinations

In October 2008, the CICA issued Handbook Section 1582, “Business Combinations”, which establishes new standards for accounting for business combinations. This is effective for business 
combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Should the Company engage in a future 
business combination, it would consider early adoption to coincide with the adoption of IFRS.

Non-controlling Interests

Also in October 2008, the CICA issued Handbook Section 1602, “Non-controlling Interests”, to provide guidance on accounting for non-controlling interests subsequent to a business 
combination. This is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 2011.

5 OTHER INCOME

Other income
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Other
Total other income

62

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

2009 
$’000

-
34
34

2008 
$’000

34
99
133

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

6 INCOME TAX

Major components of income tax expense/(benefit):

Statement of operations
Future income tax
Income tax benefit relating to tax losses (carried forward)/utilised
Adjustments in respect of future income tax of previous years
Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Income tax (benefit)/expense reported in statement of operations

Numerical reconciliation between aggregate tax expense/benefit recognised in the statement of operations and 
the tax expense/benefit calculated per the statutory income tax rate
A reconciliation of income tax expense applicable to accounting profit before income tax at the statutory income tax rate to 
income tax expense at the Consolidated entity’s effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

Accounting earnings/(loss) before tax from continuing operations

At the statutory income tax rate of 34.12% (2008 34.12%)
Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years
Expenditure not allowable for income tax purposes
Tax losses not recognised
Effect of differing tax rates between Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Income tax expense/(benefit) reported in the statement of operations

Future income tax
Future income tax at December 31 relates to the following:

Future income tax assets 
Losses available for offset against future taxable income
Revaluations of derivative instruments to fair value
Provisions
Accrued expenses
Share issue costs
Other
Gross future income tax assets 
Set-off future tax liabilities

Less: current portion
Net non-current future tax assets

Future income tax liabilities
Mining assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventory
Interest Receivable
Accrued Revenue
Revaluations of derivative instruments to fair value
Other
Gross future income tax liabilities
Set-off future tax assets 

Less: current portion 
Net non-current future tax liabilities

2009 
$’000

15 583
(1 085)
14 839
29 337

83 849

28 609
(1 085)
(985)
6 430
(3 632)
29 337

2009 
$’000

58 045
26 963
4 884
135
1 849
1 061
92 937
(75 247)
17 690
(9 006)
8 684

(121 172)
(28 537)
(1 264)
(463)
(1 373)
(42)
(149)
(153 000)
75 247
(77 753)
-
(77 753)

2008 
$’000

(7 971)
(2 598)
(10 319)
(20 888)

(75 623)

(25 803)
(2 598)
1 581
3 531
2 401
(20 888)

2008 
$’000

57 136
38 654
4 312
3
1 563
614
102 282
(62 171)
40 111
(8 936)
31 175

(86 940)
(32 529)
(913)
(313)
(1 771)
(1 047)
(115)
(123 628)
62 171
(61 457)
-
(61 457)

63

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

7 EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net income/(loss) for the year attributable to common equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of common 
shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders (after adding back interest on the convertible notes) by the weighted 
average number of common shares outstanding during the year (adjusted for the effects of dilutive options and dilutive convertible notes where the conversion of potential common shares 
would decrease earnings per share or increase loss per share).

The following reflects the income/(loss) and share data used in the total operations basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

Numerator:
Net income/(loss) attributable to equity holders from continuing operations (used in calculation of basic  
and diluted earnings per share)
Interest on convertible notes*
Net income/(loss) attributable to equity holders from
continuing operations (used in calculation of diluted earnings per share)*

Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares 
(used in calculation of basic earnings per share)

Effect of dilution:
Share options*
Convertible notes*

Adjusted weighted average number of common shares  
(used in calculation of diluted earnings per share)

Net income/(loss) per share:
- basic 
- diluted

2009 
$’000

54 512
8 188

62 700

2008 
$’000

(54 735)
-

(54 735)

Thousands

Thousands

172 092

161 635

1 371
40 729

-
-

214 192

161 635

$0.32
$0.29

($0.34)
($0.34)

* For the periods to 31 December 2008 conversion of share options and convertible notes would decrease the loss per share and hence are anti-dilutive. 

8 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current
Trade receivables
Interest receivable
Other receivables

2009 
$’000

2 889
207
364

3 460

2008 
$’000

2 449
-
231

2 680

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are due upon confirmation of gold assay. Other receivables include deposits at bank, in support of environmental bonds and deposits set out 
for rental of properties.

9 INVENTORIES

Current
Gold in circuit
Ore
Maintenance Stores

Non-Current 
Ore

Total inventories 

2009 
$’000

4 416
3 289
17 610
25 315

33 133

58 448

2008 
$’000

2 415
7 434
12 061
21 910

18 763

40 673

During 2009, $187.5m of inventories were recognised as an expense (2008: $188.7m) relating to cost of sales. This was net of a reversal of a previous impairment of nil (2008: $3.6m). 
Total inventories of $58.4m at December 31, 2009 are pledged as security under project debt facilities (see Note 13). 

64

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

10 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Freehold land, at cost
Cost 

Buildings, at cost
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net of accumulated depreciation

Plant and equipment, at cost
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net of accumulated depreciation

Rehabilitation
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net of accumulated depreciation

Net book value of property, plant and equipment

2009 
$’000

5 868

7 109
(2 957)
4 152

237 618
(133 803)
103 815

8 108
(3 787)
4 321

118 156

2008 
$’000

3 708

3 927
(1 868)
2 059

211 237
(89 639)
121 598

6 415
(2 403)
4 012

131 377

Plant and equipment includes assets under capital lease net of accumulated depreciation of $32.1m (2008: $31.9m). The assets under capital leases are pledged as security for capital  
lease liabilities.

Borrowing costs

There are no borrowing costs capitalised into the cost of any assets held on the balance sheet at December 31, 2009 (2008: nil).

11 MINING ASSETS

Mining Assets: Exploration and evaluation phase at cost
Cost 

Mining Assets: Development phase at cost
Cost

Mining Assets: In production at cost
Cost 
Accumulated amortisation 
Net of accumulated amortisation

Net book value of mining assets

Borrowing costs

There are no borrowing costs capitalised into the cost of any assets held on the balance sheet at December 31, 2009 (2008: nil).

2009 
$’000

18 964

2008 
$’000

22 717

379 233

293 817

294 792
(146 717)
148 075

546 272

154 769
(70 316)
84 453

400 987

65

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

12 ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

Current
Rehabilitation

Movement:
At January 1
Arising during the year
Utilised
Transferred from/(to) non-current
Exchange adjustment
At December 31

Non-Current
Rehabilitation

Movement:
At January 1
Arising during the year
Accretion
Utilised
Transferred from/(to) current
Exchange adjustment
At December 31

Rehabilitation

2009 
$’000

38

53
-
(26)
-
11
38

8 621

6 797
122
518
(498)
-
1 682
8 621

2008 
$’000

53

293
(16)
(718)
498
(4)
53

6 797

9 218
(353)
675
-
(498)
(2 245)
6 797

A provision for rehabilitation is recorded in relation to the gold mining operations for the rehabilitation of the disturbed mining area to a state acceptable to various regulatory authorities.  
While rehabilitation is ongoing, final rehabilitation of the disturbed mining area is not expected until the cessation of mining for both Macraes and Reefton, currently estimated to be beyond 
2013. Didipio is currently expected to be mining for a period beyond this time frame. 

Rehabilitation provisions are estimated based on survey data, external contracted rates and the timing of the current mining schedule. Provisions are discounted using a liability specific rate 
and are externally reviewed and approved by council nominated consultants. 

Rehabilitation provisions are subject to an inherent amount of uncertainty in both timing and amount and as a result are continuously monitored and revised. 

Asset retirement obligations are initially recorded as a liability at fair value, assuming a credit adjusted risk free discount rate of 6.5% (2008:9%). The liability for retirement and remediation  
on an undiscounted basis is estimated to be approximately $12.1m.

13 INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Current
Capital leases (note 23)
5.75% Convertible notes (A$55m)
Insurance Premium Loan (NZD)
Insurance Premium Loan (AUD)
Project debt facility (NZD)

Non-current
Capital leases (note 23)
5.75% Convertible Notes (A$55m)
7.00% Convertible notes (A$70m)
7.00% Convertible notes (A$30m)
Project debt facility (NZD)

5.75% Convertible Notes (Unsecured)

Effective interest rate %

Maturity

4.66%
9.16%
3.26%
3.11%
4.67%

4.66%
9.16%
10.13%
10.64%
4.67%

05/31/2014
12/22/2012
02/28/2010
02/28/2010
06/30/2010

05/31/2014
12/22/2012
12/22/2013
12/22/2013
06/30/2010

2009 
$’000

9 354
48 735
441
-
4 264
62 794

30 872
-
63 006
27 002
-
120 880

2008 
$’000

6 897
-
189
51
6 950
14 087

32 235
37 030
48 614
20 113
4 633
142 625

The Notes bear interest at 5.75% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears. The convertible note liability has been classified as current at December 31, 2009 as the note holder has  
the option to put the note for redemption to the issuer on December 22, 2010 at a price equal to its Accredited Principal Amount as at the date fixed for redemption together with accrued 
interest to such date. The Notes mature in 2012 and are redeemable at 109% of their principal amount unless converted to common shares prior to this date at the option of the note holder. 
The number of shares to be delivered upon conversion shall be determined by dividing the principal amount of the note by the conversion price of A$4.162 (subject to adjustment for certain 
specified events). Of the A$52.9 million (US$39.1m) net proceeds of the issue A$48.5 million (US$35.8m) was allocated to interest bearing liabilities and A$4.4 million (US$3.3m)  
was allocated to equity. 

66

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

13 INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS (continued)

7.00% Convertible Notes (Unsecured)

The Notes bear interest at 7.00% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears and have a face value of A$70 million. Interest accrued in respect of the notes for the first two years is not 
payable but is instead capitalised into the redemption value of the notes. The Notes are due for redemption in 2013 at a value equal to the sum of their principal amount plus the capitalised 
interest amount, unless converted to common shares prior to this date at the option of the noteholder. The number of shares to be delivered upon conversion shall be determined by dividing 
the principal amount of the note by the conversion price. The conversion price is A$3.967 (subject to adjustment for certain specified events). Of the A$67.4 million (US$52.9m) net proceeds 
of the issue A$59.2 million (US$46.5m) was allocated to interest bearing liabilities and A$8.2 million (US$6.4m) was allocated to equity.

On March 22, 2007 an additional A$30 million (US$24.2m) in convertible notes was issued under the same terms and conditions as the 7% convertible notes. The conversion price is A$4.166 
(subject to adjustment for certain specified events) and the notes are due for redemption in 2013. Of the A$28.8 million (US$23.2m) net proceeds of the issue A$24.9 million (US$20.1m) 
was allocated to interest bearing liabilities and A$3.9 million (US$3.1m) was allocated to equity.

Project Debt Facility

The consolidated entity has a project debt facility of NZ$5.9m (2008:NZ$20.0m) provided by a consortium of banks. The facility was fully drawn at December 31, 2009. The project debt 
facility has a floating interest rate which is paid quarterly in arrears.

Capital Leases

The Group has two capital lease facilities in place, being a facility with ANZ Banking Group Ltd (“ANZ Facility”), and a Master Lease Facility with Caterpillar Finance (“CAT Master Lease”). 

Original drawdown date
Term 

Amount drawn down

NZ$ component

Interest rates

NZ$ component

Capital facilities available

ANZ
December 28, 2006
5 years

30,053,197

4.66%

CAT Master
October 5, 2006
7 years

25,602,526

4.81%

At 31 December 2009 the consolidated entity has issued A$155m (2008: A$155m) of convertible notes and has available capital lease facilities of NZ$55.7m (2008: NZ$67.6m) which have 
been fully drawn. 

A consortium of banks provides a 285,944 (2008: 405 572) ounce hedging facility to wholly owned subsidiary, Oceana Gold New Zealand Ltd (OGNZL) (refer to Note 20). OGNZL’s assets  
are pledged as security.

Additionally, the consolidated entity has available a project debt facility of NZ$5.9m (2008: NZ$20m) provided by a consortium of banks which has been fully drawn at December 31, 2009. 
OGNZL’s assets are pledged as security.

There are currently no other credit facilities utilised by OceanaGold Corporation; all credit facilities have been fully drawn.

14 SHARE CAPITAL

(a) Authorised capital

The number of authorised common shares of the company is unlimited

(b) Movement in common shares on issue

Common shares
Issued and fully paid

Movement in common shares on issue
At January 1 2008
At December 31 2008

At January 1 2009
Shares issued 
Share issue costs
Tax effect of share issue costs
At December 31 2009

As at December 31 2009

2009 
$’000

354 915

Thousands

161 635
161 635

161 635
24 245
-
-
185 880

185 880

2008 
$’000

334 975

$’000

334 975
334 975

334 975
20 698
(1 122)
364
354 915

354 915

On 21 July 2009, the Company issued 24,245,226 new ASX-listed Chess Depository Interests (“CDI”) at an issue price of A$1.00 per CDI.

Common shares have the right to receive dividends as declared and, in the event of the winding up of the Company, to participate in the proceeds from the sale of all surplus assets  
in proportion to the number of and amounts paid up on shares held.

Common shares entitle their holder to one vote, either in person or by proxy, at a meeting of the company.

The company has share option schemes under which options to subscribe for the company’s shares have been granted to executives and management. Details of options on issue  
are provided in Note 18. Shareholders have approved the issue of up to 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares.

The Company also has an employee share purchase plan whereby certain employees are able to direct up to 10% of their gross salary to acquire shares, with the Company matching  
the employee contribution on a dollar for dollar basis. Plan shares are acquired at market price and held in trust. While the Trustee holds the shares, the employees are entitled to  
full dividend and voting rights on the shares beneficially held on their behalf. (Refer note 18).

67

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

15 ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) (“OCI”)

Balance at the start of the period 
Deferred gain/(loss) on cash flow hedging activities 
Currency translation adjustments

OCI for the year:
Transfers of cash flow hedge (gains) to earnings on 
recording hedged items in earnings 
Currency translation differences
OCI before tax
Income tax recovery on effective portion of change in
fair value of gold put options
OCI net of tax

Accumulated OCI at the end of the period
Currency translation adjustments

16 CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS MOVEMENT

Movement in contributed surplus

At January 1
Stock-based compensation expense
Cancelled options
Equity component of convertible notes 
At December 31

Contributed surplus
Employee stock based compensation
Shareholder option reserve
Equity portion of Convertible notes

2009 
$’000

-
(10 690)
(10 690)

-
72 712
72 712

-
72 712

62 022
62 022

2009 
$’000

33 897
1 261
(2 116)
(352)
32 690

2 647
18 083
11 960
32 690

2008 
$’000

882
42 720
43 602

(1 272)
(53 410)
(54 682)

390
(54 292)

(10 690)
(10 690)

2008 
$’000

32 379
1 518
-
-
33 897

3 503
18 083
12 311
33 897

68

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

17 SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Group’s operations are managed on a regional basis. The two reportable segments are New Zealand and the Philippines. Capital expenditure includes the cost of segment assets acquired 
by way of asset acquisition.

Year Ended December 31, 2009
Revenue
Sales to external customers
Inter segment management and gold handling fees
Total Segment Revenue

Result
Segment result excluding unrealised hedge losses
Inter segment management and gold handling fees
Gain on fair value of derivative instruments
Total segment result before interest and tax
Income tax (expense)
Total segment result 
Interest expense
Net profit for the year

Assets
Segment assets

Year Ended December 31, 2008
Revenue
Sales to external customers
Inter segment management and gold handling fees
Release from other comprehensive income of deferred unrealised losses on 
designated hedges
Total Segment Revenue

Result
Segment result excluding unrealised hedge losses
Inter segment management and gold handling fees
Release from other comprehensive income of deferred unrealised losses on 
designated hedges
Loss on fair value of derivative instruments
Total segment result before interest and tax
Income tax benefit/ (expense)
Total segment result
Interest expense
Net loss for the year

Assets
Segment assets

New Zealand 
$’000

Philippines 
$’000

Corporate 
$’000

237 057
-
237 057

55 749
(5 071)
58 241
108 919
(27 798)
81 121

-
-
-

(1 143)
-
-
(1 143)
-
(1 143)

-
5 071
5 071

(13 912)
5 071
-
(8 841)
(1 539)
(10 380)

Total 
$’000

237 057
5 071
242 128

40 694
-
58 241
98 935
(29 337)
69 598
(15 086)
54 512

372 176

392 909

22 621

 787 706

217 214
-

279
217 493

27 337
(7 589)

278

(73 408)
(53 382)
27 110
(26 272)

-
-

-
-

(653)
-

-

-
(653)
-
(653)

-
7 589

-
7 589

(8 185)
7 589

-

-
(596)
(6 222)
(6 818)

217 214
7 589

279
225 082

18 499
-

278

(73 408)
(54 631)
20 888
(33 743)
(20 992)
(54 735)

310 065

307 505

12 420

629 990

Income derived in the New Zealand segment is from the sale of gold. The segment note above includes inter-company charges of management and gold handling fees of $5.1m (2008: $7.6m).

69

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

18 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

(a) Executive share options plan

Directors, executives and certain members of staff of the consolidated entity hold options over the common shares of the Company, OceanaGold Corporation. Each option entitles the holder 
to one common share upon exercise. The options were issued for nil consideration and have a maximum term of eight years. Granted options vest in three equal tranches over 3 years and 
vesting is subject only to continuity of employment. 

The options cannot be transferred without the Company’s prior approval and the Company does not intend to list the options. No options provide dividend or voting rights to the holders. 
Under the 2007 stock based compensation plan approved by OceanaGold shareholders the company can issue up to 10% of issued common and outstanding shares.

(i) Stock option movements

The following table reconciles the outstanding share options granted under the executive share option scheme at the beginning and end of the period: 

WAEP = weighted average exercise price

Outstanding at the start of the period
Granted 
Forfeited 
Exercised 
Cancelled 
Balance at the end of the period
Exercisable at the end of the period

December 31 2009
WAEP
No.

December 31 2008
WAEP
No.

4 019 988
3 756 155
(2 138 884)
-
-
5 637 259
774 453

A$2.74
A$0.94
A$2.97
-
-
A$1.45
A$3.21

2 600 000
2 403 320
(983 332)
-
-
4 019 988
703 338

A$3.81
A$1.68
A$3.00
-
-
A$2.74
A$3.825

OceanaGold’s listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) was restructured in connection with the TSX listing. As a result of the restructure 
OceanaGold’s shares were consolidated using 1:5 per common share basis, which has been reflected in the above number of shares.

(ii) Balance at end of the period

The share options at the end of the financial year had an exercise price of between A$0.00 and A$3.825 and a weighted average remaining vesting period of 4.94 years. The share options 
were restructured on a 1:5 basis for the TSX listing.

Options were priced using a binomial option pricing model. Where options had a single exercise date the Black Scholes valuation model was used. Where options do not have a performance 
hurdle they were valued as Bermudan style options using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial model. 

The expected life used in the model has been based on the assumption that employees remain with the company for the duration of the exercise period and exercise the options when 
financially optimal. This is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur.

Due to the lack of exchange traded data for option prices of OceanaGold, historical volatility has been used for the purposes of the valuation. Expected volatility is based on the historical 
share price volatility using 3 years of traded share price data. As a result it reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily  
be the outcome.

Dividend yield is assumed to be nil on the basis that no dividends have been declared for the 2008 or 2007 financial years due to the large ongoing capital commitment.

The following table gives the assumptions made in determining the fair value of options granted in the financial year:

Grant Date

18 Feb 2009
18 Feb 2009
18 Feb 2009
18 Feb 2009
8 Sep 2009
8 Sep 2009
8 Sep 2009
8 Sep 2009
4 Nov 2009
4 Nov 2009
4 Nov 2009
25 Nov 2009
25 Nov 2009
25 Nov 2009
25 Nov 2009

Dividend  
yield

Expected  
volatility

Risk-free  
interest rate

Expected  
life of option

Option  
Exercise Price

Share Price  
at Grant Date

Weighted Average 
Fair Value

0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

98.9%
98.9%
98.9%
98.9%
117.5%
117.5%
117.5%
117.5%
108.0%
108.0%
108.0%
101.9%
101.9%
101.9%
101.9%

3.120%
3.394%
3.596%
2.985%
4.906%
5.299%
5.353%
5.378%
5.502%
5.502%
5.502%
4.783%
5.317%
5.317%
5.317%

3.5
4.5
5.5
3.0
3.0
3.5
4.5
5.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
3.0
4.0
4.5
5.0

0.538
0.538
0.538
0.000
0.000
0.992
0.992
0.992
1.191
1.191
1.191
0.000
1.521
1.521
1.521

0.635
0.635
0.635
0.635
1.060
1.060
1.060
1.060
1.280
1.280
1.280
1.700
1.700
1.700
1.700

0.4396
0.4766
0.5055
0.6350
1.0600
0.8046
0.8658
0.9105
0.9682
1.0031
1.0341
1.7000
1.2494
1.2957
1.3371

(b) Employee share acquisition plan

Under the OceanaGold Corporation Employee Share Acquisition Plan (the “Plan”), the Company offers all employees of the consolidated entity (other than directors of the Company)  
the opportunity to purchase shares in OceanaGold. Eligible employees are able to direct up to 10% of their gross salary to acquire shares, with the Company matching the employee 
contribution on a dollar for dollar basis. 

Plan shares are acquired at market price and held in trust for the participating employees by a dedicated corporate trustee. While the Trustee holds the shares, the employees are entitled  
to full dividend and voting rights on the shares beneficially held on their behalf. A comprehensive Plan Terms and Conditions and Trust Deed set out the basis of operation of the Plan, 
pursuant to relevant Corporations Act and taxation legislation requirements.

The transfer or sale of Plan shares is restricted for a maximum of 3 years. On each anniversary of an employee’s commencement with the Plan, one third of Plan shares acquired in the  
prior 3-year period are vested to the employee.

70

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

18 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

Details of the employee share plan for the consolidated entity are as follows:

2008

2009

Notes:

Opening Shares 
Held by Trustee

Shares Acquired by the  
Trustee During the Year

 Shares Transferred from  
the Trustee During the Year

Forfeited Shares  
sold by Trustee

Closing Shares 
Held by the Trustee

Number

134 978

321 755

Number 1 

Fair Value 2 

Number 3 

Fair Value 4 

Number 3 

Number 

Fair Value 5

195 942

A$157 232

9 165

A$15 726

94 355

A$79 517

113 273

A$112 784

-

58 440

321 755

A$70 786

244 397

A$437 471

1.  The Trustee acquires shares regularly throughout the year, following receipt of contributions from employees and the consolidated entity.

2.  The fair value of shares acquired by the Trustee is equal to the market price paid by the Trustee for acquisitions of OceanaGold Corporation shares throughout the year. 

The fair value comprises 50% contribution from employees and 50% contribution from the Company. 

3.  Members of the Plan are entitled to hold their vested shares in the Trustee for up to 10 years following vesting. The Trustee distributes vested shares to members following  
receipt of a request to do so, and accordingly these transfers can take place throughout the year on a regular basis. Additionally, members who cease employment with the  
consolidated entity are entitled to receive their employee funded Plan shares without having to wait for the vesting period. In the event of a member ceasing employment,  
the Company funded Plan shares that have not reached vesting stage are forfeited to the Trust.

4.  The fair value of the shares transferred out by the Trustee during the year is represented by the market value of the OceanaGold Corporation shares at the time of transfer.

5.  The fair value of the shares held by the Trustee at reporting date has been determined by reference to the last sale price of OceanaGold Corporation shares at reporting date.

19 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

(a) Employee benefit liability

Aggregate employee benefit liability is comprised of:

Accrued wages and salaries
Provisions current 
Provisions non-current

20 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

(a) Financial Risk Management Policies and Objectives

2009 
$’000

1 166
2 358
69
3 593

2008 
$’000

660
1 726
68
2 454

Financial exposures arise in the normal course of the consolidated entity’s business operations, including commodity price risk, foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk as  
well as credit risk associated with trade and financial counterparties. The policy for managing each of these risks is reviewed and agreed by the Board, and are summarised below.

The consolidated entity has a risk management programme to manage its financial exposures that includes, but is not limited to, the use of derivative products from three banking 
institutions. The term “derivative” has been adopted to encompass all financial instruments that are not directly traded in the primary physical market. The Group does not enter into  
trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments for trade or speculative purposes.

The consolidated entity faces operational risk associated with the financial transactions conducted but seeks to manage this risk by having established operating policies and procedures. 
These policies and procedures are set by the Board.

(b) Gold Price and Foreign Exchange Risk

OGNZL has an economic hedging facility for 285,944 (2008: 405,572) ounces at December 31, 2009. The security for this facility consists of:

(i) share mortgages over OceanaGold Limited’s interests in OGNZL;

(ii) a general security deed creating a security interest over all the present and future property of OGNZL;

(iii) first registered fixed and floating charges over all OGNZL assets and undertakings and registered mortgages over the relevant mining tenements and material land; and

(iv) interests in forward sales contracts held by a subsidiary of the company (refer below), supported by a guarantee by OceanaGold Limited of the obligations of OGNZL.

Prices for the consolidated entity’s primary commodity products (gold bullion) are determined on international markets and quoted in US dollars.

Metal prices and exchange rates are fixed using forward sale contracts and options. Derivative financial instruments are matched with forecast future metal production. 

The primary instruments held are undesignated forward gold sales contracts for 99,840 ounces with an average price of NZ$773 (2008: 206,076 ounces), undesignated gold put options 
over 82,080 ounces (2008: 199,496 ounces) with an average exercise price of NZ$1,000 and undesignated gold call options over 104,024 ounces (2008: 136,024 ounces) of forecast 2010 
production with an average exercise price of NZ$1,062. These derivative instruments are contracted with a consortium of banks under an economic hedging facility, secured by a pledge 
against the assets of Oceana Gold (NZ) Ltd.

The forward sales program is managed in accordance with policies approved by the Board. Performance under these policies is regularly reported to the Board.

The net gains and losses that relate to contracts not designated for hedge accounting purposes have been recognised in the statement of operations.

Between December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009 the NZD gold price moved from approximately NZ$1,523 per ounce to NZ$1,516. The gold derivative liabilities decreased mainly  
as a result of the delivery into a number of contracts during the year.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

20 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

The following summarises the gold forward obligations at December 31, 2009:

Gold fixed forward sales
Ounces

Weighted average NZ$/oz

Present value NZ$/oz

Total 
Dec 31 2009

99 840

773

760

Maturity 
2010

99 840

773

760

The net return if all the bullion forward contracts guaranteed by the consolidated entity were to be delivered as compared to the market value of these obligations at December 31,  
2009 was $54.6m deficit (2008: $92.7m deficit).

The following summarises the gold option contracts at December 31, 2009:

Total 
Dec 31 2009

Maturity 
2010

Metal Commitments

Gold Put options
Ounces
Weighted average NZ$/oz
Present value NZ$/oz
Gold Call Options
Ounces
Weighted average NZ$/oz
Present value NZ$/oz

82 080
1 000
1 519

104 024
1 062
1 047

The net return if all the bullion option contracts guaranteed by the consolidated entity were to be delivered as compared to the market value of these obligations at December 31, 
 2009 was $35.2m deficit (2008: $32.7m deficit). 

A summary of the Group’s derivatives is set out below:

Current Assets
Gold put options
Non Current Assets
Gold put options
Total Assets 

Current Liabilities
Gold call options
Gold forward sales contracts

Non Current Liabilities 
Gold call options
Gold forward sale contracts 

Total liabilities

Sensitivities

2009 
$’000

141

-
141

35 318
54 557
89 875

-
-
-

89 875

82 080
1 000
1 519

104 024
1 062
1 047

2008 
$’000

1 493

1 997
3 490

1 831
46 949
48 780

34 358
45 708
80 066

128 846

At December 31, 2009 if the US dollar had depreciated/ appreciated by 10% with all other constants remaining the same, the effect on the after tax profit will be $4.2m higher/lower due  
to conversion of results from functional currency into reporting currency. The equity effect will be $22.8m due to conversion from functional currency to reporting currency. 

(c) Interest Rate Risk and Liquidity Risk

Interest rate risk

Objective

The consolidated entity’s approach to managing the risk of adverse changes in interest rates is to manage the identified net exposure through variable and fixed rate arrangements.

Policy

The consolidated entity policy is to manage interest rate risk in a cost efficient manner having regard to the net interest rate exposure after offsetting interest bearing financial assets  
with interest accruing financial liabilities. 

72

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

20 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Sensitivities

At December 31, 2009 if interest rates had increased/decreased by 100 basis points from the year end rates with all other variables held constant, after tax profit for the year would have 
been $21,000 lower/higher, as a result of higher/lower interest income from cash and cash equivalents and higher/lower interest expense from capital lease and project loan facility.  
Equity would be $21,000 lower/higher as a result of interest income and expenses.

Liquidity risk

Objective

The consolidated entity’s approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure cost effective continuity in funding and trading liquidity. Funding liquidity is maintained through the use of bank 
project loans, convertible bonds, capital leases and operating leases. Trading liquidity is maintained by an effective spread between the counterparties with which the consolidated entity 
enters into derivative instruments.

Policy 

The consolidated entity’s funding liquidity risk policy is to source debt or equity funding appropriate to the use of funds. Examples include equipment leases to finance the mining fleet 
and the convertible note issue to finance the development of new mines. Trading risk policy is to ensure derivative transactions are spread between at least two secured counterparties 
acknowledging both volume and tenure of the derivative to reduce the risk of trading liquidity arising as a result of the inability to close down existing derivative positions, or hedge 
underlying risks incurred in normal operations. 

The consolidated entity’s exposure to interest rate risk, and the effective weighted average interest rate for classes of financial assets and financial liabilities, both recognised and 
unrecognised at the reporting date, is set out below:

Year ended 
December 31  
2009

Fixed rate
Financial Liabilities
Insurance loan
Convertible Notes

Floating rate
Financial Assets
Cash and cash 
equivalents

Financial Liabilities
Project Debt facility
Capital Leases

Year ended 
December 31  
2008

Fixed rate
Financial Liabilities
Insurance loan
Convertible Notes

Floating rate
Financial Assets
Cash and cash 
equivalents

Financial Liabilities
Project Debt facility
Capital Leases

(d) Credit Risk

Less than  
1 year
$’000

441
48 735
49 176

42 423
42 423

4 264
9 354
13 618

Less than  
1 year
$’000

240
-
240

9 711
9 711

6 950
6 897
13 847

1-2 years
$’000

2-3 years
$’000

3-4 years
$’000

4-5 years
$’000

5 + years
$’000

Total
$’000

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
19 065
19 065

-
3 258
3 258

-
6 508
6 508

-
90 008
90 008

-
-

-
2 041
2 041

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

441
138 743
139 184

42 423
42 423

4 264
40 226
44 490

1-2 years
$’000

2-3 years
$’000

3-4 years
$’000

4-5 years
$’000

5 + years
$’000

Total
$’000

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

4 633
7 495
12 128

-
15 277
15 277

-
37 030
37 030

-
-

-
2 611
2 611

-
68 727
68 727

-
-

-
5 215
5 215

-
-
-

-
-

-
1 636
1 636

240
105 757 
105 997 

9 711
9 711

11 583
39 131
50 714

Weighted  
average effective  
interest rate
%

3.26%
9.89%

2.82%

4.67%
4.66%

Weighted  
average effective 
interest rate
%

3.23%
9.89%

1.73%

6.95%
9.36%

The consolidated entity’s operations and its access to commodity and currency forward sales transactions create credit risk.

The Board approves all commodity and currency sales transactions to counterparties. The board establish limits and methodology for measuring and reporting credit exposures to financial 
counterparties.

Maximum credit risk of financial assets is the carrying amounts recorded in the balance sheet.

The consolidated entity is not materially exposed to any individual customer or other third party.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the consolidated entity to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits and hedge assets. The consolidated entity places  
its cash deposits and hedge assets with financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. The cash deposits all mature within three months  
and attract a rate of interest at normal short-term money market rates.

73

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

20 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

(e) Sensitivities

The following table summarises the sensitivity of the company’s financial assets and liabilities to interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk.

December 31, 2009

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other assets
Financial Liabilities
Capital Leases
Project Loan
Other liabilities *

Total increase/(decrease)

Carrying  
amount 
$’000

42 423
3 460

40 226
4 264
229 793

Interest rate risk
-100 bps

Interest rate risk
+100 bps

Foreign exchange risk
-10%

Foreign exchange risk
+10%

Profit/ 
(Loss) 
$’000

Equity 
$’000

Profit/ 
(Loss) 
$’000

Equity 
$’000

Profit/ 
(Loss) 
$’000

Equity 
$’000

Profit/ 
(Loss) 
$’000

Equity 
$’000

(424)
-

(424)
-

402
43
-

21

402
43
-

21

424
-

(402)
(43)
-

(21)

424
-

(402)
(43)
-

(21)

(4 242)
-

(4 242)
(346)

4 242
-

4 242
346

-
-
-

4 023
426
22 979

- 
-
-

(4 023)
(426)
(22 979)

(4 242)

22 840

4 242

(22 840)

*Includes outstanding gold derivative instruments and convertible notes liabilities. 

21 CAPITAL DISCLOSURE 

The company’s objective when managing capital is to:

• manage the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern; and

• in the medium to long term, provide adequate return to shareholders

The company manages capital in the light of changing economic circumstances and the underlying risk characteristics of the company’s assets. In order to meet its objective, the company 
manages its dividend declarations and may undertake capital restructuring including: sale of assets to reduce debt; additional funding facilities and equity raising.

The company monitors capital on the basis of debt-to-adjusted capital ratio. The components and calculation of this ratio is shown below. 

Total Debt (as shown in the balance sheet)*
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
Net Debt

Total Equity (as shown in the balance sheet)
Adjusted capital

Debt to adjusted capital ratio

* Interest bearing liabilities and Derivative liabilities

31 December 2009

31 December 2008

273 549
42 423
231 126

392 613
392 613

0.59

285 558
9 711
275 847

246 656
246 656

1.12

The change in the debt-to-adjusted capital ratio results principally from equity raised during the year, higher cash balance and depreciating US dollars- the reporting currency.

The company is subject to a number of externally imposed capital requirements relating to financing agreements; as at December 31, 2009 the company was in compliance with all requirements.

22 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

(a) Recognised Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and net fair values of financial assets and liabilities as at the reporting date are as follows:

Carrying amount
2009 
$’000

Carrying amount
2008 
$’000

Net Fair value
2009 
$’000

Net Fair value
2008 
$’000

42 423
3 460
141

29 996
40 226
54 557
138 743
35 318
4 264
441

9 711
2 680
3 490

27 675
39 131
92 657
105 757
36 190
11 583
240

42 423
3 460
141

29 996
40 226
54 557
157 514
35 318
4 264
441

9 711
2 680
3 490

27 675
30 381
92 657
105 436
36 190
10 550
240

Financial assets
Cash
Accounts receivable and other receivables
Put options

Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Capital leases
Forward gold contracts
Convertible notes
Call options 
Project debt facility
Insurance premium loan

74

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

22 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

The following table illustrates the classification of the Company’s financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy established using Canadian GAAP as at December 31, 2009 1

Financial assets
Put options (2)

Financial liabilities
Convertible notes (1)
Forward gold contracts (2)
Call options (2)

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value as at December 31 2009

Level 1 
$’000

Level 2 
$’000

Level 3 
$’000

Total 
$’000

-
-

-
-
-
-

141
141

157,514
54 557
35 318
247 389

-
-

-
- 
-
- 

141
141

157,514
54 557
35 318
247 389

1 Comparative information has not been presented in the table because this comparative information is not required in the year of adoption.

(1) The fair value of convertible notes is the present value of the debt component using an appropriate market interest rate for equivalent debt.

(2) The fair value of gold derivative instruments has been calculated by discounting the future value of the forward contracts and options at the appropriate prevailing quoted market rates  
at reporting date.

The fair value of capital leases is the present value of the minimum lease payments determined using an appropriate market discount rate. 

Other than the financial assets and liabilities included in the table above, the carrying amount of the remaining financial instruments is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value 
due to their being short term maturities. 

Other than cash and forward gold contracts, none of the other financial assets and liabilities are readily traded on organised markets in a standardised form.

(b) Unrecognised Financial Instruments

There are no unrecognised financial instruments held by the Group at December 31, 2009 (2008: nil).

23 COMMITMENTS

(a) Lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases:

Within 1 year
Within 1 to 2 years
Within 2 to 3 years
Within 3 to 4 years
Within 4 to 5 years
More than five years

2009 
$’000

4 560
3 623
3 284
2 990
1 961
49
16 467

2008 
$,000

2 501
2 327
2 145
2 053
2 053
1 420
12 499

Operating leases are entered into as a means of funding the acquisition of minor items of plant and equipment. No leases have escalation clauses other than in the event of payment default. 
No lease arrangements create restrictions on other financing transactions.

(b) Lease commitments under capital leases:

Within 1 year
Within 1 to 2 years
Within 2 to 3 years
Within 3 to 4 years
Within 4 to 5 years
More than five years

Future finance charges

Present value of minimum lease payments

Reconciled to:
Current interest bearing liability (Note 13)
Non-Current interest bearing liability (Note 13)
Total

2009 
$’000

11 075
20 216
3 768
6 832
2 082
-
43 973

(3 747)

40 226

9 354
30 872
40 226

2008 
$’000

8 904
9 129
16 523
3 451
5 750
1 703
45 460

(6 328)

39 132

6 897
32 235
39 132

Capital leases are entered into as a means of funding the acquisition of plant and equipment, primarily mobile mining equipment. Rental payments are subject to quarterly interest  
rate adjustments.

75

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31 2009

23 COMMITMENTS (continued)

(c) Gold Production

The consolidated entity has certain obligations to deliver future gold production into bullion forward sales contracts. Refer to Note 20(b).

The consolidated entity also has certain obligations to pay royalties on gold production at prescribed levels which are expected to apply in 2010.

(d) Capital commitments

At December 31, 2009, the consolidated entity has commitments of $0.3m (2008: $6.6m), principally relating to the development of mining facilities.

The commitments contracted for at reporting date, but not provided for:

Within one year:
- development of new mining facilities
- purchase of property, plant and equipment 
After one year but not more than five years:
- development of new mining facilities

2009 
$’000

-
267

-
267

2008 
$’000

5 656
-

917
6 573

(e) The consolidated entity is committed to annual expenditure of approximately $0.3m (NZ$0.4m) (2008 $0.2m NZ$0.4m) to comply with regulatory conditions attached to its New Zealand 
prospecting licences and prospecting, exploration and mining permits.

24 CONTINGENCIES

a. The consolidated entity has issued bonds in favour of various New Zealand authorities (Ministry of Economic Development – Crown Minerals, Otago Regional Council, Waitaki  
District Council, West Coast Regional Council, Buller District Council, Timberlands West Coast Limited and Department of Conservation) as a condition for the grant of mining  
and exploration privileges, water rights and/or resource consents, and rights of access for the Macraes Gold Mine and the Globe Progress mine at the Reefton Gold Project which  
amount to approximately $16.6m (NZ$23.0m) (2008 $13.8m NZ$23.9m).

b. The consolidated entity has provided a cash operating bond to the New Zealand Department of Conservation of $0.3m (NZ$0.4 m) (2008 $0.2m NZ$0.4m) which is 
refundable at the end of the Globe Progress mine. This amount is included in the total referred to in (a) above.

c. In the course of normal operations the consolidated entity may receive from time to time claims and suits for damages including workers compensation claims, motor vehicle  
accidents or other items of similar nature. The consolidated entity maintains specific insurance policies to transfer the risk of such claims. No provision is included in the accounts  
unless the Directors believe that a liability has been crystallised. In those circumstances where such claims are of material effect, have merit and are not covered by insurance,  
their financial effect is provided for within the financial statements.

d. The Group has provided a guarantee in respect of a capital lease agreement for certain mobile mining equipment entered into by a controlled entity. At December 31,  
2009 the outstanding rental obligations under the capital lease are $40.4m (2008 $39.1m). Refer to Note 23 (b). Associated with this guarantee are certain financial compliance  
undertakings by the Group, including gearing covenants.

e. The Didipio Project is held under a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (“FTAA”) granted by the Philippines Government in 1994. The FTAA grants title, exploration 
and mining rights with a fixed fiscal regime. Under the terms of the FTAA, after a period in which the company can recover development expenditure, capped at 5 years from the 
start of production, the Company is required to pay the Government of the Republic of the Philippines 60% of the “net revenue” earned from the Didipio Project. For the 
purposes of the FTAA, “net revenue” is generally the net revenues derived from mining operations, less deductions for, among other things, expenses relating tomining, 
processing, marketing, depreciation and certain specified overheads. In addition, all taxes paid to the Government shall be included as part of the 60% payable to the Government. 

25 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 19, 2010 the Company announced that it has secured, through the issue of 27,099,132 Subscription Receipts in Canada and 10,949,648 CHESS Depository Interests (CDI’s)  
in Australia, an equity raising of C$78m (before costs) at a price equivalent to C$2.05 per share. The Subscription Receipts will be converted to common shares and the CDI’s will be issued, 
on shareholder approval, at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on March 25, 2010. The proceeds from the Subscription Receipts will be held in escrow until the Release Conditions 
(which include shareholder approval) have been met. The company expects these conditions will be met by 31 March 2010

There have been no other subsequent events that have arisen since the end of the financial year to the date of this report.

Shareholder Information 

(a) Number of holders of equity securities

ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

• 228,003,726 fully paid ordinary shares are held by 6268 individual shareholders. 

Voting rights of members are governed by the company’s constitution. In summary, on a show of hands, every member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote and upon  
a poll every such attending member shall be entitled to one vote for every share held. All fully paid ordinary shares issued by the company carry one vote per share. 

76

OceanaGold Annual Report 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information. Certain statements in this Annual Report constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 
Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to the future financial and operating performance of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, its 
mining projects, the future price of gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, costs of production, estimates of initial capital, 
sustaining capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of the development of new mines, costs and timing of future exploration, 
requirements for additional capital, governmental regulation of mining operations and exploration operations, timing and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable mineral legislation, 
environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and regulatory matters. Often, but not always, forward-looking 
information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, “anticipates” or “believes” or 
variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or 
“will” be taken, occur or be achieved. While the Company has based these statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such information was prepared, the statements are not 
guarantees of the Company’s future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed 
or implied by such forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, among other factors, future prices of gold; 
general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current production, development and/or exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations and 
studies; fluctuations in the value of the United States dollar relative to the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar or the New Zealand dollar; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; 
possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability or 
insurrection or war; labour force availability and turnover; delays in obtaining financing or governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities or in the commencement 
of operations; as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Company’s Annual Information Form in respect of its year ending December 31, 2009 filed with Canadian securities 
regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking 
statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information 
contained herein is made as of the date of this Annual Report and, subject to applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a 
result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Also, many of the factors are beyond our control. As 
actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. 
All forward-looking statements and information made herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

02  Chairman and CEO’s Review

06 

Financial Analysis

08  Assets at a Glance 

12  Operations

14  Development

15 

Exploration 

17  Resources and Reserves 

20 

Sustainability

42  Our People

44  Corporate Governance

52 

76 

Financial Statements

Shareholder Information

77  Glossary 

Profile 
OceanaGold Corporation (OceanaGold) is a significant  
Pacific Rim gold producer listed on the Toronto, Australian 
and New Zealand Stock Exchanges. With three operating 
gold mines and a portfolio of assets located in New Zealand 
and the Philippines, the company is forecast to produce 
between 270,000 and 290,000 ounces of gold in 2010. 

Cover
The ‘Haast Eagle’ sculpture by New Zealand artist,  
Mark Hill. The sculpture is part of OceanaGold’s  
‘Heritage and Art Park’ at its Macraes operation  
in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. 

OceanaGold has adopted United States dollars (USD) as its presentation 
currency. The financial statements are presented in USD and all numbers 
in this document are expressed in USD unless otherwise stated.

(b) Distribution of shareholdings 

FuLLy PAID oRDINARy ShAReS

holding

1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 and over
Total number of holders

Number of holders

Number of Shares

2,942
2,269
511
468
64
6,254

1,287,566
5,497,485
3,926,160
12,912,439
204,380,076
228,003,726

Number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel (of 188 shares) – 757

(c) Substantial Shareholders 

The company’s substantial shareholders and the number of equity securities in which they have an interest as disclosed by notices received under section 671B of the Corporations  
Act 2001 as at 16 April 2010 are:

Name	

Fully	Paid	Ordinary	Shares

Baker Steel Capital Managers LLP 

20,197,585

(d) Top Twenty Shareholders

The names of the 20 largest holders of each class of security as at 16 April 2010 are listed below:

FuLLy PAID oRDINARy ShAReS

Rank 

Name 

1
2
3
4 
5
6
7
8
9
10

CDS & Co
ANZ Nominees Ltd (Cash Income A/C) 
HSBC Custody Nominees
National Nominees Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited
Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Ltd 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd 
Goldman Sachs & Co TR (Donald Smith)
Franway Pty Ltd (Kennedy Family S/Fund)
Forbar Custodians Limited (Forsyth Barr) 

Number 

89,488,985
27,271,555
16,905,465
16,742,939
15,270,580
10,222,985
3,474,080
2,000,000
2,000,000
1,988,606

%

39.25
11.96
7.42
7.34
6.70
4.48
1.52
0.88
0.88
0.87

Glossary

Rank
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Name
Tempio Group of Companies Limited
Den Duyts Corporation Pty Ltd 
Hestian Pty Ltd
SFB Investments Pty Ltd (SFB Settlements) 
Yandal Investments Pty Ltd 
Lippo Securities Nominees (BVI) Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd (CFSIL CWLTH)
UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Ltd
Dr Peter Malcolm Hayworth 
Lu’s International Limited 

Number
1,636,800
1,542,855
1,318,123
1,300,000
1,200,000
1,164,516
1,097,890
654,184
533,300
455,700
196,268,56

%
0.72
0.68
0.58
0.57
0.53
0.51
0.48
0.29
0.23
0.20
86.08

A ‘Mineral Resource’ is a concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects 
for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological 
evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories.

An ‘Inferred Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from geological 
evidence and assumed but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is based on information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, 
workings and drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain quality and reliability.

An ‘Indicated Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable 
level of confidence. It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill 
holes. The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed.

A ‘Measured Mineral Resource’ is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high  
level of confidence. It is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches,  
pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and grade continuity.

A ‘Mineral Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when  
the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, 
marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. Ore Reserves are  
sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore Reserves.

A ‘Probable Mineral Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of an Indicated, and in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances  
for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed 
mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably  
be justified.

A ‘Proven Mineral Reserve’ is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material  
is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic marketing,  
legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified.

77

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9

OceanaGold Corporation
Annual Report 2009

OceanaGold  
Corporation
OceanaGold Corporation 
Corporate Office 
Level 5, 250 Collins Street 
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000  
Australia

PO Box 355,  
Flinders Lane Post Office 
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000  
Australia

T: +61 3 9656 5300 
F: +61 3 9656 5333 
E: info@oceanagold.com

www.oceanagold.com

Directors
James E Askew (Chairman) 
Terrence N Fern 
Jacob (Jake) Klein 
Jose P Leviste Jr. 
J Denham Shale

Company Secretary
Matthew Salthouse

Registered Office
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP 
2900–550 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C OA3 
Canada

Share Registries

Canada
Computershare Investor Services 
3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B9 
Canada

T: +1 604 661 9400 
F: +1 604 669 1548

Australia
Computershare Investor  
Services Pty Ltd 
452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067  
Australia

T: +61 3 9415 4000 
F: +61 3 9473 2500

New Zealand
Computershare Investor  
Services Limited 
Level 2, 159 Hurstmere Road 
Takapuna, North Shore City, 0622  
New Zealand

T: +64 9 488 8700 
F: +64 9 488 8787

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Freshwater Place  
2 Southbank Boulevard 
Southbank, Victoria, 3006  
Australia

T: +61 3 8603 1000 
F: +61 3 8603 1999

Stock Exchanges

Canada
Toronto Stock Exchange 
3rd Floor, 130 King Street W. 
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1J2 
Canada

Ticker symbol: OGC

Australia
Australian Stock Exchange Limited 
Level 4, Stock Exchange Centre 
20 Bridge Street, Sydney 
New South Wales, 2000  
Australia

Ticker symbol: OGC

New Zealand
New Zealand Stock Exchange 
ASB tower, 2 Hunter Street 
Wellington  
New Zealand

Ticker symbol: OGC

Website
www.oceanagold.com

Investor Relations
T: +61 3 9656 5300 
E: info@oceanagold.com

Cert no. SGS-coc-006603

Printed by a certified ISO14001 Environment Management Systems printer.  
Printed on FSC certified 100% post consumer recycled paper, using vegetable based inks. 
In partnership with the Federal Governments’ Greenhouse Challenge program.

Design by Three’s a Crowd

1