Company announcements Home » Investors » News » Company announcements » Harmony continues to generate profits despite lower production 2012 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 Harmony continues to generate profits despite lower productionMay 09, 2012Johannesburg. Wednesday, 9 May 2012. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (‘Harmony’ or the ‘Company’) announced its results for the third quarter and nine months ended on 31 March 2012. The net profit for the nine months ended 31 March 2012 was R2.5 billion (US$332 million), 285% higher when compared to R659 million (US$93 million) for the corresponding nine months of the previous year. This was as a result of the significant higher gold price received for the period of R418 749/kg (US$1 703/oz) versus R300 386/kg (US$1 324/oz) the previous year. The net profit for the March 2012 quarter was R1.0 billion (US$132 million), 3% lower than the previous quarter. This was due to the gross profit being 62% lower at R501 million (US$66 million) offset by a deferred tax credit of R652 million (US$84 million). Gold production decreased by 18% (1 965kg or 63 177oz) in the March 2012 quarter to 8 753kg (281 415oz) from 10 718kg (344 592oz) in the December 2011 quarter. A number of factors contributed to a weaker than expected performance during the quarter, mainly safety stoppages and lower than expected recovered grades. Lower production resulted in an 18% increase in the rand per kilogram unit cost for the March 2012 quarter from R249 356/kg (US$958/oz) in the December 2011 quarter to R293 842/kg (US$1 182/oz) in the quarter under review. The strong cash generated by operating activities for the nine months ended March 2012 of R3.2 billion (US$416 million) paid for capital expenditure of R2.2 billion (US$292 million) and reduced the net debt significantly. Total basic earnings per share for the March 2012 quarter decreased from 243 SA cents (30 US cents) to 235 SA cents (30 US cents) per share. Total headline earnings per share (HEPS) decreased from earnings of 242 SA cents (30 US cents) per share to 234 SA cents (30 US cents) per share. For the nine month period to March 2012, total HEPS amounts to 571 SA cents (75 US cents) per share compared to 192 SA cents (27 US cents) per share for the corresponding period in the previous year. Drilling at Wafi-Golpu in Papua New Guinea continues to confirm the continuity of the high grade mineralization of the resource. Eight drilling rigs were operating by the end of the quarter – two of which were engaged on geotechnical assessment for the proposed decline and mine infrastructure locations and six were engaged on further definition of the Golpu orebody. The pre-feasibility study is on track and the outcomes of the study will be shared with investors during the September 2012 quarter. “We have made excellent strides in the last couple of years in achieving our stated strategy of creating a sustainable company that generates free cash flow that funds dividends and growth. The March 2012 quarter has been a difficult quarter and we have to ensure we continue to improve on all fronts – safety, production and returns”, said Graham Briggs, chief executive officer. For more details contact: Henrika Basterfield Investor Relations Officer +27 (0) 82 759 1775 Marian van der Walt Executive: Corporate and Investor Relations +27 (0) 82 888 1242
