As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 14 April 2014
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
¨ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR |
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR |
¨ | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 December 2013
Commission file number: 1-14846
AngloGold Ashanti Limited
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Republic of South Africa
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organisation)
76 Jeppe Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001
(P.O. Box 62117, Marshalltown, 2107)
South Africa
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
ME Sanz Perez, Company Secretary, Telephone: +27 11 6376306, Facsimile: +27 86 6750137
E-mail: rsanz@anglogoldashanti.com, 76 Jeppe Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
American Depositary Shares |
New York Stock Exchange | |
Ordinary Shares |
New York Stock Exchange* | |
5.375% Notes due 2020 |
New York Stock Exchange | |
8.500% Notes due 2020 |
New York Stock Exchange | |
5.125% Notes due 2022 |
New York Stock Exchange | |
6.50% Notes due 2040 |
New York Stock Exchange |
* | Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
Ordinary Shares of 25 ZAR cents each |
402,628,406 | |||
E Ordinary Shares of 25 ZAR cents each |
712,006 | |||
A Redeemable Preference Shares of 50 ZAR cents each |
2,000,000 | |||
B Redeemable Preference Shares of 1 ZAR cent each |
778,896 |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes x No ¨ |
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ¨ No x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)*.
Yes ¨ No ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one): Large Accelerated Filer x |
Accelerated Filer ¨ |
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ¨ |
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board x Other¨
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). |
Yes ¨ No x |
* | This requirement does not apply to the registrant. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||||||
3 | ||||||
5 | ||||||
6 | ||||||
9 | ||||||
9 | ||||||
10 | ||||||
Item 1: |
11 | |||||
Item 2: |
11 | |||||
Item 3: |
||||||
3A. | 11 | |||||
3B. | 15 | |||||
3C. | 15 | |||||
3D. | 15 | |||||
Item 4: |
43 | |||||
4A. | 43 | |||||
4B. | 44 | |||||
4C. | 90 | |||||
4D. | 91 | |||||
Item 4A: |
117 | |||||
Item 5: |
118 | |||||
5A. | 119 | |||||
5B. | 147 | |||||
5C. | 154 | |||||
5D. | 154 | |||||
5E. | 154 | |||||
5F. | 155 | |||||
Item 6: |
||||||
6A. | 156 | |||||
6B. | 162 | |||||
6C. | 166 | |||||
6D. | 171 | |||||
6E. | 173 | |||||
Item 7: |
179 | |||||
7A. | 181 | |||||
7B. | 182 | |||||
7C. | 182 | |||||
Item 8: |
||||||
8A. | Consolidated financial statements and other financial information |
183 | ||||
183 | ||||||
190 | ||||||
8B. | 190 |
1
Item 9: |
||||||
9A. | 191 | |||||
9B. | 191 | |||||
9C. | 192 | |||||
9D. | 192 | |||||
9E. | 192 | |||||
9F. | 192 | |||||
Item 10: |
||||||
10A. | 193 | |||||
10B. | 196 | |||||
10C. | 207 | |||||
10D. | 209 | |||||
10E. | 210 | |||||
10F. | 214 | |||||
10G. | 214 | |||||
10H. | 214 | |||||
10I. | 214 | |||||
Item 11: |
215 | |||||
Item 12: |
||||||
12A. | 220 | |||||
12B. | 220 | |||||
12C. | 220 | |||||
12D. | ||||||
220 | ||||||
220 | ||||||
Item 13: |
221 | |||||
Item 14: |
Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds |
222 | ||||
Item 15: |
223 | |||||
Item 16A: |
226 | |||||
Item 16B: |
227 | |||||
Item 16C: |
228 | |||||
Item 16D: |
228 | |||||
Item 16E: |
Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers |
228 | ||||
Item 16F: |
229 | |||||
Item 16G: |
229 | |||||
Item 16H: |
229 | |||||
Item 17: |
230 | |||||
Item 18: |
231 and F pages | |||||
Item 19 |
Exhibits |
E pages |
2
AngloGold Ashanti Limited
In this annual report on Form 20-F, unless the context otherwise requires, references to AngloGold, AngloGold Ashanti, the company, the Company and the group are references to AngloGold Ashanti Limited including, as appropriate, subsidiaries and associate companies of AngloGold Ashanti.
IFRS financial statements
As a company incorporated in the Republic of South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti has prepared and filed annual audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in the English language since 1998. These financial statements are distributed to shareholders and are submitted to the JSE Limited (JSE), as well as the London, New York, Australian and Ghana stock exchanges.
In previous years the IFRS financial statements were furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 6-K. The annual consolidated financial statements contained in the Form 20-F for the years ended 31 December 2012 and prior were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP).
In 2013, AngloGold Ashanti has prepared the annual audited consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report on Form 20-F for the years ended 31 December 2013, 2012 and 2011 and as at 31 December 2013, 2012 and 2011 in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. As a consequence of previously filing IFRS financial statements in our home country, we are not permitted to take advantage of any IFRS1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards exceptions in this first filing of IFRS on Form 20-F. The company changed to reporting in accordance with IFRS in its Form 20-F to remove duplication, improve efficiencies as it reports in accordance with IFRS in its home country South Africa and align with the majority of its peers. As this is a first time filing of IFRS on Form 20-F the financial statements include a reconciliation of IFRS to US GAAP for the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years. Refer: Item 18 Financial Statements Note 42 Reconciliation between IFRS and US GAAP.
Although this is a first filing of IFRS financial statements in the annual report on Form 20-F, we have highlighted the 2012 and 2011 years restated as they were restated as a result of the adoption of new accounting policies required in terms of IFRS in the Annual Financial Statements and Integrated Reports in our home country.
Currency
AngloGold Ashanti presents its consolidated financial statements in United States dollars.
In this annual report, references to rands, ZAR and R are to the lawful currency of the Republic of South Africa, references to US dollars, dollar or $ are to the lawful currency of the United States, references to and Euro are to the lawful currency of the European Union, references to C$ or CAD are to the lawful currency of Canada, references to ARS and peso are to the lawful currency of Argentina, references to AUD and A$ are to the lawful currency of Australia, references to BRL are to the lawful currency of Brazil, reference to NAD and N$ are to the lawful currency of Namibia, reference to Tsh or TZS is to the lawful currency of the United Republic of Tanzania and references to GHC, cedi or ¢ are to the lawful currency of Ghana.
See Item 3A.: Selected financial data Exchange rate information for historical information regarding the US dollar/South African rand exchange rate. On 2 April 2014, the interbank US dollar/South African rand exchange rate as reported by OANDA Corporation was R10.56/$1.00.
Non-GAAP financial measures
In this annual report on Form 20-F, AngloGold Ashanti presents the financial items total cash costs, total cash costs per ounce, total production costs, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce which have been determined using industry guidelines and practices and are not IFRS measures. An investor should not consider these items in isolation or as alternatives to production costs, profit/(loss) applicable to equity shareholders, profit/(loss) before taxation, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with IFRS. The Gold Institute provided definitions for the calculation of total cash costs and total production costs and during June 2013 the World Gold Council published a Guidance Note on all-in sustaining costs and all-in costs metrics. The calculation of total cash costs, total cash costs per ounce, total production costs, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce may vary significantly among gold mining companies, and by themselves do not necessarily provide a basis for comparison with other gold mining companies. See Glossary of selected terms Financial terms Total cash costs and Total production costs and All-in sustaining costs.
3
Shares and shareholders
In this annual report on Form 20-F, references to ordinary shares, ordinary shareholders, equity shareholders and shareholders/members, should be read as common stock, common stockholders and stockholders, respectively, and vice versa.
4
CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this document, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, those concerning the economic outlook for the gold mining industry, expectations regarding gold prices, production, cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, cost savings and other operating results, return on equity, productivity improvements, growth prospects and outlook of AngloGold Ashantis operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones, the commencement and completion of commercial operations of certain of AngloGold Ashantis exploration and production projects and the completion of acquisitions and dispositions, AngloGold Ashantis liquidity and capital resources and capital expenditures and the outcome and consequence of any potential or pending litigation or regulatory proceedings or environmental, health and safety issues, are forward-looking statements regarding AngloGold Ashantis operations, economic performance and financial condition.
These forward-looking statements or forecasts involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause AngloGold Ashantis actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Although AngloGold Ashanti believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and forecasts are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of among other factors, changes in economic, social and political and market conditions, the success of business and operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and other government actions, including environmental approvals and requirements, fluctuations in gold prices and exchange rates, the outcome of pending or future litigation proceedings and business and operational risk management and other factors as described in Item 3D.: Risk factors and elsewhere in this annual report. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause AngloGold Ashantis actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. Consequently, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
AngloGold Ashanti undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this annual report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by applicable law. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to AngloGold Ashanti or any person acting on its behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements herein.
5
The following explanations are not intended as technical definitions but should assist the reader in understanding terminology used in this annual report. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all explanations are applicable to both underground and surface mining operations.
All injury frequency rate: The total number of injuries and fatalities that occurs per million hours worked.
BIF: Banded Ironstone Formation. A chemically formed iron-rich sedimentary rock.
By-products: Any products that emanate from the core process of producing gold, including silver, uranium and sulphuric acid.
Calc-silicate rock: A metamorphic rock consisting mainly of calcium-bearing silicates such as diopside and wollastonite, and formed by metamorphism of impure limestone or dolomite.
Carbon-in-leach (CIL): Gold is leached from a slurry of gold ore with cyanide in agitated tanks and adsorbed on to activated carbon granules at the same time (i.e. when cyanide is introduced in the leach tank, there is already activated carbon in the tank and there is no distinction between leach and adsorption stages). The carbon granules are separated from the slurry and treated in an elution circuit to remove the gold.
Carbon-in-pulp (CIP): Gold is leached conventionally from a slurry of gold ore with cyanide in agitated tanks. The leached slurry then passes into the CIP circuit where activated carbon granules are mixed with the slurry and gold is adsorbed on to the activated carbon. The gold-loaded carbon is separated from the slurry and treated in an elution circuit to remove the gold.
Comminution: Comminution is the crushing and grinding of ore to make gold available for treatment. (See also Milling).
Contained gold: The total gold content (tons multiplied by grade) of the material being described.
Cut-off grade (surface mines): The minimum grade at which a unit of ore will be mined to achieve the desired economic outcome.
Depletion: The decrease in the quantity of ore in a deposit or property resulting from extraction or production.
Development: The process of accessing an orebody through shafts and/or tunneling in underground mining operations.
Diorite: An igneous rock formed by the solidification of molten material (magma).
Doré: Impure alloy of gold and silver produced at a mine to be refined to a higher purity.
Electro-winning: A process of recovering gold from solution by means of electrolytic chemical reaction into a form that can be smelted easily into gold bars.
Elution: Recovery of the gold from the activated carbon into solution before zinc precipitation or electro-winning.
Feasibility study: A comprehensive technical and economic study of the selected development option for a mineral project that includes appropriately detailed assessments of applicable Modifying Factors together with any other relevant operational factors and detailed financial analysis that are necessary to demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified (economically mineable). The results of the study may reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a proponent or financial institution to proceed with, or finance, the development of the project. The confidence level of the study will be higher than that of a Pre-Feasibility Study (JORC 2012).
Flotation: Concentration of gold and gold-hosting minerals into a small mass by various techniques (e.g. collectors, frothers, agitation, air-flow) that collectively enhance the buoyancy of the target minerals, relative to unwanted gangue, for recovery into an over-flowing froth phase.
6
Gold Produced: Refined gold in a saleable form derived from the mining process.
Grade: The quantity of gold contained within a unit weight of gold-bearing material generally expressed in ounces per short ton of ore (oz/t), or grams per metric tonne (g/t).
Greenschist: A schistose metamorphic rock whose green colour is due to the presence of chlorite, epidote or actinolite.
Leaching: Dissolution of gold from crushed or milled material, including reclaimed slime, prior to adsorption on to activated carbon or direct zinc precipitation.
Life of mine (LOM): Number of years for which an operation is planning to mine and treat ore, and is taken from the current mine plan.
Metallurgical plant: A processing plant constructed to treat ore and extract gold.
Metallurgical recovery factor (MetRF): A measure of the efficiency in extracting gold from the ore deposit.
Milling: A process of reducing broken ore to a size at which concentrating can be undertaken. (See also Comminution).
Mine call factor: The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the total quantity of recovered and unrecovered mineral product after processing with the amount estimated in the ore based on sampling. The ratio of contained gold delivered to the metallurgical plant divided by the estimated contained gold of ore mined based on sampling.
Mineral deposit: A mineral deposit is a concentration (or occurrence) of material of possible economic interest in or on the earths crust.
Mineral Resource: A concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the earths crust is such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity and other geological characteristics of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling. Mineral resources are sub-divided in order of increasing geological confidence, into inferred, indicated or measured categories (JORC, 2012).
Modifying factors: Modifying Factors are considerations used to convert Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves. These include, but are not restricted to, mining, processing, metallurgical, infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors.
Ore Reserve: That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the Ore Reserve determination.
Ounce (oz) (troy): Used in imperial statistics. A kilogram is equal to 32.1507 ounces. A troy ounce is equal to 31.1035 grams.
Pay limit: The grade of a unit of ore at which the revenue from the recovered mineral content of the ore is equal to the sum of total cash costs, closure costs, Ore Reserve development and stay-in-business capital. This grade is expressed as an in-situ value in grams per tonne or ounces per short ton (before dilution and mineral losses).
Precipitate: The solid product formed when a change in solution chemical conditions results in conversion of some pre-dissolved ions into solid state.
Probable Ore Reserve: Ore Reserve for which quantity and grade are computed from information similar to that used for Proven Reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are further apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for Proven Reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.
Productivity: An expression of labour productivity based on the ratio of ounces of gold produced per month to the total number of employees in mining operations.
7
Proven Ore Reserve: A Proven Ore Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. A Proven Ore Reserve implies a high degree of confidence in the Modifying Factors.
Project capital: Capital expenditure to either bring a new operation into production; to materially increase production capacity; or to materially extend the productive life of an asset.
Recovered grade: The recovered mineral content per unit of ore treated.
Reef: A gold-bearing sedimentary horizon, normally a conglomerate band that may contain economic levels of gold.
Refining: The final purification process of a metal or mineral.
Rehabilitation: The process of reclaiming land disturbed by mining to allow an appropriate post-mining use. Rehabilitation standards are defined by country-specific laws, including but not limited to the South African Department of Mineral Resources, the US Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the relevant Australian mining authorities, and address among other issues, ground and surface water, topsoil, final slope gradient, waste handling and re-vegetation issues.
Seismic event: A sudden inelastic deformation within a given volume of rock that radiates detectable seismic energy.
Shaft: A vertical or subvertical excavation used for accessing an underground mine; for transporting personnel, equipment and supplies; for hoisting ore and waste; for ventilation and utilities; and/or as an auxiliary exit.
Short ton: Used in imperial statistics. Equal to 2,000 pounds.
Skarn: A rock of complex mineralogical composition, formed by contact metamorphism and metasomatism of carbonate rocks.
Smelting: A pyro-metallurgical operation in which gold precipitate from electro-winning or zinc precipitation is further separated from impurities.
Stope: Underground excavation where the orebody is extracted.
Stoping: The process of excavating ore underground.
Stripping ratio: The ratio of waste tonnes to ore tonnes mined calculated as total tonnes mined less ore tonnes mined divided by ore tonnes mined.
Syngenetic: Formed contemporaneously with the deposition of the sediment.
Tailings: Finely ground rock of low residual value from which valuable minerals have been extracted.
Tailings dam (slimes dam): Dam facilities designed to store discarded tailings.
Tonne: Used in metric statistics. Equal to 1,000 kilograms.
Tonnage: Quantity of material measured in tonnes or tons.
Waste: Material that contains insufficient mineralisation for consideration for future treatment and, as such, is discarded.
Yield: The amount of valuable mineral or metal recovered from each unit mass of ore expressed as ounces per short ton or grams per metric tonne.
Zinc precipitation: Zinc precipitation is the chemical reaction using zinc dust that converts gold in solution to a solid form for smelting into unrefined gold bars.
8
Financial terms and Non-GAAP metrics
All-in sustaining costs: All-in sustaining costs incorporate all costs related to sustaining production. In particular all-in sustaining costs recognise the sustaining capital expenditures associated with developing and maintaining gold mines. In addition, this metric includes the cost associated with corporate office structures that support these operations, the community and rehabilitation costs attendant with responsible mining and any exploration and evaluation cost associated with sustaining current operations. All-in sustaining costs per ounce are arrived at by dividing the dollar value of the sum of these cost metrics, by the ounces of gold sold.
Average number of employees: The monthly average number of production and non-production employees and contractors employed during the year, where contractors are defined as individuals who have entered into a fixed-term contract of employment with a group company or subsidiary. Employee numbers of joint ventures represents the groups attributable share.
Capital expenditure: Total capital expenditure on tangible and intangible assets which includes stay-in-business and project capital.
Effective tax rate: Current and deferred taxation as a percentage of profit before taxation.
OANDA Corporation: An internet-based provider of foreign exchange (forex) trading and currency information services.
Rated bonds: The $700 million 5.375 percent bonds due 2020, $300 million 6.5 percent bonds due 2040, the $750 million 5.125 percent bonds due 2022 and the $1.25 billion 8.50 percent bonds due 2020.
Region: Defines the business segments within AngloGold Ashanti Limited, namely South Africa, Continental Africa (The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia and Tanzania), Australasia, and the Americas (Argentina, Brazil and United States of America).
STRATE: The licensed Central Securities Depository (CSD) for the electronic settlement of financial instruments in South Africa.
Total cash costs: Total cash costs include site costs for all mining, processing and administration, reduced by contributions from by-products and are inclusive of royalties and production taxes. Amortisation, rehabilitation, corporate administration, retrenchment, capital and exploration costs are excluded. Total cash costs per ounce are the attributable total cash costs divided by the attributable ounces of gold produced.
Total production costs: Total cash costs plus depreciation, depletion and amortisation, employee severance costs, rehabilitation and other non-cash costs. Corporate administration and exploration costs are excluded. Total production costs per ounce are the attributable total production costs divided by the attributable ounces of gold produced.
Weighted average number of ordinary shares: The number of ordinary shares in issue at the beginning of the year, increased by shares issued during the year, weighted on a time basis for the period during which they have participated in the income of the group, and increased by share options that are virtually certain to be exercised.
$, US$ or dollar |
United States dollars |
|||||
ARS or peso |
Argentinean peso |
|||||
A$ or AUD |
Australian dollars |
|||||
BRL |
Brazilian real |
|||||
C$ or CAD |
Canadian dollars |
|||||
or Euro |
European euro |
|||||
GHC, cedi or ¢ |
Ghanaian cedi |
|||||
N$ or NAD |
Namibian dollars |
|||||
Tsh or TZS |
Tanzanian shillings |
|||||
ZAR, R or rand |
South African rands |
9
ADS |
American Depositary Share | |
ADR |
American Depositary Receipt | |
AIFR |
All injury frequency rate | |
ASX |
Australian Securities Exchange | |
Au |
Contained gold | |
BBSY |
Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate | |
BEE |
Black Economic Empowerment | |
bn |
Billion | |
capex |
Capital expenditure | |
CDI |
Chess Depositary Interests | |
CHESS |
Clearing House Electronic Settlement System | |
CLR |
Carbon Leader Reef | |
Companies Act |
South African Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008, as amended | |
DMTNP |
Domestic medium-term notes programme | |
ERP |
Enterprise resource planning | |
FIFR |
Fatal injury frequency rate | |
G or g |
Grams | |
g/t |
Grams per tonne | |
GhDS |
Ghanaian Depositary Share | |
GhSE |
Ghana Stock Exchange | |
IASB |
International Accounting Standards Board | |
IFRS |
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB | |
JORC |
Australasian Code for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves | |
JIBAR |
Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate | |
JSE |
JSE Limited (Johannesburg Stock Exchange) | |
King III |
South African King Code on Corporate Governance, 2009 | |
Kg or kg |
Kilograms | |
Km or km |
Kilometres | |
Km2 |
Squared kilometres | |
Koz |
Thousand ounces | |
LSE |
London Stock Exchange | |
LIBOR |
London Interbank Offer Rate | |
LOM |
Life of mine | |
M or m |
Metre or million, depending on the context | |
Moz |
Million ounces | |
Mt |
Million tonnes or tons | |
Mtpa |
Million tonnes/tons per annum | |
NYSE |
New York Stock Exchange | |
Oz or oz |
Ounces (troy) | |
oz/t |
Ounces per ton | |
oz/TEC |
Ounces per total employee costed | |
SAMREC |
South African Code for the Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves | |
SEC |
United States Securities and Exchange Commission | |
SOX |
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
T or t |
Tons (short) or tonnes (metric) | |
Tpa or tpa |
Tonnes/tons per annum | |
US/USA/United States |
United States of America | |
US GAAP |
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | |
VCR |
Ventersdorp Contact Reef |
Note: Rounding of figures in this report may result in computational discrepancies.
10
ITEM 1: IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2: OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
3A. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The selected financial information set forth below for the years ended and as at 31 December 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the IFRS financial statements included under Item 18 of this annual report. The selected financial information for the years ended and as at 31 December 2009 and 2010 has been derived from the IFRS financial statements not included in this annual report. Financial statements for the years ended and as at 31 December 2012 and 2011 have been restated to reflect changes in accounting policies.
The financial statements have been prepared under IFRS.
11
Year ended 31 December
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 (1) | 2011 (1) | 2010 (2) | 2009 (2) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated income statement |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
5,708 | 6,632 | 6,925 | 5,514 | 3,916 | |||||||||||||||
Gold income |
5,497 | 6,353 | 6,570 | 5,334 | 3,768 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
(4,146 | ) | (3,964 | ) | (3,892 | ) | (3,550 | ) | (2,813 | ) | ||||||||||
Gain (loss) on non-hedge derivatives and other commodity contracts |
94 | (35 | ) | (1 | ) | (702 | ) | (1,533 | ) | |||||||||||
Gross profit (loss) |
1,445 | 2,354 | 2,677 | 1,082 | (578 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Corporate administration, marketing and other expenses |
(201 | ) | (291 | ) | (278 | ) | (220 | ) | (164 | ) | ||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation costs |
(255 | ) | (395 | ) | (279 | ) | (198 | ) | (150 | ) | ||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
(19 | ) | (47 | ) | (31 | ) | (20 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||
Special items |
(3,410 | ) | (402 | ) | 163 | (126 | ) | 691 | ||||||||||||
Operating (loss) profit |
(2,440 | ) | 1,219 | 2,252 | 518 | (209 | ) | |||||||||||||
Dividends received |
5 | 7 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Interest received |
39 | 43 | 52 | 43 | 54 | |||||||||||||||
Exchange gain |
14 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 112 | |||||||||||||||
Finance costs and unwinding of obligations |
(296 | ) | (231 | ) | (196 | ) | (166 | ) | (139 | ) | ||||||||||
Fair value adjustment on $1.25bn bonds |
(58 | ) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustment on option component of convertible bonds |
9 | 83 | 84 | (1 | ) | (33 | ) | |||||||||||||
Fair value adjustment on mandatory convertible bonds |
356 | 162 | 104 | (55 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||
Share of associates and joint ventures (loss) profit |
(162 | ) | (30 | ) | 72 | 63 | 94 | |||||||||||||
(Loss) profit before taxation |
(2,533 | ) | 1,261 | 2,370 | 405 | (121 | ) | |||||||||||||
Taxation |
333 | (346 | ) | (737 | ) | (276 | ) | (147 | ) | |||||||||||
(Loss) profit for the year |
(2,200 | ) | 915 | 1,633 | 129 | (268 | ) | |||||||||||||
Allocated as follows |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity shareholders |
(2,230 | ) | 897 | 1,587 | 76 | (320 | ) | |||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests |
30 | 18 | 46 | 53 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
(2,200 | ) | 915 | 1,633 | 129 | (268 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Basic (loss) earnings per ordinary share (cents) |
(568 | ) | 232 | 411 | 20 | (89 | ) | |||||||||||||
Diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (cents) |
(631 | ) | 177 | 355 | 20 | (89 | ) | |||||||||||||
Dividend per ordinary share (cents) |
10 | 56 | 34 | 18 | 13 |
(1) | Comparative years have been restated for the adoption of IFRIC 20. |
(2) | As originally published in home country. |
12
As at 31 December | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012(1) | 2011(1) | 2010(2) | 2009(2) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated balance sheet data |
||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Tangible assets |
4,815 | 7,776 | 6,545 | 6,180 | 5,819 | |||||||||||||||
Intangible assets |
267 | 315 | 210 | 194 | 177 | |||||||||||||||
Investments in associates and joint ventures |
1,327 | 1,047 | 691 | 622 | 640 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments |
131 | 167 | 186 | 237 | 175 | |||||||||||||||
Inventories |
586 | 610 | 410 | 345 | 337 | |||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
29 | 79 | 76 | 152 | 106 | |||||||||||||||
Derivatives |
- | - | - | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred taxation |
177 | 97 | 79 | 20 | 61 | |||||||||||||||
Cash restricted for use |
31 | 29 | 23 | 33 | 53 | |||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
41 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
7,404 | 10,127 | 8,229 | 7,793 | 7,381 | ||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments |
1 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Inventories |
1,053 | 1,213 | 998 | 890 | 686 | |||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
369 | 472 | 354 | 247 | 191 | |||||||||||||||
Derivatives |
- | - | - | - | 330 | |||||||||||||||
Current portion of other non-current assets |
- | - | - | 1 | - | |||||||||||||||
Cash restricted for use |
46 | 35 | 35 | 10 | 12 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
648 | 892 | 1,112 | 575 | 1100 | |||||||||||||||
2,117 | 2,612 | 2,499 | 1,723 | 2,319 | ||||||||||||||||
Non-current assets held for sale |
153 | - | 21 | 16 | 87 | |||||||||||||||
2,270 | 2,612 | 2,520 | 1,739 | 2,406 | ||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
9,674 | 12,739 | 10,749 | 9,532 | 9,787 | |||||||||||||||
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES |
||||||||||||||||||||
Share capital and premium |
7,006 | 6,742 | 6,689 | 6,627 | 5,805 | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated losses and other reserves |
(3,927 | ) | (1,269 | ) | (1,706 | ) | (2,638 | ) | (2,905 | ) | ||||||||||
Shareholders equity |
3,079 | 5,473 | 4,983 | 3,989 | 2,900 | |||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests |
28 | 21 | 137 | 124 | 130 | |||||||||||||||
Total equity |
3,107 | 5,494 | 5,120 | 4,113 | 3,030 | |||||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings |
3,633 | 2,724 | 2,456 | 2,569 | 654 | |||||||||||||||
Environmental rehabilitation and other provisions |
963 | 1,238 | 782 | 589 | 451 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for pension and post-retirement benefits |
152 | 221 | 195 | 191 | 159 | |||||||||||||||
Trade, other payables and deferred income |
4 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 14 | |||||||||||||||
Derivatives |
- | 10 | 93 | 176 | 176 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred taxation |
579 | 1,084 | 1,148 | 900 | 753 | |||||||||||||||
5,331 | 5,287 | 4,688 | 4,442 | 2,207 | ||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings |
258 | 859 | 32 | 135 | 1,277 | |||||||||||||||
Trade, other payables and deferred income |
820 | 979 | 751 | 705 | 582 | |||||||||||||||
Bank overdraft |
20 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Derivatives |
- | - | - | - | 2,525 | |||||||||||||||
Taxation |
81 | 120 | 158 | 134 | 159 | |||||||||||||||
1,179 | 1,958 | 941 | 974 | 4,543 | ||||||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities held for sale |
57 | - | - | 3 | 7 | |||||||||||||||
1,236 | 1,958 | 941 | 977 | 4,550 | ||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
6,567 | 7,245 | 5,629 | 5,419 | 6,757 | |||||||||||||||
Total equity and liabilities |
9,674 | 12,739 | 10,749 | 9,532 | 9,787 | |||||||||||||||
Number of ordinary shares as adjusted to reflect changes in share capital |
402,628,406 | 383,320,962 | 382,242,343 | 381,204,080 | 362,240,669 | |||||||||||||||
Share capital (exclusive of long-term debt and redeemable preference shares) |
16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | |||||||||||||||
Net assets |
3,107 | 5,494 | 5,120 | 4,113 | 3,030 |
(1) | Comparative years have been restated for the adoption of IFRIC 20. |
(2) | As originally published in home country. |
13
Annual dividends
The table below sets forth the amounts of interim, final and total dividends declared in respect of the past five years in cents per ordinary share.
Year ended 31 December(1) | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||||
South African cents per ordinary share |
||||||||||||||||||||
First quarter |
50 | 200 | 80 | 70 | 50 | |||||||||||||||
Second quarter |
50 | 100 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Third quarter |
- | 100 | 90 | 65 | 60 | |||||||||||||||
Fourth quarter |
- | 50 | 90 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Total |
100 | 450 | 260 | 135 | 110 | |||||||||||||||
US cents per ordinary share(2) |
||||||||||||||||||||
First quarter |
5 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
Second quarter |
5 | 12 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Third quarter |
- | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Fourth quarter |
- | 6 | 11 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Total |
10 | 56 | 34 | 18 | 13 |
(1) | During quarter three of 2011, the Company changed the frequency of dividend payments from half-yearly to quarterly. During 2013, the Company changed the frequency of dividend payments to be dependent upon the boards ongoing assessment of AngloGold Ashantis earnings. |
(2) | Dividends for these periods were declared in South African cents. US dollar cents per share figures have been calculated based on exchange rates prevailing on each of the respective payment dates. |
For further information on the companys policy on dividend distributions, see Item 8A: Consolidated financial statements and other information Dividends.
Exchange rate information
The following table sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, certain information concerning US dollar/South African rand exchange rates expressed in rands per $1.00. On 2 April 2014, the interbank rate between South African rands and US dollars as reported by OANDA Corporation was R10.56/$1.00.
Year ended 31 December(2) | High | Low | Year end | Average (1) | ||||||||||||
2009 |
10.70 | 7.21 | 7.41 | 8.44 | ||||||||||||
2010 |
8.08 | 6.57 | 6.64 | 7.34 | ||||||||||||
2011 |
8.60 | 6.49 | 8.14 | 7.27 | ||||||||||||
2012 |
8.95 | 7.46 | 8.47 | 8.20 | ||||||||||||
2013 |
10.51 | 8.47 | 10.49 | 9.63 | ||||||||||||
2014(3) |
11.25 | 10.47 | 10.56 | 10.84 |
(1) | The average rate of exchange on the last business day of each month during the year. |
(2) | Based on the interbank rate as reported by OANDA Corporation. |
(3) | Through to 2 April 2014. |
Exchange rate information for the months of (1) | High | Low | ||||||
October 2013 |
10.09 | 9.76 | ||||||
November 2013 |
10.39 | 9.97 | ||||||
December 2013 |
10.51 | 10.16 | ||||||
January 2014 |
11.25 | 10.47 | ||||||
February 2014 |
11.19 | 10.76 | ||||||
March 2014 |
10.89 | 10.57 | ||||||
April 2014(2) |
10.57 | 10.56 |
(1) | Based on the interbank rate as reported by OANDA Corporation. |
(2) | Through to 2 April 2014. |
14
3B. | CAPITALISATION AND INDEBTEDNESS |
Not applicable.
3C. | REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
3D. | RISK FACTORS |
This section describes many of the risks that could affect AngloGold Ashanti. There may, however, be additional risks unknown to AngloGold Ashanti and other risks, currently believed to be immaterial, that could turn out to be material. Additional risks may arise or become material subsequent to the date of this document. These risks, either individually or simultaneously, could significantly affect the groups business, financial results and the price of its securities.
Risks related to AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition as a result of factors that impact the gold mining industry generally.
Commodity market price fluctuations could adversely affect the profitability of operations.
AngloGold Ashantis revenues are primarily derived from the sale of gold and, to a lesser extent, uranium, silver and sulphuric acid. The companys current policy is to sell its products at prevailing market prices and not to enter into price hedging arrangements. The market prices for these commodities fluctuate widely. These fluctuations are caused by numerous factors beyond the companys control. For example, the market price of gold may change for a variety of reasons, including:
| speculative positions taken by investors or traders in gold; |
| monetary policies announced or implemented by central banks, including the US Federal Reserve; |
| changes in the demand for gold as an investment or as a result of leasing arrangements; |
| changes in the demand for gold used in jewellery and for other industrial uses, including as a result of prevailing economic conditions; |
| changes in the supply of gold from production, divestment, scrap and hedging; |
| financial market expectations regarding the rate of inflation; |
| the strength of the US dollar (the currency in which the gold price trades internationally) relative to other currencies; |
| changes in interest rates; |
| actual or anticipated sales or purchases of gold by central banks and the International Monetary Fund; |
| gold hedging and de-hedging by gold producers; |
| global or regional political or economic events; and |
| the cost of gold production in major gold producing countries. |
The market price of gold has been and continues to be significantly volatile. During 2013, the gold price traded from a low of $1,189 per ounce to a high of $1,691 per ounce. On 2 April 2014, the afternoon fixing price for gold on the London Bullion Market was $1,292 per ounce. The price of gold is often subject to sharp, short-term changes; for example, during the period from Friday, 12 April 2013, through to Monday, 15 April 2013, the price of gold dropped by $228 per ounce. While the overall supply of and demand for gold can affect its market price, the considerable size of historical mined (i.e., above ground) stocks of the metal means that these factors typically do not affect the gold price in the same manner or degree compared to other commodities. In addition, the shift in demand from physical gold to investment and speculative purposes may exacerbate the volatility of the gold price.
During 2012 and 2013, a correlation existed between the central banks policies and the price of gold, with the price falling at the prospect of the end of quantitative easing in some of the main economies. For example, on 19 June 2013, Chairman Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve announced that the Federal Reserve may begin reducing its quantitative easing programme in 2013. During the course of the following week, the price of gold fell to $1,180 per ounce, its lowest level in 34 months. Effecting any reduction in the Federal Reserves quantitative easing programme, or any future announcements or proposals by the Federal Reserve, or any of its board members or regional presidents, relating to any such reduction, may materially and adversely affect the price of gold and, as a result, our financial condition and results of operations.
15
A sustained period of significant gold price volatility may adversely affect the companys ability to evaluate the feasibility of undertaking new capital projects, or the continuity of existing operations, or to meet our operational targets or to make other long-term strategic decisions. Lower and more volatile gold prices, together with other factors, have led us to alter our expansion and development strategy and consider ways to align our asset portfolio to take account of such expectations and trends. A further sustained decrease in the price of gold, such as the decrease experienced in 2013, could also have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis financial condition and results of operations, as it may be unable to quickly adjust its cost structure to reflect the reduced gold price environment. During 2013, AngloGold Ashanti reviewed the carrying value of its mining assets (including ore stockpiles), goodwill and intangibles and, based on revised forecast gold prices, booked a charge in relation to impairments and revaluation of net realisable value of its mining assets (including ore stockpiles), goodwill and intangibles of $3,245 million. In addition, AngloGold Ashanti is obliged to meet certain financial covenants under the terms of its borrowing facilities and its ability to continue to meet these covenants could be adversely affected by a further sustained decrease in the price of gold. The use of lower gold prices in reserve calculations and life-of-mine plans could also result in material impairments of the companys investment in mining properties or a reduction in its Ore Reserve estimates and corresponding restatements of its Ore Reserves and increased amortisation, reclamation and closure charges.
The spot price of uranium has been volatile in past years. During 2013, the price varied between a low of approximately $34 per pound and a high of $44 per pound. On 2 April 2014, the spot price of uranium was $34 per pound. Uranium prices can be affected by several factors, including demand for nuclear reactors, uranium production shortfalls and restocking by utilities. Events like those surrounding the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan in 2011 can also have a material impact on the price of and demand for uranium.
The price of silver has also experienced significant fluctuations. From a high of $32 per ounce in January 2013, the price declined to a low of $18 per ounce by June 2013. By December 2013, the price had increased to approximately $20 per ounce.
Factors affecting the price of silver include investor demand, physical demand for silver bars, industrial and retail off-take, and silver coin minting. On 2 April 2014, the price of silver was $20 per ounce.
Furthermore, government policies, including taxes and duties, may affect the demand for gold. For example, over the course of 2013, the Indian Finance Ministry increased gold import duties from 2% to 10% with the most recent increase to 10% occurring in August 2013. In addition, at least a fifth of gold imported into India must be exported. Such increases, and any similar import duty increases in India or other large gold importing countries, could adversely affect demand for, and consequently prices of, gold.
If revenue from sales of gold, uranium, silver or sulphuric acid falls below their respective cost of production for an extended period, AngloGold Ashanti may experience losses and curtail or suspend some or all of its exploration projects and existing operations or sell underperforming assets. Declining commodities prices may also force a reassessment of the feasibility of a particular project or projects, which could cause substantial delays or interrupt operations until the reassessment can be completed.
Foreign exchange fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
Gold is principally a US dollar-priced commodity and most of the companys revenues are realised in, or linked to, US dollars whilst production costs are largely incurred in the local currency where the relevant operation is located. Given the companys global operations and local foreign exchange regulations, some of its funds are held in local currencies, such as the South African rand, Ghanaian cedi, Brazilian real, Argentinean peso and the Australian dollar. The weakness of the U.S. dollar against local currencies results in higher production costs in U.S. dollar terms. Conversely, the strengthening of the dollar lowers local production costs in U.S. dollar terms.
From time to time, AngloGold Ashanti may implement currency hedges intended to reduce exposure to changes in the foreign currency exchange. Such hedging strategies may not however be successful, and any of AngloGold Ashantis unhedged exchange payments will continue to be subject to market fluctuations.
Exchange rate movements may have a material impact on AngloGold Ashantis operating results. For example, the company estimates that a 1 percent strengthening of all of the South African rand, Brazilian real, the Argentinean peso or the Australian dollar against the US dollar will, other factors remaining equal, result in an increase in total cash costs of approximately $6 per ounce or approximately 1 percent of the companys total cash costs.
16
The profitability of operations and the cash flows generated by these operations are significantly affected by fluctuations in input production prices, many of which are linked to the prices of oil and steel.
Fuel, energy and consumables, including diesel, heavy fuel oil, chemical reagents, explosives, tyres, steel and mining equipment consumed in mining operations form a relatively large part of the operating costs and capital expenditure of any mining company.
AngloGold Ashanti has no influence over the cost of these consumables, many of which are linked to some degree to the price of oil and steel.
The price of oil has been volatile, fluctuating between $98 and $120 per barrel of Brent Crude in 2013. As of 2 April 2014, the price of oil was at $104 per barrel of Brent Crude. AngloGold Ashanti estimates that for each US dollar per barrel rise in the oil price, other factors remaining equal, the total cash costs of all its operations increases by approximately $0.75 per ounce. The cash costs of certain of the companys mines, particularly Sadiola, Siguiri, Geita, Navachab, Cripple Creek & Victor, and Tropicana are most sensitive to changes in the price of oil.
Furthermore, the price of steel has also been volatile. Steel is used in the manufacture of most forms of fixed and mobile mining equipment, which is a relatively large contributor to the operating costs and capital expenditure of a mine. For example, the price of flat hot rolled coil (North American Domestic FOB) steel traded between $570 per tonne and $683 per tonne in 2013. On 2 April 2014, the price of flat hot rolled coil (North American Domestic FOB) was $634 per tonne.
Fluctuations in oil and steel prices have a significant impact on operating costs and capital expenditure estimates and, in the absence of other economic fluctuations, could result in significant changes in the total expenditure estimates for new mining projects or render certain projects non-viable.
Energy cost increases and power fluctuations and stoppages could adversely impact the companys results of operations and financial condition.
Increasing global demand for energy, concerns about nuclear power, and the limited growth of new supply are impacting the price and supply of energy. The transition of emerging markets to higher energy consumption, carbon taxation as well as unrest and potential conflict in the Middle East, among other factors, could result in increased demand or constrained supply and sharply escalating oil and energy prices.
AngloGold Ashantis mining operations are substantially dependent upon electrical power generated by local utilities or by power plants situated at some of its operations. The unreliability of these local sources of power can have a material effect on the companys operations, as large amounts of power are required for exploration, development, extraction, processing and other mining activities on the companys properties.
In South Africa, the companys operations are dependent on electricity supplied by one state-owned power generation company, Eskom. Electricity is used for most business and safety-critical operations that include cooling, hoisting and dewatering. Loss of power can therefore impact production, employee safety and prolonged outages could lead to flooding of workings and ore sterilisation. In 2008, Eskom and the South African government declared a national emergency and warned that they could no longer guarantee the availability of electricity due to a national supply shortage blamed on coal supply shortages and unplanned generation-set outages as a result of maintenance backlog and asset age. The entire country went into a programme of rolling blackouts and AngloGold Ashanti and other mining companies operating in South Africa were forced in late January until mid-March of 2008 to temporarily suspend mining operations at their mines.
In addition, lightning or other damage to power stations can result in power interruptions at our operations. In this regard, AngloGold Ashantis two main operational sites in the West Wits region in South Africa had all main power interrupted between 13 March 2013 and 15 March 2013 after a fire caused by lightning damaged a transformer at a main regional substation.
The power supply to AngloGold Ashantis South African operations may be curtailed or interrupted again in the future. A warning of the very high risk of blackouts was re-issued at the start of 2011 and each year since. On 20 February 2014, Eskom declared a power emergency pursuant to its regulatory protocols to protect the national electricity grid. The power emergency was caused by the loss of additional generating units, reduced imports resulting from failure of power lines from Cohara Bassa in Mozambique, and the extensive use of emergency reserves. Eskom alerted key industrial customers including AngloGold Ashanti, asking them to reduce their load by a minimum of 10 percent during critical periods.
17
While a national energy conservation programme is in place, Eskom cannot guarantee that there will be no power interruptions and is again facing very tight supply reserve margins in 2014, which can be expected to continue at least until the new coal-fired Medupi Power Station starts to come on line, which is scheduled for the second half of 2014.
Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) recognise the need to increase electricity supply capacity and a series of tariff increases and proposals have been enacted to assist in the funding of this expansion. In 2010, NERSA originally approved an increase of 24.8 percent for 2010, 25.8 percent for 2011, 25.9 percent for 2012, and 16.0 percent for 2013. The actual increase implemented for 2012 was lowered to 16.09 percent after government intervention. In February 2013, NERSA announced that Eskom would be allowed to increase electricity tariffs for the five year period that began in April 2013 at an average yearly increase of 8 percent, which is half of that sought by the utility in its application. There can be no assurance as to the existence or nature of any government intervention with respect to tariff increases in the future. As energy represents a large proportion of the companys operating costs in South Africa, these increases have had, and any future increases will have, a materially adverse impact on the cash costs of its South African operations.
The company has also identified a risk of energy shortages in Argentina, Ghana and the DRC. All the companys mining operations in Ghana depend on hydroelectric power supplied by the state-controlled Volta River Authority (VRA), which is supplemented by thermal power from the Takoradi plant and a smaller unit at Tema. During periods of below average inflows from the Volta reservoir, electricity supplies from the Akosombo Dam, the VRAs primary generation source, may be curtailed as occurred in 1998, 2006 and 2007. During periods of limited electricity availability, the grid is subject to disturbances and voltage fluctuations which can damage equipment. Recent disruptions in natural gas supply from Nigeria, via the West Africa Gas Pipeline, has led to some reduction in thermal generation capacity and the use of more expensive light crude oil which is putting upward pressure on power tariffs. In the past, the VRA has obtained power from neighbouring Côte dIvoire, which has intermittently experienced political instability and civil unrest. AngloGold Ashanti negotiates rates directly with the VRA and the VRA may not agree to a satisfactory rate during future rounds of negotiations.
The companys mining operations in Guinea, Tanzania and Mali are dependent on power supplied by outside contractors and supplies of fuel are delivered by road. Power supplies have been disrupted in the past, resulting in production losses due to equipment failure.
Increased energy prices could negatively impact operating costs and cash flow of AngloGold Ashantis operations.
Global economic conditions could adversely affect the profitability of operations.
AngloGold Ashantis operations and performance depend significantly on worldwide economic conditions. The global financial markets have experienced considerable volatility from uncertainty surrounding the level and sustainability of the sovereign debt of various countries. Concerns remain regarding the sustainability of the European Monetary Union and its common currency, the Euro, in their current form, as well as the negative impacts of the downgrade of the sovereign credit rating of the Republic of South Africa in 2012 and 2013. These conditions and other disruptions to international credit markets and financial systems caused a loss of investor confidence and resulted in widening credit spreads, a lack of price transparency, increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions. Aggressive measures taken by governments and central banks have only recently corresponded with some signs of economic recovery and any recovery is slow and limited in geographic scope. A significant risk, however, remains that these measures may not prevent the global economy from falling back into an even deeper and longer lasting recession or even a depression.
Continued or worsening global economic turmoil may have follow-on effects on AngloGold Ashantis business that include inflationary cost pressures and commodity market fluctuations. Other effects that could negatively affect AngloGold Ashantis financial results and results of operations include, for example:
| the insolvency of key suppliers or contractors which could result in contractual breaches and a supply chain breakdown; |
| the insolvency of one or more joint venture partners which could result in contractual breaches and disruptions at the operations of the companys joint ventures; |
| changes in other income and expense which could vary materially from expectations, depending on gains or losses realised on the sale or exchange of financial instruments, and impairment charges that may be incurred with respect to investments; |
| AngloGold Ashantis defined benefit pension fund may not achieve expected returns on its investments, which could require the company to make substantial cash payments to fund any resulting deficits; |
| a reduction in the availability of credit which may make it more difficult for the company to obtain financing for its operations and capital expenditures or make that financing more costly; and |
| exposure to the liquidity and insolvency risks of the companys lenders and customers; |
Uncertainty regarding global economic conditions may increase volatility or negatively impact the market value of our securities.
18
Inflation may have a material adverse effect on results of operations.
Many of AngloGold Ashantis operations are located in countries that have experienced high rates of inflation during certain periods. It is possible that significantly higher future inflation in the countries in which the company operates may result in an increase in operational costs in local currencies (without a concurrent devaluation of the local currency of operations against the dollar or an increase in the dollar price of gold). This could have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition. Significantly higher and sustained inflation, with a consequent increase in operational costs, could result in the rationalisation (including closure) of higher cost mines or projects.
Mining companies face many risks related to the development of mining projects that may adversely affect the companys results of operations and profitability.
The profitability of mining companies depends partly on the actual costs of developing and operating mines, which may differ significantly from estimates determined at the time the relevant project was approved following completion of its feasibility study. Development of mining projects may also be subject to unexpected problems and delays that could increase the development and operating costs of the relevant project.
AngloGold Ashantis decision to develop a mineral property is typically based on the results of a feasibility study. Feasibility studies estimate the expected or anticipated economic returns from the project. These estimates are based on assumptions regarding:
| future prices of gold, uranium, silver and other metals; |
| future currency exchange rates; |
| tonnage, grades and metallurgical characteristics of ore to be mined and processed; |
| anticipated recovery rates of gold, uranium, silver and other metals extracted from the ore; |
| anticipated capital expenditure and cash operating costs; and |
| required return on investment. |
Actual cash operating costs, production and economic returns may differ significantly from those anticipated by such studies and estimates. Operating costs and capital expenditure are to a significant extent driven by the cost of commodity inputs consumed in mining, including fuel, chemical reagents, explosives, tyres and steel, and also by credits from by-products, such as silver and uranium. They could also fluctuate considerably as a result of changes in the prices of mining equipment used in the construction and operation of mining projects.
There are a number of uncertainties inherent in the development and construction of a new mine or the extension of an existing mine. In addition to those discussed above, these uncertainties include the:
| timing and cost of construction of mining and processing facilities, which can be considerable; |
| availability and cost of mining and processing equipment; |
| availability and cost of skilled labour, power, water and transportation; |
| availability and cost of appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; |
| applicable requirements and time needed to obtain the necessary environmental and other governmental permits; and |
| availability of funds to finance construction and development activities. |
The remote location of many mining properties, permitting requirements and/or delays, third-party legal challenges to individual mining projects and broader social or political opposition to mining may increase the cost, timing and complexity of mine development and construction. New mining operations could experience unexpected problems and delays during the development, construction, commissioning and commencement of production.
AngloGold Ashanti may prove unable to successfully develop the La Colosa and Gramalote projects in Colombia, as well as other potential exploration sites due to difficulties that could arise in relation to, for example, social and community opposition, litigation, ore body grades, definition of adequate reserves and resources, and the time taken to prove project feasibility that could result in the expiry of permits. For example, on 11 March 2013, Cortolima, a regional environmental authority in Colombia, issued an injunction against AngloGold Ashantis Colombian subsidiary, AngloGold Ashanti Colombia S.A. (AGAC), alleging that the subsidiary was operating without proper permits and was engaging in activity that was harmful to the environment. Furthermore, at around the same period in time, access to an AngloGold Ashanti drilling site was blockaded by residents of a nearby community. AGACs subsequent request to have the injunction annulled was denied by the Director of Cortolima on 27 May 2013, and as a result, the injunction remains in place. Local residents of a near-by community, as well as, local and regional government voted in a non-binding referendum to prevent certain mining activities in the Piedras municipality. Local authorities have attempted to introduce regulatory measures seeking to implement such preventative measures and AGAC has initiated legal proceedings challenging such measures. As a result, protracted litigation may ensue, which could adversely affect AngloGold Ashantis ability to conduct any mining or related activities in that area.
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Accordingly, AngloGold Ashantis future development activities may not result in the expansion or replacement of current production, or one or more new production sites or facilities may be less profitable than anticipated or may be loss-making. The companys operating results and financial condition are directly related to the success of its project developments. A failure in the companys ability to develop and operate mining projects in accordance with, or in excess of, expectations could negatively impact its results of operations, as well as its financial condition and prospects.
Mining companies face uncertainty and risks in exploration, feasibility studies and other project evaluation activities.
AngloGold Ashanti must continually replace Ore Reserve depleted by mining and production to maintain or increase production levels in the long term. This is undertaken by exploration activities that are speculative in nature. The ability of the company to sustain or increase its present levels of gold production depends in part on the success of its projects and it may be unable to sustain or increase such levels.
Feasibility studies and other project evaluation activities necessary to determine the current or future viability of a mining operation are often unproductive. Such activities often require substantial expenditure on exploration drilling to establish the presence, extent and grade (metal content) of mineralised material. AngloGold Ashanti undertakes feasibility studies to estimate the technical and economic viability of mining projects and to determine appropriate mining methods and metallurgical recovery processes. These activities are undertaken to estimate the Ore Reserve.
Once mineralisation is discovered, it may take several years to determine whether an adequate Ore Reserve exists, during which time the economic feasibility of the project may change due to fluctuations in factors that affect both revenue and costs, including:
| future prices of metals and other commodities; |
| future foreign currency exchange rates; |
| the required return on investment as based on the cost and availability of capital; and |
| applicable regulatory requirements, including environmental, health and safety matters. |
Feasibility studies also include activities to estimate the anticipated:
| tonnages, grades and metallurgical characteristics of the ore to be mined and processed; |
| recovery rates of gold, uranium and other metals from the ore; and |
| capital expenditure and cash operating costs. |
These estimates depend on assumptions made on available data. Ore Reserve estimates are not precise calculations and depend on the interpretation of limited information on the location, shape and continuity of the mineral occurrence and on available sampling results. Further exploration and feasibility studies can result in new data becoming available that may change previous Ore Reserve estimates and impact the technical and economic viability of production from the project. Changes in the forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may change the economic status of reserves resulting in revisions to previous Ore Reserve estimates. These revisions could impact depreciation and amortisation rates, asset carrying amounts, provisions for closure, restoration and environmental rehabilitation costs.
AngloGold Ashanti undertakes annual revisions to its Ore Reserve estimates based upon actual exploration and production results, depletion, new information on geology, model revisions and fluctuations in production, forecasts of commodity prices, economic assumptions and operating and other costs. These factors may result in reductions in Ore Reserve estimates, which could adversely affect life-of-mine plans and consequently the total value of the companys mining asset base. Ore Reserve restatements could negatively affect the companys results of operations, as well as its financial condition and prospects.
The increased overall demand for gold and other commodities, combined with a declining rate of discovery of new gold Ore Reserve in recent years, has resulted in the accelerated depletion of the existing Ore Reserve across the global gold sector. AngloGold Ashanti therefore faces intense competition for the acquisition of attractive mining properties. From time to time, the company evaluates the acquisition of an Ore Reserve, development properties or operating mines, either as stand-alone assets or as part of existing companies. AngloGold Ashantis decision to acquire these properties has been based on a variety of factors including historical operating results, estimates and assumptions regarding the extent of the Ore Reserve, cash and other operating costs, gold prices, projected economic returns and evaluations of existing or potential liabilities associated with the relevant property and its operations and how these factors may change in future. Other than historical operating results, these factors are uncertain and could have an impact on revenue, cash and other operating costs, as well as the process used to estimate the Ore Reserve.
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As a result of these uncertainties, exploration and acquisitions by the company may not result in the expansion or replacement of current production or the maintenance of its existing Ore Reserve net of production or an increase in Ore Reserve. AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition are directly related to the success of its exploration and acquisition efforts and the ability to replace or increase the existing Ore Reserve. If the company is not able to maintain or increase its Ore Reserve, its results of operations as well as its financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
Mining companies face many risks related to their operations that may adversely impact cash flows and overall profitability.
Gold mining is susceptible to events that may adversely impact a mining companys ability to produce gold and meet production and cost targets. These events include, but are not limited to:
| environmental, as well as health and safety, incidents during production or transportation resulting in injury, loss of life, or damage to equipment; |
| ground and surface water pollution; |
| social or community disputes or interventions; |
| security incidents; |
| surface or underground fires or explosions; |
| electrocution; |
| falls from heights and accidents relating to mobile machinery, including shaft conveyances and elevators, drilling blasting and mining operations; |
| labour force disputes and disruptions; |
| loss of information integrity or data; |
| activities of illegal or artisanal miners; |
| shortages in material and equipment; |
| mechanical failure or breakdowns and ageing infrastructure; |
| failure of unproven or evolving technologies; |
| energy and electrical power supply interruptions or rationing; |
| unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground conditions, including lack of mineable face length, and ore-pass blockages; |
| water ingress and flooding; |
| process water shortages; |
| metallurgical conditions and gold recovery; |
| unexpected decline of ore grade; |
| unanticipated increases in gold lock-up and inventory levels at heap-leach operations; |
| fall-of-ground accidents in underground operations; |
| cave-ins, sinkholes, subsidence, rock falls, rock bursts, or landslides; |
| failure of mining pit slopes, heap-leach facilities, water or solution dams, waste stockpiles and tailings dam walls; |
| legal and regulatory restrictions and changes to such restrictions; |
| safety-related stoppages; |
| gold bullion theft; |
| corruption, fraud and theft; |
| allegations of human rights abuses; |
| seismic activity; and |
| other natural phenomena, such as floods, droughts or weather conditions, potentially exacerbated by climate change. |
Seismic activity is of particular concern in underground mining operations, particularly in South Africa due to the extent and extreme depth of mining, and also in Australia and Brazil due to the depth of mining and residual tectonic stresses. Despite modifications to mine layouts and support technology, as well as other technological improvements employed with a view to minimising the incidence and impact of seismic activity, seismic events have caused death and injury to employees and contractors and seismic activity may do so again in the future, and have in the past, and may again result, in concomitant safety-related stoppages.
Seismic activity may also cause a loss of mining equipment, damage to or destruction of mineral properties or production facilities, monetary losses, environmental damage and potential legal liabilities. As a result, these events may have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition. For example, in early 2011, mining of the Ventersdorp Contact Reef shaft pillar at Tau Tona was suspended following a significant seismic event. New equipment had to be purchased and the shutdown contributed to the decline in the operational output of the mine as compared to the previous year.
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In the past, floods have also disrupted the operations of some of the companys mines. For example, unprecedented heavy rains in February and March 2011 in Australia flooded the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine and forced a temporary shutdown of operations. The flood event impacted underground production for approximately four months and open pit production for approximately six months. Despite the shutdown, full costs were incurred as the mining contractors worked on remedial activities to repair damage and rehabilitate flooded areas. The considerable remedial work required adversely impacted cash costs per ounce and the impact of the flood event and the pit wall failure together significantly reduced planned production at the plant.
Mining companies operations are vulnerable to infrastructure constraints.
Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend on adequate infrastructure. Reliable rail, ports, roads, bridges, power sources, power transmission facilities and water supply are critical to the companys business operations and affect capital and operating costs. These infrastructures and services are often provided by third parties whose operational activities are outside the control of the company.
Interferences in the maintenance or provision of infrastructure, including unusual weather phenomena, sabotage and social unrest could impede the companys ability to deliver its products on time and adversely affect AngloGold Ashantis business, results of operations and financial condition.
Establishing infrastructure for the companys development projects requires significant resources, identification of adequate sources of raw materials and supplies, and necessary co-operation from national and regional governments, none of which can be assured.
AngloGold Ashanti has operations or potential development projects in countries where government-provided infrastructure may be inadequate and regulatory regimes for access to infrastructure may be uncertain, which could adversely impact the efficient operation and expansion of its business. AngloGold Ashanti may not secure and maintain access to adequate infrastructure in the future, or it may not do so on reasonable terms.
Mining companies face strong competition.
The mining industry is competitive in all of its phases. AngloGold Ashanti competes with other mining companies and individuals for specialised equipment, components and supplies necessary for exploration and development, for mining claims and leases on exploration properties and for the acquisition of mining assets. These competitors may have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than AngloGold Ashanti. Competition may increase AngloGold Ashantis cost of acquiring suitable claims, properties and assets.
Mining companies are subject to extensive health and safety laws and regulations.
Gold mining operations are subject to extensive health and safety laws and regulations in every jurisdiction they operate in. These laws and regulations are, along with international and industry standards, designed to protect and improve the safety and health of employees and require extensive compliance measures.
From time to time, new or updated health and safety laws, regulations and standards are introduced and may be more stringent than those to which AngloGold Ashanti is currently subject. Should compliance with these laws, regulations and standards require a material increase in expenditure or material changes or interruptions to operations or production, including as a result of any failure to comply with applicable regulations, the companys results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Furthermore, AngloGold Ashanti continues to implement its enhanced safety programme, which could result in additional costs for the company.
In some of the jurisdictions in which AngloGold Ashanti operates, the government enforces compulsory shutdowns of operations to enable investigations into the cause of accidents. Certain of the companys operations have been temporarily suspended for safety reasons in the past. In South Africa, in particular, so-called Section 54 safety stoppages have become a significant issue. In 2013, fifty notices were issued that had a material impact on production at these mines. While in 2013, partial mine stoppages rather than full mine stoppages were applied, in previous years, the Inspector of Mines ordered the shutdown of entire mines in cases of relatively minor violations, which had a material impact on production at these mines. In particular, the Inspector issued Kopanang eleven Section 54 notices during 2011. Each notice resulted in Kopanang suspending operations either fully or partially in order to comply with the inspectors recommendations on safety. Safety-related stoppages resulted in the direct loss of 72,900, 72,400 and 32,800 ounces of gold production from the South Africa region operations during 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
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A working group comprised of the inspectorate, the mining industry and organised labour has been formed to address the trend of increasing safety stoppages in South Africa. However, the working group may not agree on how to address this issue and the number of safety stoppages may continue or even increase in the future.
AngloGold Ashantis reputation could be damaged by any significant governmental investigation or enforcement of health and safety laws, regulations or standards. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition.
Mining companies are increasingly required to operate in a sustainable manner and to provide benefits to affected communities. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in legal suits, additional operational costs, investor divestment and loss of social licence to operate, and could adversely impact mining companies financial condition.
As a result of public concern about the perceived ill effects of economic globalisation, businesses in general and large multinational mining corporations such as AngloGold Ashanti in particular face increasing public scrutiny of their activities.
These businesses are under pressure to demonstrate that while they seek a satisfactory return on investment for shareholders, human rights are respected and other social partners, including employees, host communities and more broadly the countries in which they operate, also benefit from their commercial activities. Such pressures tend to be particularly focused on companies whose activities are perceived to have, or have, a high impact on their social and physical environment. The potential consequences of these pressures and the adverse publicity in cases where companies are believed not to be creating sufficient social and economic benefit may result in additional operating costs, reputational damage, active community opposition, allegations of human rights abuses, legal suits and investor withdrawal.
Existing and proposed mining operations are often located at or near existing towns and villages, natural water courses and other infrastructure. As the impacts of dust generation, waste storage, water pollution or shortage, in particular, may be immediate and directly adverse to those communities, poor environmental management practices, or adverse changes in the supply or quality of water can result in community protest, regulatory sanctions or ultimately in the withdrawal of community and government support for company operations. For example, opposition to mining activity in the Tolima province of Colombia, which hosts the La Colosa deposit, has centered on the perception that large-scale mining activity will have a detrimental impact on the regions river systems.
Mining operations must be designed to minimise their impact on such communities and the environment, either by changing mining plans to avoid such impact, by modifying operations, or by relocating the affected people to an agreed location. Responsive measures may also include the full restoration of livelihoods of those impacted. In addition, AngloGold Ashanti is obliged to comply with the terms and conditions of all the mining rights it holds in South Africa. In this regard the Social and Labour plan provisions of our mining rights must make provision for local economic development (LED) programmes that take into account the social and economic conditions in areas in which their mines operate. The LED programmes must take into account the key economic activities of the area in which AngloGold Ashanti operates its mines, the impact its mines will have on the local and labour-sending communities, various infrastructure and poverty eradication projects its mines may be supporting in connection with integrated development plans in the areas its mines operate and also must provide for measures that assist in addressing housing and living conditions of its employees.
In addition, as AngloGold Ashanti has a long history of mining operations in certain regions, issues may arise regarding historical as well as potential future environmental or health impacts in those areas. For example, certain parties, including non-governmental organisations, community groups and institutional investors, have raised concerns and, in the case of some individuals in Obuasi, threatened or commenced litigation, relating to air pollution or surface and ground water quality, among other issues, in the area surrounding the companys Obuasi and Iduapriem mines in Ghana, including potential impacts to local rivers and wells used for water from heavy metals, arsenic and cyanide as well as sediment and mine rock waste.
Disputes with surrounding communities may also affect mining operations, particularly where they result in restrictions of access to supplies and to mining operations. The miners access to land may be subject to the rights or asserted rights of various community stakeholders, including indigenous people. Access to land and land use is of critical importance to the company for exploration and mining, as well as for ancillary infrastructure. In some cases, AngloGold Ashanti has had difficulty gaining access to new land because of perceived poor community compensation practices. For example, compensation remains a significant area of concern in Siguiri in Guinea. In 2011, a violent community protest interrupted operations for three days, which contributed to the operations decline in production as compared to 2010. Delays in projects attributable to a lack of community support can translate directly into a decrease in the value of a project or into an inability to bring the project to production.
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The cost of measures and other issues relating to the sustainable development of mining operations could place significant demands on personnel resources, could increase capital and operating costs and could have an adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
Mining companies are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations.
Mining companies are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations in the various jurisdictions in which they operate, in addition to international standards. These regulations and standards establish limits and conditions on a miners ability to conduct its operations and govern, among other things, extraction, use and conservation of water resources; air emissions (including dust control); water treatment and discharge; regulatory and community reporting; clean-up of contamination; community health; and the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, such as reagents, radioactive materials, and mine tailings.
The cost of compliance with environmental laws and regulations is expected to continue to be significant to AngloGold Ashanti. AngloGold Ashanti could incur fines, penalties and other sanctions, clean-up costs, and third-party claims for personal injury or property damage, suffer reputational damage, or be required to install costly pollution control equipment or to modify or suspend operations, as a result of actual or alleged violations of environmental laws and regulations or the terms of AngloGold Ashantis permits. For example, the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (Ghana EPA) permit for AngloGold Ashantis operations at Obuasi expired on 31 March 2014. AngloGold Ashanti filed its application for permit renewal in a timely fashion, but the Ghana EPA has not yet issued a renewal permit. AngloGold Ashanti is in communication with the Ghana EPA regarding the timing of its processing of AngloGold Ashantis application and the scope and terms of any renewal permit, specifically as this matter relates to AngloGold Ashantis consideration of potential rationalisation or other plans for the mine, as well as the Obuasi operations continued maintenance of the environmental bond for future rehabilitation activities at the site and on-going obligations with respect to water quality management and treatment or disposal of dust piles.
In addition, unknown environmental hazards may exist on the companys properties which may have been caused by previous owners or operators. An incident at AngloGold Ashantis operations could lead to obligations to remediate environmental contamination and claims for property damage and personal injury from adjacent communities and other consequences. Incidents at AngloGold Ashanti operations and other companies operations could result in the tightening of regulatory requirements and restrictions on mining operations.
For example, in 2010, AngloGold Ashantis Obuasi mine in Ghana suspended gold processing operations for five days to implement a revised water management strategy aimed at reducing contaminants contained in its discharge. Brief stoppages after environmental incidents, such as pipeline failures, have occurred more recently at that mine. Furthermore, following a temporary suspension of operations at the Iduapriem mine, the company, with the approval of the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency, constructed an interim tailings storage facility for tailings deposition for a year while a new tailings storage facility was being constructed.
Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations may also result in the suspension or revocation of operating permits. AngloGold Ashantis ability to obtain and maintain permits and to successfully operate in particular communities may be adversely impacted by real or perceived effects on the environment or human health and safety associated with AngloGold Ashantis or other mining companies activities.
For example, in Colombia, various plaintiffs, including associations that represent local communities, brought legal proceedings against AngloGold Ashanti Colombia S.A. (AGAC) alleging that AGAC violated applicable environmental laws in connection with the La Colosa project. If the plaintiffs were to prevail, AGACs three core concession contracts relating to the La Colosa project may be cancelled. AGAC would be required to abandon the La Colosa project and all other existing mining concession contracts and pending proposals for new mining concession contracts of AGAC, though not those of other companies of the AngloGold Ashanti group operating in Colombia. In addition, AGAC would be banned from doing business with the Colombian government for a period of five years. See Item 8A.: Legal proceedings.
Environmental laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more stringent. Changes to AngloGold Ashantis environmental compliance obligations or operating practices could adversely affect the companys rate of production and revenue. Variations in laws and regulations, assumptions made to estimate liabilities, standards or operating procedures, more stringent emission or pollution thresholds or controls, or the occurrence of unanticipated conditions, may require operations to be suspended or permanently closed, and could increase AngloGold Ashantis expenses and provisions. These expenses and provisions could adversely affect the companys results of operations and financial condition.
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For example, the use of sodium cyanide in metallurgical processing is under increasing environmental scrutiny and is prohibited in certain jurisdictions. As there are few, if any, effective substitutes in extracting gold from the ore, any ban or material restrictions on the use of sodium cyanide in mining operations in the jurisdictions where AngloGold Ashanti conducts its operations could adversely affect the companys results of operations and financial condition. In addition, leaks or discharges of sodium cyanide or other hazardous materials could result in liabilities for clean-up or personal injury that may not be covered by insurance.
AngloGold Ashantis operations are heavily dependent upon access to substantial volumes of water for use in the mining and extractive processes and typically are subject to water-use permits that govern usage and require, among other things, that mining operations maintain certain water quality upon discharge. Water quality and usage are areas of concern globally, such as with respect to the companys mining operations in Ghana and South Africa and its exploration projects in Colombia, where there is significant potential environmental and social impact and a high level of stakeholder scrutiny. Any failure by the company to secure access to suitable water supplies, or achieve and maintain compliance with applicable requirements of the permits or licenses, could result in curtailment or halting of production at the affected operation. Incidents of water pollution or shortage can, in certain cases, lead to community protest and ultimately to the withdrawal of community and government support for AngloGold Ashantis operations. A failure by the company to comply with water contamination rehabilitation directives may result in further, more stringent, directives being issued against the company, which may, in some cases, result in a temporary or partial shutdown of some of the companys operations. Water scarcity has been identified as a significant risk at AngloGold Ashantis US operation in particular. Production at the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Companys Cresson mine was adversely affected by a severe drought from 2010 through 2013 when the lack of water reduced percolation through the heap-leach pad which curtailed production and productivity.
Mining and mineral processing operations generate waste rock and tailings. The impact of dust generation, breach, leak, or failure of a waste rock or tailings storage facility, can be significant. An incident at our operations could lead to, among others, obligations to remediate environmental contamination and claims for property damage and personal injury from adjacent communities. Incidents at other companies operations could result in governments tightening regulatory requirements and restricting mining activities.
Mining companies are required by law to close their operations at the end of the mine life and rehabilitate the impacted areas. Estimates of the total ultimate closure and rehabilitation costs for gold mining operations are significant and based principally on life-of-mine profiles, changing inflation and discount rate assumptions, changing infrastructure and facilities design and current legal and regulatory requirements that may change materially. Environmental liabilities are accrued when they become known, probable and can be reasonably estimated. Increasingly, regulators are seeking security in the form of cash collateral or bank guarantees in respect of environmental obligations, which could have an adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis financial condition.
AngloGold Ashantis discounted closure liability was $728 million as at 31 December 2013, compared with $841 million as at 31 December 2012. The changes were a consequence of a number of factors, most notably an increase in the group discount rate used in the calculation of the obligation and changes in the timing of the future cash outflows relating to the obligation. The group discount rate increased as a result of adjustments to both country, e.g. South Africa, and company credit ratings. Costs associated with rehabilitating land disturbed by mining processes and addressing environmental, health and community issues are estimated and financial provision made based upon current available information. Estimates may, however, be insufficient and further costs may be identified at any stage that may exceed the provisions that AngloGold Ashanti has made. Any underestimated or unidentified rehabilitation costs would reduce earnings and could materially and adversely affect the companys asset values, earnings and cash flows.
Compliance with emerging climate change regulations could result in significant costs and climate change may present physical risks to a mining companys operations.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted directly by AngloGold Ashantis operations, as well as by external utilities from which AngloGold Ashanti purchases electricity. Currently, a number of international and national measures to address or limit GHG emissions, including the Bali Action Plan and the Durban Platform, are in various phases of discussion or implementation in the countries in which the company operates. In particular, the Durban Platform commits all parties to the conference to develop a global mitigation regime which could take effect in 2020, with the specific terms of that legally binding accord, including individual targets, to be finalised by 2015. These, or future, measures could require AngloGold Ashanti to reduce its direct GHG emissions or energy use or to incur significant costs for GHG emissions permits or taxes or have these costs or taxes passed on by electricity utilities which supply the companys operations. AngloGold Ashanti also could incur significant costs associated with capital equipment, GHG monitoring and reporting and other obligations to comply with applicable requirements. For example, in 2012, the Australian Government introduced a carbon tax on GHG emissions; the new
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government, elected in 2013, has however announced its intention to repeal the tax, and the Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013 was introduced into the Federal Parliament on 13 November 2013. There can be no assurance that Australias carbon tax will be repealed.
In February 2013, the South African Minister of Finance announced the intention to introduce a carbon tax in 2016. Other countries, including Brazil and the United States, have passed or are considering GHG trading or tax schemes, and/or other regulation of GHG emissions, although the precise impact on AngloGold Ashantis operations cannot yet be determined.
In addition, AngloGold Ashantis operations could be exposed to a number of physical risks from climate change, such as changes in rainfall rates, rising sea levels, reduced water availability, higher temperatures and extreme weather events. Events or conditions such as flooding or inadequate water supplies could disrupt mining and transport operations, mineral processing and rehabilitation efforts, create resource shortages or damage the companys property or equipment and increase health and safety risks on site. Such events or conditions could have other adverse effects on the companys workforce and on the communities around its mines, such as an increased risk of food insecurity, water scarcity and prevalence of disease.
Compliance with conflict minerals and responsible gold legislation and standards could result in significant costs.
More stringent standards relating to conflict minerals and responsible gold that include the: US Dodd-Frank Act; European Legislative proposal for conflict minerals; Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas; World Gold Council Conflict Free Gold Standard; and London Bullion Market Association Responsible Gold Guidance have been introduced.
Any such legislation and standards may result in significant costs to ensure and demonstrate compliance, and difficulties in the sale of gold emanating from certain areas. The complexities of the gold supply chain, especially as they relate to scrap or recycled gold, and the fragmented and often unregulated supply of artisanal and small-scale mined gold are such that there may be significant uncertainties at each stage in the chain as to the provenance of the gold. As a result of the uncertainties in the process, the costs of due diligence and audit, or the reputational risks of defining their product or a constituent part as containing a conflict mineral would be too burdensome for the companys customers. Accordingly, manufacturers may decide to switch supply sources or to substitute gold with other minerals not covered by the initiatives. This could have a material negative impact on the gold industry, including on AngloGold Ashantis financial results.
Mining operations and projects are vulnerable to supply chain disruption with the result that operations and development projects could be adversely affected by shortages of, as well as the lead times to deliver, strategic spares, critical consumables, mining equipment or metallurgical plant.
AngloGold Ashantis operations and development projects could be adversely affected by both shortages and long lead times to deliver strategic spares, critical consumables, mining equipment and metallurgical plant. Import restrictions, such as those introduced by the Argentine government in 2011, can also delay the delivery of parts and equipment. In the past, the company and other gold mining companies experienced shortages in critical consumables, particularly as production capacity in the global mining industry expanded in response to increased demand for commodities. AngloGold Ashanti has also experienced increased delivery times for these items. Shortages have resulted in unanticipated price increases and production delays and shortfalls, resulting in a rise in both operating costs and in the capital expenditure necessary to maintain and develop mining operations.
Individually, AngloGold Ashanti and other gold mining companies have limited influence over manufacturers and suppliers of these items. In certain cases there are a limited number of suppliers for certain strategic spares, critical consumables, mining equipment or metallurgical plant who command superior bargaining power relative to the company. The company could at times face limited supply or increased lead time in the delivery of such items. For example, during 2012, supply of caustic soda was delayed in the Continental Africa Region. In addition, the unreliability of oxygen and lime supply similarly affected production at the Vaal River and West Wits surface operations in South Africa throughout 2011 and poor availability of drill rigs, heavy machinery and fleet equipment hampered underground drilling and overall operational performance at the Serra Grande mine in Brazil in 2011.
The companys procurement policy is to source mining and processing equipment and consumables from suppliers that meet its corporate values and ethical standards although risk remains around the management of ethical supply chains. In certain locations, where a limited number of suppliers meet these standards, additional strain is placed on the supply chain, thereby increasing the cost of supply and delivery times.
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Furthermore, supply chains and rates can be impacted by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, extreme weather patterns and climate change, as well as other phenomena that include unrest, strikes, theft and fires. For example, a three-week transport strike in 2012 delayed the supply of consumables in South Africa. Although potential supply chain disruption in Mali, as a result of the coup détat and the proliferation of armed combat in 2012 and 2013, has been avoided to date by well managed consumable stock holding, any return to instability or armed conflict in the country could present material supply chain difficulties. Moreover, although potential gold doré export disruptions at Geita, the result of an attempted gold heist, and in Mali, following the closure of Bamako International Airport, were minimised with the introduction of alternative transportation arrangements, such alternatives may not be available upon the occurrence of similar or more severe situations in the future. In February 2013, a fire destroyed the heavy mining equipment stock of spares and components at the Geita gold mine. If AngloGold Ashanti experiences shortages, or increased lead times in the delivery of strategic spares, critical consumables, mining equipment or processing plant, the company might have to suspend some of its operations and its results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
Diversity in interpretation and application of accounting literature in the mining industry may impact reported financial results.
The mining industry has limited industry-specific accounting literature. As a result, there is diverse interpretation and application of accounting literature on mining specific issues. AngloGold Ashanti, for example, capitalises drilling and costs related to defining and delineating a residual mineral deposit that has not been classified as a Proven and Probable Reserve at a development project or production stage mine. Some companies may, however, expense such costs.
As and when this diverse interpretation and application is addressed, the companys reported results could be adversely impacted should the adopted interpretation differ from the position it currently follows.
Failure to comply with laws, regulations, standards, contractual obligations whether following a breach or breaches in governance processes or fraud, bribery and corruption may lead to regulatory penalties, loss of licences or permits, negative effects on our reported financial results, and adversely affect our reputation.
AngloGold Ashantis operations must comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws of the jurisdictions in which AngloGold Ashanti operates. There has been a substantial increase in the global enforcement of these laws. Although AngloGold Ashanti has a compliance programme in place designed to reduce the likelihood of violations of such laws, any violation could result in significant criminal or civil sanctions. Since AngloGold Ashanti operates globally in multiple jurisdictions, including those with less developed political and regulatory environments, and within numerous and complex frameworks, its governance and compliance processes may not prevent potential breaches of law, accounting principles or other governance practices.
AngloGold Ashantis Code of Business Principles and Ethics, among other policies, standards and guidance, and training thereon may not prevent instances of unethical or unlawful behaviour, including bribery or corruption, nor guarantee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and breaches may not be detected by management.
Sanctions for failure by the company or others acting on its behalf to comply with these laws, regulations, standards and contractual obligations could include fines, penalties, imprisonment of officers, litigation, and loss of operating licences or permits, suspensions of operations, negative effects on AngloGold Ashantis reported financial results and may damage the companys reputation. Such sanctions could have a material adverse impact on the companys financial condition and results of operations.
Breaches in information technology security and governance process may adversely impact business activities.
AngloGold Ashanti maintains global information technology and communication networks and applications to support its business activities.
The sophistication and magnitude of cybersecurity incidents are increasing and include: malicious software; attempts to gain unauthorised access to data and other electronic security and protected information breaches that could lead to production downtimes, operational delays, the compromising of confidential or otherwise protected information, destruction or corruption of data, other manipulation or improper use of AngloGold Ashanti systems and networks or financial losses from remedial actions.
Information technology security processes may not prevent future malicious actions, denial-of-service attacks, or fraud, resulting in corruption of operating systems, theft of commercially sensitive data, misappropriation of funds and business and operational disruption. Material system breaches and failures could result in significant interruptions that could in turn affect AngloGold Ashantis operating results and reputation.
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Risks related to AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition as a result of factors specific to the company and its operations
AngloGold Ashanti does not have any gold hedging instruments or long-term sales contracts, exposing the company to potential gains from subsequent commodity price increases but exposing it entirely to subsequent commodity price decreases.
We removed the last of our gold hedging instruments in October 2010 to provide greater participation in a rising gold price environment. As a result, AngloGold Ashanti no longer has any protection against declines in the market price of gold. A sustained decline in the price of gold could adversely impact the companys operating results and its financial condition.
Any downgrade of credit ratings assigned to AngloGold Ashantis debt securities could increase future interest costs and adversely affect the availability of new financing.
An actual or expected negative development of AngloGold Ashantis results of operations or cash flows, country risk, financial metrics, or an increase in net debt position could result in the deterioration of the companys credit ratings. AngloGold Ashantis ratings are influenced by the location of its domicile and its operations.
Following the downgrade of South Africas sovereign debt rating as a result of strikes, social tension and policy uncertainty in South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti was placed on credit watch negative by a rating agency on 17 October 2012. In July 2013, two ratings agencies lowered the companys long-term credit rating. The reason for the latest reduction was given as agency concern that AngloGold Ashanti will generate negative free cash flow and would experience a more pronounced rise in debt with significantly lower gold prices than previously assumed.
Any such downgrade by ratings agencies could increase the cost of capital, reduce the investor base and negatively and materially affect AngloGold Ashantis business, results of operations and financial condition.
Labour unrest, activism and disruptions (including protracted stoppages) could have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashanti employees in South Africa, Ghana, Guinea and Argentina, are highly unionised. Trade unions, therefore, have a significant impact on the companys labour relations, as well as on social and political reforms, most notably in South Africa. There is a risk that strikes or other types of conflict with unions or employees may occur at any of the companys operations, particularly where the labour force is unionised or there is inter-union rivalry. Labour disruptions may be used to advocate labour, political or social goals in the future. For example, labour disruptions may occur in sympathy with retrenchments, strikes or labour unrest in other sectors of the economy and for political goals. Labour unrest in South Africa can also be fuelled by migrant labour conditions and mine worker debt levels. Furthermore, such labour disruptions may themselves affect or be perceived to affect local political and social stability. Acts or vandalism affecting mines and mine equipment are possible during periods of labour unrest.
For example, following a wave of labour unrest and unprotected strike action that took place throughout the South African mining, transport and agricultural sectors since early August 2012, workers from AngloGold Ashantis Kopanang mine, three West Wits mines and the Vaal River regions other operations engaged in unprotected strikes in September 2012. More than 100,000 miners were involved in the strikes across the mining sector during the last four months of 2012. Workers at AngloGold Ashanti mines in South Africa have also staged sit-ins which prompted the company to suspend operations at some of its mines. These work stoppages pose significant safety risks and operating challenges. The protracted period of inactivity caused by the strike, coupled by the depth of the affected mines, has complicated the consequent ramping up of production following the termination of the strikes and has resulted in a lengthened ramp-up period to ensure employee safety. The unprotected strike action at the South African operations had an adverse impact on the companys third quarter results and significantly adversely impacted its fourth quarter results. The company estimates that the unprotected strike action cost approximately 235,000 ounces in lost production due to the work stoppages and the slow ramp-up to full production. In late April 2013, a number of workers at Moab Khotsong and all workers at Mponeng failed to report for their shifts in a dispute over Saturday working arrangements but returned soon after. Subsequently around 600 workers were dismissed for disciplinary reasons after the strikes. Furthermore, AngloGold Ashanti experienced a 48-hour strike at its Vaal River operations in September 2013.
In addition, the emergence of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), a relative newcomer with respect to AngloGold Ashantis South African operations and the gold sector as a whole, impacted productivity in 2013, as employees changed union affiliations and rivalry with the established National Union of Mineworkers increased. This was evidenced during the first half of 2013 by sporadic, unprotected work interruptions at some operations and some incidents of violence and intimidation.
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Lower production and payroll increases resulting from the labour disruptions have adversely impacted the financial performance of all South African operations, threatening viability in some cases and similar disruptions in the future may have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition. For example, subsequent to the 2012 strikes, AngloGold Ashanti, along with its major gold-producing peers in South Africa, increased the entry-level pay of employees; established a new pay category for equipment operators; provided an allowance for rock-drill operators; and increased pay by 2 percent for most categories of workers. The net impact of the settlement on the payroll cost for AngloGold Ashanti is $16 million per annum.
In South Africa, amendments to labour legislation have been proposed, which, if implemented, may have negative consequences for the company. For example, the proposed amendment with respect to labour brokers could mandate that labourers who are provided by labour brokers to perform certain services for us could be viewed as AngloGold Ashantis employees, which could increase its labour costs and reduce operational flexibility.
In South Africa, the restructuring of mining operations that result in lay-offs or redundancies are currently a highly contentious matter. While the Department of Minerals and Energy does not have any statutory right on the basis of existing labour legislation to intervene in any such restructuring process, it may intervene by placing external pressure on mining companies in respect of the renewal or cancellation of their mining rights.
On 10 February 2014 workers employed by a contractor at Sadiola and Yatela went on a five day strike demanding improved redundancy payments. On 25 March 2014, the company signed an agreement to increase workers social benefits for workers at these mines.
Increased labour costs could have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
Labour costs represent a substantial proportion of the companys total operating costs and at many operations, including its South African, Ghanaian and Tanzanian operations, constitute the companys single largest component of operating costs. Failing to obtain any simultaneous increase in productivity, any change to the companys wage agreements or other factors that could increase labour costs may have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition. In 2013, the cost of salaries and wages increased by around 9 percent over 2012 levels.
In South Africa, the established practice is to negotiate wages and conditions of employment with the unions every two years through the Chamber of Mines of South Africa. South African employment law sets out minimum terms and conditions of employment for employees, which form the benchmark for all employment contracts. In mid-July 2013, the Chamber of Mines of South Africa undertook wage negotiations on behalf of the gold sector. Wage negotiations were completed following the 48-hour strike at the companys Vaal River operations and a wage agreement was extended to all employees irrespective of union affiliation. At present, the mining unions and gold mining companies in South Africa are in the first year of the latest two-year wage agreement, with the latest increases of up to 8 percent as well as increases in living-out allowances awarded to the majority of the workforce in September 2013. At the start of 2014, AMCU embarked upon protracted strike action in the platinum sector and served strike notices at three gold companies to challenge the extension of the 2013 Wage Agreement for AMCU members to obtain substantially higher wages. An interim interdict prohibiting the strike was granted to the Chamber of Mines by the Labour Court in Johannesburg in January 2014. AMCU must return to court on 14 March 2014 and explain why the interim interdict should not be made permanent. This was subsequently postponed to 5 June 2014.
As at 31 December 2013, approximately 59.4 percent of the companys workforce, excluding contractors, were located in South Africa.
AngloGold Ashantis results may be further impaired if it incurs penalties for failing to meet standards set by labour laws regarding workers rights or incurs costs complying with new labour laws, rules and regulations. For example, employment law in South Africa imposes monetary penalties for neglecting to report to government authorities on progress made towards achieving employment equity in the workplace. Ghanaian law also contains broad provisions requiring mining companies to recruit and train Ghanaian personnel and to use the services of Ghanaian companies. In Australia, the federal government has recently introduced a new industrial relations system that includes good faith bargaining obligations for employers, fewer restrictions on the content of collective agreements and an enhanced role for union officials as bargaining representatives, parties to agreements and participants in dispute resolution. Penalties and compliance costs, as well as increased costs due to laws and regulations less favourable to employers, could have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition.
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AngloGold Ashantis mining rights in the countries in which it operates could be altered, suspended or cancelled for a variety of reasons, including breaches in its obligations in respect of its mining rights.
AngloGold Ashantis right to own and exploit Mineral Reserves and deposits is governed by the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which the mineral properties are located. See Item 4B: Business OverviewThe Regulatory Environment Enabling AngloGold Ashanti to Mine. Currently, a significant portion of the companys Mineral Reserves and deposits are located in countries where mining rights could be suspended or cancelled should it breach its obligations in respect of the acquisition and exploitation of these rights.
In each of the countries in which AngloGold Ashanti operates, the formulation or implementation of government policies on certain issues may be unpredictable. This may include changes in laws relating to mineral rights and ownership of mining assets and the right to prospect and mine, and in extreme cases, nationalisation, expropriation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits, agreements and contracts. In May 2012, for example, the Argentine government nationalised the oil company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales (YPF) by expropriating 51 percent of the shares from the majority Spanish shareholder.
Any existing and new mining and exploration operations and projects are subject to various national and local laws, policies and regulations governing the ownership and the right to prospect or mine or develop proposed projects. For more details on the risks surrounding ownership of mining assets, see Title to AngloGold Ashantis properties may be uncertain and subject to challenge and AngloGold Ashantis Mineral Reserve, deposits and mining operations are located in countries that face political, economic and security risks that may affect both the terms of its mining concessions, as well as its ability to conduct operations in certain countries.
Project implementation delays could result in licences not being renewed and the loss of mining rights. Some of AngloGold Ashantis mining concessions, authorisations, licences and permits are subject to expiry, limitations on renewal and various other risks and uncertainties. For example, Ashanti Goldfields Kilo SARLs (AGK) licenses to mine the Mongbwalu concession in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are up for renewal in 2014. AGK filed its renewal application in this regard in December 2012. AGK may not be successful in the renewal process or in retaining the license on the same terms. In addition, any dispute with governments or other stakeholders, including labour unions, involving an AngloGold Ashanti operation, as a result of rationalisation efforts or otherwise, could negatively affect AngloGold Ashantis relationship with such government or stakeholders in respect of other operations within the same country, which could result in adverse consequences, including unfavourable regulatory action, claims and labour disputes. Such adverse consequences could be exacerbated due to the holding company structure of AngloGold Ashantis subsidiaries in some of the countries in which it operates.
In October 2012, the DRC Mines Minister announced a proposed overhaul of the DRCs mining code. The proposed laws seek to, among other things, increase the government stake in mining operations to 35 percent from the existing 5 percent, double royalties on some minerals, reduce in a significant way the protections AngloGold Ashanti currently enjoys on its projects in the DRC, impose significant limitations on the companys ability to retain and renew licences and introduce a 50 percent levy on certain profits. Should such laws be enacted in the future, these may have a material adverse impact on the companys results of operations in the DRC.
Moreover, AngloGold Ashantis mining rights in South Africa may be suspended or cancelled by the Minister of Mineral Resources, and we may be unable to obtain new mining rights if we breach our obligations under the MPRDA.
AngloGold Ashantis insurance does not cover most losses caused by the risks described above, see The occurrence of events for which AngloGold Ashanti is not insured or for which its insurance is inadequate may adversely affect cash flows and overall profitability.
If AngloGold Ashanti is not able to obtain or maintain necessary permits, authorisations or agreements to prospect or mine or to implement planned projects, or continue its operations, or comply with all laws, regulations or requirements, or do so within time-frames that make such plans and operations economically viable, or if the laws impacting the companys ownership of its mineral rights, or the right to prospect or mine change materially, or should governments increase their ownership in the mines or nationalise them, AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Title to AngloGold Ashantis properties may be uncertain and subject to challenge.
AngloGold Ashanti has operations in several countries where ownership of land is uncertain and where disputes may arise in relation to ownership. Certain of the companys properties may be subject to the rights or the asserted rights of various
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community stakeholders, including indigenous people. The presence of those stakeholders may have an impact on AngloGold Ashantis ability to develop or operate its mining interests. For example, in Australia, the Native Title Act (1993) provides for the establishment and recognition of native title under certain circumstances. In South Africa, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (1997) and the Restitution of Land Rights Act (1994) provide for various landholding rights. Such legislation is complex, difficult to predict and outside of the companys control, and could therefore negatively affect the business results of new or existing projects. Where consultation with stakeholders is statutorily or otherwise mandated, relations may not remain amicable and disputes may lead to reduced access to properties or delays in operations.
Moreover, amendments to the laws regulating mining in South Africa became effective on 7 June 2013. One of these amendments relates to the possible expropriation of mine dumps that were created before the coming into effect of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) on 1 May 2004. Although the legal position is not clear in this regard, it is possible that some pre-2004 mine dumps are now subject to the MPRDA and, as a result, the Minister of Mineral Resources may issue rights over such dumps to third parties.
Title to the companys properties, particularly undeveloped ones, may also be defective or subject to challenge. Title insurance generally is not available, and title review does not necessarily preclude third parties from contesting ownership. Where surveys have not been conducted, the precise area and location of the companys claims may be in doubt. Accordingly, AngloGold Ashantis mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered liens, agreements, transfers or claims, including native land claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects.
AngloGold Ashanti may experience unforeseen difficulties, delays or costs in successfully implementing its business strategy and projects, including any cost-cutting initiatives, temporary or permanent shutdowns, divestments and other portfolio rationalisation initiatives and any such strategy or project may not result in the anticipated benefits.
The successful implementation of the companys business strategy and projects depends upon many factors, including those outside its control. For example: the successful management of costs will depend on prevailing market prices for input costs. The ability to grow the business will depend on the successful implementation of the companys existing and proposed project development initiatives and continued exploration success, as well as on the availability of attractive merger and acquisition opportunities, all of which are subject to the relevant mining and company specific risks as outlined in these risk factors.
AngloGold Ashanti is in the process of implementing initiatives relating to strategic alignment, portfolio review, restructuring and cost-cutting, temporary or permanent shutdowns, divestments, including in connection with the consolidation of its business activities and assets. Any future contribution of these measures to profitability will be influenced by the actual savings achieved and by the companys ability to sustain these ongoing efforts. Strategic alignment, restructuring and cost-cutting initiatives may involve various risks, including, for example, labour unrest, operating licence withdrawal, and potential knock-on effects to other company projects and jurisdictions. The risk is elevated in South Africa, given calls for withdrawal of mining licences for mothballed shafts and hostile reaction to proposed mining industry retrenchments. The risk may also be elevated in Ghana, where AngloGold Ashanti is considering potential rationalisation or other plans for the mine, and also in the DRC as the company seeks to reduce its interest in the Mongbwalu project, see AngloGold Ashantis mining rights in the countries in which it operates could be altered, suspended or cancelled for a variety of reasons, including breaches in its obligations in respect of its mining rights.
In addition, these measures may not be implemented as planned; turn out to be less effective than anticipated; only become effective later than anticipated; or not be effective at all. Any of these outcomes, individually or in combination, may adversely impact the companys business, results of operations and financial condition.
Expectations for and trends in the price of gold, combined with increased costs for project financing and exploration in certain regions, have led AngloGold Ashanti to increase its efforts to focus capital expenditure on its highest quality assets, while freeing up capital by curtailing capital expenditure or suspending operations at those projects that the company believes are of lower quality. AngloGold Ashanti may also consider finding partners or conducting asset sales relating to certain of its projects. With respect to dispositions, the company may not be able to obtain prices that it expects for the assets it seeks to dispose of or divest some of its activities as planned or to obtain all of the required approvals, and the divestitures that are carried out could have a negative impact on AngloGold Ashantis business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.
AngloGold Ashanti may also prove unable to deliver on production targets, including in potentially critical areas as well as on the timely, cost-effective and successful execution, including ramping-up, of key capital projects, including at the Tropicana project in Australia, and the Kibali project in the DRC.
Unforeseen difficulties, delays or costs may adversely affect the successful implementation of AngloGold Ashantis business strategy and projects, and such strategy and projects may not result in the anticipated benefits. For example, in South Africa, the company experienced declining production rates (1.21 million ounces of gold in 2012, compared with 1.62 million ounces of
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gold in 2011, and 1.78 million ounces in 2010), principally due to continued safety and associated stoppages, mining flexibility constraints and overall falls in grades. The significant decrease in 2012 was also mainly attributable to the industrial strike action at the companys South African mines, which resulted in the loss of production of 235,000 ounces of gold. In 2013 however, AngloGold Ashanti produced 1.30 million ounces from its South African operations.
Any acquisition or acquisitions that AngloGold Ashanti may complete may expose the company to new geographic, political, legal, social, operating, financial and geological risks.
AngloGold Ashanti may pursue the acquisition of producing, development and advanced stage exploration properties and companies. Any such acquisition may change the scale of the companys business and operations and may expose it to new geographic, geological, political, social, operating, financial, legal, regulatory and contractual risks. For example: there may be a significant change in commodity prices after the company has committed to complete the transaction and established the purchase price or share exchange ratio; a material ore body may prove below expectations; AngloGold Ashanti may have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, realising anticipated synergies and maximising the financial and strategic position of the combined enterprise, and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls; the integration may disrupt the companys ongoing business and its relationships with employees, suppliers and contractors; and the acquisition may divert managements attention from AngloGold Ashantis day-to-day business. Furthermore, the company operates and acquires businesses in different countries, with different regulatory and operating cultures, which may exacerbate the risks described above. In addition, the acquired business may have undetected liabilities which may be significant.
In the event that the company chooses to raise debt capital to finance any acquisition, the companys leverage will be increased. Should the company choose to use equity as consideration for an acquisition, existing shareholders may suffer dilution. Alternatively, the company may choose to finance any acquisition with its existing resources, which could decrease its ability to fund future capital expenditures.
The company may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with acquisitions. Failure by AngloGold Ashanti to implement its acquisition strategy or to integrate acquired businesses successfully could have material adverse effects on its growth and business results.
Ageing infrastructure at some of AngloGold Ashantis operations could adversely impact its business.
Deep level gold mining shafts are usually designed with a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Vertical shafts consist of large quantities of infrastructure steelwork for guiding conveyances and accommodating services such as high and low tension electric cables, air and water pipe columns. Rising temperatures in the deeper mining areas can also lead to increased cooling requirements in the form of upgraded and expanded ice plants. Maintaining this infrastructure requires skilled human resources, capital allocation, management and planned maintenance. Once a shaft has reached the end of its intended lifespan, higher than normal maintenance and care is required. Incidents resulting in production delays, increased costs or industrial accidents may occur. Such incidents may have an adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition.
Asset integrity and reliability issues relating to ageing infrastructure are of concern at many operations, but are of particular concern in South Africa and at the Obuasi mine in Ghana. For example, cracks were discovered in the mill feed end in September 2008 and at the discharge end in February 2010 at the Geita gold mine. The Geita gold mine is one of the groups principal assets and sources of cash flow. After initial repairs, the feed end was replaced during May and June 2011. A decision was subsequently taken to replace the entire mill as a result of shell distortion. After new mill manufacture delays, installation was completed during March 2013. Production throughput in 2011 was 1 million tonnes less than planned, as a result of mill downtime that included feed-end replacement; ore grade was however sufficient to achieve 494,000 ounces. The Geita gold mine produced approximately 531,000 ounces in 2012, with production throughput approximately 100,000 tonnes short of budget.
Some of AngloGold Ashantis technologies are unproven and failure could adversely impact costs and production.
AngloGold Ashanti has teamed up with various specialists to engineer new solutions to environmental management, mine design, rock breaking and underground logistics, amongst other matters. The company has invested in new technologies, including phyto-technologies to reduce seepage and address soil and ground water contamination, and in mine support technologies to minimise the impact of seismic activity. The company is also attempting to develop technologies to access the deeper reaches of South African mines.
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Some aspects of these technologies are unproven and their eventual operational outcome or viability cannot be assessed with certainty. The costs, productivity and other benefits from these initiatives, and the consequent effects on AngloGold Ashantis future earnings and financial condition, may vary from expectations. Failure of the company to realise the anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, an inability to realise production or growth plans, or adversely affect its operational performance.
The level of AngloGold Ashantis indebtedness could adversely impact its business.
As at 31 December 2013, AngloGold Ashanti had gross borrowings of $3.8 billion (2012: $3.0 billion) excluding all finance leases and fair value adjustments on bonds.
AngloGold Ashantis indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on its flexibility to conduct business. For example, the company may be required to use a large portion of its cash flow to pay the principal and interest on its debt, which will reduce funds available to finance existing operations and the development of new organic growth opportunities and further acquisitions. In addition, under the terms of the companys borrowing facilities from its banks, AngloGold Ashanti is obliged to meet certain financial and other covenants. The companys ability to continue to meet these covenants and to service its debt will depend on its future financial performance which will be affected by its operating performance as well as by financial and other factors, and in particular the gold price, certain of which are beyond the control of the company.
Should the cash flow from operations be insufficient, AngloGold Ashanti could breach its financial and other covenants. Covenant breaches, if interpreted as events of default under one or more debt agreements, could allow lenders to accelerate payment of such debt. Any such acceleration could result in the acceleration of indebtedness under other financial instruments. As a result, the company may be required to refinance all or part of the existing debt, use existing cash balances, issue additional equity or sell assets. AngloGold Ashanti cannot be sure that it will be able to refinance its debt on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The companys ability to access the bank, public debt or equity capital markets on an efficient basis may be constrained by dislocation in the credit markets or capital and liquidity constraints in the banking, debt or equity markets at the time of issuance.
Certain factors may affect AngloGold Ashantis ability to support the carrying amount of its property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill on the balance sheet. If the carrying amount of its assets is not recoverable, AngloGold Ashanti may be required to recognise an impairment charge, which could be significant.
AngloGold Ashanti reviews and tests the carrying amount of its assets when events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The company values individual mining assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are identifiable and independent of cash flows of other mining assets and liabilities.
If there are indications that impairment may have occurred, AngloGold Ashanti prepares estimates of a recoverable amount for each group of assets. Expected future cash flows are inherently uncertain, and could materially change over time. Recoverable amounts are significantly affected by reserve and production estimates, together with economic factors such as spot and forward gold prices, discount rates, currency exchange rates, estimates of costs to produce reserves and future capital expenditure. Estimated rehabilitation and closure costs could also materially affect the companys financial performance and could result in the need to recognise an impairment charge.
If any of these uncertainties occur, either alone or in combination, management could be required to recognise an impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition. During 2013, AngloGold Ashanti reviewed the carrying value of its mining assets (including ore stockpiles), goodwill and intangibles and, based on revised forecast gold prices, the company booked a charge in relation to impairments and revaluation of net realisable value of our mining assets (including ore stockpiles), goodwill and intangibles of $3,245 million.
AngloGold Ashanti expects to have significant financing requirements.
AngloGold Ashantis existing board-approved development projects and exploration initiatives will require significant funding. These include: Mponeng Below 120 Project in South Africa; the Kibali project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the mine life extension project (MLE2) at Cripple Creek & Victor in the United States.
Potential future exploration projects, feasibility studies, and development projects will also require significant funding, if and when approved by the AngloGold Ashanti board of directors.
The companys capital expenditure plans and requirements are subject to a number of risks, contingencies and other factors, some of which are beyond its control, including volatile or sustained lower gold prices, and therefore the actual future capital expenditure and investments may differ significantly from the current planned amounts.
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AngloGold Ashantis operating cash flow and credit facilities may be insufficient to meet all of these expenditures, depending on the timing and cost of development of these and other projects as well as operating performance and available headroom under its credit facilities. As a result, new sources of capital may be needed to meet the funding requirements of these developments, to fund ongoing business activities and to pay dividends. AngloGold Ashantis ability to raise and service significant new sources of capital will be a function of macroeconomic conditions, the condition of the financial markets, future gold prices, the companys operational performance and operating cash flow and debt position, among other factors. The companys ability to raise further debt financing in the future and the cost of such financing will depend on, among other factors, its prevailing credit rating, which may be affected by the companys ability to maintain its outstanding debt and financial ratios at levels acceptable to the credit ratings agencies, its business prospects risks relating to the countries in which it operates or other factors. As a result, in the event of lower gold prices, unanticipated operating or financial challenges, any dislocation in financial markets or new funding limitations, AngloGold Ashantis ability to pursue new business opportunities, invest in existing and new projects, fund its ongoing business activities and retire or service outstanding debt and pay dividends, could be significantly constrained, all of which could adversely impact the companys results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashanti does not have full management control over some of its significant joint venture projects and other interests. If the operators of these projects do not manage these effectively and efficiently, the companys investment in these projects could be adversely affected and its reputation could be harmed.
AngloGold Ashantis joint ventures at Morila in Mali and at Kibali in the DRC are managed by the companys joint venture partner Randgold Resources Limited (Randgold). In addition, certain of AngloGold Ashantis exploration ventures are managed by the relevant joint venture partner.
While AngloGold Ashanti provides strategic management and operational advice to its joint venture partners in respect of these projects, the company cannot ensure that these projects are operated in compliance with the standards that AngloGold Ashanti applies in its other operations. If these joint ventures are not operated effectively or efficiently, including as a result of weaknesses in the policies, procedures and controls implemented by the joint venture partners, the companys investment in the relevant project could be adversely affected. In addition, negative publicity associated with operations that are ineffective or inefficiently operated, particularly relating to any resulting accidents or environmental incidents could harm the companys reputation and therefore its prospects and potentially its financial condition. Furthermore, any failure of joint venture partners to meet their obligations to AngloGold Ashanti or to third parties, or any disputes with respect to the parties respective rights and obligations, could have a material adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition. In particular, the company and Randgold retain equal representation, with neither party holding a deciding vote on the board of the two companies that have overall management control of the Morila project in Mali and the Kibali project in the DRC, respectively, and all major management decisions for each of these two projects, including approval of the budget, require board approval. If a dispute arises between the company and Randgold with respect to the Kibali or Morila project and the parties are unable to amicably resolve such dispute, it may be difficult for the parties to make strategic decisions relating to the project affected by such dispute, the day-to-day operations and the development of such project may be adversely affected and the company may have to participate in proceedings to resolve the dispute, which could adversely affect the companys results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashantis joint ventures and other strategic alliances may not be successful.
AngloGold Ashantis joint venture partners may have economic or business interests or goals that are not consistent with the companys or may, as a result of financial or other difficulties, be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under the joint venture or other agreements. Disputes between AngloGold Ashanti and its joint venture partners may lead to legal action, including litigation between AngloGold Ashanti and joint venture partners. Such disputes could adversely affect the operation of the joint venture and may prevent the realisation of the joint ventures goals. There is no assurance that the companys joint venture partners will continue their relationship with the company in the future or that the company will be able to achieve its financial or strategic objectives relating to the joint ventures.
AngloGold Ashantis mineral deposits, Mineral Reserve, and mining operations are located in countries where political, tax and economic laws and policies may change rapidly and unpredictably and such changes and policies may adversely affect both the terms of its mining concessions, as well as its ability to conduct operations in certain countries.
Past experience demonstrates that political, tax and economic laws and policies in countries in which AngloGold Ashanti operates can change rapidly. Examples include the coup détat and subsequent fighting in Mali and the recent changes to the foreign currency regulations in Argentina. As mining assets are fixed, the adverse impacts of such changes may be unavoidable and immediate.
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Any existing and new mining, exploration operations and projects that the company carries out are subject to various national and local laws, policies and regulations governing the ownership, prospecting, development and mining of mineral reserves, taxation and royalties, exchange controls, import and export duties and restrictions, investment approvals, employee and social community relations and other matters.
In many of the countries in which AngloGold Ashanti operates, there is an on-going focus by governments seeking greater economic benefit and increased financial and social benefits from extractive industries and mining in particular. This entails the review of mining codes and stability agreements, which were in many cases designed under economic conditions, and the formulation or amendment of laws, policies and regulations relating to issues such as mineral rights and asset ownership, royalties, taxation and taxation disputes, windfall or super taxation, non-recovery of taxation refunds, import and export duties, currency transfers, restrictions on foreign currency holdings and repatriation of earnings. The laws, policies and regulations are increasingly uncertain, changing and generally require progressively higher payments to governments, notably in the form of increased royalties and taxes, mandated beneficiation, export levies and increasing or retaining state or national ownership of resources. In particular, changes to the fiscal terms governing AngloGold Ashantis operations may have a material adverse impact on the companys results of operations or financial condition, threaten the viability of existing operations, and discourage future investments in certain jurisdictions. This may therefore have an adverse impact on the companys ability to access new assets and potentially reducing future growth opportunities.
For example on 9 September 2011, a new mining code for Guinea was enacted. The new mining code significantly increased the share of state ownership in the mining industry, extending a 15 percent share of future mining projects to the government, without financial compensation. The government also had the option to purchase up to an additional 20 percent of each project. However, the new mining code was suspended in October 2012 due to unfavourable reception. On 8 April 2013, the Guinean parliament voted to amend the 2011 Mining Code. The amendment was promulgated shortly after by Presidential Decree on 17 April 2013. The new legislation provides that existing mining conventions will be amended through addenda which will contain various provisions, including provisions relating to taxation, state equity participation in mining companies and other matters.
The government of Ghana amended its fiscal mining regime, increased its corporate taxation to 35 percent and royalty rates of 5 percent. Furthermore, the government of Ghana has constituted a review committee to review and re-negotiate stability agreements with mining companies. AngloGold Ashanti is currently participating in negotiations with the Ghanaian review committee. The outcome of these negotiations may have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations or financial condition.
AngloGold Ashanti Limited and other major mining companies are in talks with the Tanzanian government regarding new mining legislation and its impact on existing mining agreements. Such talks follow an earlier declaration in July 2012 by the Tanzanian Minister of Energy and Minerals that the mining contracts were under review. The new mining legislation and the outcome of the review of the mining contracts may have a material adverse impact on the companys results of operations and financial condition. Recently, the Tanzanian Minister of Energy and Minerals increased the royalty rate levied on gold extracted in Tanzania by AngloGold Ashantis operations by 1 percent and this has a direct impact on the revenues earned from the operations in Tanzania. Proposed Tanzanian regulations set out the requirement to sell shares to nationals, by way of a public offering and listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange that may apply to companies that carry out large scale mining operations.
In October 2012, the DRC Mines Minister announced a proposed overhaul of the DRCs mining code. The proposed laws seek to, among other things, increase the government stake in mining operations to 35 percent from the existing 5 percent, double royalties on some minerals, reduce in a significant way the protections AngloGold Ashanti currently enjoys on its projects in the DRC, impose significant limitations on the companys ability to retain and renew licences and introduce a 50 percent levy on certain profits. Should such laws be enacted in the future, these may have a material adverse impact on the companys results of operations in the DRC.
On 1 July 2012, Australias Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) came into effect after the legislation was passed in March 2012. The MRRT applies only to the bulk commodities of coal and iron ore, and replaced the previously proposed Resource Super Profit Tax (RSPT), which covered all minerals. The Australian federal government did not include gold and uranium in the final MRRT. However, should Australia consider reintroducing the RSPT, or if similar super profit taxes were to be introduced and implemented in any other country in which AngloGold Ashanti operates, the companys results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
In addition, some of AngloGold Ashantis mineral deposits and mining and exploration operations are located in countries that are experiencing social and political instability as well as economic uncertainty. For example, in South Africa, country risk has increased in light of the violent strike action, social unrest and protest. The risk of contagion from the tense industrial relations
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environment in the platinum sector remains, despite the governments efforts. The high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality remain, further increasing the risk of social instability that will continue to negatively impact the South African economy, business and the mining industry.
In December 2012, though the ruling African National Congress rejected the concept of wholesale nationalisation, a. resource rent tax on windfall profits has been discussed, and it is uncertain whether such a tax will become law. The MPRDA Amendment Bill of 2013, passed by the National Assembly of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa on 12 March 2014, could impact AngloGold Ashantis business by empowering the Minister of Mines to set developmental pricing conditions for certain minerals for beneficiation purposes, impose export permits on designated minerals and give the State an open-ended free carried interest and State participation.
In June 2013, the Brazilian government announced increased royalties of up to 4 percent and changes to exploration rights.
Mining is a long term activity and assets may be located in jurisdictions with elevated risk. Political instability and the resulting unstable business environment in such countries in which companies operate may discourage future investment in those jurisdictions, and may have an adverse impact on the companys ability to access new assets, potentially reducing growth opportunities.
AngloGold Ashanti is subject to an uncertain tax environment. Increased taxes are expected in most countries of operation. Changes in tax laws could result in higher tax expense and payments. Furthermore, legislation changes could materially impact AngloGold Ashantis tax receivables and liabilities as well as deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the uncertain tax environment in some regions could limit AngloGold Ashantis ability to enforce its rights. As a global company, AngloGold Ashanti conducts its business in countries subject to complex tax rules, which may be interpreted in different ways. Further interpretations or developments of tax regimes may affect the companys tax liability, return on investments and business operations. AngloGold Ashanti is regularly examined by tax authorities in the various jurisdictions of operation.
In Guinea, Mali and Tanzania, AngloGold Ashanti is due refunds of input tax and fuel duties which remain outstanding for periods longer than those provided for in the respective statutes. For example, AngloGold Ashanti calculates that overdue recoverable value added tax, fuel duties and appeal deposits of $71 million are owed to AngloGold Ashanti and held by the Tanzanian government and it is not certain when AngloGold Ashanti will be refunded this amount, if at all.
The countries in which the company operates may also introduce strict exchange controls, impose restrictions to source materials and services locally, or impose other similar restrictions that hinder foreign companies operations within such countries. For example, the Argentine government introduced stricter exchange controls and related protracted approval processes, which may limit the companys ability to repatriate dividends from its Argentine subsidiaries. In October 2011, the Argentina government has decreed that mining, oil and energy companies must repatriate export earnings. Additionally, the purchase of US dollars requires authorisation from the Argentine tax agency and the purpose for which the currency will be used must be stated. In May 2012, the Argentine Mining Secretariat issued new regulations requiring mining companies in Argentina to boost their domestic purchases of equipment and services. Mining companies are now required to resort exclusively to locally established suppliers for their export-related shipping and logistics operations. A separate norm requires companies to open an import substitution division which will be in charge of submitting procurement plans to the Mining Secretariat on a quarterly basis. Such requirements are hindering the companys operations within Argentina and these or similar requirements may continue to do so in the future and may have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
If, in one or more of the countries in which it operates, AngloGold Ashanti were not able to obtain or maintain necessary permits, authorisations or agreements to implement planned projects or continue its operations under conditions or within timeframes that make such plans and operations economically viable, or if the applicable legal, ownership, fiscal (including all royalties and duties), exchange control, employment, environmental and social laws or regimes change materially, or if the governing political authorities change resulting in amendments to such laws and regimes, this could have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis operating results, financial condition, and, in extreme situations, on the viability of an operation.
For example, in South Africa mining rights are linked to meeting various obligations that include the broad-based socio-economic empowerment charter for the mining industry (the Revised Charter). Compliance with the Revised Charter is measured using a designated scorecard relating to equity ownership and management control of mining companies by historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) by no later than the end of 2014 and that HDSAs must constitute 40 percent of all levels of management by 2014. In 2013, AngloGold Ashanti achieved all Mining Charter targets with the exception of senior management (33 percent versus the target of 40 percent) and in the procurement services area (57 percent versus the target of 60 percent).
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While AngloGold Ashanti believes that it will be compliant with ownership targets to be achieved by the end of 2014, it must make further progress to achieve future targets, including further participation by HDSAs in senior and top management levels, the upgrade of housing and accommodation at the companys mines, further human resource development, mine community development, sustainable development and growth as well as procurement and enterprise development, certain of which are also included under the Revised Charters targets that must also be achieved by the end of 2014.
The company will incur expenses in giving further effect to the Revised Charter and the scorecard. AngloGold Ashanti may not meet all of the various requirements by the required dates. Additionally, the South African government may decide that the Mining Charter has not gone far enough to achieve its underlying goals and therefore decide to expand the obligations of mining companies thereunder. Should AngloGold Ashanti breach its obligations in complying with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), Revised Charter or any future amendments to the Mining Charter, its mining rights in South Africa could be suspended or cancelled by the Minister of Mineral Resources and it may be unable to obtain any new mining rights. Any such suspension or cancellation could have a material adverse effect on Anglo Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashantis Mineral Reserve, deposits and mining operations are located in countries that face instability and security risks that may adversely affect both the terms of its mining concessions, as well as its ability to conduct operations in certain countries.
Some of AngloGold Ashantis mineral deposits and mining and exploration operations are located in countries that are experiencing political instability and economic uncertainty.
Certain of the countries in which AngloGold Ashanti has mineral deposits or mining or exploration operations, including the DRC, Mali, Guinea and Colombia, have in the past experienced, and in certain cases continue to experience, a difficult security environment. In particular, various illegal groups active in regions in which the company is present may pose a credible threat of military repression, terrorism, civil unrest, extortion and kidnapping, which could have an adverse effect on its operations in these and other regions.
For example, Mali continues to experience a difficult security environment since the military coup in March 2012. The situation in Mali remains of heightened concern as a result of the instability in northern Mali.
Eastern DRC also continues to experience tension consistent with the cycles of unrest experienced since the late 2000s. Fighting has caused instability in the area and could expand or intensify.
In 2012, and for the first time in approximately seven years, Anglo Gold Ashanti Colombias (AGAC) assets and employees were the targets of direct attacks by hostile actors around the La Colosa projects area of influence. These and other such attacks could adversely affect the companys operations in Colombia.
Since 2009, the company has recorded an almost five-fold increase in the instances of injury to security personnel, including members of AngloGold Ashantis internal security, private security companies and public security forces in certain jurisdictions. The rise in the number and severity of security incidents has come as a result of both increased illegal and artisanal mining due to a steady migration of people into the areas and an increase in the level of organisation and funding of criminal activity around some of the companys Continental African operations. This trend has stabilised, but in 2013, intrusions onto the companys tenement and operational areas resulted in a marked increase in crime, specifically illegal mining related activities. Despite this negative trend, the ongoing efforts to implement the companys community enhanced security plan at all its operations and a more focused stakeholder engagement has yielded positive results. Despite the increase in illegal activity and confrontation in 2013, only three potential human rights violation incidents were recorded in 2013, compared with nine during 2012. This is mainly attributable to significant improvements at the Geita and Obuasi mines. The most significant security challenges remain in Tanzania and Ghana, in areas where there is endemic poverty and high levels of unemployment. If the security environment surrounding the companys operations that are most exposed to these challenges deteriorates, employee, third-party and community member injuries and fatalities could also increase. Any such increase could disrupt the companys operations in certain mines and adversely affect its reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
In some instances, risk assessments categorise threats as serious enough to require resorting to public security forces, such as national police or military units on a near-permanent basis. In the event that continued operations in any of the companys countries of operations compromise the companys security or business principles, AngloGold Ashanti may withdraw from any such countries on a temporary or permanent basis. This could have a material adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
Furthermore, the company continues to experience strained relationships with certain of its host communities. AngloGold Ashanti operates in several regions where poverty, unemployment and the lack of access to alternative livelihoods mean that the creation and distribution of economic benefit from mining operations is a significant area of focus for community and government. During 2013 there were a total of twenty one community opposition incidents that were of minor or moderate consequence, mostly at the companys exploration projects, particularly at Mongbwalu and in Colombia. There were five protests during 2013 at Cerro Vanguardia, Obuasi, Siguiri and Iduapriem.
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Illegal and artisanal mining occurs on AngloGold Ashantis properties, which can disrupt the companys business and expose the company to liability.
Illegal and artisanal miners are active on, or adjacent to, some of AngloGold Ashantis Continental African and South American properties, which leads at times to interference with the companys operations and results in conflict situations that present a security threat to property and human life. Artisanal mining is associated with a number of negative impacts, including environmental degradation, flouting of land rights, poor working practices, erosion of civil society, human rights abuse and funding of conflict. The environmental, social, safety and health impacts of artisanal mining are frequently attributed to formal mining activity, and it is often assumed that artisanally-mined gold is channelled through large-scale mining operators, even though artisanal and large-scale miners have distinct supply chains. These misconceptions impact negatively on the reputation of the industry.
The activities of the illegal miners, which include theft and shrinkage, could cause damage to AngloGold Ashantis properties, including pollution, underground fires, or personal injury or death, for which AngloGold Ashanti could potentially be held responsible. Illegal mining could result in the depletion of mineral deposits, potentially making the future mining of such deposits uneconomic. The presence of illegal miners could lead to project delays and disputes regarding the development or operation of commercial gold deposits. Furthermore, in 2012, the company recorded an increase in the number and severity of security incidents, due to a steady migration of people into the areas and an increase in the level of organisation and funding of criminal activity around some of the companys Continental African operations, likely encouraged by an escalating gold price at that time. The most significant security challenges have occurred in Tanzania and Ghana in areas where there is endemic poverty and high levels of unemployment. Illegal mining and theft could also result in lost gold reserves, mine stoppages, and have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations or financial condition.
The use of contractors at certain of the companys operations may expose AngloGold Ashanti to delays or suspensions in mining activities and increases in mining costs.
AngloGold Ashanti uses contractors at certain of its operations to mine and deliver ore to processing plants as well as for other purposes. At mines employing mining contractors, contracting costs represent a significant proportion of the total operating costs of these operations and the company does not own all of the mining equipment. For example, increased contractor rates at the Sadiola mine in Mali contributed to a significant rise in total cash costs in the final quarter of 2011. Increased contractor costs at Sunrise Dam in Australia and Geita in Tanzania contributed to higher production costs in the first quarter of 2012.
AngloGold Ashantis operations could be disrupted, resulting in additional costs and liabilities, if the mining contractors at affected mines have financial difficulties, or if a dispute arises in renegotiating a contract, or if there is a delay in replacing an existing contractor and its operating equipment to meet business needs at expected cost levels. Increases in contract mining rates, in the absence of associated productivity increases, will also have an adverse impact on the companys results of operations and financial condition. For example, on 13 October 2012, AngloGold Ashanti terminated the underground development contract with a third-party contractor at the Obuasi mine in Ghana. The costs of the termination amounted to $17 million. On 10 February 2014 workers employed by a contractor at Sadiola and Yatela went on a five day strike demanding improved redundancy payments see Labour unrest, activism and disruptions could have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, AngloGold Ashantis reduced control over those aspects of operations which are the responsibility of contractors, their failure to comply with applicable legal, human rights and regulatory requirements, or their inability to manage their workforce or provide high quality services or a high level of productivity could adversely affect AngloGold Ashantis reputation, results of operations and financial condition, and may result in the company incurring liability to third parties due to the actions of contractors.
AngloGold Ashanti competes with mining and other companies for key human resources and its inability to retain key personnel could have an adverse effect on its business.
AngloGold Ashanti competes on a global basis with mining and other companies, to attract and retain key human resources at all levels with the appropriate technical skills and operating and managerial experience necessary to operate and supervise its business. This is exacerbated by the global shortage of key mining skills, including geologists, mining engineers, metallurgists and skilled artisans. Furthermore, the often remote locations of mining operations may make the mining industry unattractive to potential employees.
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The retention of staff is particularly challenging in South Africa, where, in addition to the impacts of global industry shortages of skilled labour, AngloGold Ashanti is required to achieve employment equity targets of participation by HDSAs in management and other positions. AngloGold Ashanti competes with all companies in South Africa to attract and retain a small but growing pool of HDSAs with the necessary skills and experience. AngloGold Ashanti has historically faced difficulty recruiting and retaining young graduates and qualified mid-level management in South Africa. Recruitment of skilled personnel has been challenging in Continental Africa due to university offerings that are often not well-suited to the specific needs of the mining industry, as well as other factors such as language barriers and low literacy skills.
The recruitment of skilled workers is also highly competitive in South America as a result of a shortage of skills and intense competition between mining companies.
The company may not be able to retain and attract sufficient skilled and experienced employees in all areas of the business. Should it fail to do so or lose any of its key personnel, business and growth prospects may be harmed and this could have an adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashantis inability to retain its senior management may have an adverse effect on its business.
The companys success depends largely upon the continued service of its senior management, including its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, the executive officers at each of its business divisions and general managers at its mines.
The loss of one or more members of the senior management teams, coupled with the reduced attractiveness of the gold mining sector, could lead to other members of the management team leaving, disrupt the companys operations, and have a material adverse impact on the companys business, results of operations and financial condition.
The prevalence of occupational health diseases and the potential costs and liabilities related thereto may have an adverse effect on the business and results of operations of AngloGold Ashanti.
The primary areas of focus in respect of occupational health of employees within the companys operations are noise-induced hearing loss and occupational lung diseases (OLD), which include pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis from various causes and silicosis in individuals exposed to silica dust. These require active dust management strategies in underground operations, particularly in South Africa where a significant number of silicosis cases by current and former employees alleging past exposures are still reported each year to the board for statutory compensation. AngloGold Ashanti provides occupational health services to its employees at its occupational health centers and clinics and continues to improve preventative occupational hygiene initiatives, such as implementing various dust control measures and supplying its employees with respiratory protection equipment. If the costs associated with providing such occupational health services, implementing such dust control measures or supplying such equipment increase significantly beyond anticipated or budgeted amounts, this could have an adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition. Actual and alleged health and safety incidents or breaches of standards may also adversely impact the companys reputation.
AngloGold Ashanti is currently subject to class action litigation with respect to alleged occupational lung diseases (see AngloGold Ashanti is subject to the risk of litigation, the causes and costs of which are not always known). AngloGold Ashanti is calling for the industry to engage with government (and other stakeholders) to seek an appropriate industry-wide solution. An industry-wide solution may not be reached or the terms thereof may have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis financial condition.
In response to the effects of silicosis in labour-sending communities, a number of mining companies (under the auspices of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa) together with the NUM, which is the largest union in the mining sector in South Africa, and the national and regional departments of health, have embarked on a project to assist in delivering compensation and relief by mining companies under the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act (ODMWA) to affected communities.
AngloGold Ashanti also faces certain risks in dealing with HIV/AIDS, particularly at its South African operations and with tropical disease outbreaks such as malaria, and other diseases which may have an adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition. AIDS and associated diseases remain one of the major health care challenges faced by AngloGold Ashantis South African operations. Workforce prevalence studies indicate that HIV prevalence rates among AngloGold Ashantis South African workforce may be as high as 30 percent.
Malaria and other tropical diseases pose significant health risks at all of the companys operations in central, west and east Africa where such diseases may assume epidemic proportions because of ineffective national control programs. Malaria is a major cause of death in young children and pregnant women but also gives rise to fatalities and absenteeism in adult men. Other conditions such as heart disease, chronic diseases, and obesity are of increasing incidence and concern.
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Such diseases impair the health of workers and negatively affect productivity and profitability as a result of workers diminished focus or skill, absenteeism, treatment costs and allocated resources. Any current or future medical program may not be successful in preventing or reducing the infection rate among AngloGold Ashantis employees or in affecting consequent illness or mortality rates. AngloGold Ashanti may incur significant costs in addressing this issue in the future, which could also adversely impact the companys results of operations and financial condition.
The costs and impacts associated with the pumping of water inflows from closed mines adjacent to the companys operations could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.
Certain of AngloGold Ashantis mining operations are located adjacent to the mining operations of other mining companies. The closure of a mining operation may have an impact upon continued operations at the adjacent mine if appropriate preventative steps are not taken. In particular, this can include the ingress of underground water when pumping operations at the adjacent closed mine are suspended. Such ingress could have an adverse effect on any one of the companys mining operations as a result of property damage, disruption to operations, additional pollution liabilities and pumping costs and, consequently, could have an adverse impact on its results of operations and financial condition.
This risk has increased recently as some of the mining operations adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti operations in South Africa have been closed. For example, in May 2013, Village Main Reef (VMR) announced its intention to wind down its Buffels (Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein) operations adjacent to AngloGold Ashantis Vaal River operations, effectively transitioning their operations to closure. Water must continue to be pumped from one of the Buffels shafts until the end of Vaal River life-of-mine and, accordingly, we have advised VMR that AngloGold Ashanti will seek to enforce VMRs obligations for such pumping under the directive issued by the Department of Water Affairs in 2005. In the West Wits district, the risk of impact to AngloGold Ashantis operations is greater due to volume of water and depth (2.5km) coupled with the short timeframe within which to respond should pumping by VMR cease. VMRs West Wits operations at Blyvooruitzicht were placed in provisional liquidation in August 2013. AngloGold Ashanti has secured a court order for access rights to Blyvoor 4 and 6 shafts to keep pumping going. AngloGold Ashanti has instituted legal action against VMR demanding that the entity continue to pump and manage its own flooding risks.
The potential costs associated with the remediation and prevention of ground water contamination from the companys operations or due to flooding from closed mines adjacent to the companys operations could have a material adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashanti has identified ground water contamination plumes at certain of its operations that have occurred primarily as a result of seepage from surface operations and facilities, including tailings storage facilities and waste rock piles.
Deep groundwater contamination is a significant issue in South Africa, where ground water in some older mining regions has infiltrated mined-out workings. Potential contamination risk to shallow ground and surface water resources can occur when water is exposed to sulphide-bearing rock in such situations. AngloGold Ashanti has identified a flooding and future pollution risk posed by deep groundwater in the Klerksdorp and Far West Rand goldfields. AngloGold Ashantis Vaal River operations are part of the Klerksdorp goldfields and its West Wits operations are part of the Far West Rand goldfields. As a result of the interconnected nature of underground mining operations in South Africa, any proposed solution needs to be a combined one supported by all the companies owning mines located in these goldfields.
In view of the limitation of current information for the accurate estimation of liabilities, no reliable estimate can be made for these obligations. The potential costs of remediation and prevention of groundwater contamination at AngloGold Ashantis operations could be significant and may have a material adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
The occurrence of events for which AngloGold Ashanti is not insured or for which its insurance is inadequate may adversely affect cash flows and overall profitability.
AngloGold Ashanti maintains insurance to protect only against catastrophic events which could have a significant adverse effect on its operations and profitability. This insurance is maintained in amounts that the company believes to be reasonable depending upon the circumstances surrounding each identified risk. However, damage and third-party claims arising from catastrophic events may exceed the limit of liability on insurance policies the company has in place. Furthermore, AngloGold Ashantis insurance does not cover all potential risks associated with its business and may exclude certain parts of its business. AngloGold Ashanti may elect not to insure certain risks due to the high premiums or for various other reasons, including an assessment that the risks are remote.
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The company may not be able to obtain insurance coverage at acceptable premiums. The company believes negotiations with insurance providers have become more difficult for a number of reasons, including prevailing macroeconomic conditions and the risk profile of the mining industry. Insurance for certain risks in particular, such as loss of title to mineral property, political risks in certain jurisdictions, environmental pollution, or other hazards resulting from exploration and production, is not generally available to mining companies on acceptable terms. The availability and cost of insurance coverage can vary considerably from year to year as a result of events beyond the companys control or from claims, and this can result in higher premiums and periodically being unable to maintain the levels or types of insurance the company typically carries.
The failure to obtain adequate insurance could impair the companys ability to continue to operate in the normal course or could result in the occurrence of events for which AngloGold Ashanti is not insured, either of which could adversely impact its cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashanti is subject to the risk of litigation, the causes and costs of which are not always known.
AngloGold Ashanti is subject to litigation, arbitration and other legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business and may be involved in disputes that may result in litigation. The causes of potential future litigation cannot be known and may arise from, among other things, business activities, environmental and health and safety concerns, share price volatility or failure to comply with disclosure obligations. The results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty but could include costly damage awards or settlements, fines, and the loss of licenses, concessions, or rights, among other things.
In the event of a dispute AngloGold Ashanti may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in South Africa or the United States.
AngloGold Ashanti is subject to numerous claims, including class actions or similar group claims relating to silicosis and other OLD, and could be subject to similar claims in the future.
AngloGold Ashanti has received notice of two applications for class certification relating to silicosis in which the company is a respondent. It has also received a significant number of notices of individual claims. For further information, please refer to Item 8.: Financial Information Legal Proceedings South Africa Silicosis litigation. It is possible that additional class actions and/or individual claims relating to silicosis and/or other OLD will be filed against AngloGold Ashanti in the future. AngloGold Ashanti will defend all and any subsequent claims as filed on their merits. AngloGold Ashanti cannot predict whether or when more individual claims will be filed in the future or whether the classes described above or other classes will be certified. Should any such claims result in an adverse outcome for AngloGold Ashanti, or if AngloGold Ashanti is unsuccessful in otherwise favourably resolving perceived deficiencies in the national occupational disease compensation framework that were identified in an earlier decision by the Constitutional Court of South Africa, such matters would have an adverse effect on its financial position, which could be material.
In Colombia, the company is also involved in class action lawsuits in relation to AGAC Santa Maria-Montecristo and La Colosa projects. One of these class action lawsuits led to a preliminary injunction suspending the mining concession contracts of the Santa Maria-Montecristo project in September 2011. Additionally, in Colombia, AGAC is involved in an action in the Administrative Superior Court of the Cundinamarca District against the Department of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Development (DoE) following its issuance of a fine against AGAC on the basis that AGAC was in breach of its mining terms of reference.
Should the company be unable to resolve disputes favourably or to enforce its rights, this may have a material adverse impact on the companys financial performance, cash flow and results of operations.
The implementation of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system could have an adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
AngloGold Ashanti is implementing a single, global ERP system to support all the operations that it manages. The ERP system was planned for implementation over a three-and-a-half-year period which commenced in August 2011. The contemplated implementation and operationalisation of an ERP system on a global basis is inherently a high-risk initiative due to the potential for implementation cost and time overruns. In addition, such implementation could affect AngloGold Ashantis ability to report and manage technical and financial information if difficulties in the implementation and operation of the system are experienced, which could have an adverse effect on the companys results of operations and financial condition. The first sites went live during February 2013 and additional sites went live in May, August and November 2013. Recently, however, as part of the companys efforts to maximise margins and rationalise capital expenditure in response to current operating conditions, it has again been considering the timing of the full implementation of the ERP system and the decision was made not to implement at Continental Africa operations immediately.
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Sales of large quantities of AngloGold Ashantis ordinary shares and American Depository Shares (ADSs), and the perception that these sales may occur or other dilution of the companys equity, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the companys securities.
The bulk of AngloGold Ashantis shares are held by a relatively small number of investors. According to information available to the company, AngloGold Ashantis four largest shareholders beneficially owned 32.38 percent of AngloGold Ashantis ordinary shares as at 31 December 2013.
Poor returns, soaring costs, higher capital expenditure, ill-conceived corporate activity, rising geopolitical and labour risk and low dividend yields over the past few years have resulted in a change in market sentiment towards gold equities. The market price of the companys securities could fall if large quantities of ordinary shares or ADSs are sold in the public market, if there is divestment by certain types or groupings of investors, or if there is the perception in the marketplace that such sales could occur. Holders of the companys ordinary shares or ADSs may decide to sell them at any time. The market price of the companys ordinary shares or ADSs could also fall as a result of any future offerings AngloGold Ashanti makes of its ordinary shares, ADSs, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for the companys ordinary shares or ADSs, or the perception in the market place that these offerings might occur. AngloGold Ashanti may make such offerings, including offerings of additional ADS rights, share rights or similar securities, at any time or from time to time in the future.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies may reduce the market value of AngloGold Ashantis securities, as well as the market value of any dividends or distributions paid by the company.
AngloGold Ashanti has historically declared all dividends in South African rands. As a result, exchange rate movements may have affected and may continue to affect the Australian dollar, the British pound, the Ghanaian cedi and the US dollar value of these dividends, as well as of any other distributions paid by the relevant depositary to investors that hold the companys securities. This may reduce the value of these securities to investors.
AngloGold Ashantis Memorandum of Incorporation allows for dividends and distributions to be declared in any currency at the discretion of the board of directors, or the companys shareholders at a general meeting. If, and to the extent that, AngloGold Ashanti opts to declare dividends and distributions in US dollars, exchange rate movements will not affect the US dollar value of any dividends or distributions. Nevertheless, the value of any dividend or distribution in Australian dollars, British pounds, Ghanaian cedis or South African rands will continue to be affected. If and to the extent that dividends and distributions are declared in South African rands, exchange rate movements will continue to affect the Australian dollar, British pound, Ghanaian cedi and US dollar value of these dividends and distributions. Furthermore, the market value of AngloGold Ashantis securities as expressed in Australian dollars, British pounds, Ghanaian cedis, US dollars and South African rands will continue to fluctuate in part as a result of foreign exchange fluctuations.
AngloGold Ashanti may not pay dividends or make similar payments to shareholders in the future.
AngloGold Ashanti pays cash dividends only if there are sufficient funds available for that purpose. Fund availability depends upon many factors that include the amount of cash available in relation to AngloGold Ashantis capital expenditure on existing infrastructure and exploration and other projects.
Under South African law, companies are entitled to pay a dividend or similar payment to its shareholders only if the company meets the solvency and liquidity tests set out in legislation, and the companys founding documents.
Given these factors, including the capital and investment needs of the company, and the board of directors discretion to declare a dividend that includes the amount and timing thereof, cash dividends may not be paid in the future.
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ITEM 4: INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
4A. | HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY |
GROUP INFORMATION
AngloGold Limited was formed in June 1998 with the consolidation of the gold mining interests of Anglo American plc. AngloGold Ashanti Limited, as the company exists today, was formed on 26 April 2004 following the business combination between AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited.
CURRENT PROFILE
AngloGold Ashanti Limited is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company (Registration number 1944/017354/06) was incorporated in the Republic of South Africa in 1944 under the name of Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited and operates under the South African Companies Act.
Its registered office is at 76 Jeppe Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2001. Telephone: +27 11 6376000.
While AngloGold Ashantis primary listing is on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the company is also listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Ghana Stock Exchange (GhSE) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
Below are highlights of key corporate activities from 1998:
1998
| Formation of AngloGold Limited through the consolidation of East Rand Gold and Uranium Company Limited; Eastvaal Gold Holdings Limited; Southvaal Holdings Limited; Free State Consolidated Gold Mines Limited; Elandsrand Gold Mining Company Limited; H.J. Joel Gold Mining Company Limited and Western Deep Levels Limited into a single, focused, independent, gold mining company. Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited (Vaal Reefs), the vehicle for the consolidation, changed its name to AngloGold Limited and increased its authorised share capital, effective 30 March 1998. |
1998-2004
| Expansion of AngloGold Limiteds operations outside of South Africa. |
2004
| Concluded the business combination with Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited, at which time the company changed its name to AngloGold Ashanti Limited. |
2007
| Anglo American plc sold 69,100,000 ordinary shares of AngloGold Ashanti, thereby reducing Anglo Americans shareholding in AngloGold Ashanti from 41.7 percent to 16.6 percent. |
2009
| Anglo American plc sold its remaining shareholding to Paulson & Co. Inc. |
2010
| AngloGold Ashanti eliminated its hedge book, thereby gaining full exposure to spot gold prices. |
2012
| AngloGold Ashanti acquired the remaining 50 percent interest in Serra Grande in Brazil for $215 million. |
| The company acquired 100 percent of First Uranium (Proprietary) Limited for $335 million. |
2013
| Commissioning of two new gold projects Tropicana and Kibali in the second half of 2013. |
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4B. | BUSINESS OVERVIEW |
AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining and exploration company with a diverse portfolio of mining operations and projects on four continents, with more than 96% of the companys revenue derived from the sale of gold produced at its operations located around the world. The company works across the full spectrum of the mining value chain.
PRODUCTS
AngloGold Ashantis main product is gold. Once mined, the gold ore is processed into doré (unrefined gold bars) on site and then dispatched to precious metals refineries for refining to a purity of at least 99.5%, in accordance with the standards of good delivery as determined by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). This refined gold is then sold directly to bullion banks.
By-products of our gold mining operations, often a function of local geological characteristics, include silver (Argentina), sulphuric acid (Brazil) and uranium (South Africa).
OPERATIONS
AngloGold Ashantis 21 operations are located in 11 countries.
Following a strategic review of AngloGold Ashantis asset portfolio at the start of 2013, particularly as it pertains to development and exploration projects, the company embarked on significant restructuring in response to current challenges in the gold sector, including increasing costs of production and fall in gold prices.
The business segments comprise South Africa, Continental Africa, Americas and Australasia. South Africa comprises operations and assets in South Africa namely West Wits, Vaal River and surface operations, which includes First Uranium SA which owns Mine Waste Solutions (MWS). The companys operating assets outside of South Africa are Continental Africa with operations in the DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia and Tanzania. Australasia which comprises two operations in Australia. Americas with operations in Argentina, Brazil and the United States. The Chief Operating Officer (South Africa) is accountable for the South African operations whilst the Chief Operating Officer (International) is accountable for operations in Continental Africa, Americas and Australasia. The support functions from corporate consist of strategy, finance, human resources, legal, sustainability, stakeholder relations and planning and technical. Planning and Technical focuses on the management of opportunities and the maintenance of long-term optionality in the business through a range of activities which includes brownfields and greenfields exploration, innovative research, the development and technical assurance of technology and a continuing focus on mining excellence.
Despite the addition of two new mining operations, Kibali and Tropicana, which began production in the second half of 2013, the number of AngloGold Ashanti operations in 2013 remained unchanged at 21. Following the restructuring of the portfolio, Savuka is now reported together with TauTona and MWS is included in the reporting of Surface Operations as a separate cash generating unit.
On 10 February 2014 a binding agreement to sell Navachab was signed, subject to certain conditions.
EXPLORATION
AngloGold Ashantis brownfield and greenfield exploration programmes take place in both established and new gold producing regions through managed and non-managed joint ventures, strategic alliances and wholly-owned ground holdings. Greater emphasis is being placed on brownfield exploration and a few key greenfield opportunities carefully identified by management in Colombia, Guinea, and Australia.
GOLD MARKET
AngloGold Ashantis gold is refined at various precious metal refineries. In refined and marketable form, gold normally takes the shape of bars, varying in size from 12.5 kilogram to smaller bars weighing 1 kilogram or less, all of which contain 99.5 percent gold. Through the refineries the gold is sold directly to bullion banks. Bullion banks are registered commercial banks which deal in gold, distributing bullion bought from mining companies and refineries to markets worldwide. These banks hold consignment stocks in all major physical markets and finance these inventories from the margins they charge physical buyers.
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The physical gold market is dominated by the jewellery and investment sectors. The gold price is a primary factor influencing AngloGold Ashantis financial performance. In 2013, the gold price registered its first annual decline in 12 years, with the company receiving an average monthly gold price of $1,401/oz during the year, compared with $1,664/oz in 2012.
The decline in the gold price was related to several factors, most notably a decision by the US Federal Reserve to start slowing its monetary stimulus, or quantitative easing programme, which had been used to inject liquidity into financial markets and mitigate the worst effects of the global financial crisis. This tapering which is predicted on the recovery of the US economy, first hinted at early in the second half of 2013, brought forward expectations of rising interest rates, which in turn corresponded with retracement of the gold price and a general investor exit from so-called risk-assets. When the exit from this monetary easing started in December, the impact extended to emerging market currencies. As of 2 April 2014, the gold price was $1,292 per ounce.
Investment demand
Steady liquidation of gold held in exchange traded funds (ETFs) persisted throughout 2013. A total of 29Moz was sold from combined ETF holdings in 2013, more than the total invested in gold ETFs in 2011 and 2012 combined. Most of this liquidation occurred in the second quarter when approximately 14Moz were sold, coinciding with the largest fall in the quarterly average gold price of $366/oz for 2013. At the end of the year, ETF gold holdings totalled 60Moz.
Despite these sales, largely by institutional investors, according to the World Gold Council (WGC), demand of 48Moz for bars and coins from the retail sector, more than matched supply of 26Moz from ETF liquidations.
Speculative selling of gold, as reported by the Commitment of Traders Report (COTR), however, re-emerged in 2013 after several years at a negligible level. Record short positions of between 16Moz and 17Moz were established during June and July of 2013.
Central banks have generally been a strong source of demand since 2010, the year in which they reversed decades of net selling. Official sector net purchases of 14.6Moz in 2011 rose to 17.2Moz in 2012. However, official sector net purchases for 2013 are estimated by the WGC to have declined to between 12Moz to 13Moz. Nevertheless, central banks remain an important source of demand, accounting for purchases of 12Moz in 2013.
Jewellery demand
In addition to the demand for bars and coins, the jewellery market was also robust, with Chinese and Indian jewellery markets absorbing much of the metal from ETF liquidation. Indian demand increased in 2013 despite tariffs imposed by the Indian government on gold imports in an attempt to curb a burgeoning current account deficit. In China, total demand for bars, coins and jewellery of 34Moz in 2013 compared with 26Moz in 2012. In India, demand for these categories totalled 31Moz in 2013 and 28Moz in 2012.
RAW MATERIALS
AngloGold Ashanti uses chemicals including cyanide and lime in the production of gold. These chemicals are available from a large number of suppliers.
COMPETITION
As gold mining is a mature and regulated industry, and very significant volumes of gold and gold derivatives trade in the world markets independent of gold mine supply, AngloGold Ashanti does not consider that competition for sales plays any role in its operations as a gold producer. However, gold producers do compete against each other for acquisition of mining assets, exploration opportunities and human resources.
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AngloGold Ashanti, as a group, is not dependent on intellectual property for the conduct of its business as a whole.
SEASONALITY
Subject to other factors and unforeseen circumstances, quarter one production is generally lower than production during the rest of the year as a result of the ramp-up of operations after annual holiday production declines.
STRATEGY
Our long-term objective is to create value for shareholders, employees and business and social partners by safely and responsibly exploring for and mining gold. In the short- and medium-term, we aim to deliver sustainable improvements in cash flow and returns to all our stakeholders.
Strategic focus areas
AngloGold Ashantis five strategic focus areas are set out below:
| Focus on people, safety and sustainability, people employees and communities are our business. We focus on employing, deploying and developing the right people, and on providing them with meaningful employment and career development opportunities. We aim to structure the organisation to support operational excellence. Safety remains our first priority, and our aim is to eliminate fatalities and injuries. We will earn our social licence to operate by addressing and mitigating the social, economic and environmental impacts of our operations, and by creating a positive sustainable legacy. We are mindful of the need to balance short-term financial objectives with long-term sustainability outcomes. We seek to leverage expertise and competitive advantage to achieve the best possible outcomes for the company and for our partners in government, labour, the communities and civil society. |
| Ensure financial flexibility, we continue to optimise our balance sheet by diversifying our sources of funding and reducing debt, if appropriate, so as to ensure the financial flexibility required to support our overall strategy. |
| Optimise overhead, costs and capital expenditure, we aim to optimise all spending capital expenditure, operating costs, expensed exploration and overheads to provide a competitive all-in sustaining cost of production in 2014. There is a drive at all levels of the organisation to eliminate cost creep, regardless of market conditions. |
| Improve portfolio quality, a key objective is to improve the quality and diversity of our portfolio. In 2014, we aim to achieve this by adding between 550,000oz and 600,000oz to production from our new operations Tropicana and Kibali at costs that are lower than the group average, and by optimising mine plans to remove marginal or loss-making production where sensible. Continuing business improvement initiatives will emphasise the quality rather the quantity of ounces produced. |
| Maintain long-term optionality, we will continue to invest in and develop new technology that has the potential to transform access to deep-level underground Mineral Resources in South Africa. We will continue to seek cost-effective opportunities both around our existing gold mines and in new regions, for example, the Tropicana belt in Australia, Guineas Siguiri belt and a collection of highly prospective areas in Colombia. |
Managing performance
The five strategic focus areas are reflected in the role descriptions of each executive and senior manager in the group.
THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ENABLING ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI TO MINE
AngloGold Ashantis rights to own and exploit mineral reserves and deposits are governed by the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which these mineral properties lie.
AngloGold Ashanti is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations governing all aspects of its operations, including such areas as environmental protection, reclamation, exploration, development, production, taxes, immigration, labour standards and employment issues, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and wastes, securities and foreign corrupt practices. AngloGold Ashanti has made, and expects to, among other things, make in the future, significant expenditures to comply with these laws and regulations. Non-compliance can result in violations and legal claims, as well as substantial fines, penalties and delays in day-to-day operations. Pending or proposed changes to existing laws and regulations, as well as any proposed or contemplated new laws or regulations could also have significant impacts on AngloGold Ashantis business and results of operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted.
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There are in some cases certain restrictions on AngloGold Ashantis ability to independently move assets out of certain countries in which it has operations, or transfer assets within the group, without the prior consent of the local government or minority shareholders involved. See Item 10D.: Exchange controls for details.
For more information on the risks and uncertainties associated with AngloGold Ashantis mining rights, see Item 3D.: Risk factors, in particular the risk factors entitled AngloGold Ashantis mining rights in the countries in which it operates could be altered, suspended or cancelled for a variety of reasons, including breaches in its obligations in respect of its mining rights, Failure to comply with laws, regulations, standards, contractual obligations whether following a breach or breaches in governance processes or fraud, bribery and corruption may lead to regulatory penalties, loss of licenses or permits, and loss of reputation, Title to AngloGold Ashantis properties may be uncertain and subject to challenge, AngloGold Ashantis Mineral Reserve, deposits and mining operations are located in countries where political, tax and economic laws and policies may change rapidly and unpredictably and such changes and policies may adversely affect both the terms of its mining concessions, as well as its ability to conduct operations in certain countries and AngloGold Ashantis Mineral Reserve, deposits and mining operations are located in countries that face instability and security risks that may adversely affect both the terms of its mining concessions, as well as its ability to conduct operations in certain countries.
South Africa
The MPRDA and the Revised Mining Charter
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) came into effect on 1 May 2004. The objectives of the MPRDA are, among other things, to allow for state sovereignty over all mineral and petroleum resources in the country, to promote economic growth and the development of these resources and to expand opportunities for the historically disadvantaged. Another objective of the MPRDA is to ensure security of tenure for the respective operations concerning prospecting, exploration, mining and production. By virtue of the provisions of the MPRDA, the state ensures that holders of mining and prospecting rights contribute to the socioeconomic development of the areas in which they operate.
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act (MPRDAA) was passed by Parliament in 2008 and became effective on 7 June 2013. Its purpose is to amend the MPRDA in order to, among other things:
| make the Minister of Mineral Resources (Minister) the responsible authority for implementing the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) and specific environmental legislation as they relate to prospecting, mining, exploration, production and related activities incidental thereto on the prospecting, mining, exploration or production area; |
| align the MPRDA with the NEMA in order to provide for one environmental management system; |
| remove ambiguities in certain definitions; |
| add functions to the Regional Mining Development and Environmental Committee; |
| amend transitional arrangements so as to further afford statutory protection to certain existing old order rights; and |
| provide for matters connected therewith. |
When the MPRDAA came into effect on 7 June 2013, only selected provisions became effective immediately. The MPRDAA contains the following provisions, among others:
| Prohibition on any prospecting and mining, or conducting technical co-operation operations, reconnaissance operations or any incidental work without an environmental authorisation (from 7 December 2014), permit and at least 21 days written notice to the landowner or lawful occupier. |
| Historic residues: Provides that the definitions of residue stockpile and residue deposit now include an old order right. This provision is intended to make old order dumps subject to the MPRDA so that old order dumps which are part of a mining area covered by a new order mining right could only be treated by the holder of the new order rights. Old order dumps not covered by a new order mining right would be considered a residue deposit to which the Minister would have discretion to grant rights. |
| Applications: Provides that applicants for prospecting and mining rights must (after 7 December 2014) lodge an application for an environmental management programme/plan (EMP) simultaneously with the application for rights. The Department of Mineral Resources will no longer accept more than one application in respect of the same area and mineral. |
| Environmental Regulation: Provides that the Minister is the responsible authority for implementing environmental provisions in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) as it relates to prospecting, mining, exploration, production or activities incidental thereto on a prospecting, mining, exploration or production area. An environmental authorisation issued by the Minister shall be a condition prior to the issuing of a permit or the granting of a right in terms of the MPRDA. |
| Closure Certificates: Provides that previous holders of old order rights or previous owners of works that have ceased to exist remain responsible for any environmental liability until the Minister issues a closure certificate. |
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On 27 December 2012, the Minister published the Draft Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Bill, 2012 (2012 Bill) which sought to amend the MPRDA and invited the mining industry and interested and affected parties to comment on it by 8 February 2013. On 21 June 2013, a revised version of the Bill (2013 Bill) was introduced to the National Assembly. The 2013 Bill is now being considered by the South African Parliament.
The 2013 Bill seeks to amend the MPRDAA, to, amongst other things:
| remove ambiguities; |
| provide for regulation of associated minerals; partitioning of rights, enhanced provisions on mineral beneficiation; |
| promote national energy security; |
| streamline administrative processes; and |
| enhance sanctions. |
The 2013 Bill, as currently drafted, contains, among others, the following provisions:
| Applications: The 2013 Bill proposes revising the application system by replacing the first come, first served system with a tender and allocation system. This would dramatically affect the way applications are made. |
| Beneficiation: The 2013 Bill extends the concept of beneficiation (which has been defined in the 2013 Bill as transformation, value addition or downstream beneficiation of a mineral or mineral product (or a combination of minerals) to a higher value product, over baselines to be determined by the Minister, which can either be consumed locally or exported) and would allow the Minister to prescribe the quantities, qualities and timelines at which certain designated commodities must be supplied to local beneficiators at a mine gate price or an agreed price. The reference to the mine gate price appears to suggest companies can recover costs, capital expenditure and make a profit. It is not clear whether the agreed price will have general application or whether it will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Another proposed amendment provides that written consent would have to be obtained before exporting of designated minerals if the producer or associated company has not offered minerals to local beneficiators. The Minister would have discretion to decide which minerals are to be designated. |
| Residue stockpiles: The MPRDAAs inclusion of residue deposits and residue stockpiles in the definition of land, creating a statutory accession of movable dumps back to the land, is discussed above. The Bill would extend this definition to include historic mines and dumps created before the implementation of the MPRDA. The Bill also seeks to make these historic dumps subject to the MPRDA. This is to be achieved by making the working of these dumps subject to a mining right issued under the MPRDA. There is a transition period of two years to enable owners of these dumps to either apply for mining rights or incorporate them in existing mining rights. |
| Partitioning of rights and transfers of interests in companies: Section 11 of the MPRDA currently requires that transfer of a controlling interest in an unlisted company be consented to by the Minister. The 2013 Bill proposes amending the MPRDA so that transfer of a controlling interest in listed companies and transfer of any interest in unlisted companies must be consented to by the Minister. The 2013 Bill further proposes amending the MPRDA to allow for an application for ministerial consent to be made to transfer a part of a right. |
| Mine closure: The 2013 Bill makes provision for two major changes to mine closure under the MPRDA. Firstly, the MPRDA would be amended so that a mining company could still incur environmental liability even after a closure certificate relative to a mine is obtained. Secondly, the financial provision paid to the Minister in terms of section 41 of the MPRDA will be retained for 20 years after the granting of the closure certificate. |
| Penalties: The 2013 Bill would also provide for revised penalties for violations of the MPRDA by making provision for both an administrative fine not exceeding 10 per cent of the person or holders annual turnover and exports during the preceding year, and imprisonment not exceeding four years. |
| Legislative force of the Charter and Codes: The 2013 Bill proposes amending the definition of this Act in the MPRDA so that the MPRDA will include the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining Industry (Mining Charter), the Revised Mining Charter and the Code of Good Practice for the South African Mineral Industry (Code). This would give these documents the force of law. |
The 2013 Bill was passed by the National Assembly on 12 March 2014 and passed by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on 27 March 2014. The 2013 Bill will be sent to the President for assent.
The Mining Charter sprang from the MPRDA and also took effect on 1 May 2004. The Mining Charter committed all stakeholders in the mining industry to transfer ownership of 26 percent of their assets to black or historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) within 10 years. The Charter also sets targets for, among other things, the advancement of HDSAs into management positions, the employment of women, procurement of goods and services from HDSA-owned companies, training, community development and the upgrading of mine housing. Mining companies are required to devise plans to achieve these targets, must identify current levels of beneficiation and must indicate opportunities for growth.
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The objectives of the Mining Charter are to:
| promote equitable access to the nations mineral resources by all the people of South Africa; |
| substantially and meaningfully expand opportunities for HDSAs, including women, to enter the mining and minerals industry and to benefit from the exploitation of the nations mineral resources; |
| use the industrys existing skills base for the empowerment of HDSAs; |
| expand the skills base of HDSAs in order to serve the community; |
| promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of mining communities and the major labour-sending areas; and |
| promote beneficiation of South Africas mineral commodities. |
The Mining Charter envisages measuring progress on transformation of ownership by:
| taking into account, among other things, attributable units of production controlled by HDSAs; |
| allowing flexibility by credits or offsets, so that, for example, where HDSA participation exceeds any set target in a particular operation, the excess may be offset against shortfalls in another operation; |
| taking into account previous empowerment deals in determining credits and offsets; and |
| considering special incentives to encourage the retention by HDSAs of newly acquired equity for a reasonable period. |
Under the Charter, the mining industry as a whole agreed to assist HDSA companies in securing finance to fund participation in an amount of Rand 100 billion ($10.9 billion) over the first five years. Beyond the Rand 100 billion commitment, HDSA participation will be increased on a willing seller, willing buyer basis, at fair market value, where the mining companies are not at risk.
Following a review, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) amended the Mining Charter and the Revised Mining Charter was released on 13 September 2010. The requirement under the Mining Charter for mining entities to achieve a 26 percent HDSA ownership of mining assets by the year 2014 was retained. Amendments to the Mining Charter in the Revised Mining Charter require mining companies to:
| facilitate local beneficiation of mineral commodities; |
| procure a minimum of 40 percent of capital goods, 70 percent of services and 50 percent of consumer goods from HDSA suppliers (i.e., suppliers in which a minimum of 25 percent + 1 vote of share capital is owned by HDSAs) by 2014, these targets being, however, exclusive of non-discretionary procurement expenditure; |
| ensure that multinational suppliers of capital goods put a minimum of 0.5 percent of their annual income generated from South African mining companies into a social development fund beginning in 2010, to contribute to the socioeconomic development of South African communities; |
| achieve a minimum of 40 percent HDSA demographic representation by 2014 at executive management (board) level, senior management (EXCO) as well as in those positions requiring core and critical skills, middle management level and junior management level; |
| invest up to 5 percent of annual payroll in essential skills development activities; and |
| implement measures to improve the standards of housing and living conditions for mineworkers by converting or upgrading mineworkers hostels into family units, attaining an occupancy rate of one person per room and facilitating home ownership options for all mineworkers in consultation with organised labour, all of which must be achieved by 30 April 2014. |
In addition, mining companies are required to monitor and evaluate their compliance with the Revised Mining Charter, and must submit annual compliance reports to the DMR.
The government takes a Scorecard approach to the different facets of promoting the objectives of the Charter. It uses the Scorecard when considering applications for the conversion of existing old order rights into new order rights. The Scorecard sets out the requirements of the Charter in tabular form which allows the DMR to tick off areas where a mining company is in compliance. It covers the following areas:
| human resource development; |
| employment equity; |
| migrant labour; |
| mine community and rural development; |
| housing and living conditions; |
| ownership and joint ventures; |
| beneficiation; and |
| reporting. |
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The new Scorecard attached to the Revised Mining Charter makes provision for a phased-in approach for compliance with the above targets over the 5-year period ending on 30 April 2014. For measurement purposes, the Scorecard allocates various weightings to the different elements of the Revised Mining Charter. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Revised Mining Charter will amount to a breach of the MPRDA, may result in the cancellation or suspension of a mining companys existing mining rights and may prevent AngloGold Ashantis South African operations from obtaining any new mining rights.
On 29 April 2009, as required by section 100(1)(b) of the MPRDA, the Minister published the Code. The purpose of the Code was to set out administrative principles to enhance implementation of the Mining Charter and the MPRDA. The Code is to be read in combination with the Mining Charter and other legislation relating to measurement of socio-economic transformation in the South African mining industry.
A mining right will be granted to a successful applicant for a period not exceeding 30 years. Mining rights may be renewed for additional periods not exceeding 30 years at a time. A mining right can be cancelled if the mineral to which such mining right relates is not mined at an optimal rate.
AngloGold Ashanti holds seven mining rights in South Africa which have been successfully converted, executed and registered as new order mining rights at the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Titles Office (MPRTO).
A prospecting right will be granted to a successful applicant for a period not exceeding five years, and may only be renewed once for three years. The MPRDA also provides for a retention period of up to three years after prospecting, with one renewal up to two years, subject to certain conditions.
AngloGold Ashanti holds two prospecting rights and is currently applying for an additional prospecting right.
AngloGold Ashanti also holds a mining permit for the recovery of sand and clay, which is in the process of being renewed.
AngloGold Ashanti holds a refining license and an import and export permit from the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator. The import and export permit is currently in the process of being renewed.
The BBBEE Amendment Act
The President of South Africa assented to the BBBEE Amendment Act on 27 January 2014. The BBBEE Amendment Act will amend the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 (BBBEE Act) to provide a framework of principles, strategies and guidelines aimed at promoting the broad-based socio-economic empowerment of HDSAs across the South African economy and society in the form of ownership, management, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic development. The BBBEE Amendment Act includes a number of changes to the current framework under the BBBEE Act, including:
| amending and clarifying the definition of the intended beneficiaries of such framework; |
| amending the definition of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, or BBBEE, to introduce the concept of viable BBBEE and providing standards for that preferential procurement; |
| expanding the scope of the Codes of Good Practice, and the related transformation charters, on BBBEE matters that the Minister of Trade and Industry can issue under the BBBEE Act for specific sectors of the South African economy and making it compulsory for public authorities, governmental agencies and other public entities to apply such codes; |
| introducing into the BBBEE Act itself the definition of fronting BBBEE practices, which to date has been developed outside of the BBBEE Act and has now been expanded to capture the more sophisticated and unsuspecting fronting transactions, making fronting a criminal offense that is punishable with imprisonment and fines under certain circumstances, reasserting in the BBBEE Act the common law remedies for misrepresentation and more generally enhancing the enforcement mechanism against fronting; |
| establishing a BBBEE Commission responsible for overseeing, supervising and promoting compliance with the BBBEE Act, as well as receiving and investigating BBBEE-related complaints; and |
| providing that DTI may impose special requirements for specific industries. |
The BBBEE Amendment Act has not come into force and will do so on a date to be proclaimed by the President. The BBBEE Act provides that in the event of a conflict between the BBBEE Act and any other law in force immediately prior to the commencement of the BBBEE Act, the BBBEE Act prevails if the conflict specifically relates to a matter addressed in the BBBEE Act.
The Royalty Act
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, 2008, or the Royalty Act, was promulgated on 24 November 2008 and came into operation on 1 March 2010. The Royalty Act imposes a royalty on refined and unrefined minerals payable to the state.
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The royalty in respect of refined minerals (which include gold and platinum) is calculated by dividing earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, as calculated under IFRS, by the product of 12.5 times gross revenue calculated as a percentage, plus an additional 0.5 percent. EBIT refers to taxable mining income (with certain exceptions such as no deduction for interest payable and foreign exchange losses) before assessed losses but after capital expenditure. A maximum royalty of 5 percent of revenue has been introduced for refined minerals.
The royalty in respect of unrefined minerals (which include uranium) is calculated by dividing EBIT by the product of nine times gross revenue calculated as a percentage, plus an additional 0.5 percent. A maximum royalty of 7 percent of revenue was introduced for unrefined minerals. Where unrefined mineral resources (such as uranium) constitute less than 10 percent in value of the total composite mineral resources, the royalty rate in respect of refined mineral resources may be used for all gross sales and a separate calculation of EBIT for each class of mineral resources is not required. For AngloGold Ashanti, this means that currently the company will pay a royalty based on refined mineral resources (as the unrefined mineral resources (such as uranium) for AngloGold Ashanti for 2013 constituted less than 10 percent in value of the total composite mineral resources). The rate of royalty tax payable for 2013 was 0.9 percent of revenue of the companys South African operations.
The President has appointed a committee to review the current mining tax regime.
CONTINENTAL AFRICA
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The mining industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is regulated primarily by the Mining Code enacted in July 2002 and its ancillary Mining Regulations, promulgated in March 2003 (DRC Mining Code). The DRC Mining Code vests the Minister of Mines with the authority to grant, refuse, suspend and terminate mineral rights. Mineral rights may be granted in the form of exploration permits for an initial period of four years or in the form of mining permits which are granted for an initial period of 30 years. An exploration permit may, at any time before expiry, be transformed partially into a mining license or a small-scale mining permit. Mining permits are granted upon successful completion of exploration and satisfaction of certain requirements, including approval of an environmental impact study and an environmental management plan.
The holder of a mining permit is required to commence development and mine construction within three years of the award of such permit. Failure to do so may lead to forfeiture of the mining permit. A permit holder must comply with specific rules relating to, among others, protection of the environment, cultural heritage, health and safety, construction and infrastructure planning. Mining and exploration activities are required to be undertaken so as to affect as little as possible the interests of lawful occupants of land and surface rights holders, including their customary rights. The exercise of mineral rights by title holders which effectively deprives or interferes with the rights of occupants and surface rights holders requires payment of fair compensation by the mineral title holder.
To protect and enforce rights acquired under an exploration or mining permit, the DRC Mining Code provides, depending on the nature of a dispute or threat, administrative, judicial and national or international arbitral recourses.
The DRC Mining Code sets out taxes, charges, royalties and other fees payable to the treasury by a mining title holder in respect of its activities. It also provides for a level of fiscal stability, in that existing tax, customs, exchange and benefits applicable to mining activities are guaranteed to remain unchanged for a period of 10 years in favour of a mining title holder in the event that amendments to the DRC Mining Code would result in less favourable payment obligations.
On 1 January 2012, a value added tax (VAT) replaced the previously applicable sales tax. The standard rate of VAT is 16 percent and is applicable to mining companies.
On 1 January 2013, a withholding tax of 14 percent became effective. The tax is applicable to service fees payable to a non-resident service provider by a resident of the DRC.
On 18 July 2012 the Convention between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income (Convention) came into effect, and is applicable to:
| withholding taxes on amounts paid or credited on or after 1 January 2013; and |
| other income taxes, levied in respect of taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. |
The Convention reduces the withholding tax on dividends paid by companies resident in the DRC to companies resident in South Africa from 20 percent to 5 percent and on interest paid by companies resident in the DRC to companies resident in South Africa from 20 percent to 10 percent. A South African company must own at least 25 percent of a relevant DRC entitys outstanding shares in order to take advantage of the reduced rates.
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In October 2012, the DRC Mines Minister announced a proposed overhaul of the DRCs mining code. The proposed laws seek to, among other things, increase the government stake in mining operations to 35 percent from the existing 5 percent, double royalties on some minerals, reduce in a significant way the protections AngloGold Ashanti currently enjoys on its projects in the DRC, impose significant limitations on the companys ability to retain and renew licences and introduce a 50 percent levy on certain profits. Should such laws be enacted in the future, these may have a material adverse impact on the companys results of operations in the DRC.
AngloGold Ashanti holds a stake in the Kibali gold project located in north-eastern DRC. The project is operated by Randgold Resources and is owned by Randgold Resources (45 percent), AngloGold Ashanti (45 percent) and SOKIMO (10 percent), which latter share represents the interest of the DRC government in the Kibali gold project.
AngloGold Ashanti also holds the majority stake and is the operator of Ashanti Goldfields Kilo (86.22 percent), an exploration and mining joint venture with Société Minière de Kilo-Moto (SOKIMO) (13.78 percent), a state-owned gold company.
Ghana
The Constitution of Ghana as well as the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) (GMM Act) provide that all minerals in Ghana in their natural state are the property of the State and title to them is vested in the President on behalf of and in trust for the people of Ghana, with rights of prospecting, recovery and associated land usage being granted under license or lease.
The grant of a mining lease by the Ghana Minister of Mines is normally subject to parliamentary ratification unless the mining lease falls into a class of transactions exempted by Parliament.
Control of mining companies
The Ghana Minister of Mines has the power to object to a person becoming or remaining a shareholder controller, a majority shareholder controller or an indirect controller of a company which has been granted a mining lease if the Minister believes the public interest would be prejudiced by the person concerned becoming or remaining such a controller.
Stability agreement
The GMM Act provides for stability agreements as a mechanism to ensure that the incentives and protection afforded by laws in force at the time of the stability agreement are guaranteed for a period of 15 years. Stability agreements are subject to ratification by Parliament.
Prior to the business combination between AngloGold and Ashanti in April 2004, AngloGold and the government of Ghana agreed on the terms of a stability agreement (the Ghana Stability Agreement) to govern certain aspects of the fiscal and regulatory framework under which AngloGold Ashanti would operate in Ghana following the implementation of the business combination. The Ghana Stability Agreement necessitated the amendment of the Obuasi mining lease which had been ratified by Parliament.
Under the Ghana Stability Agreement, the government of Ghana agreed:
| to extend the term of the mining lease relating to the Obuasi mine until 2054 on terms existing prior to the business combination; |
| to maintain, for a period of 15 years, the royalties payable by AngloGold Ashanti with respect to its mining operations in Ghana at a rate of 3 percent per annum of the total revenue from minerals obtained by AngloGold Ashanti from such mining operations; |
| to ensure the income tax rate would be 30 percent for a period of 15 years. The agreement was amended in December 2006 to make the tax rate equal to the prevailing corporate rate for listed companies if the rate was less than 30 percent; and |
| to permit AngloGold Ashanti and any or all of its subsidiaries in Ghana to retain up to 80 percent of export proceeds in foreign currencies offshore, or if such foreign currency is held in Ghana, to guarantee the availability of such foreign currency. |
The Ghana Stability Agreement also stipulates that a sale of AngloGold Ashantis or any of its subsidiaries assets located in Ghana remains subject to the governments approval. Furthermore, the government retains its special rights (Golden Share) under the provisions of the GMM Act pertaining to the control of a mining company, in respect of its assets and operations in Ghana.
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The government of Ghana agreed that AngloGold Ashantis Ghanaian operations will not be adversely affected by any new enactments or orders, or by changes to the level of payments of any customs or other duties relating to mining operations, taxes, fees and other fiscal imports or laws relating to exchange control, transfer of capital and dividend remittance for a period of 15 years after the completion of the business combination.
The government of Ghana has constituted a review committee to review and renegotiate stability agreements with the mining companies. Within the committees powers of review are the redrafting of such stability agreements, the determination of whether stability agreements comply with the mining laws of Ghana and the Ghanaian legal regime for mining (fiscal requirements, foreign exchange regulations and the provisions of the tax laws), and the preparation of guidelines to govern the granting of stability agreements in the mining industry. We are currently participating in negotiations with the Ghanaian review committee.
In March 2012 the tax laws of Ghana were amended. Changes to the tax laws included:
| An increase in the income tax rate applicable to mining businesses from 25 percent to 35 percent. AngloGold Ashanti is currently protected until 2019 from any increase of its income tax rate to greater than the rate provided for under the Ghana Stability Agreement. |
| Introduction of a new capital allowance regime for class 3 assets (which include mineral and petroleum exploration and production rights, buildings, structures and works of a permanent nature used in mineral and petroleum exploration and production and plant and machinery used in mining and petroleum operations) that provides for a 20 percent straight line rate for a period of five years. Pursuant to the Ghana Stability Agreement, this change will not affect AngloGold Ashanti until 2019. |
| Elimination of the 5 percent allowance on prior year additions. Prior to the 2012 amendment, the tax code granted an additional 5 percent of the value of assets acquired and qualified to be classified as class 3 assets for the purpose of granting capital allowances. Capital allowance is now 20 percent each year on the total value of the assets. Pursuant to the Ghana Stability Agreement, this change will not affect AngloGold Ashanti until 2019. |
| A ring fencing rule to prevent mining businesses from deducting or setting off costs from one mining area with anothers income. Pursuant to the Ghana Stability Agreement, this change will not affect AngloGold Ashanti until 2019. |
While the Stability Agreement protects AngloGold Ashanti from any new enactments that would impose obligations upon AngloGold Ashanti or any of its Ghanaian subsidiaries, the Government of Ghana has constituted a team to renegotiate stability agreements with mining companies. A government committee has invited AngloGold Ashanti for discussions and requested certain information. The government may intend to review the Ghana Stability Agreement.
Retention of foreign earnings
AngloGold Ashantis operations in Ghana are permitted to retain 80 percent of their foreign exchange earnings in an offshore foreign exchange account. In addition, the company has permission from the Bank of Ghana to retain and use US dollars, outside of Ghana, required to meet payments to the companys hedge counterparties which cannot be met from the cash resources of its treasury company. On 4 February 2014, the Bank of Ghana issued new directives as part of measures to streamline the collection and repatriation of export proceeds to Ghana. These directives included an instruction to all banks and authorised dealers to, within 5 working days of receipt of export proceeds, convert the proceeds into Ghana cedis based on the average Interbank Foreign Exchange Rate prevailing on the day of conversion with a spread not exceeding 200 percentage in points (pips). Exporters with retention accounts were to continue to operate these accounts in accordance with their retention agreements. Retention proceeds which were sold to the banks were to be converted into Ghana cedis based on the average Interbank Foreign Exchange Rate prevailing on the day of conversion with a spread not exceeding 200 pips. It further advised that offshore foreign exchange transactions by resident companies, including exporters, were strictly prohibited and exporters were to ensure that all export proceeds are repatriated in full. Failure to comply with the provisions attracts penalties including pecuniary sanctions, jail terms, suspension and revocation of the operating licence as applicable.
Following engagement with relevant stakeholders, the Bank of Ghana issued another notice clarifying that the transfer of foreign exchange to meet external payment obligations remains permissible for transactions such as:
a. | redemptions and coupon payments on Bonds held by non-residents; |
b. | investment income, technology and management transfer entitlements, expatriate emoluments, and other incentive packages and overseas commitments under provisions in various legislation and legislative instruments such as the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the Technology Transfer Regulations ( L.I.1547 ); and |
c. | other outward payments for imports of goods and services. |
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The notice also stated that all balances in Foreign Currency Accounts (FCAs) and Foreign Exchange Accounts (FEAs) will continue to be held in foreign currency, and will not be converted into Ghana Cedis. However, except for travel purposes, withdrawals out of these accounts over the counter will be paid in Cedis at the existing exchange rate. External transfers of up to $10,000 per annum without documentation from FEA and FCA are still permitted. Balances held in FEAs and FCAs continue to remain available for all legitimate external transactions.
In light of the recent clarifications, AGA maintains and operates its FCA, FEA and Retention Accounts in compliance with the directives.
Localisation policy
Mining companies must submit a detailed programme for the recruitment and training of Ghanaians with a view to achieving localisation, which is the replacement of expatriate personnel in a companys Ghanaian operations by Ghanaian personnel. In addition, mining companies must give preference to Ghanaian products and personnel, to the maximum extent possible, consistent with safety, efficiency and economies. Recently passed Minerals and Mining (General) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2173) give further details on the localisation policy.
Except as otherwise provided in a specific mining lease, all immovable assets of the holder of the mining lease vest in the State upon termination, as does all moveable property that is fully depreciated for tax purposes. Moveable property that is not fully depreciated is to be offered to the state at the depreciated cost. The holder must exercise his rights subject to such limitations relating to surface rights as the Minister of Mines may prescribe.
Mining properties
The company is required to pay ground rent to the government of Ghana and such other fees as are prescribed by legislation, including royalties on timber felled within the lease area.
Obuasi
The current mining lease for the Obuasi area was granted by the government of Ghana on 5 March 1994. It grants mining rights to land with an area of approximately 334 square kilometres in the Amansie East and Adansi West districts of the Ashanti region for a term of 30 years from the date of the agreement. In addition, a mining lease over an adjacent 140 square kilometres was also granted, resulting in the total area under the mining lease increasing to 474 square kilometres.
The Government of Ghana agreed to extend the term of the mining lease relating to the Obuasi mine until 2054. The mining lease was formally ratified by Parliament on 23 October 2008.
On 20 January 2014, AGAG submitted an application to the Minerals Commission to surrender approximately 289.34 square kilometres of the area to the government of Ghana. Upon issuance by the government of the certificate of surrender, the lease areas will be reduced to 185.66 square kilometres. The remaining parcel of land that will be subject to the mining lease is situated within various villages and townships in the region, but excludes the municipality of Obuasi.
Iduapriem
Iduapriem has title to a 33 square kilometre mining lease granted on 19 April 1989 for a period of 30 years. In January 2009 Iduapriem obtained a new mining lease, the Ajopa Concession, for a period of 10 years. The concession covers an area of 48.34 square kilometres. In December 2011 the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources gave his consent for Teberebies title to a 25.83 square kilometre mining lease, granted in June 1992 for a period of 30 years, to be assigned to Iduapriem. While ownership of the lease has passed to Iduapriem, the registration of the transfer of the lease is still in process.
Guinea
In Guinea, all mineral substances are the property of the state. Mining activities are currently regulated by law L/2011/006/CNT dated 9 September 2011 (the 2011 Code), as amended by law L/2013/053/CNT dated 8 April 2013 and promulgated by Decree D/2013/075/PRG/SGG dated 17 April 2013 (together the New Mining Code).
The right to undertake mining operations can only be acquired by virtue of one of the following mining titles: surveying permit, small-scale mining license, mining prospecting license, mining license or mining concession.
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The groups Guinea subsidiary, Société AngloGold Ashanti Goldfields de Guinée SA (SAG), has title to the Siguiri mine in the form of a mining concession, covered by a mining convention which was entered into with the Republic of Guinea on 11 November 1993 (the Convention de Base). The mining concession was consequently redefined by virtue of Presidential Decree D/97/171/PRG/SGG dated 4 August 1997, granted to SAG following the execution of the Convention de Base. The Convention de Base was amended in 2005. The Convention de Base provides for a duration of 25 years, with an eventual extension/renegotiation after 23 years for such periods as may be required to exhaust the economic Ore Reserve.
At Siguiri, the original area granted of 8,384 square kilometres was reduced to a concession area of four blocks totalling 1,495 square kilometres. SAG has the exclusive right to explore and mine in the remaining Siguiri concession area for the duration of the initial period of the Convention de Base.
Key elements of the Convention de Base are that:
| The Republic of Guinea holds a 15 percent free-carried or non-contributory interest; is entitled to a royalty of 3 percent based on a spot gold price of less than $475 per ounce; and is owed 5 percent of the value of gold exported, based on a spot gold price above $475 per ounce, as fixed on the London Gold Bullion Market; |
| A local development tax of 0.4 percent is payable on gross sales revenue; |
| Salaries of expatriate employees are subject to a 10 percent income tax; |
| Mining goods imported into Guinea are exempt from all import taxes and duties for the first two years of commercial production; and |
| SAG is committed to adopting and progressively implementing a plan for the effective rehabilitation of the mining areas disturbed or affected by operations. |
The Convention de Base is subject to early termination if both parties formally and expressly agree to it, if all project activities are voluntarily suspended for a continuous period of eight months or are permanently abandoned by AngloGold Ashantis subsidiary; or if SAG goes into voluntary liquidation or is placed into liquidation by a court of competent jurisdiction.
New Mining Code
Pursuant to the New Mining Code, existing mining titles in effect on the date on which the New Mining Code came into force remain valid for their duration and for the substances for which they have been issued. The New Mining Code does not allow mining conventions to derogate from its provisions but for holders of validly signed and ratified conventions, the application of the Mining Code will take place by way of amendments to the relevant mining convention (in the case of SAG, the Convention de Base), which amendments are set out in an Addendum to be negotiated between the mining convention holder and the State (the Addendum). The Addendum is required to be approved by the Council of Ministers, signed by the Minister of Mines, transmitted to the Supreme Court for its opinion and then to the National Assembly for ratification. Mining companies must cooperate in view of the conclusion of the Addendum within a 24-month delay following the publication of the New Mining Code. The 24-month delay period is expected to end on or shortly before June 2015. To that effect, the Government has established a Technical Committee, supported by a Strategic Committee, to conduct the renegotiations of all the mining contracts including the Convention de Base. Until ratification of the Addendum, the terms of the current Convention de Base apply.
The type of amendments expected to be contained in the Addendum, are categorised below by the method and timing of implementation:
1. | Provisions of immediate application which are non-negotiable relating to transparency, anti-corruption efforts, transfer of mining title interests, tax on capital gains, environmental protection, relationships with local communities, and worker health and safety (Mandatory Provisions); |
2. | Provisions of immediate application but which are subject to progressive implementation over a negotiated period of time not exceeding eight years relating to training, employment and preference to Guinean companies (Progressive Provisions); and |
3. | Other, negotiable provisions relating to taxation (other than capital gain) and customs, State participation in the capital of mining companies, State rights on transport and marketing and insurance and exchange control rules. |
Once signed and ratified, the provisions of the Convention de Base, as amended by the Addendum, will govern mining activities on the Siguiri concession. While the exact content of the Addendum will depend on the outcome of the negotiations with the Technical Committee, it can be anticipated that the Addendum will contain the Mandatory Provisions and will also provide a time table for the implementation of the Progressive Provisions.
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With respect to the Mandatory Provisions, the New Mining Code provides that mining companies must adhere to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The EITI sets a global standard for oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments to governments and for governments to disclose what they receive. The Mandatory Provisions also provide for the requirement to obtain ministerial consent in respect to any transfer of a mining right as well as any form of direct or indirect transfer of interest in a mining title of 5 percent or greater. In addition, the Mandatory Provisions also provide for a transfer tax regime entailing the payment of a 10 percent registration fee, in addition to capital gain tax on the assignment of titles, on the transfer of shares in the company holding the mining titles and on an acquisition of participation leading to an indirect change of control of the title holder.
The Progressive Provisions require, among others, the implementation of a training and development plan contemplating a transfer of technology as well as preference for Guinea companies. The Progressive Provisions also establish fixed minimum quotas of Guinean personnel. These quotas depend on the stage of the project and the level of hierarchy. The Progressive Provisions further require that certain positions (General Manager, Deputy General Manager) be filled by Guinean citizens by certain deadlines. The Progressive Provisions provide for minimum quotas of contracts with SMEs, SMIs and businesses belonging to or controlled by Guineans to be complied with by title holders and their sub-contractors.
In addition, certain provisions introduced by the New Mining Code that were not otherwise covered by the previous mining legislation or are not covered by the Convention de Base are likely to apply to SAG, including a limitation on tax stability. The current tax regime applicable to SAG is only guaranteed until November 2018.
The New Mining Code is to be accompanied and implemented by various implementation decrees. To date, decree D/2014/013/PRG/SGG dated 17 January 2014 relating to the application of the financial provisions of the New Mining Code, decree D/2014/014/PRG/SGG on the adoption of a directive for the realisation of an environmental and social impact study for mining operations and decree D/2014/015/PRG/SGG adopting a model of mining convention, have been adopted.
Mali
Mineral rights in Mali are governed by law n°2010-015 dated 27 February 2012 bearing Malian Mining Code (the New Mining Code), replacing ordinance No. 99-32/P- RM of 19 August 1999 enacting the previous mining code, as amended by ordinance n°013/2000/P-RM of 10 February 2000 and ratified by law n°00-011 of 30 May 2000 (the 1999 Mining Code), and Decree No. 99-255/P-RM of 15 September 1999 implementing the Mining Code.
Due to stabilisation clauses in the agreement defining the mining rights and obligations of AngloGold Ashanti entities in Mali (further described below), the mining operations carried out by the AngloGold Ashanti entities in Mali are subject to the provisions of the previous mining codes of 1970 and 1991 but also, for residual matters, expressly subject to the provisions of the 1999 Mining Code (see Applicable mining regime below). As a consequence the New Mining Code does not apply to the relevant mining operations.
Applicable mining regime
Prospecting activities are carried out under prospecting authorisations (authorisation de prospection). The authorisations give an individual or corporate entity the exclusive right to carry out prospecting activities over a given area for a period of three years renewable without a reduction in the area covered by the authorisation. Exploration activities may be carried out under exploration permits (permis de recherche). The latter are granted to corporate entities only by order of the Minister of Mines. Exploration permits are granted for a period of three years, renewable twice for additional three-year periods. Each renewal requires the permit holder to relinquish 50 percent of the area covered by such permit. The entity applying for such a permit must provide proof of technical and financial capabilities.
An exploitation permit (permis dexploitation) is required to mine a deposit located within the area of a prospecting authorisation or an exploration permit. The exploitation permit grants an exclusive right to prospect, explore and exploit the named substances for a maximum period of 30 years renewable three times for an additional 10 years. The exploitation permit is granted only to the holder of an exploration permit or of a prospecting authorisation and covers only the area governed by the exploration permit or the prospecting authorisation. An application must be submitted to the Minister of Mines and to the National Director of Mines.
As soon as the exploitation permit is granted, the permit holder must incorporate a company under the law of Mali. The permit holder will assign the permit for free to this company. The State will have a 10 percent free carried interest in the company. This interest will be converted into priority shares and the States participation will not be diluted in case of an increase in capital.
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Applications for exploitation permits must contain various documents attesting to the financial and technical capacity of the applicant, a detailed environmental study in respect of the impact of the project on the environment, a feasibility study and a bank deposit. The permit is granted by decree of the Head of Government. Refusal to grant a permit may only be based on two grounds: insufficient evidence to support the exploitation of the deposit or the failure of the environmental study.
Applications for prospecting authorisations and exploration permits must contain various documents attesting to the financial and technical capacity of the applicant, a detailed works and costs program, a map defining the area which is being requested and providing geographical coordinates, the exact details relating to the identity of the applicant and evidence of the authority of the signatory of the application. Such titles are granted by ministerial order. Any refusal to grant such titles shall be notified by letter from the Minister of Mines to the applicant.
All mining titles mentioned above require an establishment convention (convention detablissement) to be signed by the State and the titleholder defining their rights and obligations. A standard form of such establishment convention has been approved by decree of the Head of Government.
AngloGold Ashanti has interests in Morila, Sadiola and Yatela, all of which are governed by establishment conventions covering exploration, mining, treatment and marketing in a comprehensive document. These documents include general provisions regarding exploration (work program, fiscal and customs framework) and exploitation (formation of a local limited liability mining company, State interest, fiscal and customs framework governing construction and exploitation phases, exchange controls, marketing of the product, accounting regime, training programs for local labour, protection of the environment, reclamation, safety, hygiene and dispute settlement).
AngloGold Ashanti has complied with all applicable requirements and the relevant permits have been issued. Morila, Sadiola and Yatela have 30-year permits which expire in 2024, 2020 and 2024 respectively.
Namibia
The Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act 33 of 1992 (MPM Act) provides that all rights to minerals in the Republic of Namibia vest in the state. The Mining Rights and Mineral Resources division of the Directorate of Mining handles all applications for and allocation of rights in relation to minerals in the Republic of Namibia.
Prospecting and mining activities are regulated by the MPM Act which, among others, provides for the granting, refusal, suspension and termination of rights in relation to minerals. The right to undertake prospecting and mining operations can only be acquired by virtue of one of the following mining titles:
| Non-exclusive Prospecting Licenses; |
| Reconnaissance Licenses; |
| Mining Claims; |
| Exclusive Prospecting Licenses; |
| Mineral Deposit Retention Licenses; and |
| Mining Licenses. |
To enable a company to prospect for minerals, the Ministry of Mines and Energy may grant an Exclusive Prospecting License or a Non-exclusive Prospecting License. Upon application and presentation of a feasibility study, the Ministry then grants a Mining License. Alternatively, the holder of a Non-Exclusive Prospecting License may peg and register a Mining Claim. Licensing decisions take into account the abilities of the company (including its mining, financial and technical capabilities), projected rehabilitation programmes and the payment of royalties. Mining Licenses are only awarded to Namibian citizens and companies registered in Namibia, which includes foreign companies registered with the Namibian registrar of companies as external companies (i.e. branches). A Mining Claim, on the other hand, may only be pegged by Namibian citizens or companies whose articles of association limits shareholding in those companies to Namibian citizens.
In 2011, the government adopted the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF). The objectives of the NEEEF are aimed at redressing past inequalities and providing measures for empowerment. No legislation implementing the NEEEF has to date been enacted. In addition, the Chamber of Mines is in the process of negotiating its own charter with the government.
AngloGold Namibia (Pty) Ltd was granted the necessary licenses in respect of its mining and prospecting activities in Namibia. Its current 15-year Mining License expires in October 2018. An application has been presented to the Ministry of Mines and Energy for the extension of the aforementioned Mining License to 2030. This application includes the mining area known as the Anomaly 16.
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Taxes
The Namibian Government appears to have withdrawn or deferred the mining tax proposals that it made in 2011. These proposals included, among others, a requirement for mines to pay a value added tax of 15 percent on the export value of unprocessed minerals, a 5 percent export duty and an increased corporate tax rate of 44 percent, up from 37.5 percent. The minimum historic corporate tax rate on mining companies is 25 percent. Mining companies (other than diamond mining companies) currently pay corporate tax at a rate of 37.5 percent, while a corporate tax of 32 percent applies to profits from non-mining activities. There is a 10 percent withholding tax on interest earned by foreigners and Namibian citizens on their deposits held with Namibian banks or unit trust schemes. Aside from withholding tax on interest, there is also a non-resident shareholder tax (NRST). The rate of the NRST is 10 percent if the beneficial owner of the shares is a company which holds directly or indirectly at least 25 percent of the capital of the company paying the dividends. In all other cases the rate is 20 percent. There is also a 25 percent withholding tax on certain services, management and consultancy fees rendered by foreigners.
An amount received from the sale or other disposal of a mineral license or the shares in a company holding a mineral license is deemed to be an income source in Namibia for purposes of calculating income tax, regardless of where the transaction takes place.
Royalties
In 2008, the Government confirmed a royalty schedule that originally had been introduced in 2004. Since then all mining companies, at the discretion of the Minister of Mines and Energy, pay a royalty of between 3 percent and 10 percent on the market value of base, precious, and rare metals and non-nuclear mineral fuels. AngloGold Namibia (Pty) Ltd currently pays a royalty of 3 percent. The government also introduced a windfall royalty, (now in effect), which is payable at the discretion of the Minister, and a new type of royalty in respect of all minerals other than precious stones and dimension stones, which might function as a penalty royalty. For example, this penalty may be imposed on minerals that are not in their most refined state that have been or are about to be exported and are of such a nature that their value can be increased by way of a practical and economical refining process that is available in Namibia.
Tanzania
Mineral rights
Mineral rights in the United Republic of Tanzania are principally governed by the Mining Act of 2010 (Tanzania Mining Act), and the Mining Regulations, 2010 (Tanzania Mining Regulations), which include: Mining (Mineral Rights) Regulations 2010; Mining (Environmental Protection For Small Scale Mining) Regulations 2010; Mining (Mineral Beneficiation) Regulations 2010; Mining (Mineral Trading) Regulations 2010; Mining (Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Protection) Regulations 2010; and the Mining (Radioactive Mineral) Regulations 2010.
The Tanzania Mining Act and the Tanzania Mining Regulations came into force in November 2010. Ownership of and control over minerals on, in or under the land vest in the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. No person is allowed to prospect for minerals or carry on mining operations except pursuant to the authority of a mineral right license granted, or deemed to have been granted, under the Tanzania Mining Act or its predecessor acts.
To enable a company to prospect or mine, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) initially grants an exclusive prospecting license. Upon presentation of a feasibility study, together with certain other environmental, social and financial assurances, the MEM may then grant a form of license for mining. Licensing decisions take into account the abilities of the company (including its mining, financial and technical capabilities), projected rehabilitation programmes, environmental compliance and the payment of royalties.
The following licenses can be applied for under the Tanzania Mining Act:
Licenses for Exploration:
| prospecting license; |
| gemstone prospecting license; and |
| retention license. |
Licenses for Mining:
| special mining license (if the proposed capital investment is equal to at least US$100 million); |
| mining license (if the proposed capital investment is equal to between $100,000 and $100 million); and |
| primary mining license (reserved for Tanzanian citizens). |
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Licenses for Ancillary Activities:
| processing license; |
| smelting license; and |
| refining license. |
For purposes of AngloGold Ashantis Geita Gold Mine, only prospecting, retention and special mining licenses are relevant.
A prospecting license grants the holder the exclusive right to prospect in the area covered by the license for all minerals within the class of minerals applied for. The classes that can be applied for include (amongst others):
| metallic minerals; |
| energy minerals; |
| gemstones other than kimberlitic diamonds; and |
| kimberlitic diamonds. |
An application for a prospecting license is made to the Commissioner for Minerals and the license is valid for a period of four years. Thereafter, the license is renewable for three further periods the first period being for three years and the second and third periods being for two years each. Upon each renewal, 50 percent of the area covered by the license must be relinquished. A company applying for a prospecting license must, among other things, state the financial and technical resources available to it.
If the holder of a prospecting license has identified a mineral deposit within the prospecting area that is potentially of commercial significance but that cannot be developed immediately because of technical constraints, adverse market conditions or other economic factors of a temporary character, it can apply for a retention license. A retention license can also be requested from the Minister after the expiry of a prospecting license period, for reasons ranging from financial to technical considerations. A retention license is valid for a period not exceeding five years and is thereafter renewable for a single period of five years. The advantage of converting a prospecting license into a retention license is that the MEM may not revoke a retention license if the license holder fails to meet its obligations within the time frame agreed on application for the license (as would be the case with a prospecting license).
Holders of prospecting or retention licenses over a tenement will not automatically have first right to any mining license granted over that tenement. However, in practice, they will be best positioned to meet the requirements to be granted a form of license for mining.
Mining is mainly carried out through either a mining license or a special mining license, both of which confer on their holder the exclusive right to conduct mining operations in or on the area covered by the license. A special mining license is granted for the shorter of either the estimated life of the ore body indicated in the feasibility study report or such period as the applicant may request. It is renewable for a further period not exceeding the estimated life of the remaining ore body.
Except in the case of a special mining license, a mineral right may be freely transferred by its holder (in whole or in part) to another person or entity without requiring consent from the MEM. However, the Commissioner for Minerals must be notified of any transfer of a prospecting or retention license and will refuse to register the transfer unless the transferee proves that it meets the financial and technical capability criteria required to apply for such licenses. The assignment of a special mining license generally requires the prior consent of the MEM, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. There are limited exceptions to the requirement for the Ministers consent (such as transfers to an affiliate company of the license holder or to a financial institution or bank as security for any loan or guarantee in respect of mining operations).
Special mining licenses have certain fiscal and other advantages over mining licenses, as the holder of a special mining license may enter into a mining development agreement with the government of Tanzania to guarantee the fiscal stability of a long-term mining project and make special provision for the payment of royalties, taxes, fees and other fiscal imposts and a special mining license holder may, in certain circumstances, unilaterally amend the programme of the mining operations agreed with the MEM.
AngloGold Ashanti has concluded a development agreement with the Ministry and was issued a mining license for a period of 25 years, which expires in 2023.
The Finance Act 2012 which was passed on 11 October 2012 introduced some important changes to the fiscal regime with effect from 1 July 2012 that impact upon AngloGold Ashanti, in particular:
| Introduction of a 30 percent capital gains tax on the sale of shares by an off-shore parent company. Changes were also made to the procedure for payment of capital gains tax by the seller of shares. Tax at the rate of 30 percent is payable by way of an initial instalment of 20 percent on the transfer, based on the notional gain that the seller would make where after a further instalment of the remaining 10 percent is due. |
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| Prior to 2012 budgetary changes under the VAT Act 1997, mining companies were entitled to 100 percent VAT relief. This implied that no VAT was applicable on purchases made by mining companies. Following amendments to the VAT Act through the Finance Act 2012, the provision providing VAT relief to mining companies was repealed. As a result mining companies are no longer eligible for VAT relief. |
Local Government Levies:
The local government for the area in which we mine charges a 0.3% service levy based on turnover generated in the relevant district or a $200,000 local government levy for mining companies that have signed a mining development agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, as well as, property tax based on the value of a premises.
Potential regulatory changes
In 2013, the Tanzanian Commissioner for Minerals issued the first draft of the Mining (Minimum Shareholding and Public Offering) Regulations, 2013.
The regulations set out the requirement to sell shares to Tanzanian nationals, by way of a public offering and listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, which will apply to companies that are carrying out large scale mining operations.
The listing requirement
The draft regulations require all existing holders of a special mining licence to list a minimum of 30 percent of their shares on either the Main Investment Market or the Enterprise Growth Market Segment of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange within two years of the regulations coming into force.
Companies that are issued with a new special mining licence after the date the draft regulations come into force are required to list 30 percent of their shares within one year of the date of the issue of their special mining licence.
The listing rules
The listing of shares on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange is to be done in accordance with the existing regulatory framework and listing rules, although the restrictions that would normally permit up to 60 percent of a companys listed shares to be owned by foreign investors has been removed. The effect of this is that all shares of Tanzanian mining companies that are locally listed can only be purchased by either Tanzanian citizens or locally incorporated companies.
The listing rules require companies that are seeking to list their shares on the Main Investment Market to satisfy a number of criteria, including minimum share value requirements, profitability requirements, management incumbency requirements and financial disclosure requirements.
In the case of a listing on the Enterprise Growth Market Segment these requirements are substantially reduced or removed altogether.
The one year timeframe imposed by the draft regulations that applies to the listing of shares issued by the holder of a new special mining licence may conflict with the current requirement of the Main Investment Market for a management and profitability track record, however the draft regulations do not deal with this issue.
Failure to list
The regulations do contemplate the possibility that a company may proceed with a listing and fail to secure the minimum local shareholding. In such circumstances the Minister of Energy and Minerals may at the request of the company and on the recommendation of the Capital Markets and Securities Authority grant a waiver to the minimum local shareholding requirement. However, it is not clear from the regulations whether the waiver may be general and so exempt the company from the requirement to list altogether or whether the waiver is in effect an extension of the timeframe in which the company must list.
Where a company fails to comply with the listing requirement in the regulations the Minister is empowered to revoke the special mining licence.
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AUSTRALASIA
Australia
In Australia, with a few exceptions, all onshore minerals are owned by the Crown. The respective Minister for each state and territory is responsible for administering the relevant mining legislation enacted by the states and territories.
Native Title legislation applies to certain mining tenures within Australia. Australia recognises and protects a form of Native Title that reflects the entitlement of Aboriginal people to their traditional lands in accordance with their traditional custom and laws. Should Native Title claims or determinations exist, certain Native Title processes and procedures will apply under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) before the tenure is granted. Tenure may be granted subject to conditions relating to Native Title rights. In the mining context, Native Title matters are managed as part of the tenement grant process. If disputes arise in relation to the grant of a particular tenement, they can be referred to the National Native Title Tribunal, established under the Native Title Act, for resolution.
Other federal and state Aboriginal heritage laws operate in parallel to the Native Title legislation. They exist predominantly for the purposes of protecting Aboriginal sites and areas of significance from disturbance. To date, there has not been any significant impact on any of AngloGold Ashantis tenure due to Native Title or Aboriginal Heritage legislation.
AngloGold Ashantis operating properties are located in the state of Western Australia where tenure is issued under, and mining operations are governed by, the Mining Act 1978 (WA). The most common forms of tenure are exploration and prospecting licenses, mining leases, miscellaneous licenses and general purpose leases. In most Australian states, if the holder of an exploration license establishes indications of an economic mineral deposit in the area covered by the exploration license and complies with the conditions of the grant, the holder of the exploration license has a priority right against all others to be granted a mining lease which gives the holder exclusive mining rights with respect to minerals on the property. A general purpose lease may also be granted for one or more of a number of permitted purposes. These purposes include erecting, placing and operating machinery and plants in connection with mining operations, depositing or treating minerals or tailings and using the land for any other specified purpose directly connected with mining operations.
Mining tenures will be granted with conditions relating to protection of the environment. Exploration and mining operations may also require separate approval from the state, territory or federal environment minister, which may require completion of an environmental impact assessment pursuant to applicable protection legislation prior to commencement. Further, an operating license under the relevant environmental protection legislation in the state or territory may also be required for certain mine processing or mining-related operations.
It is possible for an individual or entity to own an area of land and for another individual or entity to be granted the right to explore for or mine any minerals located on or under the surface of the same area. Typically, the maximum initial term of a mining lease is 21 years and the holder has the right to renew the lease for an additional 21 years. Subsequent renewals are granted at the discretion of the respective state or territorys minister responsible for mining rights. In Western Australia, mining leases can only be assigned with the prior written consent of the minister.
Government royalties are payable by the holder of mining tenure in respect of minerals obtained from the relevant area of land, at the rates specified in the relevant legislation in each state or territory. The royalty on gold production in Western Australia is payable quarterly at a fixed rate of 2.5 percent of the royalty value of gold metal produced and sold. The royalty value is calculated by multiplying the amount of gold produced during a given month by the average gold spot price for that month. In addition, the holder of mining tenure may be required to pay annual rent in respect of the tenure. In Western Australia there is a minimum annual expenditure requirement for prospecting and exploration licenses and mining leases. Exemptions from the expenditure requirement can be obtained if certain conditions are satisfied.
AngloGold Ashanti has been granted 21-year term mining leases with rights of renewal to all of its mining areas in Australia, including its proportionate share of joint venture operations and accordingly it has, together with its joint venture partners where applicable, the exclusive right to mine in those areas. Both the group and its joint venture partners are fully authorised to conduct operations in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The mining leases and rights of renewal cover the current life-of-mine at AngloGold Ashantis operations in Australia.
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AMERICAS
Argentina
Land ownership & mining rights
The Argentinean Mining Code governs mining activity in the country. Special regimes exist for hydrocarbons and nuclear minerals. In the case of most minerals, the Argentinean Mining Code establishes that the owner of the land is not the owner of the mineral rights; these are held by the national or provincial governments (depending on the location of the minerals). The national or provincial government, as applicable, is required by the Argentinean Mining Code to grant whomever discovers a new mine title to the mining concession.
The Argentinean Mining Code regulates exploration permits and mining concessions. Exploration permits grant their holders exclusivity rights to any mineral discoveries, including those made by a third party within the exploration area covered by the permit. Exploration permits are limited in time and as to the extent of the exploration area, are subject to the payment of a single-time fee, and also require a minimum exploration work programme and schedule to keep the permit in force.
The Argentinean Mining Code also regulates mining concessions, or exploitation rights. Priority for receiving a mining concession is given to the registered discoverer of the mine, which holds the exploration permit. Once the application for a mine has been submitted, the applicant may commence works and must submit a legal survey of the units requested for the new mine. The application and the legal survey may be opposed by third parties following specific proceedings set forth in the Argentinean Mining Code. Approval and registration of the legal survey by the Provincial mining authority constitutes formal title to the mining concession.
Any mining company wishing to commence or modify any mining-related activity, as defined by the Argentinean Mining Code, including prospecting, exploration, exploitation, development, preparation, extraction, and storage of mineral substances, as well as property abandonment or mine closure activity, is required to prepare and submit to the competent Provincial environmental authority an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to commencing the work. Each EIA is required to describe the nature of the proposed work, its potential risk to the environment, and the measures that will be taken to mitigate that risk. If accepted by the competent authority, the EIA is used as the basis to create a Declaration of Environmental Impact (DEI) to which the mining company is required to adhere during the mining-related activity at issue. The DEI is required to be updated at least on a biannual basis. Sanctions and penalties for non-compliance with the DEI are outlined in the Environmental Protection section of the Argentinean Mining Code, and may include warnings, fines, suspension of quality certifications, restoration of the environment, temporary or permanent closure of activities, and withdrawal of authorisation to conduct mining-related activities.
Holders of mining concessions must comply with three main conditions: payment of an annual fee, investment of a minimum amount of capital, and the carrying out of a reasonable level of exploitation. Failure to do so could lead to forfeiture of the mining concession, which would then revert back to the Province.
In the case of Cerro Vanguardia, AngloGold Ashantis operation in Argentina, the mining concession holder is AngloGold Ashantis partner, Fomento Minero de Santa Cruz S.A. (Fomicruz). On 27 December 1996, Fomicruz entered into a usufruct agreement whereby Cerro Vanguardia S.A. was granted an irrevocable right to exploit the Cerro Vanguardia deposit for a 40-year period, which expires on 27 December 2036. Cerro Vanguardia S.A. is an Argentinean company controlled by AngloGold Ashanti, with Fomicruz as minority shareholder.
In addition to the Argentinean Mining Code, between 1993 and 1995, Argentina implemented several federal laws to offer foreign companies attractive incentives for exploration and mining in Argentina, the Mining Investment Law (Law No. 24, 196, as amended, and related legal provisions) being the most important one. Such incentives include, among others, import duty exemptions, accelerated depreciation of fixed assets, a 3 percent cap on Provincial royalties, value added tax refunds for exploration-related expenses incurred by companies registered under the Mining Investment Law, and, subject to the filing of a feasibility study for the relevant mining project, a 30-year stability as to tax, customs and foreign exchange duties. Cerro Vanguardia S.A. obtained its tax, customs and foreign exchange stability certificate in 1996.
Recent and potential regulatory changes
On 30 September 2010, the National Law on Minimum Requirements for the Protection of Glaciers was enacted in Argentina, banning new mining exploration and exploitation activities on glaciers and peri-glacial areas. The law also subjects the on-going mining activities to an environmental audit. If such audit results in material impacts on glaciers and peri-glacial areas, the relevant authority is empowered to take action, including suspension or relocation of the activity. The law establishes a broad definition of peri-glacial areas that, together with glacial areas, must yet be surveyed by an existing national
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Government Agency specifically appointed to this end. The constitutionality of the law has been challenged by some mining companies along with the Province of San Juan (which hosts large mining projects). Injunctions that had been granted by lower courts that had suspended the application of the law in that Province were lifted by the National Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina, that presides over the case, which is in its early stages. Although the injunction has been lifted, the language the Court used in the decision implies that until an inventory of glaciers is completed as mandated by the Law the case is moot, and therefore has no practical implications for the operations of CVSA.
On 26 October 2011, Decree 1722/2011 (Repatriation Decree) was issued, which imposes on oil, gas and mining companies operating in Argentina the obligation to repatriate all the proceeds of their exports from Argentina and to exchange such proceeds for Argentinean legal currency in the domestic banking system. All exporters, other than oil, gas and mining companies, have been operating under such regime since late 2001. Mining companies, on the other hand, were entitled to two exceptions: (i) a decree of 2003 applicable to mining companies with tax, customs and foreign exchange stability certificates obtained prior to the date on which such a decree was enacted (which is the case of Cerro Vanguardia S.A.); and (ii) a decree of 2004 applicable to mining companies with tax, customs and foreign exchange stability certificates obtained after the date on which such decree was enacted. Both exceptions have not been formally superseded by the Repatriation Decree, but appear to conflict with it, and such conflict may result, in some cases, in a violation of mining companies rights under the Mining Investment Law.
On 27 December 2011, the Argentinean National Congress passed Law 26,737 which implemented a set of rules restricting the ownership of rural land by foreigners (including foreign individuals or any kind of legal entity controlled by foreign individuals or legal entities). The main restrictions are as follows: (i) foreigners cannot own in the aggregate more than 15 percent of the entire rural land of Argentina, the same cap being applicable to each province and municipality; (ii) foreigners will not be allowed to purchase more than 1,000 hectares in the so-called zona nùcleo, which comprises the main agricultural areas of central Argentina or an equivalent surface depending on the location of the land and its productive potential; and (iii) foreigners will not be allowed to buy land that contains, or is adjacent to, relevant and permanent water bodies (such as rivers and lakes). Although exploration permits and mining concessions are not the subject matter of the restrictions placed by this law, certain rights granted to foreign mining companies under the Argentinean Mining Code may be restricted by this new law. For example, the right that holders of mining concessions currently have to force the surface owner to sell the land to the holder of the mining concession might be restricted if the concession holder is a foreign individual or a legal entity controlled by foreigners.
Ten provinces in whose territories the main mining projects of Argentina are located, signed a document with the Federal Government entitled Federal Mining Agreement, (FMA). The purpose of the FMA is, among other things, to increase provincial revenues from the mining industry by creating legal entities owned by provincial governments that would work in association with private mining companies. This scheme is not new in Argentina and it has been used by some provincial governments, among them Santa Cruz Province (through Fomicruz), in the Cerro Vanguardia project. The FMA also contemplates other forms of revenues such as the formation of special trusts to be funded by mining companies in order to finance education, health and other programmes. Increase in royalty rates is not specifically contemplated in the FMA. The Provinces that signed the FMA had previously formed a special association of provinces, supported by the National Government.
In Argentina, the current regulatory regime of royalty payments is expected to change and several different options and payment thresholds have been discussed. The Santa Cruz Province has changed the mining royalty from 1 percent to 3 percent.
Brazil
Land ownership and mining rights
General legal aspects
The Brazilian Constitution of 1934 states that, for purposes of exploration and exploitation, deposits and other mineral resources constitute property separate from the soil and belong to the Federal Union. Exploration and exploitation of such mineral resources may take place only with the Federal Unions concession and in such a way as to protect the national interest. Federal law sets out penal and administrative sanctions for conduct and activities deemed harmful to the environment.
In Brazil, the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM) is the state body within the Mines and Energy Ministry (the MME) that is responsible for: (i) the registration of mining titles, (ii) the grant of authorisations and concessions, (iii) the supervision of mining activities and mining titleholders, and (iv) the issuance of supplementary rules in relation to mining activity.
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Under the current Mining Code, there are two kinds of mines: (i) claimstake mines (Minas Manifestadas), for which rights were acquired before 1934 and exist independently of any mining license or authorisation from the Federal Government and for which the mineral resources constitute property of the landowner and (ii) granted mines, which are those that rely on grants from the Federal Government for mineral exploration or exploitation (pursuant to the Constitution). AngloGold Ashantis operations in Brazil consist of both claimstake mines and granted mines.
Mining activities in granted mines must be performed in two defined stages: (i) exploration, which entails defining and evaluating the deposit and determining the feasibility of exploitation, and (ii) exploitation, which involves coordinating operations aimed at the industrial exploitation of the mineral deposit, from the extraction of useful minerals to their processing. Exploration authorisations issued by DNPM are valid for one to three years. Extensions can be obtained if necessary. In contrast, exploitation rights, once granted, are valid for the lifetime of the deposit, provided the mining titleholder complies with all legal requirements. Pursuant to these requirements, for example, titleholders must (i) start work on mineral exploitation within six (6) months from the date of publication of the Exploitation Concession, (ii) continue their mining activities until the mineral deposit has been exhausted, in accordance with the Economic Exploitation Plan (Plano de Aproveitamento Econômico) approved by DNPM and (iii) refrain from suspending mining activities without prior notice to DNPM.
During the exploration period, the mining titleholder has to pay an Annual Rate per Hectare (TAH Taxa Anual por Hectare), subject to a maximum value set by law. In the exploitation period, regardless of the legal regime governing the project (whether claimstake or granted mines), the mining titleholder has to pay the Financial Compensation for Exploiting Mineral Resources (CFEM Compensação Financeira pela Exploração Mineral). The CFEM is currently calculated based on revenues, minus some deductions authorised by mining law.
At the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 the states of Minas Gerais, Pará, Amapá and Mato Grosso do Sul each created a new tax (duty) on research, extraction and exploration activities as well as on the use of mineral resources carried out in those states. This tax could range from BRL3.00 to BRL6.50 per ton. In the state of Minas Gerais, however, gold ore was exempted from the collection of this new duty.
Potential regulatory changes
The Federal Government is contemplating changes to the mining legislation. Its goals would be to (i) strengthen the role of the Federal Government in regulating the mining industry, (ii) attract more and better investments to the mineral sector, (iii) encourage maximal use of mineral reserves and (iv) encourage members of the industry to add value to mineral products.
The governments proposals have institutional, legal and financial facets. Institutionally, the proposals would create a National Council of Mineral Policy to advise the Presidency of Brazil and the MME on, and develop guidelines and directives for, the mining sector. They would also transform the DNPM into a regulatory agency with negotiation and inspection powers.
Legally, the proposals would change the rules governing access to mining titles. While exploration authorisations would be effective for a longer period of five (5) years, they would be renewable for only one extra year, at the discretion of authorities.
Companies would also have to demonstrate that they are investing in exploration activities on a yearly basis. Exploitation rights would be limited to 35- or 40-year grants renewable at the discretion of authorities. The granting of rights would become a more discretionary process and would result in a Formal Adhesion Contract for Exploitation rather than in an open-ended concession.
The proposals would raise CFEM rates for trade in gold ore from 1 percent on net invoicing to 2 percent on gross invoicing. They would also create new calculation methods and incidence hypotheses, notably with regard to transactions between related parties.
The MME has suspended the granting of new mining concessions until it promulgates changes to the mining legislation.
Colombia
Land ownership and mining rights
In Colombia, all mineral substances are the property of the state of Colombia. The underlying principle of Colombian mining legislation is first-in-time, first-in-right.
Mining activities are regulated by the Mining Code, Act 685, 2001. Amendments to the Mining Code enacted in 2010 pursuant to Act 1382 were found unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court stayed its ruling for two years to give the government the opportunity to present a new law. The government was expected to make new changes to the Mining Code public in the second half of 2012, but has not yet presented any project of law to Congress.
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The filing of an exploration and exploitation proposal triggers a right of preference to obtain rights over the targeted area, provided it is available. Such area cannot exceed 10,000 hectares. Upon receipt of a proposal, the relevant government agency determines whether another proposal or contract already governs the area. If there are no pre-existing claims, the government agency grants the applicant a free zone.
The concession contract
The government agency grants exclusive concession contracts for exploration and exploitation. Such concessions allow concessionaires to conduct the studies, works and installations necessary to establish the existence of minerals and to organise their exploitation. Upon being awarded a mining concession, a company must take out an insurance policy to cover any possible environmental damage as well as breaches of its mining obligations. It may then proceed with exploration activities. Once the exploration phase is complete, the concessionaire files a new plan regarding works and installations. An environmental impact study must also be filed and approved in order for the concessionaire to receive an environmental license prior to beginning construction and development.
The initial term of concessions is 30 years. To receive an extension, a concessionaire must file a request two years before the termination of the initial term, and must substantiate the application with economic, environmental and technical information. Because the extension is not automatic, the concessionaire must renegotiate the conditions of the grant. Any company holding a concession that wishes to obtain a renewal of the contract must be up to date in all its legal and contractual obligations and must present a new plan of works and installations to be executed after the contract is renewed. The term of a concession and all the contractual obligations that arise from it are deemed to take effect as of the date of registration of the contract at the National Mining Register.
AngloGold Ashantis core mining concession contracts at the La Colosa project provide that Agencia Nacional Minera (ANM), the new Colombian regulatory agency for mining activities, has the discretion to declare the underlying concession void if AngloGold Ashanti Colombia S.A. (AGAC) breaches applicable environmental laws or regulations. If ANM were to exercise such discretion against AGAC, AGAC would be required to abandon the La Colosa project and all of its other existing mining concession contracts. Pending proposals for new mining concession contracts would also be cancelled and AGAC would be banned from doing business with the Colombian government for a period of five years. As a result, AGAC would be unable to conduct any mining exploration or development activities during such period. However, this would not affect other AngloGold Ashanti subsidiaries operating in Colombia, which hold singularly or in concert with joint venture partners the majority of the companys concession contracts in Colombia.
There are some areas where mining activity is prohibited. These areas are:
| National parks; |
| Regional parks; |
| Protected forest reserves; |
| Paramus (included in Act 1382, introduced in 2010); and |
| Wetlands, pursuant to the Ramsar Convention. |
Some forest reserves are not protected, but are set aside for active forestry purposes. Such forest reserves must be extracted after initial prospection, meaning that the concessionaire must obtain a specific permit to partially and temporarily change the use of the soil before pursuing exploration activities.
Cannon fees and royalties
Cannon fees are due from the moment the area is declared available for the company (rather than from the time the concession contract is signed). Such fees change based on the number of years that the company has been a concessionaire, as follows:
| 0-2000 hectares, approximately $9.00 per hectare per year |
| 2001-5000 hectares, approximately $18.00 per hectare per year |
| 5001-10,000 hectares, approximately $27.00 per hectare per year |
Once exploration is complete and the mining infrastructure is in place, the concessionaire must begin paying royalties. Royalties paid to the Colombian government consist of a percentage of the primary product and sub-products being exploited. For gold, the percentage to be paid is 4 percent.
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Potential regulatory changes
In 2013 the Federal government instituted the CONPES programme that will aid in promoting certain projects designated by the government as national projects of interest. This designation provides for great oversight from the Federal government. The La Colosa project was one such designated project. It is anticipated that the programme will be launched in 2014.
United States of America
Land ownership & mining rights
Mineral and surface rights in the United States are owned by private parties, state governments or the federal government. Although not the case at Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Companys (CC&V) Cresson Project, the majority of land utilised for precious metals exploration, development and mining in the western United States is owned by the federal government. The right to mine on such land is governed by the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended (General Mining Law). The General Mining Law allows mining claims on certain federal lands upon the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit and proper compliance with claim location and maintenance requirements. Until 1993, unpatented mining claim holders could apply for patents to their claims from the federal government, and, if granted, those patented mining claims became private lands owned by the mining claimant, limited only by reservations and restrictions contained in the patent from the federal government, and subject to the same permitting, environmental and reclamation laws and regulations as other private lands.
Individual states, including Colorado, typically follow a leasing system for state-owned minerals. Private parties have the right to sell, lease or enter into other agreements, such as joint ventures, with respect to minerals that they own or control. CC&Vs Cresson Project covers approximately 7,100 acres, the vast majority of which consists of owned, patented mining claims from former public lands, with a small percentage of private and state lands, some of which are critical to the Cresson Project, being leased. All of the Cresson Projects current reserves are within the patented claims.
Permitting and reclamation
CC&Vs Cresson Project is subject to a number of state and local permitting requirements, including permitting requirements imposed by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act (MLRA) and Teller County. Under the MLRA, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB) issues and enforces mining and reclamation permits for all non-coal mines in Colorado on state, federal or private lands. In carrying out the statutory requirements of the MLRA, the MLRB (i) reviews mine permit applications and amendments and related matters, (ii) inspects active mine sites and prospecting sites and (iii) ensures financial warranties are posted for the actual cost of reclamation.
CC&Vs Cresson Project is currently operating under a permit generally referred to as mine life extension one (MLE1) issued by the MLRB and Teller County. Among other things, MLE1 permits CC&V to continue active mining at the Cresson Project through 2016 and imposes reclamation and other requirements on CC&V, including requiring (i) the stabilisation and re-vegetation of disturbed lands, (ii) the control of storm water and drainage from overburden storage areas, (iii) the removal of roads and structures, (iv) the treatment and the elimination of process solutions, (v) the treatment of mine water prior to discharge into the environment and (vi) visual mitigation. In September 2012, CC&Vs permit application for mine life extension two (MLE2) was approved by both the MRLB and Teller County.
Potential regulatory changes
Over the years, the U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to the General Mining Law. Among the significant features contained in previously proposed legislation were a production royalty obligation, new and more stringent environmental standards and conditions, additional reclamation requirements, extensive new procedural steps which would likely result in delays in permitting, and granting counties the ability to petition the Secretary of the Interior to make certain areas unavailable for the location of unpatented mining claims. The ultimate content of future proposed legislation, if enacted, is uncertain. If any of the above-referenced provisions were imposed, CC&Vs operations could be adversely affected. Although no such legislation has been adopted to date, there can be no assurance that such legislation will not be adopted in the future.
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MINE SITE REHABILITATION AND CLOSURE
Closure, an integral part of operations
All mining operations eventually cease. An integral aspect of operating AngloGold Ashantis mines is ongoing planning for, and implementation of, concurrent rehabilitation, together with an estimate of associated liability costs and the placement of adequate financial provisions and assurances to cover these costs.
AngloGold Ashanti revised its group closure planning management standard in 2013 and all of its operations are now required to comply with the standard as their closure plans are reviewed and updated.
Closure planning is an activity that starts at the exploration and mine design stage and continues throughout the life of mine:
| The evaluation of new projects includes a closure plan, which takes into account future closure and associated rehabilitation and other costs. |
| The closure plan is reviewed annually and updated every three years (annually in the final three years of a mines life) or whenever significant changes are made, and takes into account operational conditions, planning and legislative requirements, international protocols, technological developments and advances in practice. |
For many of the older mines, closure planning and the evaluation of environmental liabilities is a complex process. This is particularly so in Brazil, Ghana and South Africa, where many of the mining and other operations have taken place for more than fifty years.
A particular challenge is concurrent rehabilitation, which is carried out while a mine is still operational. This practice serves to decrease the ultimate liability and reduces the final rehabilitation and closure work that must be undertaken, but has the potential to sterilise mineral reserves, which the company might wish to exploit should conditions, such as the gold price, change.
Our closure standard stipulates that closure planning must be undertaken in consultation with the community. In the course of these consultations, different issues are raised which require site-specific solutions. Livelihood preservation and infrastructure are often key requirements. Local people, who were previously employed at the mine, may receive education and training so as to seek viable employment alternatives. Communities also require information on the Companys rehabilitation of the landscape and on any lasting environmental impacts.
In addition, long-term remediation obligations including decommissioning and restoration liabilities relating to past operations are based on environmental management plans and comply with current environmental and regulatory requirements.
Provisions for remediation costs are made when there is a present obligation, it is probable that expenditure on remediation work will be required and the cost can be estimated within a reasonable range of possible outcomes. These costs are based on currently available facts, technology expected to be available at the time of the clean-up, laws and regulations presently or virtually certain to be enacted and previous experience in the remediation of contaminated sites.
Decommissioning costs and restoration costs are provided at the present value of the expenditures expected to settle the obligation, using estimated cash flows based on current prices. Estimates are discounted at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money.
Discounted closure liabilities (excluding joint ventures) decreased from $841 million in 2012 to $728 million in 2013. This change relates to changes in discount rates due to changes in global economic assumptions and changes in mine plans resulting in a change in cash flows and changes in design of tailings storage facilities and in methodology following requests from the environmental regulatory authorities.
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS
In addition to post-mining land reclamation and closure requirements, AngloGold Ashanti is subject to extensive environmental, health and safety (EHS) laws and regulations in the various jurisdictions in which the company operates. These requirements govern, among other things, extraction, use, conservation and discharge of water; air emissions (including dust control); regulatory and community reporting; clean-up of contamination; worker health and safety and community health; and the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, such as reagents, radioactive materials, and mine tailings. In addition, environmental laws and regulations, including the requirements contained in environmental permits, are generally becoming more restrictive. Significant EHS requirements, risks and trends affecting our mining and processing operations are described below.
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Regulatory Compliance
Capital and operating costs to comply with EHS laws and regulations have been, and are expected to continue to be, significant to AngloGold Ashanti. In addition, AngloGold Ashanti could incur fines, penalties and other sanctions, environmental clean-up costs, and third-party claims for personal injury or property or natural resources damages; suffer reputational damage; and be required to install costly pollution control equipment or to modify or suspend operations, as a result of actual or alleged violations or liabilities under EHS laws and regulations. Failure to comply with applicable EHS laws and regulations may also result in the suspension or revocation of permits. AngloGold Ashantis ability to obtain and maintain permits and to successfully operate in particular communities may be adversely impacted by real or perceived effects on the environment or human health and safety associated with AngloGold Ashantis or other mining companies activities. In addition, unknown environmental hazards may exist on the companys properties which may have been caused by previous owners or operators.
Water Management
AngloGold Ashantis mining and processing operations are heavily dependent upon access to substantial volumes of water required for such operations. Typically, water-use permits or water rights in each country impose limits on the quantity of water that can be extracted from certain sources and require, among other things, that wastewater from mining operations meet certain water quality criteria upon discharge. Water supply, quality and usage are areas of concern globally, but are particularly significant for operations in the USA, Ghana and South Africa, and for exploration projects in Colombia, where there is significant potential environmental and social impact and a high level of stakeholder scrutiny. Any failure to secure access to suitable water supplies, or achieve and maintain compliance with the requirements of the permits or licenses, could result in curtailment or suspension of production at the affected operation. Incidents of water pollution or shortage can, in extreme cases, lead to community protest and ultimately result in the withdrawal of community and government support for the companys operations.
Where feasible, the company operates a closed loop system which recycles the water used in its operations without discharging it to the environment. In some areas, however, such as Ghana, high levels of rainfall and surface water runoff mean that a closed loop system is not feasible and that discharges, after water treatment, must take place. During 2011, the company commissioned a reverse osmosis plant in the northern section of the Obuasi mine which functions in conjunction with complementary water treatment technologies to ensure that water released is compliant with Ghanas water quality standards. At the southern section of the mine, a 250m3/hour water treatment plant was commissioned in early 2012 and another 500 m3/hour plant is under construction. At the Iduapriem mine, a water treatment plant was commissioned in 2010 to ensure that the operation can release excess water while meeting effluent discharge standards.
At AngloGold Ashantis South African operations, ongoing upgrades of process water containment infrastructure to reduce potential environmental discharges have led to a reduction in reportable incidents in 2013.
Waste Management
Mining and mineral processing operations generate waste rock and tailings.
During open-pit mining, large volumes of soil and/or rock (overburden) are generated to expose the ore body. Similarly, waste rock is generated during drilling and developing access to underground ore bodies. Overburden and waste rock typically contain sub-economic levels of gold and are deposited as large waste rock dumps. Mine tailings are the process waste generated once grinding and extraction of gold from the ore is completed in the milling process and are deposited as slurry in large storage facilities specifically designed for this purpose.
The impact of a breach, leak or other failure of a tailings storage facility can be significant, and the company therefore monitors such facilities closely in accordance with national regulatory requirements and commitments made to local communities. The occasional well-publicised failure of a third-party tailings facility and the potential impact of such failure also mean that these facilities are generally tightly regulated. An incident at the companys operations could result, among other things, in enforcement, obligations to remediate environmental contamination, and claims for property or natural resources damages and personal injury and negative press coverage. Even an incident at another companys operations has potential to result in governments tightening regulatory requirements and restricting other mine operators in response.
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Groundwater Impacts and Environmental Remediation
AngloGold Ashanti has identified groundwater contamination plumes at certain of its operations. Numerous scientific, technical and legal studies have been undertaken to assist in determining the magnitude of the impact and to find sustainable remediation solutions. Based on those studies as well as discussion with regulators, the company has taken steps, including monitored natural attenuation and phyto-technologies, to address soil and groundwater contamination. Subject to the completion of trials and the technology being a proven remediation technique, no reliable estimate can be made for the obligation. Should these obligations be significant, this could have a material adverse impact upon AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and its financial condition.
As AngloGold Ashanti or its predecessors have a long history of mining operations in certain regions, issues may arise regarding historical as well as potential future environmental impacts to those areas. For example, certain parties, including NGOs, community groups and institutional investors, have raised concerns, and threatened or commenced litigation, relating to air pollution or surface and groundwater quality, among other issues, in the areas surrounding the companys Obuasi and Iduapriem mines in Ghana, including potential impacts to local rivers and wells used for water from heavy metals, arsenic and cyanide as well as sediment and mine rock waste. Following temporary shutdowns at both mines in 2010, the company has made improvements in effluent quality management and constructed a new tailings impoundment at Iduapriem as well as three additional water treatment plants at Obuasi to reduce the risk of incidents that have the potential to degrade local water sources. AngloGold Ashanti is continuing to investigate allegations of impacts by the companys operations on water quality in mining areas and is implementing, as appropriate, additional responsive actions, such as remediation, engineering and operational changes at the mine sites and community outreach programmes.
In addition, AngloGold Ashanti has identified a flooding and future pollution risk to deep groundwater in the Klerksdorp and Far West Rand goldfields in South Africa. AngloGold Ashantis Vaal River operations are part of the Klerksdorp goldfields and its West Wits operations are part of the Far West Rand goldfields. Various studies have been undertaken by AngloGold Ashanti since 1999 to better understand groundwater conditions in mined-out workings, including potential groundwater infiltration and acidification concerns. As a result of the interconnected nature of underground mining operations in South Africa, any proposed solution needs to be a combined one supported by all the companies owning mines located in these goldfields.
In view of the limitation of current information for the accurate estimation of liabilities, no reliable estimate can be made for these obligations. The potential costs of remediation and prevention of groundwater contamination at AngloGold Ashantis operations could be significant and may have a material adverse impact on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and financial condition.
Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Greenhouse gases, or GHGs, are emitted directly by AngloGold Ashantis operations, as well as by external utilities from which AngloGold Ashanti purchases power. Currently, a number of international and national measures to address or limit GHG emissions, including the Bali Action Plan and the Durban Platform, are in various phases of discussion or implementation in the countries in which the company operates.
The outcome of the climate change negotiations may, in due time, have the effect of requiring AngloGold Ashanti to reduce its direct GHG emissions or energy use or to incur significant costs for GHG emissions permits or taxes including through costs passed on by electricity utilities which supply the company. AngloGold Ashanti also could incur significant costs associated with capital equipment, GHG monitoring and reporting and other obligations to comply with applicable requirements. The most likely source of these company-level obligations is unlikely to be by operation of international law but more likely to come through domestic implementation of state obligations pursuant to evolving climate change regulatory regimes.
For example, the Australian government implemented a carbon trading scheme commencing in July 2012, with a carbon price applying to facilities which emit more than 25,000 t/yr, commencing at A$23/tCO2-e (for 2012 to 2013), increasing to A$25.40/tCO2-e for 2014-2015, followed by a floating price phase. The new government, elected in 2013, has announced its intention to repeal the tax and the Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013 was introduced into the Federal Parliament on 13 November 2013.
Also, in 2011, the South African government released a climate change response white paper and in 2013 a Carbon Tax Policy Paper. In February 2014, the South African Minister of Finance announced his intention to introduce a carbon tax in 2016. AngloGold Ashanti already pays a levy of ZAR0.035 per kilowatt hour of electricity that it purchases and is generated from fossil fuels.
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The 2013 Budget Review provides an indication of the expected levels of the carbon tax rate as being ZAR120 (approximately $11) per tonne of CO2e emitted above certain thresholds. Under the proposal, the tax rate would increase by 10 percent a year, reaching ZAR193 (approximately US$18) per tonne by 2020. The end of the decade also marks the end of the first phase of the carbon tax. Depending on the nature of the emitter, a basic tax-free threshold of up to 60 percent of the tax liability will apply.
It is probable that the tax will be levied on sectors that comprise elements of the AngloGold Ashanti supply chain. Consequently, it is likely that the costs associated with those elements of the supply chain will increase for the medium- and long-term.
In 2010, Brazil launched the National Climate Change Policy, which established a voluntary reduction target of 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 below the projected emissions in 2020. The policy required the development of sector-specific plans in order to meet the target. Amongst other plans, it is intended to reduce deforestation in the Cerrado biome, where AngloGold Ashanti operates, by 40 percent compared to the average deforestation in 1999-2008 and expand renewable energy production and energy efficiency programmes. The policy also provided for a Brazilian GHG trading scheme, which is yet to be designed. While Brazil is not yet requiring mandatory GHG emissions reporting at the national level, some state environmental agencies have requested companies to voluntarily submit GHG emissions management plans.
In addition, potential physical risks to our operations as a result of climate change include changes in rainfall rates or reduced water availability, rising sea levels, higher temperatures and extreme weather events. Events or conditions such as flooding or inadequate water supplies could disrupt mining and transport operations, mineral processing and rehabilitation efforts, could create resource shortages and could damage the companys property or equipment and increase health and safety risks on site. Such events or conditions could have other adverse effects on the companys workforce and on the communities in the area around its mines, such as an increased risk of food insecurity, water scarcity and prevalence of disease.
Occupational and Community Safety and Health and Tropical Diseases
AngloGold Ashantis operations are subject to a variety of laws and regulations designed to protect and improve the safety and health of employees. In some of the jurisdictions in which AngloGold Ashanti operates, the government enforces compulsory shutdowns of operations to enable investigations into the cause of accidents at those operations. Certain of the companys operations have been temporarily suspended for safety reasons in the past. In South Africa, in particular, so-called Section 54 safety stoppages have become a significant issue for mining companies. The business has been exposed to safety stoppages which can, individually and/or in aggregate, have a material impact on operations. AngloGold Ashanti is also enhancing safety programmes, in line with the overall ONE initiative and industry Best Practice, which could result in a reduction of incidents and associated Section 54 safety stoppages.
In addition, AngloGold Ashanti is subject to health and safety regulations relating to occupational disease. The primary areas of focus in respect of occupational health of employees within the companys operations are noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and occupational lung diseases (OLD), which include occupational tuberculosis and silicosis in individuals exposed to silica dust. Silicosis has been particularly prevalent in South Africa and has also arisen at the companys Continental Africa and Brazilian operations, albeit to a far lesser extent. AngloGold Ashanti provides occupational health services to its employees at its occupational health centers and clinics, and continues to improve preventative occupational hygiene initiatives, such as implementing various dust control measures and supplying its employees with respiratory protective equipment. If the costs associated with providing such occupational health services, implementing such dust control measures or supplying such equipment increase significantly beyond anticipated or budgeted amounts, this could have an adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis results of operations and its financial condition. Actual and alleged health and safety incidents or breaches of standards may also adversely impact the companys reputation.
The South African government, by way of a cabinet resolution in 1999, proposed a possible combination and alignment of benefits of the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act (ODMWA) that provides for compensation to miners who have OLD, and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), that provides for compensation in respect of job related injuries and compensation of non-miners who have OLD. It appears less likely that the proposed combination of the two acts will occur in the short- to medium-term, but some alignment of benefits may be considered in the future. The South African government has indicated that it may also consider amendments to in the short-term to address shortcomings in ODMWA. COIDA provides for compensation payments to workers suffering permanent disabilities which are classified as pension liabilities if the permanent disability is above a certain threshold, or a lump sum compensation payment if the permanent disability is below a certain threshold. ODMWA only provides for a lump sum compensation payment to workers suffering from OLD as well as the payment of medical expenses over the claimants lifetime. If the proposed combination of COIDA and ODMWA or amendments to ODMWA were to occur, this could further increase the amount of statutory compensation that miners employed by AngloGold Ashanti could claim, which consequently could have an adverse effect on AngloGold Ashantis financial condition.
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On 23 November 2010, the Chamber of Mines of South Africa applied to the North Gauteng High Court for a declaratory order as to whether or not the Compensation Commissioner may include in the levy to be paid by any specific mine under ODMWA any amount that is intended to be used for funding benefits payable to: (1) ex-mine workers who had never worked at that mine; or (2) ex-mine workers who used to work at the mine, but no longer work at the mine. On 29 April 2011, the Honorable Judge Zondo dismissed the Chambers application with costs. The judge concluded that the Compensation Commissioner has authority under ODMWA to address an historical or actuarial deficit in the Compensation Fund by increasing the levy payable by current mines and works to cover the shortfall in respect of all ex-mine workers. The Chamber lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed with costs. The effect of the judgement is that ODMWA levies may be increased in respect of the category of former employees referred to above.
AngloGold Ashanti is subject to numerous claims, including a consolidated class action and individual claims related to silicosis and other OLD, and could be subject to similar claims in the future. AngloGold Ashanti has received notice of an application for class certification relating to silicosis in which the company is a respondent. It has also received notice of individual claims. Please refer to Item 8: Financial Information Legal Proceedings South Africa Silicosis litigation.
In addition to OLD, AIDS and associated diseases remain major health care challenges faced by AngloGold Ashantis South African operations. Workforce prevalence studies indicate that HIV prevalence rates among AngloGold Ashantis South African workforce may be as high as 30 percent. AngloGold Ashanti continues to develop and implement programmes to help those infected with HIV and prevent new infections from spreading. Since 2001, the company has offered a voluntary counseling and HIV testing programme for employees in South Africa and, since 2003, has offered anti-retroviral therapy to HIV positive employees who meet the current medical criteria and who desire this treatment.
Malaria and other tropical diseases also pose significant health risks at all of the companys operations in Central, West and East Africa where such diseases may assume epidemic proportions because of ineffective national control programmes. Malaria is a major cause of death in young children and pregnant women but also gives rise to deaths and absenteeism in adult men. Other conditions such as heart disease, chronic diseases and obesity are of increasing incidence and concern. All affected company operations have malaria control programmes in place.
Such diseases impair the health of workers and negatively affect productivity and profitability as a result of workers diminished focus or skill, absenteeism, treatment costs and allocated resources. AngloGold Ashanti cannot guarantee that any current or future medical programme will be successful in preventing or reducing the injury and illness rates amongst its employees or in affecting consequent morbidity or mortality rates. AngloGold Ashanti may incur significant costs in addressing this issue in the future, which could also adversely impact the companys results of operations and financial condition.
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ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI GLOBAL OPERATIONS: 2013
Operations
AMERICAS |
CONTINENTAL AFRICA |
AUSTRALASIA |
EXPLORATION AND TECHNOLOGY | |||||||||||
1. | Argentina | 4. | Guinea | 10. | Australia | 12. | Australia | |||||||
Cerro Vanguardia (92.5%) | Siguiri (85%) | Sunrise Dam | 13. | Colombia | ||||||||||
2. | Brazil | 5. | Mali | Tropicana (70%) | 14. |
Guinea | ||||||||
Serra Grande | Morila (40%) (1) | 15. | South Africa | |||||||||||
AGA Mineração | Sadiola (41%) | SOUTH AFRICA | ||||||||||||
3. | United States | Yatela (40%) | 11. | South Africa | ||||||||||
Cripple Creek & Victor (CC&V) | 6. | Ghana | Vaal River | |||||||||||
Iduapriem | Great Noligwa | |||||||||||||
Obuasi | Kopanang | |||||||||||||
7. | DRC | Moab Khotsong | ||||||||||||
Kibali (45%) (1) | West Wits | |||||||||||||
8. | Tanzania | Mponeng | ||||||||||||
Geita | TauTona (3) | |||||||||||||
9. | Namibia | Surface Operations (4) | ||||||||||||
Navachab (2) | ||||||||||||||
Percentages indicate the ownership interest in AngloGold Ashanti, whether held directly or indirectly. All operations are 100%-owned unless otherwise indicated.
(1) | Both Morila and Kibali are managed and operated by Randgold Resources Limited. |
(2) | On 10 February 2014, AngloGold Ashanti announced that it had signed a binding agreement to sell Navachab, subject to certain conditions. |
(3) | As from 1 January 2013, TauTona and Savuka were mined as one operation and accordingly combined under TauTona. |
(4) | Includes MWS for purposes of this report. It is operated and managed as a separate cash generating unit. |
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OPERATING PERFORMANCE
Group description
Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti has 21 operations in 11 countries.
AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining and exploration company with a diverse portfolio of mining operations and projects on four continents, with more than 96% of the companys revenue derived from the sale of gold produced at its operations located around the world. Working across the full spectrum of the mining value chain, the impact of the companys operating activities on the local communities and environments remain at the core of the business.
Following a strategic review of AngloGold Ashantis asset portfolio at the start of 2013, particularly as it pertains to development and exploration projects, the company embarked on significant restructuring in response to current challenges in the gold sector, including increasing costs of production and a fall in gold prices.
Despite the addition of two new mining operations, Kibali and Tropicana, which began production in the second half of 2013, the number of AngloGold Ashanti operations in 2013 remained unchanged at 21. Following the restructuring of the portfolio, Savuka is now reported together with TauTona and MWS is included in the reporting of Surface Operations. Post year-end, a binding agreement was reached regarding the sale of the Navachab mine in Namibia, subject to certain conditions.
AngloGold Ashantis brownfield and greenfield exploration programmes take place in both established and new gold producing regions through managed and non-managed joint ventures, strategic alliances and wholly-owned ground holdings. Greater emphasis is being placed on brownfield exploration and a few key greenfield opportunities carefully identified by management in Colombia, Guinea, and Australia.
AngloGold Ashantis operations and joint ventures employed, on average, 66,434 people (including contractors) in 2013 (2012: 65,822).
Performance
In 2013, AngloGold Ashanti produced attributable 4.11 million ounces of gold (2012: 3.94 million ounces) as well as 1.38 million pounds of uranium oxide, 3.30 million ounces of silver and 191 tonnes of sulphuric acid as by-products.
Production of 4.11 Moz was achieved at a total cash cost of $830/oz compared to 3.94 Moz at $829/oz the previous year.
The attributable Ore Reserve at 31 December 2013 was 67.9 Moz, down from 74.1 Moz at 2012. This decrease reflects the changes in economic assumptions due to the lower gold price which had the most significant impact at Geita and CC&V.
Capital expenditure, including equity accounted joint ventures, in 2013 amounted to $1,993 million (2012: $2,322 million).
Safety
Regrettably, there were 8 fatalities across the groups operations in 2013. The all injury frequency rate improved to 7.33 per million hours worked compared to 7.72 in 2012 and 9.76 in 2011.
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OPERATIONS AT A GLANCE for the years ended 31 December
Attributable tonnes treated/milled (Mt) |
Average grade recovered (g/t) |
Attributable gold production (000oz) |
Total cash costs(1) ($ per ounce) |
All-in sustaining costs(2) ($/oz sold) |
Attributable capital(1) expenditure ($m) |
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2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOUTH AFRICA |
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Vaal River |
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Great Noligwa |
0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 6.15 | 5.72 | 5.58 | 83 | 84 | 94 | 1,100 | 1,226 | 1,194 | 1,305 | 1,530 | 13 | 27 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kopanang |
1.0 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 5.23 | 5.40 | 6.47 | 178 | 164 | 307 | 918 | 1,015 | 681 | 1,255 | 1,497 | 52 | 94 | 92 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moab Khotsong |
0.7 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 9.47 | 8.16 | 9.39 | 212 | 162 | 266 | 797 | 1,040 | 689 | 1,223 | 1,634 | 117 | 159 | 147 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Wits |
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Mponeng |
1.6 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 7.10 | 9.40 | 9.71 | 354 | 405 | 500 | 719 | 639 | 546 | 1,016 | 883 | 171 | 195 | 172 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Savuka(3) |
0.2 | 0.2 | 6.09 | 6.69 | 37 | 49 | 1,041 | 864 | 1,607 | 20 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TauTona(3) |
1.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 7.34 | 7.63 | 7.55 | 235 | 189 | 244 | 920 | 924 | 818 | 1,149 | 1,316 | 59 | 73 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Surface Operations |
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Surface Operations(4) |
34.5 | 17.9 | 10.7 | 0.22 | 0.30 | 0.48 | 240 | 172 | 164 | 883 | 943 | 660 | 969 | 754 | 39 | 15 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONTINENTAL AFRICA |
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Ghana |
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Iduapriem |
4.8 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 1.43 | 1.22 | 1.44 | 221 | 180 | 199 | 861 | 955 | 800 | 1,025 | 1,437 | 28 | 95 | 73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obuasi(5) |
1.7 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 4.94 | 4.79 | 4.82 | 239 | 280 | 313 | 1,406 | 1,187 | 862 | 2,214 | 2,021 | 196 | 185 | 132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Guinea |
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Siguiri (85%) |
10.2 | 10.1 | 9.7 | 0.82 | 0.76 | 0.79 | 268 | 247 | 249 | 918 | 938 | 849 | 1,085 | 1,105 | 25 | 28 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mali |
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Morila (40%) |
1.4 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.23 | 1.41 | 1.70 | 57 | 81 | 99 | 773 | 767 | 810 | 1,051 | 765 | 13 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sadiola (41%) |
2.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.34 | 1.64 | 1.90 | 86 | 100 | 121 | 1,334 | 1,169 | 816 | 1,510 | 1,249 | 42 | 37 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yatela (40%) |
1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.93 | 1.06 | 1.04 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 1,530 | 1,758 | 1,530 | 1,653 | 1,888 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Namibia |
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Navachab(6) |
1.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.39 | 1.59 | 1.46 | 63 | 74 | 66 | 691 | 1,036 | 1,012 | 781 | 1,329 | 5 | 15 | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tanzania |
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Geita |
4.0 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 3.54 | 3.47 | 3.98 | 459 | 531 | 494 | 515 | 427 | 350 | 833 | 816 | 154 | 216 | 206 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DRC |
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Kibali (45%)(8) |
0.4 | 3.41 | 40 | 471 | 9,065 | 341 | 263 | 73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AUSTRALASIA |
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Australia |
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Sunrise Dam |
3.5 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 2.46 | 2.39 | 2.16 | 276 | 258 | 246 | 1,110 | 1,126 | 1,367 | 1,321 | 1,470 | 39 | 49 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tropicana (70%)(8) |
0.9 |