Wrap Text
Sale of various assets in the Vaal River region including the Moab Khotsong Mine to Harmony
AngloGold Ashanti Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Reg. No. 1944/017354/06
ISIN: ZAE000043485 – JSE share code: ANG
CUSIP: 035128206 – NYSE share code: AU
(“AngloGold Ashanti” or the “Company”)
19 October 2017
NEWS RELEASE
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI ANNOUNCES THE SALE OF VARIOUS ASSETS IN THE VAAL
RIVER REGION INCLUDING THE MOAB KHOTSONG MINE TO HARMONY
1. INTRODUCTION
AngloGold Ashanti is pleased to announce that it has entered into a sale and purchase agreement (the
“SPA”), to dispose of various assets situated in the Vaal River region of South Africa to Harmony Gold
Mining Company Limited (“Harmony”) for a cash consideration of US$300 million (the “Transaction”).
The assets and related interests to be sold include the following:
- The Moab Khotsong mine (which incorporates the Great Noligwa mine) and related infrastructure (the
“Moab Mining Sale Assets”);
- AngloGold Ashanti’s entire interest in Nuclear Fuels Corporation of South Africa Proprietary Limited
(“Nufcor”); and
- AngloGold Ashanti’s entire interest in Margaret Water Company NPC (“MWC”) (collectively, the “Sale
Interests”)
“This transaction is in line with our capital allocation strategy and our aim to effect the improvement of our
global portfolio, through projects that extend mine lives, enhance margins and provide quicker cash turns on
investment,” AngloGold Ashanti Chief Executive Officer Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan said. “We are pleased
to have agreed the sale of the Moab assets on fair terms to a well-established mining company with plans to
secure its long-term future.”
Production from AngloGold Ashanti’s remaining South African operations, comprising the long life Mponeng
mine and Mine Waste Solutions (“MWS”) surface operation, will constitute less than 15% of the Company’s
estimated annual production.
2. RATIONALE FOR THE TRANSACTION
AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company with 17 operations in nine countries spread across three
continents. AngloGold Ashanti’s operations in South Africa currently comprise the following:
- The Mponeng and TauTona mines, situated in West Wits region;
- The Moab Khotsong mine (incorporating the Great Noligwa mine) and the Kopanang mine situated in the
Vaal River region;
- The MWS tailings retreatment operation situated in the Vaal River region; and
- The surface rock dump reclamation operations located primarily in the Vaal River region.
AngloGold Ashanti’s global portfolio contains a number of brownfields and greenfields development options,
including:
- The life extension project at the Mponeng mine;
- The redevelopment of the Obuasi mine and the mine-life extension at Iduapriem in Ghana;
- The hard-rock project at the Siguiri mine in Guinea;
- The Long Island project at the Tropicana mine in Australia;
- The transitioning of the Kibali mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Geita mine in
Tanzania from predominantly open pit to a combination of open pit and underground production; and
- The Greenfields development projects in Colombia including the Gramalote and Quebradona projects.
The Moab Khotsong mine also includes a brownfields mine-life extension option (“Project Zaaiplaats”),
currently at pre-feasibility stage, which indicates a potential extension of the life of operations by more than
15 years.
AngloGold Ashanti has a large portfolio of operating assets and a range of attractive brownfields and
greenfields development options with high returns and relatively short payback periods. The Company has a
clear strategy to optimise returns and generate sustainable free cash flow, whilst maintaining balance sheet
flexibility. Given these strategic imperatives and the range of options it has, there is a possibility that
AngloGold Ashanti may not proceed with the development of Project Zaaiplaats in the medium term.
AngloGold Ashanti therefore deemed it prudent, in line with its capital allocation strategy, to sell Moab
Khotsong whilst it still has remaining life from existing Ore Reserves, along with the optionality provided by
Project Zaaiplaats.
Earlier this year, AngloGold Ashanti indicated to its stakeholders that it would be reviewing its South African
mining operations given their under-performance leading to heavy, and ultimately unsustainable, losses
being incurred. On 28 June 2017 AngloGold Ashanti issued an announcement advising that it would be
restructuring the South African operations to ensure their viability. This restructuring would include:
- Placing on care and maintenance the Kopanang mine and the Savuka section of the TauTona mine; and
- Evaluating the feasibility of integrating elements of the TauTona mine into the neighbouring Mponeng
mine;
(collectively the “South African Restructuring”).
Subsequent to this announcement and based on unsolicited expressions of interest received from a number
of parties, AngloGold Ashanti initiated a process to assess the sale of the Kopanang mine. This process has
been successfully concluded with the announcement today that AngloGold Ashanti had entered into an
agreement in terms of which Heaven-Sent SA Sunshine Investment Company Limited (“HSC”), a Chinese
capital management company headquartered in Hong Kong, will acquire the Kopanang mine, the West Gold
Plant and the related infrastructure (the “Kopanang Disposal”). HSC currently holds a 74% interest in
Village Main Reef Limited which operates the Tau Lekoa Gold Mine in the Vaal River region. The Kopanang
Disposal is still subject to a number of conditions including securing the requisite regulatory approvals. Once
these conditions are fulfilled and this transaction closes, the Kopanang mine will not be placed on care and
maintenance but would continue to operate under the ownership of HSC.
Following the sale of the Moab Mining Sale Assets and the Kopanang Disposal, AngloGold Ashanti will
cease to have underground mining operations in the Vaal River region in South Africa.
AngloGold Ashanti will retain the long-life Mine Waste Solutions tailings retreatment operation, as well as the
surface rock-dump reclamation operations in the Vaal River region, which will continue to be treated through
the Kopanang gold plant which will be retained by AngloGold Ashanti. These two operations in the Vaal
River region together with the long-life Mponeng mine in the West Wits region will form AngloGold Ashanti’s
operating base in South Africa.
The table below highlights the pro forma effect on the Company’s South African Mineral Resource and Ore
Reserve as at 31 December 2016 assuming the Transaction, the Kopanang Disposal and the remaining
South African Restructuring had been implemented on 31 December 2016:
Actual Pro forma % of AGA % of AGA group
group (actual) (pro forma)
Mineral Resource (Moz) 81.4 57.9 38% 30%
Ore Reserves (Moz) 25.1 18.9 50% 43%
The tables below highlight the pro forma effect on both the Company’s and the SA business’ annual
production and All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) assuming the Transaction, the Kopanang Disposal and the
remaining South African Restructuring, including the placing of TauTona on care and maintenance, had
been implemented on 1 January 2016 for the 12 months ended 31 December 2016 and 1 January 2017 for
the six-month period ended 30 June 2017:
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI 12 months ended Six months ended 30 June 2017
GROUP 31 December 2016
Actual Pro forma Actual Pro forma
Annual production (koz) 3,628 3,111 1,748 1,517
AISC (US$/oz) 986 962 1,071 1,031
SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 12 months ended Six months ended 30 June 2017
31 December 2016
Actual Pro forma Actual Pro forma
Annual production (koz) 967 450 435 204
AISC (US$/oz) 1,081 1,021 1,259 1,164
3. OVERVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS UNDERLYING THE SALE INTERESTS
The Moab Mining Sale Assets consist of gold and uranium mining operations in the Vaal River region of the
Witwatersrand goldfields, in South Africa.
The primary mining asset, forming part of the Transaction package, is the Moab Khotsong mine, one of the
newer deep-level shafts in South Africa, with development having commenced in 1993. This mine is a
potentially long-life, deep level mine having produced 280,000oz of gold during the year ended 31 December
2016 at an AISC of US$884/oz. As at 31 December 2016, the Moab Khotsong mine had an Ore Reserve of
5.0 Moz and a Mineral Resources of 17.5 Moz which includes Project Zaaiplaats which represents 3.3 Moz
of the total Ore Reserve and 6.8 Moz of the Mineral Resource.
Also forming part of the Transaction package is the Great Noligwa mine, a shaft which has been placed on
care and maintenance in recent years with existing infrastructure utilised to service the Moab Khotsong
mining operations. The Ore Reserve of the Great Noligwa mine is currently being extracted through the
Moab Khotsong mine.
Nufcor is the only uranium calcining facility in South Africa and processes uranium mined and recovered at
the Moab Mining Sale Assets and on behalf of third-party uranium producers.
MWC was established in 2007 by the mining operators in the Vaal River region at the time being AngloGold
Ashanti, Harmony and Simmer and Jack (now owned by Village Main Reef Proprietary Limited), to pump
underground water in order to prevent flooding and to ensure the sustainability of mining operations in the
Vaal River region. In addition, MWC is critical to managing and rehabilitating the underground water of the
Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein and Hartbeesfontein (“KOSH”) basin over the long term.
4. OVERVIEW OF HARMONY
Harmony is an independent, South African-domiciled gold mining company, which currently owns producing
gold mines located in the West Witwatersrand region and the Free State province of South Africa, as well as
in Papua New Guinea. In addition to these mining activities, Harmony owns and manages significant
extraction and processing facilities at its operations where gold-bearing ore is treated and processed before
it is refined. Harmony is also the joint venture partner with Newcrest Mining Limited on the Wafi Golpu project
in Papua New Guinea. In the financial year to June 2017, Harmony Gold produced c.1.1 Moz of gold at an
AISC of USD1 182/oz.
5. KEY TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION
5.1. Transaction consideration and use of proceeds
Under the terms of the SPA, Harmony will acquire the Sale Interests from AngloGold Ashanti for US$300
million (the “Transaction Consideration”), which will be settled in cash upon the Transaction becoming
unconditional and closing (the “Closing Date”). The Transaction was classified as a Category 2 transaction
in terms of the JSE Limited (“JSE”) Listings Requirements.
The Transaction Consideration received will be utilised by AngloGold Ashanti to further reduce debt and
strengthen the Company’s balance sheet. This will afford AngloGold Ashanti greater strategic flexibility to
fund its growth initiatives including its development projects.
5.2. Transfer of liabilities and environmental obligations
All of AngloGold Ashanti’s obligations and liabilities (including all employee and health and safety obligations
other than any claim related to Occupational Lung Disease for the period prior to the Closing Date), as well
as all environmental obligations related to the Mining Sale Assets arising on, before or after the Closing Date
will be transferred to Harmony.
Upon acquiring the Sale Interests, all of AngloGold Ashanti’s obligations related to Nufcor and MWC,
including in the case of MWC, all of AngloGold Ashanti’s obligations with regards to the pumping and
efficient management of the underground water in the Vaal River region (the “KOSH Water Directive”) will
be transferred to Harmony.
5.3. Key conditions precedent and effective date
The Transaction is subject to a number of conditions precedent, including but not limited to the following:
- By no later than 15 January 2018, Harmony entering into agreements relating to its proposed BEE
transaction as detailed in the Harmony announcement;
- Harmony securing the approval of its shareholders for the Transaction and its proposed BEE transaction;
- All necessary consents being obtained from the Department of Mineral Resources of South Africa
(“DMR”) including section 11 and section 102 approvals under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources
Development Act for the transfer of the mining rights related to the Mining Sale Assets;
- Securing the approval of the South African Competition Authorities;
- Waiver by the financing providers of AngloGold Ashanti and Harmony, as required; and
- AngloGold Ashanti being released from the KOSH Water Directive issued in relation to the KOSH basin,
in terms of which AngloGold Ashanti is liable for the long-term management and rehabilitation of
underground water in the KOSH basin.
The Transaction will become effective on the Closing Date which will follow the fulfillment or waiver, as the
case may be, of all the conditions precedent contained in the SPA. All conditions must be fulfilled or, to the
extent possible, waived by no later than six months following the signing of the Transaction (the “Long Stop
Date”). AngloGold Ashanti or Harmony will have the unilateral right to extend the Long Stop Date by three
months, and thereafter the Long Stop Date can only be extended by the mutual consent of both AngloGold
Ashanti and Harmony.
6. FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF THE TRANSACTION
Set out in the table below is the carrying value of the net assets, as well as the total comprehensive profit
attributable to the net assets, comprising the Sale Interests:
Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2017 31 December 2016
(Reviewed) (Audited)
Total comprehensive profit (ZAR millions) 214 852
Net assets (ZAR millions) 3,032 3,027
The estimated tax charge on the Transaction Consideration of US$300m, is approximately US$37m.
It is anticipated that the Sale Interests will be accounted for as assets held for sale in AngloGold Ashanti’s
balance sheet, once it is highly probable that the conditions precedent to the Transaction will be fulfilled, or
waived. As a consequence of this reclassification, the carrying value of the Sale Interests in AngloGold
Ashanti’s financial statements will be impaired to their fair value at that time, which would be determined by
reference to the fair value of the Transaction Consideration that will be received on the Closing Date.
Current estimates indicate that the Company would likely record a gross impairment charge of approximately
US$120m (on a pre-tax basis). However, this does not take account of the deferred tax credit relating to
these assets of approximately US$86m, which can only be recognised upon completion of the
Transaction. These non-cash items will be excluded from the calculation of the Company’s headline
earnings for the period to be reported on next.*
*These amounts are based on management’s best estimates and are based on a ZAR/$ exchange rate of
13.50, and are subject to change.
The financial information contained in this announcement has not been reviewed and reported on by the
Company’s external auditors.
7. BREAK FEE
In the event that the Transaction does not close due to Harmony failing to:
- obtain the approval of its shareholders for the Transaction or its proposed BEE transaction; or
- secure the section 11 consent on the grounds that in the opinion of the DMR, Harmony is not sufficiently
empowered,
Harmony shall pay AngloGold Ashanti a break fee of US$3 million.
19 October 2017
Johannesburg
Financial adviser to AngloGold Ashanti
Rand Merchant Bank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited
Legal adviser to AngloGold Ashanti
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Incorporated
Sponsor to AngloGold Ashanti
Deutsche Securities (SA) Proprietary Limited
CONTACTS
Media
Chris Nthite +27 11 637 6388/+27 83 301 2481 cnthite@anglogoldashanti.com
Stewart Bailey +27 81 032 2563 / +27 11 637 6031 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
General inquiries media@anglogoldashanti.com
Investors
Stewart Bailey +27 81 032 2563 / +27 11 637 6031 sbailey@anglogoldashanti.com
Sabrina Brockman +1 646 880 4526/ +1 646 379 2555 sbrockman@anglogoldashanti.com
Fundisa Mgidi +27 11 6376763 / +27 82 821 5322 fmgidi@anglogoldashanti.com
The reserves and resources information disclosed herein has been extracted from the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve Report for
2016 (the “2016 Report”) of AngloGold Ashanti. The 2016 Report was prepared by VA Chamberlain, MSc (Mining Engineering), BSc
(Hons) (Geology), MGSSA, FAusIMM, an employee of AngloGold Ashanti, the Group Competent Person, and assumes responsibility
for the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve processes for AngloGold Ashanti and is satisfied that the Competent Persons have fulfilled
their responsibilities under his direction and he has granted approval for his name to be disclosed in this announcement.
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, all-
in costs, cost savings and other operating results, productivity improvements, growth prospects and outlook of AngloGold Ashanti’s
operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones, commencement and completion of
commercial operations of certain of AngloGold Ashanti’s exploration and production projects and the completion of acquisitions,
dispositions or joint venture transactions, AngloGold Ashanti’s 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 Ashanti’s 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 Ashanti’s 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, fluctuations in gold prices and
exchange rates, the outcome of pending or future litigation proceedings, and business and operational risk management.
For a discussion of such risk factors, refer to AngloGold Ashanti’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2016,
which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These factors are not necessarily all of the
important factors that could cause AngloGold Ashanti’s 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 hereof 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.
The financial information contained in this news release has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company's external auditors.
This communication may contain certain “Non-GAAP” financial measures. AngloGold Ashanti utilises certain Non-GAAP performance
measures and ratios in managing its business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative
for, the reported operating results or cash flow from operations or any other measures of performance prepared in accordance with
IFRS. In addition, the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures other companies may use.
AngloGold Ashanti posts information that is important to investors on the main page of its website at www.anglogoldashanti.com and
under the “Investors” tab on the main page. This information is updated regularly. Investors should visit this website to obtain important
information about AngloGold Ashanti.
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa Reg No: 1944/017354/06
ISIN. ZAE000043485 – JSE share code: ANG CUSIP: 035128206 – NYSE share code: AU
Website: www.anglogoldashanti.com
Date: 19/10/2017 07:05:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
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