JOHANNESBURG
,
Oct. 21
/CNW/ - Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (JSE, NYSE, NASDAQ Dubai: GFI) is pleased to announce that is has become the first mining group, registered as a signatory with the International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI(1)), to obtain accreditation for all its eligible operations with the International Cyanide Management Code (Cyanide Code).
This follows full accreditation being achieved at Kloof mine and Driefontein mine, both located in
South Africa
.
Gold Fields' Chief Executive Officer,
Nick Holland
, commented: "The Kloof and Driefontein achievements follow equally impressive accomplishments at Beatrix mine, which is also in
South Africa
and which achieved its full accreditation in
February 2009
, Tarkwa and Damang mines in
Ghana
that achieved full accreditation in June and
May 2008
, respectively, and the new South African mine, South Deep, which achieved full accreditation in
December 2008
. Cerro Corona mine in
Peru
does not require accreditation as it does not use large amounts of cyanide in its processes. The Agnew mine in
Australia
achieved substantial accreditation in
June 2009
and is expected to achieve full accreditation in
December 2009
. This means that all of the eligible Gold Fields mines are now accredited and seven of the eight have achieved full compliance. We have now achieved the objective we set ourselves in
November 2005
, when we became a signatory to the ICMI Cyanide Code, for all Gold Fields operations to be ICMI accredited".
The president of the ICMI,
Paul Bateman
, congratulated Gold Fields on being, "....the first mining group to obtain accreditation for all its signatory operations...".
Gold Fields' support of the ICMI is consistent with the principles and objectives of the Group's Sustainable Development Framework, which addresses every aspect of sustainability in the organization, including the use of cyanide in the production of gold.
The Cyanide Code is recognized as best practice for cyanide management in the gold mining industry by the World Gold Council (WGC) and the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practice (RJC). The ICMI accreditation process adheres to the principles of the International Council on Mining and Metals' Sustainable Development Framework to which Gold Fields is fully committed. It has also been acknowledged by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the G8 Group of Nations as the best practice guide for responsible cyanide management.
About Gold Fields
Gold Fields is one of the world's largest unhedged producers of gold with attributable production of 3.6 million ounces* per annum from nine operating mines in
South Africa
,
Ghana
,
Australia
and
Peru
. Gold Fields also has an extensive growth pipeline with both greenfields and near mine exploration projects at various stages of development. Gold Fields has total attributable Mineral Reserves of 81 million ounces and Mineral Resources of 271 million ounces. Gold Fields is listed on JSE Limited (primary listing), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), the Euronext in
Brussels
(NYX) and the Swiss Exchange (SWX). For more information please visit the Gold Fields website at http://www.goldfields.co.za.
*Based on the annualised run rate for the fourth quarter of F2009
---------------------------------
(1) The ICMI is established under the auspices of the United Nations' Environment Programme & International Council on Metals and the Environment. The ICMI administers the International Cyanide Management Code of Practice to which signatories adhere, to manage cyanide responsibly.
For further information: Gold Fields Limited : Reg. 1968/004880/06, 150 Helen Road, Sandown, Sandton, 2196, Postnet Suite 252, Private Bag X30500, Houghton, 2041, South Africa, Tel +27 11 562-9700, Fax +27 11 562-9838; Enquiries: Media and Investor Enquiries, Willie Jacobsz, Tel +508 839-1188, Mobile +857 241-7127, email [email protected]; Nikki Catrakilis-Wagner, Tel +27-11-562-9706, Mobile +27(0)83-309-6720, email [email protected]; Media Enquiries: Julian Gwillim, Tel +27-11-562-9774, Mobile +27(0)82-452-4389, email [email protected]
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