JOHANNESBURG, May 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Gold Fields Limited (Gold
Fields) (JSE, NYSE, NASDAQ Dubai: GFI) regrets to announce that an
employee at the South Deep Project in South Africa this morning lost his life in an
industrial-type accident in an underground satellite workshop at
the mine.
This is the second fatal accident of a similar nature at South
Deep over the past 10 days. The previous incident, in which one
employee lost his life, was also an industrial-type accident, and
occurred on Saturday, 17 May
2014.
The relevant authorities have been notified and all activities
in the affected area have been suspended pending an inspection by
management and the authorities.
Nick Holland, Chief Executive
Officer of Gold Fields, said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to
the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased. Management will
do everything possible to support them in this hour of need."
"We are deeply shocked by these tragic incidents as they follow
a period of more than three years in which the mine had reported
only one fatality, which occurred over a year ago."
"These latest incidents have expedited a recently commenced and
comprehensive review of all safety protocols, procedures and
standards across the mine, because if we cannot mine safely we will
not mine. We will act decisively to address any weaknesses
identified by the review," Mr Holland added.
The impact of these fatalities on production for the remainder
of the year, together with the potential impact of any proposed
remedial action arising from the mine-wide safety review referred
to above, will be announced as soon as possible.
Notes to editors
About Gold Fields
Gold Fields Limited is an unhedged, globally diversified
producer of gold with eight operating mines in Australia, Ghana, Peru
and South Africa. In February 2013, Gold Fields unbundled its mature,
underground KDC and Beatrix mines in South Africa into an independent and
separately listed company, Sibanye Gold. In October 2013, it expanded its presence in
Western Australia by acquiring the
Granny Smith, Lawlers and Darlot mines (known as the Yilgarn South
Assets) from Barrick
Gold.
Gold Fields has attributable annual gold production of
approximately 2.02 million ounces, as well as attributable Mineral
Reserves of around 49 million ounces and Mineral Resources of about
113 million ounces. Attributable copper Mineral Reserves total 708
million pounds and Mineral Resources 7,120 million pounds. Gold
Fields has a primary listing on the JSE Limited, with secondary
listings on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ Dubai
Limited, Euronext in Brussels
(NYX) and the Swiss Exchange (SWX).
Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd
SOURCE Gold Fields Limited