JOHANNESBURG, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gold Fields Limited ("Gold Fields") (NYSE, JSE, DIFX: GFI) reports today that normal mining operations will only resume in mining areas at 95 level and above at the South Deep Gold Mine near Westonaria on Thursday morning, May 8, 2008 after a Day of Mourning and a Memorial Service which is to be held at the Twin Shaft Complex on Wednesday, May 7. At a meeting at the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) in Johannesburg today with mine management and trade unions, the Chief Inspector of Mines agreed that the conditions of a Section 54 order had been met and the mine could now recommence mining operations. Underground working at South Deep had been suspended, except for essential services for emergency purposes, since 17h40 on May 1 when the Section 54 was issued following the shaft accident that tragically claimed nine lives. The Section 54 required that all winding operations at South Deep, Kloof and Driefontein Gold Mines be suspended pending assessment of the integrity of the winding ropes. This order was fully complied with, and subsequent to the issue thereof, only essential services for emergency purposes were conducted at South Deep. Normal winding operations have resumed at Kloof and Driefontein Gold Mines. Gold Fields is committed to assisting the DME in its investigation into the accident at South Deep on May 1, 2008. About Gold Fields Gold Fields Limited is one of the world's largest unhedged producers of gold with attributable production of more than four million ounces per annum from eight operating mines in South Africa, Ghana and Australia. A ninth mine, the Cerro Corona Gold/Copper mine in Peru, is expected to commence production by mid 2008 at an initial rate of approximately 400,000 gold equivalent ounces per annum. The company has total attributable ore reserves of 92 million ounces and mineral resources of 252 million ounces. Gold Fields employs some 53,000 permanent employees across its operations and is listed on the JSE Limited South Africa (primary listing), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). All of Gold Fields' operations are ISO14001 certified. For more information please visit the Gold Fields website at http://www.goldfields.co.za/. DATASOURCE: Gold Fields Limited CONTACT: Enquiries, Andrew Davidson, Office +27(0)11-644-2638, Mobile +27(0)826677203

Copyright