14
During the quarter 75,000 ounces of hedged forward positions were closed out at a cost of A$ 29.5 million.
These out of the money hedge positions were inherited with the acquisition of Hill 50 Gold NL at an average
strike price of A$515. The negative marked to market valuation of the outstanding hedge commitments at
quarter end amounted to A$119 million, based on an A$ spot price of A$808/oz. During the September
quarter an additional 35,000 ounces of hedged positions will come up for closure. Closure costs of these
positions at current prices will amount to approximately A$10 million. At this stage 10 000 oz has already
been closed out, leaving only 20 000 to be done by end September 2006.
Mount Magnet
Mt Magnet operations produced 41,826 ounces of gold from milling of 444,756 tonnes of ore during the
June quarter, compared to production of 34 204 ounces of gold and the milling of 430 164 tonnes of ore in
the previous quarter. This resulted in a cash operating profit of A$ 10.8 million for the site. The improved
financial performance was primarily due to increased ounce production from the underground mines, which
increased 23% quarter on quarter.
Underground production amounted to 28,473 ounces in the current quarter compared to 21,861 ounces in
the March quarter, from the milling of 140,919 underground tonnes at 6.28 g/t compared to 129,590 tonnes
milled in the previous quarter at 5.25 g/t. The increased tonnage was attributable to Hill 50 coming back into
production following the seismic event on 14 February 2006, albeit low production. St George grade for the
quarter was higher than planned leading to an increase in gold production of 2,482 ounces of gold above plan.
South Kal Mines
The operation produced 17,465 ounces of gold in the quarter compared to 15,395 ounces in the March
quarter from the milling of 330,668 tonnes of ore. Increased production from Mt Marion underground was
the primary contributor to this increase. Commencement of open pit operations in the September quarter
will reduce the site dependence on a single production source and low grade stockpiles.
The Shirl resource drilling was completed during the quarter. Resource estimation and mining planning work
at Shirl has delineated a reserve of 510,000 tonnes at 3.03 g/t for 49,598 ounces mined (44,000 ounces
recovered) and a 15 month mine life.
AUSTRALIA
– OTHER PROJECTS
A strategy has been put in place whereby Harmony Australia will be looking at rationalising its current land
holdings around South Kal Mines as well as Mt Magnet. This will result in non core tenements being disposed
of, reducing expenditure commitments on these tenements and realising some value in the current
commodity price environment. It will also allow the company to focus exploration on its core gold
prospective tenements, and use funds generated through these sales to acquire other prospective tenements.
As part of the strategy of disposing of non core assets, the company disposed of its New Celebration mill at
South Kal Mines, which was on care and maintenance, for A$3 million, and also continues with its prospective
nickel tenements disposal process at this site.
A heads of agreement has been signed with an ASX listed junior exploration company, Dioro. This agreement
allows Dioro to acquire some of our tenements around South Kal Mines.
The Comet prospect at Mt Magnet has also been sold during the quarter to an ASX listed junior mining
company for A$ 1 250 000 and A$1 million in shares, plus an A$ 5 per ounce royalty on production up to
200 000 ounces.