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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rules 13a-16 or 15d-16 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Dated 27 July 2017
Commission File Number: 001-31318
GOLD FIELDS LIMITED
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
150 Helen Rd.
Sandown, Sandton 2196
South Africa
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F
Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): _____
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): _____
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Directors: C A Carolus (Chair), N J Holland
** (Chief Executive Officer), P A Schmidt** (Chief Financial Officer), A Andani
#
, P J Bacchus
,
T P Goodlace, C E Letton^, R P Menell, D M J Ncube, S P Reid^, Y G H Suleman
^Australian,
British,
#
Ghanaian, ** Executive Director
Company Secretary: M M L Mokoka
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
www.goldfields.com
Investor Enquiries
Avishkar Nagaser
Tel
+27 11 562 9775
Mobile
+27 82 312 8692
email
Avishkar.Nagaser@
goldfields.com
Thomas Mengel
Tel
+27 11 562 9849
Mobile
+27 72 493 5170
email
Thomas.Mengel@
goldfields.com
Media Enquiries
Sven Lunsche
Tel
+27 11 562 9763
Mobile
+27 83 260 9279
email
Sven.Lunsche@
goldfields.com
M E D I A R E L E A S E
Trading statement for six months to 30 June 2017
Johannesburg, 27 July 2017: Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (JSE,
NYSE: GFI) advises that earnings per share (EPS) for the six months
ended 30 June 2017 (H1 2017) are expected to be 43-57% (US$0.06-
0.08) lower than the US$0.14 per share reported for the six months
ended 30 June 2016 (H1 2016), at US$0.06-0.08 per share. Headline
earnings per share (HEPS) for H1 2017 are expected to be 38-50%
(US$0.06-0.08) lower than the US$0.16 per share reported for H1
2016, at US$0.08-0.10 per share.
In addition, normalised earnings for the period are expected to be
15-31% (US$0.02-0.04) lower than the US$0.13 per share reported
for H1 2016 at US$0.09-0.11 per share.
The decreases in EPS, HEPS and normalised earnings are mainly due
to the impact of stronger exchange rates on converting local currency
costs to US dollars and an increase in amortisation. The higher
amortisation relates mainly to Tarkwa as a result of lower reserve
ounces (as reported on 28 March 2017) and an increase in ore mined
and stockpiled. In addition, EPS and HEPS are impacted by non-
recurring items, including the silicosis provision as detailed below.
Attributable gold equivalent production for Q2 2017 is expected to be
550koz (Q1 2017: 497koz), with all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of
US$949/oz (Q1 2017: US$1,016/oz) and all-in costs (AIC) of
US$1,092/oz (Q1 2017: US$1,114/oz).
For H1 2017, attributable gold equivalent production is expected to be
1,047koz (H1 2016: 1,044koz), with AISC of US$980/oz (H1 2016:
US$992/oz) and AIC of US$1,103/oz (H1 2016: US$1,024/oz).
Silicosis provision
Silicosis and TB class and individual actions
As previously disclosed, a consolidated application was brought
against several South African mining companies, including Gold
Fields, for certification of a class action on behalf of current or former
mineworkers (and their depend nts) who have allegedly
contracted silicosis and/or tuberculosis while working for one or
more of the mining companies listed in the application.
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In May 2016, the South African South Gauteng High Court ordered, among other things: (1) the
certification of two classes: (a) a silicosis class; and (b) a tuberculosis class; and (2) that the common
law be developed to provide that, where a claimant commences suing for general damages and
subsequently dies before close of pleadings, the claim for general damages will transmit to the estate of
the deceased claimant. The High Court ruling did not represent a ruling on the merits of the cases
brought against the mining companies. The Supreme Court of Appeal granted the mining companies
leave to appeal against all aspects of the May 2016 judgement. The appeal hearing before the Supreme
Court of Appeal is scheduled to be heard between 19 and 23 March 2018.
In addition to the class action, an individual silicosis-related action has been instituted against Gold Fields
and one other mining company. Gold Fields is proceeding with trial preparation in the normal course.
Working Group
The Occupational Lung Disease Working Group was formed in fiscal 2014 to address issues relating to
compensation and medical care for occupational lung disease in the South African gold mining industry.
The Working Group, made up of African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American SA, AngloGold Ashanti,
Gold Fields, Harmony and Sibanye Gold, has had extensive engagements with a wide range of
stakeholders since its formation, including government, organised labour, other mining companies and
the legal representatives of claimants who have filed legal actions against the companies.
The Working Group, remains of the view that achieving a comprehensive settlement which is both fair to
past, present and future employees and sustainable for the sector, is preferable to protracted litigation.
The members of the Working Group are among respondent companies in a number of legal proceedings
related to occupational lung disease, including the class action referred to above. These companies do
not believe that they are liable in respect of the claims brought, and they are defending these. The
companies do, however, believe that they should work together to seek a solution to this South African
mining industry legacy issue. The Working Group will continue with its efforts to find common ground
with all stakeholders, including government, labour and the claimants’ legal representatives.
Provision raised
As a result of the ongoing work of the Working Group and engagements with affected stakeholders since
31 December 2016, it has now become possible for Gold Fields to reasonably estimate its share of the
estimated cost in relation to the Working Group of a possible settlement of the class action claims and
related costs. As a result, Gold Fields has provided an amount of US$30.2million (R390million) for this
obligation in the Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2017. The nominal value of this
provision is US$39.5million
(R509). The ultimate outcome of these matters remains uncertain,
with a possible failure to reach a settlement or to obtain the requisite court approval for a potential
settlement. The provision is consequently subject to adjustment in the future, depending on the
progress of the Working Group discussions, stakeholder engagements and the ongoing legal
proceedings.
The forecast financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed,
and
reported on, by the Company’s external auditors.
Gold Fields will release H1 2017 financial results on Thursday, 17 August 2017.
Enquiries
Investors
Avishkar Nagaser
Tel: +27 11 562-9775
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Mobile: +27 82 312 8692
Email :
Avishkar.Nagaser@goldfields.com
Thomas Mengel
Tel: +27 11 562 9849
Mobile: +27 72 493 5170
Email:
Thomas.Mengel@goldfields.com
Media
Sven Lunsche
Tel: +27 11 562-9763
Mobile: +27 83 260 9279
Email :
Sven.Lunsche@goldfields.com
ends
Notes to editors
About Gold Fields
Gold Fields Limited is a globally diversified producer of gold with eight operating mines in Australia, Ghana, Peru and South Africa
with attributable annual gold-equivalent production of approximately 2.2 million ounces. It has attributable gold Mineral Reserves of
around 48 million ounces and gold Mineral Resources of around 101 million ounces. Attributable copper Mineral Reserves total 454 million
pounds and Mineral Resources 5,813 million pounds. Gold Fields has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Limited,
with secondary listings on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Swiss Exchange (SWX).
Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
GOLD FIELDS LIMITED
Dated: 27 July 2017
By: /s/
Nicholas
J.
Holland
Name: Nicholas J. Holland
Title:
Chief Executive Officer