Gold Fields’ 140-year journey from its origins in South Africa’s goldfields to a globally diversified, pure-play gold producer stands as a “quintessential Africa Down Under success story,” according to Executive Vice President, Group Head of Legal & Compliance, Kelly Carter.
Speaking at Africa Down Under, Ms Carter said Gold Fields’ Australian portfolio — which now accounts for almost half of the company’s global production — reflected the deep mining heritage and enduring partnership between Africa and Australia.
“Gold Fields is a powerful example of how expertise, innovation and talent can be shared across borders, leveraging the strengths of both Africa and Australia to create long-term value for our stakeholders,” Ms Carter said.
Ms Carter said Gold Fields’ strategy had remained consistent: to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective operations, to have a positive impact on communities and the environment, and to grow the quality of its portfolio.
“We believe that safety, operational excellence, environmental stewardship and shareholder returns are not competing priorities. They’re deeply interconnected and when managed well, will reinforce one another and truly amplify Gold Fields’ positive impact,” she said.
Headquartered in Johannesburg with a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and secondary listing in New York, Gold Fields operates eight assets across Australia, Ghana, Chile, South Africa and Peru, alongside a growth project in Canada.
“The JSE is Africa’s largest stock exchange and a globally significant capital market that connects international investors to some of the continent’s most important mining, financial and industrial companies, serving as a critical gateway for investment into Africa,” Ms Carter said.
In Australia, Gold Fields’ four Western Australian assets — St Ives, Gruyere, Granny Smith and Agnew — together produce around one million ounces of gold per year.
At St Ives, mining is centred on the Invincible and Hamlet underground operations and the Santa Ana open pit complex, with the Invincible ore body — discovered in 2012 and described as the most significant discovery in the operation’s 40-plus year history — expected to underpin the operation for the next two decades. Invincible currently contributes around a third of mill feed, with Gold Fields targeting two-thirds by 2032.
Gruyere, Gold Fields’ second-largest Australian asset, includes a highly prospective land package spanning almost 2,000km² across the Yamarna Belt. The company is investing more than $80 million over the next three years to grow the existing ore body and advance regional exploration targets.
Granny Smith, meanwhile, has evolved from what was once considered a short-life, capital-starved asset into a long-life operation through sustained investment, with continued growth potential from the Wallaby underground mine and broader tenement package.
At Agnew, Ms Carter said exploration success had consistently replenished and grown the resource base since acquisition, extending the mine’s life well beyond initial expectations, with a major drilling program planned to unlock further district potential.
In Africa, South Deep in South Africa was one of the most compelling stories within the Gold Fields portfolio, according to Ms Carter.
Acquired in 2006, the asset – one of the world’s largest known gold ore bodies – faced significant challenges in its early years under Gold Fields’ ownership.
“Today, I’m pleased to say that South Deep is a fundamentally different asset,” Ms Carter said.
“It stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through harnessing the technical and financial capability of a global mining company, coupled with patience – sometimes a lot of patience – the disciplined execution, and long-term commitment.”
South Deep holds mineral reserves of more than 27 million ounces and a mine life exceeding 80 years, with current operations at depths of almost 3.5km underground.
Ms Carter said Ghana had been part of the Gold Fields story for more than three decades, with the Tarkwa mine growing from a small, marginal underground operation acquired in the early 1990s into a consistent 500,000-ounce producer today.
A recent feasibility study supports a mine life of more than 20 years, subject to the renewal of mining leases and continued investment.
Gold Fields submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Government of Ghana in July in support of the lease renewal process.
“Our priority is to progress these conversations with government, as there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the timing, outcome and terms of the renewal process,” Ms Carter said.
“Certainty and stability are critical when making long-term investment decisions, and prolonged uncertainty benefits no one – not governments, communities, shareholders, or companies like us.”
