Gold Fields’ South Deep mine boosts production and reduces costs

GOLD Fields’ South Deep mine in Gauteng sold 20% more gold in the three months to September 30 over the previous quarter, and 22% more than a year before, boosting the global miners’ solid quarterly performance.

- EDWARD WEST

GOLD Fields' South Deep gold mine in Gauteng produced 4% less gold in the third quarter to September 30, 2025, to 2 518kg, driven by lower than planned plant recovery and yield. Tons milled from underground decreased by 5% to 468kt in the September quarter due to ore phasing despite an increase in mined volumes.

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The 86 300 ounces of gold sold at South Deep was well up on the 70 800 ounces sold in the corresponding September quarter of last year, an operational update showed.

All-in costs (AIC) in rand terms were 3% lower quarter-on-quarter, mainly due to more gold sold, illustrating the asset's leverage to increasing volumes.

“The team continues to make good progress in improving stope turnaround, which is key to driving efficiency and realising incremental gains,’ Gold Fields CEO Mike Fraser said in a statement.

Group attributable production increased 6% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and by 22% year-on-year (YoY), while all-in costs (AIC) decreased by 11% QoQ and by 4% YoY.

“Our operations continued to deliver strongly against plan during the quarter. Importantly, we remain on track to achieve our full-year production and cost guidance,’ said Fraser.