Masimong is a deep-level mine in the Free State, near Welkom, around 260km from Johannesburg. The operation is close to the end of its mine life, with some 18 months of mining remaining. Masimong is an example of the effectiveness of Harmony’s business model.
The Masimong complex comprises two shafts – one for operational use and the other for services such as ventilation, pumping and an escape route. Masimong exploits the Basal and B Reefs, using a conventional tabular narrow-reef stoping method. Mining depths are between of 1 650m to 2 010m. Ore mined is processed at the nearby Harmony One plant.
OPERATING PERFORMANCE FY21
A good safety performance was achieved, with 2 million fatality free shifts recorded and no loss of life. Gold production was marginally higher at 2 012kg with milled tonnes up 4% at 510 000 tonnes. The underground grade was lower at 3.95g/t (FY20: 4.09g/t). The higher gold price helped to boost revenues, by 17%, to R1 636 million.
Wage increases and higher electricity tariffs drove cash operating costs up by 16% to R1 440 million. Capital expenditure increased by 21% to R29 million (FY20: 24 million), allocated mainly to ongoing development work.