1.2 | Significant accounting judgements and estimates | |||||||||
Judgements | ||||||||||
In applying the groups accounting policies, management has made the following judgements, including those involving estimations, which could have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements: Consolidation of special-purpose vehicles Estimation uncertainty Project risk and exploration expenditure
which reduce the level of risk associated with the capitalisation of this expenditure to an acceptable level. Provisions for environmental rehabilitation |
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1.3 | Basis of consolidation | |||||||||
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the company and its joint venture and subsidiary companies, which are prepared for the same reporting year as the holding company, using consistent accounting policies. All intercompany balances and transactions, including unrealised profits and losses arising from intragroup transactions, have been eliminated on consolidation. Subsidiary companies Non-controlling interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets not held by the group which are presented separately in the income statement and within equity in the consolidated statement of financial position. Joint ventures |
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1.4 | Property, plant and equipment and depreciation | |||||||||
Plant and equipment is stated at cost, excluding the costs of day-to-day servicing, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Such cost includes the cost of replacing part of such plant and equipment when that cost is incurred if the recognition criteria are met. The carrying amounts of plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when future economic benefits are no longer expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in the income statement in the year the asset is derecognised. The assets residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each financial year-end. The costs of adding to, replacing part of, or servicing an item, following a major inspection, are recognised in the carrying amount of the plant and equipment as a replacement if the recognition criteria are satisfied. Depreciation of the various types of assets is determined on the following bases: Mineral and prospecting rights Land, buildings and mine, township and industrial properties Mine, township and industrial properties, including houses, schools and administration blocks, are depreciated to estimated residual values at the lesser of life of mine and expected useful life of the asset on the straight-line basis. Plant and equipment Industrial plant and equipment is depreciated on the straight-line basis, over its useful life, up to a maximum of 25 years. Prospecting, exploration, mine development and decommissioning assets Exploration expenditure incurred on greenfield sites where the company does not have any mineral deposits which are already being mined or developed, is expensed as incurred until a bankable feasibility study has been completed after which the expenditure is capitalised. Exploration expenditure incurred on brownfield sites, adjacent to any mineral deposits which are already being mined or developed, is expensed as incurred until the company has obtained sufficient information from all available sources to ameliorate the project risk areas identified above and which indicates by means of a prefeasibility study that the future economic benefits are highly probable. Exploration expenditure relating to extensions of mineral deposits which are already being mined or developed, including expenditure on the definition of mineralisation of such mineral deposits, is capitalised and depreciated over a maximum period of 30 years. Activities in relation to evaluating the technical feasibility and commercial viability of mineral resources are treated as forming part of exploration expenditures. Vehicles, furniture and office equipment
Leased assets Capital work-in-progress |
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1.5 | Leased assets | |||||||||
The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and requires an assessment of whether the fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or group of assets and whether the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset. Leases of assets where the group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Assets subject to finance leases are capitalised as property, plant and equipment at fair value of the leased assets at commencement of the lease, or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments and the corresponding liability to the lessor is raised. Lease payments are allocated using the effective interest rate method to determine the lease finance cost, which is charged against finance costs, and the capital repayment, which reduces the liability to the lessor. Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases. Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. |
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1.6 | Investment properties | |||||||||
Investment properties are measured initially at cost, including transaction costs. The carrying amount includes the cost of replacing part of an existing investment property at the time that cost is incurred if the recognition criteria are met; and excludes the costs of day-to-day servicing of an investment property. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are reflected at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment charges. Investment properties are only depreciated if their carrying value exceeds estimated residual value, in which case they are written down to market value. Investment properties are derecognised either when they have been disposed of or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefit is expected from its disposal. Any gains or losses on the retirement or disposal of an investment property are recognised in the income statement in the year of retirement or disposal. |
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1.7 | Intangible assets | |||||||||
Intangible assets represent proprietary technical information and goodwill. Intangible assets acquired separately are measured at cost on initial recognition. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is fair valued as at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortised. The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be either finite or indefinite. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over their useful life on a straight-line basis and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortisation expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognised in the income statement in the expense category consistent with the function of the intangible asset. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortised, and are subjected to annual impairment reviews. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and are recognised in the income statement when the asset is derecognised. Goodwill is initially measured at cost being the excess of the consideration transferred over the groups net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired based on future income streams of the cash-generating unit. Internally generated intangible assets are not capitalised and expenditure is reflected in the income statement in the year in which the expenditure is incurred. |
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1.8 | Capitalisation of borrowing costs | |||||||||
Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or development of major capital projects, which require a substantial period of time to be prepared for its intended use, are capitalised. Capitalisation of borrowing costs as part of the cost of a qualifying asset commences when:
Capitalisation is suspended when the active development is interrupted and ceases when the activities necessary to prepare the asset for its use are completed. Other borrowing costs are charged to finance costs in the income statement as incurred. |
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1.9 | Impairment of non-financial assets | |||||||||
The group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that the carrying value of an asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the group makes an estimate of the assets recoverable amount. An assets recoverable amount is the higher of an assets or cash-generating units fair value less costs to sell and its value in use and is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pretax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognised in the income statement in those expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset. An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognised impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount is estimated. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the assets recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised, in which case the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognised in profit or loss, and the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the assets revised carrying amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life. |
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1.10 | Environmental rehabilitation expenditure | |||||||||
The estimated cost of final rehabilitation, comprising the liability for decommissioning of assets and restoration, is based on current legal requirements and existing technology and is reassessed annually and disclosed as follows: Decommissioning costs The estimated cost of decommissioning obligations is reviewed annually and adjusted for legal, technological and environmental circumstances that affect the present value of the obligation for decommissioning. The related decommissioning asset is amortised using the lesser of the related assets estimated useful life or units-of-production method based on estimated proven and probable ore reserves. Restoration costs Ongoing rehabilitation costs Environmental rehabilitation trust funds |
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1.11 | Financial instruments | |||||||||
Recognition methods adopted for financial instruments are described below: Available-for-sale investments Gains and losses on subsequent measurement are recognised in other comprehensive income until the investment is disposed of, or its original cost is considered to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain previously reported in other comprehensive income and the impairment below the cost, where considered significant or prolonged, is recognised in the income statement. The fair value of available-for-sale investments that are actively traded in organised financial markets is determined by reference to quoted market bid prices at the close of business on the statement of financial position date. For investments where there is no active market, fair value is determined using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis. Trade and other receivables Preference shares, trade and other payables Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through the amortisation process. |
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1.12 | Derivative financial instruments and hedging | |||||||||
In the event that the group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts, to hedge its risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations, such derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative. The group does not apply hedge accounting and any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value on derivatives are recognised directly in the income statement. The fair value of forward currency contracts is calculated by reference to current forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity profiles. |
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1.13 | Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities | |||||||||
Financial assets Financial liabilities |
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1.14 | Offsetting of financial instruments | |||||||||
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if and only if, there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously. | ||||||||||
1.15 | Impairment of financial assets | |||||||||
The group assesses at each statement of financial position date whether a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired, which is determined on the following bases: Assets carried at amortised cost The group first assesses whether objective evidence of impairment exists individually for financial assets that are individually significant, and individually or collectively for financial assets that are not individually significant. If it is determined that no objective evidence of impairment exists for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, the asset is included in a group of financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics and that group of financial assets is collectively assessed for impairment. Assets that are individually assessed for impairment and for which an impairment loss is, or continues to be, recognised, are not included in a collective assessment of impairment. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed. Any subsequent reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in the income statement, to the extent that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its amortised cost at the reversal date. Assets carried at cost Available-for-sale investments |
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1.16 | Foreign currency translation | |||||||||
The consolidated financial statements are presented in South African currency, which is the groups functional and presentation currency. Transactions in other currencies are dealt with as follows: Foreign currency balances Foreign entities |
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1.17 | Inventories | |||||||||
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and estimated net realisable value with due allowance being made for obsolescence and slow-moving items. The cost of inventories, which is determined on a weighted average cost basis, comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. |
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1.18 | Taxation | |||||||||
Current taxation Deferred taxation Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences except:
Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, and unused tax assets and unused tax losses carried forward to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the unused tax assets and unused tax losses carried forward can be utilised except:
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each statement of financial position date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date. Income tax relating to items recognised directly in other comprehensive income is recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income and not in the income statement. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority. Value-added taxation (VAT)
The net amount of VAT recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in the statement of financial position. Secondary taxation on companies (STC) Mining royalty taxation |
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1.19 | Provisions | |||||||||
Provisions are recognised when:
A present obligation is considered to exist when it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will occur. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate at the statement of financial position date of the expenditure required to settle the obligation. Only expenditure related to the purpose for which the provision was raised is charged to the provision. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pretax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as finance costs. |
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1.20 | Treasury shares | |||||||||
Own equity instruments which are reacquired are regarded as treasury shares and are regarded as a reduction in equity. No gain or loss is recognised in the income statement on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of treasury shares. | ||||||||||
1.21 | Revenue | |||||||||
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised: Sale of mining and beneficiated products Technical fees and commissions on sales Interest received Dividends received Rental income |
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1.22 | Post-employment benefits | |||||||||
Retirement benefit plans operated by the group are of both the defined benefit and defined contribution types. The cost of providing benefits under defined benefit plans is determined using the projected unit credit actuarial valuation method. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised using the corridor method. These gains and losses are recognised over the expected average remaining working lives of the employees participating in the plans. Past-service costs are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. If the benefits vest immediately, following the introduction of, or changes to, a pension plan, past-service cost is recognised immediately. The rate at which contributions are made to defined contribution funds is fixed and is recognised as an expense when employees have rendered services in exchange for those contributions. No liabilities are raised in respect of the defined contribution fund, as there is no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions should the fund not hold sufficient assets to pay all employee benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. |
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1.23 | Contingent liabilities | |||||||||
A contingent liability is a possible obligation that arises from past events, the existence of which will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the group, or a present obligation that arises from past events but is not recognised because it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability. Contingent liabilities are not recognised as liabilities in the statement of financial position. |
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1.24 | Definitions | |||||||||
Earnings and headline earnings per share Headline earnings comprise earnings for the year, adjusted for profits and losses on items of a capital nature. Headline earnings have been calculated in accordance with circular 3/2009 issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. Adjustments against earnings are made after taking into account attributable taxation and non-controlling interests. The adjusted earnings figure is divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue to arrive at headline earnings per share. Cash resources Cost of sales Dividends per share Cash restricted for use Fair value |