Accounting policies

In applying the group’s 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
The Bokamoso Trust is a broad-based community trust which is independently controlled by and for the benefit of historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) as contemplated in the Mining Charter and is therefore not a group entity. However, due to the extent to which a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the Trust is indebted to the group, both the Trust and its SPV have been consolidated in the group financial statements in order to comply with the requirements of IFRS.

Estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the statement of financial position date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are listed below.

Project risk and exploration expenditure
In evaluating whether expenditures meet the criteria to be capitalised, the group utilises several different sources of information, including:

• the degree of certainty over the mineralisation of the orebody;
• commercial risks including but limited to country risks; and
• prior exploration knowledge available about the target orebody,

which reduce the level of risk associated with the capitalisation of this expenditure to an acceptable level.

Provisions for environmental rehabilitation
The group provides for the estimated costs of rehabilitation which include both restoration and associated decommissioning of assets. An environmental liability assessment is conducted by an independent adviser on an annual basis to assess the adequacy of the environmental rehabilitation provisions. A risk of material adjustment exists due to the inherent uncertainty surrounding the future life of the mines, the forward-looking nature of the provisions and the uncertainty regarding the underlying assumptions.

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
Investments in subsidiary companies are accounted for in the company at cost less impairments. Subsidiary companies are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. All intragroup transactions and balances (including profits and losses that arise between group companies) are eliminated on consolidation.

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
Investments in jointly controlled entities are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method. Entities are regarded as joint ventures where the group, in terms of contractual agreements, has joint control over the financial and operating policy decisions of the enterprise. The group’s attributable share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of such jointly controlled entities is incorporated on a line-by-line basis in the group financial statements and all intragroup transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation. The joint venture is proportionately consolidated until the date on which the group ceases to have joint control over the joint venture.

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
Mineral reserves, which are being depleted, are amortised over their estimated useful lives using the units-of-production method based on proved and probable ore reserves. Where the reserves are not determinable, due to their scattered nature, the straight-line method is applied. The maximum rate of depletion of any mineral right is 25 years. Mineral rights, which are not being depleted, are not amortised. Mineral rights, which have no commercial value, are written off in full.

Land, buildings and mine, township and industrial properties
Land is not depreciated. Owner-occupied properties, which are designed for a specific use, are only depreciated if carrying value exceeds estimated residual value, in which case they are depreciated to estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The annual depreciation rates used vary up to a maximum of a period of 25 years.

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
Mining plant and equipment is depreciated over the lesser of its estimated useful life, estimated at between five and 19 years, and the units-of-production method based on estimated proved and probable ore reserves. Where ore reserves are not determinable, due to their scattered nature, the straight-line method of depreciation is applied.

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
Costs related to property acquisitions and mineral and surface rights related to exploration are capitalised and depreciated over a maximum period of 30 years. All exploration expenditures are expensed until they result in projects that are evaluated as being technically and commercially feasible and from which a future economic benefit stream is highly probable.

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
Vehicles, furniture and office equipment are depreciated on the straight-line basis using the following useful lives:

Leased assets
Leased assets are depreciated on the same basis as the property, plant and equipment owned by the group.

Capital work-in-progress
Capital work-in-progress is not depreciated and is transferred to the category to which it pertains when the asset is brought into use as intended.

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.

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.

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 group’s 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.

• expenditures for the asset are being incurred;
• borrowing costs are being incurred; and
• activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use or sale are in progress.

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.

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 asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s 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 asset’s 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 asset’s revised carrying amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life.

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 present value of estimated future decommissioning obligations at the end of the operating life of a mine is included in long-term provisions. The related decommissioning asset is recognised in property, plant and equipment when the decommissioning provision gives access to future economic benefits. The unwinding of the obligation is included in the income statement as finance 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 asset’s estimated useful life or units-of-production method based on estimated proven and probable ore reserves.

Restoration costs
The estimated cost of restoration at the end of the operating life of a mine is included in long-term provisions and is charged to the income statement based on the units of production mined during the current year, as a proportion of the estimated total units which will be produced over the life of the mine. Cost estimates are not reduced by the potential proceeds from the sale of assets.

Ongoing rehabilitation costs
Expenditure on ongoing rehabilitation is charged to the income statement as incurred.

Environmental rehabilitation trust funds
The group assesses the necessity to make annual contributions to the environmental rehabilitation trust funds, which have been created to fund the estimated cost of pollution control, rehabilitation and mine closure at the end of the lives of the group’s mines. Annual contributions to the trust funds are determined in accordance with the estimated environmental obligation divided by the remaining life of a mine after taking into account bankers’ guarantees in favour of the Department of Mineral Resources. Income earned on monies paid to the trust is accounted for as net investment income. The environmental trust funds are consolidated.

Recognition methods adopted for financial instruments are described below:

Available-for-sale investments
All investments are initially recognised at fair value, including acquisition charges associated with the investment. After initial recognition, investments, other than investments in jointly controlled entities, subsidiary companies and unlisted investments are classified as available-for-sale investments and are measured at fair value, which equates to market value.

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
Trade receivables, which generally have 60 to 120-day terms, are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost and are classified as loans and receivables. An impairment charge is recognised when there is evidence that an entity will not be able to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original terms of the receivables. The impairment charge is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rates. The amount of the impairment is charged to the income statement.

Preference shares, trade and other payables
Preference shares, trade and other payables are stated at amortised cost, being the initial recognised obligation less payments made and any other adjustments.

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at their fair value, being the consideration received, net of issue costs associated with the borrowing. After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any issue costs, and any discount or premium on settlement.

Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through the amortisation process.

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.

Financial assets
A financial asset is derecognised when the right to receive cash flows from the asset has expired or the group has transferred its rights to receive cash and either has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset. On derecognition of a financial asset, the difference between the proceeds received or receivable and the carrying amount of the asset is included in the income statement.

Financial liabilities
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. On derecognition of a financial liability, the difference between the carrying amount of the liability extinguished or transferred to another party and the amount paid is included in the income statement.

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
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (ie the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). The carrying amount of the asset is either reduced directly or through use of an allowance account. The amount of the loss is recognised in profit or loss.

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
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on an unquoted equity instrument that is not carried at fair value because its fair value cannot be reliably measured, or on a derivative asset that is linked to and must be settled by delivery of such an unquoted equity instrument, has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset.

Available-for-sale investments
If an available-for-sale investment is impaired, an amount comprising the difference between its cost (net of any principal payment and amortisation) and its current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognised in the income statement, is transferred from other comprehensive income to the income statement. Impairments recorded against available-for-sale equity instruments are not reversed.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in South African currency, which is the group’s functional and presentation currency. Transactions in other currencies are dealt with as follows:

Foreign currency balances
Transactions in foreign currencies are converted to South African currency at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of these transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency at the end of the financial year are translated to South African currency at the approximate rates ruling at that date. Foreign exchange gains or losses arising from foreign exchange transactions, whether realised or unrealised, are included in the determination of profit or loss.

Foreign entities
The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with a different functional currency are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. The income statements of these subsidiaries are translated at weighted average exchange rates for the year. The exchange differences arising on the retranslation are recognised in other comprehensive income. On disposal of a foreign entity, accumulated exchange differences are reclassified in the income statement as a component of the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the acquiring company and are recorded at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and are remeasured at the closing rate at each reporting date.

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.

Current taxation
Tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are 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 taxation
Deferred tax is provided, using the balance sheet liability method, on all temporary differences at the date of the statement of financial position, between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences except:

• where the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and
• in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures, where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

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:

• where the deferred tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and
• in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures, deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

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)
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of VAT except:

• where the VAT incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the VAT is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and
• where receivables and payables are stated with the amount of VAT included.

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)
STC is calculated on the declaration date of each dividend, net of dividends received during the dividend cycle, and is included in the taxation expense in the income statement. To the extent that it is probable that the entity with the STC credits will declare dividends of its own against which unused STC credits can be utilised, a deferred tax asset is recognised for such STC credits.

Mining royalty taxation
Provision for mining royalties is made with reference to the condition specified as contained in the Mining and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, for the transfer of refined and unrefined mined resources, upon the date such transfer is effected. These costs are included in other expenses.

• a present legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of past events where it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be  required to settle the obligation; and
• a reasonable estimate of the obligation can be made.
  

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.

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
Sale of mining and beneficiated products represents the FOB or CIF sales value of ores and alloys exported and the FOR sales value of ores and alloys sold locally. Sales of mining and beneficiated products are recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer.

Technical fees and commissions on sales
Revenue from technical fees and commissions on sales is recognised on the date when the risk passes in the underlying transaction.

Interest received
Interest received is recognised using the effective interest rate method, ie the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to the net amount of the financial asset.

Dividends received
Dividends received are recognised when the shareholders’ right to receive the payment is established.

Rental income
Rental income arising on investment properties is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term of ongoing leases.

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.

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.

Earnings and headline earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after taxation and State’s share of profits, after adjusting for non-controlling interests divided by the weighted number of shares outstanding during the period.

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
The cash resources disclosed in the cash flow statement comprise cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject to insignificant changes in value. Bank overdrafts have been separately disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The book value of cash deposits with banks and money market instruments approximate their fair value.

Cost of sales
All costs directly related to the production of products are included in cost of sales. Costs that cannot be directly linked are included separately or under other operating expenses. When inventories are sold, the carrying amount is recognised in cost of sales.

Dividends per share
Dividends declared during the year divided by the weighted number of ordinary shares in issue.

Cash restricted for use
Cash which is subject to restrictions on its use is stated separately at the carrying value in the notes.

Fair value
Where an active market is available, it is used to represent fair value. Where there is not an active market, fair value is determined using valuation techniques, including using recent arm’s length market transactions with reference to the current market of another instrument which is substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation models.

2.

Property, plant and equipment 

3.

Investment properties

4.

Intangible assets

5.

Investments

6. 

Other non-current financial assets 

7. 

Inventories 

8. 

Trade and other receivables 

9. 

Share capital 

10.

Share premium 

11. 

Treasury shares 

12. 

Other reserves 

13. 

Long-term borrowings 

14.

Deferred taxation 

15. 

Long-term provisions 

16. 

Trade and other payables 

17. 

Short-term provisions 

18.

Short-term borrowings and overdrafts 

19. 

Revenue 

20. 

Finance costs 

21.

Profit before taxation and State’s share of profits 

22. 

Taxation and State's share of profits 

23.

Earnings and headline earnings per share 

24. 

Dividends 

25.

Notes to the statement of cash flow 

Financial risk management

27.

Capital management

As the bulk of the group’s sales are for export, the principal risks to which the group is exposed are movements in exchange rates and US dollar prices for the commodities in which it deals, mainly manganese, iron and chrome ores and to a lesser extent manganese and chrome alloys. All of these markets are priced principally in US dollars and these risks are to a large extent not controllable by the group other than by the use of hedging instruments.

The group holds mineral rights over resources with remaining lives which fluctuate in accordance with current commodity prices (refer “Mineral Resources and Reserves”). Decisions to exploit resources would be made at board level and only following the completion of a bankable feasibility study based on the current life of mine and estimated capital cost, operating cost and cost of finance, where required, to ensure that as far as possible the deposit can be mined on a sustainable basis to the end of its estimated life.

The board’s policy is therefore to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain stakeholder confidence and to sustain future development of the business. The group considers its capital to comprise total equity. The group may adjust its capital structure by way of issuing new shares and is dependent on its shareholders and its banking facilities for additional capital as required. The group manages its capital structure in light of changes in economic conditions and the board of directors monitors the capital adequacy, solvency and liquidity of the group on a continuous basis.

There were no changes in the group’s approach to capital management during the year.

28.

Commitments

29.

Contingent liabilities

30.

Investment in joint-venture entity

31.

Segmental information

32.

Related-party transactions

The group holds a 51% share in Minerais U.S. LLC (Minerais) which is a limited liability company registered in the state of New Jersey in the United States of America (USA). Minerais is responsible for marketing and sales administration of the group’s products in the USA, and trades in various commodities related to the steelmaking industry.

Refer note 29 for details of security and guarantees provided on behalf of related parties.

33.

Retirement benefit information

Active mortality – Nil.

Pensioner mortality PA (90) – ultimate table, adjusted for two years’ additional longevity since the previous year-end.

Merit salary increases as per sliding scale depending on age starting at 5% per annum below age 25, and reducing to zero above age 50.

Spouse’s benefits for active members – on average, husbands are assumed to be two years older than their wives, and married at date of retirement.

For current pensioners, their actual marital status and, where applicable, the exact age of their spouse has been taken into account.

Defined contribution funds – subsidiary companies
Certain employees are members of a defined contribution fund, and funds are contributed on an agreed basis between the employer and employees at a rate of 15% of payroll. Contributions expensed in the year amounted to R1,6 million (2010: R1,4 million).

Assmang pension and provident funds
Assmang has made provision for pension plans covering all employees which comprise a defined contribution pension fund and two defined contribution provident funds administered by employee organisations within the industries in which members are employed.

Contributions to the funds are 15,0% of payroll, split on an agreed basis between members and the employer. The amount expensed in this regard in the current year was R44,2 million (2010: R34,8 million).

Subsidiary companies
Subsidiary companies within the group had obligations to fund the medical aid costs of certain employees and pensioners. Agreement has been reached with the pensioners and applicable members of staff in terms of which these obligations have been converted to either purchased annuities or a series of lump sum payments into the defined benefit pension fund on their behalf. The payments or premiums concerned were calculated by an independent actuary and have resulted in the liabilities arising from these obligations being settled.

Medical aid contributions paid on behalf of current members of staff and pensioners by group companies amounted to R3,9 million (2010: R3,8 million).

Joint-venture entity
The joint-venture entity, Assmang, has obligations to fund a portion of certain retiring employees’ medical aid contributions based on the cost of benefits. The anticipated liabilities arising from these obligations have been actuarially determined using the projected unit credit method, and a corresponding liability has been recognised in the statement of financial position.

The following table summarises the components of the net increase/(decrease) in provision recognised in the income statement of the joint-venture entity: