Amendment to Form F-4/A
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2004

Registration No. 333-119880


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Amendment No. 2

to

Form F-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Republic of South Africa   1040   N/A

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organisation)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code No.)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Suite No. 1

Private Bag X1

Melrose Arch, 2076

South Africa

Tel: 011-27-11-684-0140

(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

Marian van der Walt

Suite No. 1

Private Bag X1

Melrose Arch, 2076

South Africa

Tel: 011-27-11-684-0140

(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


with copies to:

Steven N. Robinson

Hogan & Hartson LLP

Columbia Square

555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004-1109

(202) 637-5600

 

Elizabeth L. Katkin

John M. Basnage

Hogan & Hartson

One Angel Court

London EC2R 7HJ

United Kingdom

011-44-20-7367-0200

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:    As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and all other conditions to the consummation of the transaction described herein have been satisfied or waived.

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨


The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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The information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted or would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED OCTOBER 21, 2004.

 

PROSPECTUS   US OFFER TO EXCHANGE

 

LOGO

 

Offer to Exchange

 

34.9% of the ordinary shares, nominal value Rand 0.50 per share, including

 

ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares

 

of

 

Gold Fields Limited

 

In this exchange offer, we are offering:

 

  1.275 newly issued ordinary shares, nominal value Rand 0.50 per share, of Harmony, in exchange for each ordinary share of Gold Fields tendered; and

 

  1.275 newly issued American depositary shares, or ADSs (each ADS representing one Harmony ordinary share), of Harmony, in exchange for each Gold Fields ADS (each Gold Fields ADS representing one Gold Fields ordinary share) tendered.

 

If Gold Fields pays any dividend or any interim dividend in respect of the Harmony ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, before the settlement of the offers, the consideration offered in exchange for each Gold Fields ordinary share and each Gold Fields ADS tendered will be reduced by an amount equal to the net value of the dividend paid per Gold Fields ordinary share in the manner described under “The Offer — Consideration Offered After Payment of Gold Fields Dividends”. In respect of any Harmony ordinary share, including any Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs, that you receive in exchange for the Gold Fields ordinary shares or the ADSs that you tender in this exchange offer, you will be entitled to receive any dividend that is paid by Harmony after the settlement of this exchange offer. See “The Offer — Entitlement to Harmony Dividends”.

 


 

The US offer will expire at 6:00 a.m., New York City time, on November 26, 2004, unless it is extended or unless it lapses or is withdrawn prior to that time. You may withdraw any Harmony securities tendered at any time prior to the expiration time.

 

Harmony is offering to acquire 34.9% of the outstanding Gold Fields ordinary shares through two separate offers:

 

  a US offer open to holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares (other than Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs) who are located in the United States and to all holders of Gold Fields ADSs, wherever located; and

 

  a South African offer open to holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares (other than Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs) who are located in South Africa and to holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares (other than Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs) who are located outside of the United States and South Africa, if, pursuant to the local laws and regulations applicable to those holders, they are permitted to participate in the South African offer.

 

Together, these offers are being made for 34.9% of the issued and outstanding Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, and Gold Fields ordinary shares that are or may become issuable prior to the expiration of the offers due to the exercise of outstanding Gold Fields subscription stock options. Harmony has irrevocably undertaken to make further offers for the entire issued share capital of Gold Fields as soon as practicable after the closing of the offers. See “Questions and Answers about the US offer” below.

 

The completion of the offers is subject to a share issuance condition as well as a condition of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-4 of which this prospectus forms a part. For a discussion of these conditions, see “The Offer — Conditions to the US Offer”.

 

Based on 491,492,520 Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, Harmony will issue up to approximately 218,701,884 Harmony ordinary shares pursuant to the US offer.

 

Harmony ordinary shares are listed on the JSE Securities Exchange, South Africa, or JSE, under the symbol “HAR” and are listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and traded on the London Stock Exchange and are listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext Paris. Harmony shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, and its ADSs are listed and trade on the NYSE and trade under the symbol “HMY”.

 

For discussion of the risk factors that you should consider carefully in evaluating the US offer, see “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 17.

 


 

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with this US offer or has passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense in the United States.

 


 

This prospectus has not received the approval of the Securities Regulation Panel of the Republic of South Africa. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be used to make offers or sales in South Africa in connection with any offer described herein.

 


 

The Joint Dealer-Managers for the US offer are:

 

LOGO       LOGO
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.       Investec (US) Inc.

 


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CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

Unless otherwise specified or if the context so requires:

 

References in this prospectus to “Harmony”, the “company”, “we”, “us” or “our” refer to Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

References to “Gold Fields” refer to Gold Fields Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of South Africa and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

References to “Gold Fields securities” refer collectively to the Gold Fields ordinary shares and the Gold Fields ADSs.

 

References to “Harmony securities” refer collectively to the Harmony ordinary shares and the Harmony ADSs.

 

References to the “related US offer documents” refer collectively to the form of acceptance, the ADS letter of transmittal and the notice of guaranteed delivery included with this document.

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Harmony and Gold Fields by reference and, as a result, this information is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. For a list of those documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, see “Additional Information for Securityholders — Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on page 146.

 

Documents incorporated by reference are available from us upon oral or written request without charge. You may also obtain documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the Internet site of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, at the URL (or uniform resource locator) http://www.sec.gov or by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the information agent for this offer:

 

MacKenzie Partners, Inc.

105 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10016

Bankers and Brokers Call: (212) 929-5500 (call collect)

Toll-Free Call: (800) 322-2885

 

To obtain timely delivery of these documents, you must request them by no later than November 18, 2004.

 

In deciding whether to tender your Gold Fields securities in the exchange offer described in this prospectus, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in the related US offer documents. Harmony has not authorized any person to provide you with any information that is different from, or in addition to, the information that is contained in this prospectus or in the related offer US documents.

 

The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date indicated on the cover of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

 

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REGULATORY STATEMENT

 

The exchange offer described in this prospectus is subject to the applicable laws and regulations of the United States, including the tender offer rules applicable to equity securities registered under Section 12 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. This US offer document constitutes a prospectus under Section 5 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to the Harmony ordinary shares to be issued on completion of the US offer.

 

This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale or purchase of securities pursuant hereto, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted or would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

   vii

GOLD FIELDS INFORMATION

   vii

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

   vii

CURRENCIES

   viii

NO INTERNET SITE IS PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS

   viii

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE US OFFER

   ix

SUMMARY

   1

SUMMARY SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   8

SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF HARMONY

   8

SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF GOLD FIELDS

   10

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET INFORMATION

   13

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

   16

RISK FACTORS

   17

RISKS RELATING TO THE OFFERS

   17

RISK FACTORS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN HARMONY

   20

RISK FACTORS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN GOLD FIELDS

   31

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   46

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

   47

BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFERS

   47

BACKGROUND OF THE OFFERS

   47

PAST CONTRACTS, TRANSACTIONS, NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS

   51

REASONS FOR THE OFFER

   52

THE OFFER

   56

THE US OFFER AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN OFFER

   56

TERMS OF THE US OFFER

   56

CONSIDERATION OFFERED AFTER PAYMENT OF GOLD FIELDS DIVIDENDS

   57

ENTITLEMENT TO HARMONY DIVIDENDS

   57

NO FRACTIONAL SHARES

   58

OWNERSHIP OF HARMONY AFTER COMPLETION OF THE OFFERS

   58

CONDITIONS TO THE US OFFER

   58

OFFERS LAPSING

   58

GROUNDS FOR CLOSING THE OFFERS; RETURN OF TENDERED GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

   59

EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSION OF OFFER

   59

PUBLICATION OF RESULTS

   59

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING GOLD FIELDS ADSs

   59

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING GOLD FIELDS ORDINARY SHARES

   61

EFFECTS OF TENDER

   62

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

   62

 

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DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY

   63

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

   63

PRO RATION

   64

ACCEPTANCE AND RETURN OF GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

   64

ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERED GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

   64

RETURN OF TENDERED GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

   64

MISCELLANEOUS

   64

DELIVERY OF HARMONY ORDINARY SHARES, HARMONY ADSs; SETTLEMENT DATE

   65

FEES AND EXPENSES

   65

LISTING OF HARMONY ORDINARY SHARES AND HARMONY ADSs

   66

TREATMENT OF GOLD FIELDS’ STOCK PURCHASE OPTIONS AND GOLD FIELDS’ STOCK SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

   66

TREATMENT OF GOLD FIELDS’ EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS AND EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLANS

   66

REGULATORY APPROVALS

   66

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

   66

EFFECT OF THE OFFERS ON THE MARKET FOR GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

   66

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

   68

MATERIAL SOUTH AFRICAN TAX AND US FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES

   69

SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

   69

TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

   70

INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

   73

TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING HARMONY SHARES AND ADSs

   74

SOUTH AFRICAN TAXATION

   74

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

   74

PLANS FOR GOLD FIELDS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE OFFERS

   76

CURRENT PLANS

   76

SUBSEQUENT TRANSACTIONS; COMPULSORY ACQUISITION; DELISTING

   76

FUTURE DIVIDEND POLICY OF GOLD FIELDS

   77

FUTURE DIVIDEND POLICY OF HARMONY

   77

SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATION

   78

INFORMATION ABOUT HARMONY

   79

BUSINESS

   79

INFORMATION ABOUT GOLD FIELDS

   99

BUSINESS

   99

REGULATORY MATTERS

   119

COMPETITION AND ANTITRUST

   119

STOCK EXCHANGES

   120

SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

   120

DESCRIPTION OF HARMONY ORDINARY SHARES

   121

SHARE CAPITAL

   121

VOTING RIGHTS

   121

 

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DIVIDENDS

   121

DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS ON LIQUIDATION

   122

REDEMPTION/PURCHASE OF SHARES

   123

ISSUE OF ADDITIONAL SHARES AND PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

   123

TRANSFER OF SHARES

   124

RIGHTS OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES

   124

VARIATION OF RIGHTS

   124

CHANGES IN CAPITAL OR OBJECTS AND POWERS OF HARMONY

   125

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

   125

TITLE TO SHARES

   126

NON-SOUTH AFRICAN SHAREHOLDERS

   127

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN SHARES

   127

CHANGES IN CONTROL

   127

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

   127

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

   128

DESCRIPTION OF HARMONY AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

   129

GENERAL

   129

SHARE DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

   129

DEPOSIT, WITHDRAWAL AND CANCELLATION

   130

VOTING RIGHTS

   131

FEES AND EXPENSES

   132

PAYMENT OF TAXES

   132

CHANGES AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES

   132

DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

   133

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

   133

LIMITATIONS ON OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITY TO HOLDERS OF HARMONY ADSs

   133

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPOSITARY ACTIONS

   134

RIGHT TO RECEIVE THE SHARES UNDERLYING THE HARMONY ADSs

   134

PRE-RELEASE OF HARMONY ADSs

   134

COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS

   135

INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND AFFILIATES

   137

INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND AFFILIATES OF HARMONY

   137

INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND AFFILIATES OF GOLD FIELDS

   138

MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA

   139

MARKET PRICES

   139

DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND POLICY

   144

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

   145

EXPERTS

   145

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SECURITYHOLDERS

   146

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   146

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   146

SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER US SECURITIES LAWS

   147

WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?

   147

 

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PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

 

GOLD FIELDS INFORMATION

 

Harmony has included in this prospectus information concerning Gold Fields known to Harmony based on publicly available information (primarily filings by Gold Fields with the SEC). Non-public information concerning Gold Fields was not available to Harmony for the purpose of preparing this prospectus. Publicly available information concerning Gold Fields may contain errors. Harmony has no knowledge that would indicate that any statement relating to Gold Fields contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus is inaccurate or incomplete. However, Harmony was not involved in the preparation of those statements and cannot verify them. Pursuant to Rule 409 under the Securities Act and Rule 12b-21 under the Exchange Act, Harmony has requested that Gold Fields provide Harmony with information required for complete disclosure regarding the businesses, operations, financial condition and management of Gold Fields. Harmony will amend or supplement this prospectus to provide any information that Harmony receives from Gold Fields, if Harmony receives the information before the US offer expires and considers it to be material, reliable and appropriate.

 

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

 

Harmony

 

Harmony is a South African company and the majority of its operations are located there. Accordingly, its books of account are maintained in South African Rand and its annual and interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with South African Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or S.A. GAAP (as prescribed by law and based on International Financial Reporting Standards), which differ in certain significant respects from United States generally accepted accounting principles (commonly known as US GAAP). Harmony also prepares annual financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States or US GAAP, which are translated into US dollars. The financial information included in this prospectus has been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and is presented in US dollars. Unless otherwise stated, balance sheet item amounts are translated from Rand to US dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the last business day of the respective period (Rand 6.23 per $1.00 as at June 30, 2004), except for specific items included within shareholders’ equity that are converted at the exchange rate prevailing on the date the transaction was entered into, and income statement item amounts are translated from Rand to US dollars at the average exchange rate for the respective period (Rand 6.89 per $1.00 for fiscal 2004). For a discussion of some of the more significant differences between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and US GAAP as they relate to Harmony’s consolidated financial statements please see Note 37 to Harmony’s audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2004, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Additional Information for Securityholders — Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on page 146.

 

Gold Fields

 

Gold Fields is a South African company and the majority of its operations are located there. Accordingly, its books of account are maintained in South African Rand and its annual and interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with S.A. GAAP, as prescribed by law. Gold Fields also prepares annual financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, which are translated into US dollars. Except as otherwise noted, the financial information included in this document has been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and is presented in US dollars; and descriptions of significant accounting policies refer to accounting policies under US GAAP. The financial statements of the St. Ives and Agnew gold mining operations in Australia have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Australia and reconciled to US GAAP. The financial statements of Abosso Gold Fields Limited, or Abosso, have been prepared in accordance with International

 

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Accounting Standards, which have been recently renamed International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, and reconciled to US GAAP. For the financial statements of the St. Ives and Agnew gold mining operations, unless otherwise stated, balance sheet item amounts are translated from Australian dollars to US dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of the respective balance sheet (A$1.97 per $1.00 as of June 30, 2001), except for specific items included within equity that are translated at the rate prevailing on the date the relevant transaction was entered into, and statement of operations item amounts are translated from Australian dollars to US dollars at the weighted average exchange rate for each respective period (A$1.85 per $1.00 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2001).

 

CURRENCIES

 

In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires:

 

“$”, “US $” or “US dollar” each refers to the United States dollar;

 

“R” and “Rand” each refers to the South African Rand; and

 

“A$” and “Australian dollar” refer to the Australian dollar.

 

This prospectus contains translations of some Rand amounts into US dollars. These amounts are provided solely for your convenience. On October 14, 2004, the latest practical date prior to the date of this document, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate was Rand 6.5450 = US$1.00. See “Exchange Rate Information” for additional information regarding the exchange rates between the Rand and the US dollar.

 

NO INTERNET SITE IS PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS

 

Each of Harmony and Gold Fields maintains an Internet site. The Harmony website is at the URL http://www.harmony.co.za. The Gold Fields Internet site is at the URL http://www.goldfields.co.za. Information contained in or otherwise accessible through these Internet sites is not a part of this prospectus. All references in this prospectus to these Internet sites are inactive textual references to these URLs and are for your information only.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE US OFFER

 

Q: Why is Harmony making the US Offer? (See page 47)

 

A: We are making the US offer (and the concurrent South African offer) to 34.9% of the outstanding Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs. Such shares combined with certain Gold Fields ordinary shares to be tendered to Harmony pursuant to an irrevocable commitment from the largest shareholder of Gold Fields would render Harmony a majority shareholder. Upon full completion of the US offer and the South African offer, and receipt of regulatory approval to exercise such irrevocable commitment, Harmony would be in a position to control Gold Fields. Immediately subsequent to completion of this US offer and South African offer, Harmony has irrevocably committed to make offers in the United States and South Africa to all of the remaining share capital of Gold Fields subject to certain conditions to be described therein.

 

Harmony is seeking to acquire Gold Fields because Harmony believes that the combination of the two companies will create one of the world’s leading gold mining companies, with the enhanced scale, financial strength and exploration resources to enhance shareholder value in ways that are not likely to be achieved by either Harmony or Gold Fields on a stand-alone basis.

 

Q: Why are there two offers? (See page 56)

 

A: We are making two offers for legal reasons in order to satisfy regulatory requirements.

 

Q: What are the differences between the South African offer and the US offer? (See page 56)

 

A: The South African offer and the US offer are being made on substantially similar terms and completion of the offer is subject to the same conditions.

 

The US offer is open to all holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in the United States and to all holders of Gold Fields ADSs, wherever located.

 

The South African offer is open to all holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in South Africa and to holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located outside of the United States, if, pursuant to the local laws and regulations applicable to such holders, they are permitted to participate in the South African offer.

 

Q: May I participate in the South African offer? (See page 56)

 

A: No. Holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in the United States and all holders of Gold Fields ADSs, wherever located, do not have the right to tender their Gold Fields securities in the South African offer. You must follow the procedures set forth in this prospectus to tender your Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs in the US offer.

 

Q: What will I receive in the US offer? (See page 56)

 

A: For each Gold Fields ordinary share validly tendered and not withdrawn, you will receive 1.275 Harmony ordinary shares.

 

For each Gold Fields ADS (each representing one Gold Fields ordinary share) validly tendered and not withdrawn, you will receive 1.275 Harmony ADSs.

 

In no event will any payments to which you are entitled under the US offer accrue or be entitled to interest.

 

Q: If Gold Fields pays any dividend in respect of the Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, will the consideration that I receive in exchange for the Gold Fields securities tendered in the US offer be reduced? (See page 57)

 

A:

Yes. If Gold Fields pays any dividend or any interim dividend in respect of the Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, before the

 

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settlement of the US offer, the consideration offered in exchange for each Gold Fields ordinary share and each Gold Fields ADS tendered will be reduced by an amount equal to the net value of the dividend paid per Gold Fields ordinary shares, in the manner described under “The Offer — Consideration Offered after Payment of Gold Fields Dividends”.

 

Q: Will I be entitled to receive dividends in respect of any Harmony ordinary shares, including Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs, that I receive in exchange for my Gold Fields securities? (See page 57)

 

A: Yes. In respect of the Harmony ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs, you will be entitled to receive any dividend that is paid after the settlement of the offers.

 

Q: If Harmony acquires 34.9% of the Gold Fields securities in the US offer and the South African offer, what percentage of Harmony will be owned by the former holders of Gold Fields securities? (See page 58)

 

A: If all of the Gold Fields securities are validly tendered and exchanged, pursuant to the terms of the US offer and the South African offer, immediately after the exchange:

 

  the former holders, other than Gold Fields, of Gold Fields securities will own approximately 40.5% of the share capital and approximately 40.5% of the voting rights of Harmony, and

 

  the current holders, other than Harmony, of Harmony securities will hold approximately 59.5% of the share capital and approximately 59.5% of the voting rights of Harmony.

 

After completion of the offers, you will hold securities of a company larger than Gold Fields. Accordingly, you will have lower ownership and voting percentages of Harmony than you now have in Gold Fields.

 

Q: How long will the US offer be open? (See page 59)

 

A: Unless we extend the US offer or unless it lapses or is withdrawn, it will expire at 6:00 a.m. New York City time on November 26, 2004.

 

Q: Under what circumstances will you extend the US offer? (See page 59)

 

A: Harmony does not intend to extend the US offer. We may, however, be required to extend the offers under applicable South African law and US securities laws if there is a material change to the offers.

 

Q: Are there any conditions to Harmony’s obligations to purchase the Gold Fields securities that I tender? (See page 58)

 

Harmony’s obligation to purchase the Gold Fields securities is subject only to the requirements that the increase in authorized share capital and issuance of additional Harmony ordinary shares to be issued on completion of the US offer and the South African offer has been approved by the shareholders of Harmony and that the registration statement on Form F-4 of which this prospectus forms a part has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

Q: After I tender my Gold Fields securities, may I change my mind and withdraw them? (See page 63)

 

A: Yes. You may withdraw your securities at any time until the expiration date (6:00 a.m. New York City time on November 26, 2004).

 

Q: I hold American depositary receipts for Gold Fields ADSs. How do I accept the US offer? (See page 59)

 

A:

If you hold American depositary receipts or ADRs, for Gold Fields ADSs, complete and sign the ADS letter of transmittal included with this document and send it, together with your ADRs and any

 

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other required documents, to the US ADS exchange agent before the expiration of the US offer. If your certificates are not available, you may also follow guaranteed delivery procedures described in this prospectus. Do not send your certificates to Harmony, the dealer-managers or the information agent.

 

Q: I hold Gold Fields ADSs in book-entry form. How do I accept this US offer? (See page 59)

 

A: If you hold Gold Fields ADSs in book-entry form, complete the confirmation of a book-entry transfer of your Gold Fields ADSs into the account of the US ADS exchange agent at The Depository Trust Company, commonly known as DTC, and send either an agent’s message or an ADS letter of transmittal and any other required documents to the US ADS exchange agent before the expiration of the US offer.

 

Q: I hold Gold Fields ordinary shares through a South African financial intermediary. How do I accept this US offer? (See page 61)

 

A: If you hold Gold Fields ordinary shares through a South African financial intermediary, you do not need to complete the ADS letter of transmittal. Instead, your South African financial intermediary should send you transmittal materials and instructions for accepting the US offer before the last day of the offer. If you have not yet received instructions from your South African financial intermediary, you may contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the information agent, or contact your South African financial intermediary directly.

 

Q: Will I have to pay any fees or commissions? (Page 65)

 

A: Depending on the manner in which you hold your securities, you may be responsible for brokerage fees or similar expenses. If you own your Gold Fields securities through a broker or other nominee, and your broker accepts the offer on your behalf, your broker or nominee may charge you a fee for doing so. You should consult your broker or nominee to determine whether any charges will apply.

 

Q: What will happen to my Gold Fields stock options if these offers are completed? (See page 66)

 

A: If you hold exercisable Gold Fields stock options and you would like to tender the underlying Gold Fields ordinary shares into the US offer, you must first exercise the options and then tender the underlying Gold Fields ordinary shares on or prior to the expiration date of the US offer according to the instructions given in this document.

 

Harmony has not had access to important information relating to Gold Fields stock option plans, although the employee share purchase plan does provide for the early exercise of share options in certain circumstances.

 

Q: What will happen to my interests in any Gold Fields securities that I hold as a participant in any Gold Fields employee savings plan or employee share purchase plan? (See page 66)

 

A: Harmony has not had access to, and does not know, important information relating to Gold Fields employee savings plans and employee share purchase plans, including the terms of these plans.

 

Q: Do I need to do anything if I want to retain my Gold Fields securities?

 

A: No. If you want to retain your Gold Fields securities, you do not need to take any action.

 

Q: What happens if the offers lapse, are withdrawn or are not successful? (See pages 58 and 63)

 

A: If the offers for Gold Fields securities lapse, are withdrawn or are not successful, your Gold Fields securities will be returned to you without any other payment being due. This should occur within five South African trading days following the announcement of the lapse or withdrawal.

 

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Q. What happens if more than 34.9% of Gold Fields shares are tendered in the US offer and the South African offer? (See page 64)

 

A: In the event that total valid acceptances in the US offer and the South African offer exceed 34.9% of Gold Fields’ entire issued share capital by the expiration date, Harmony will only settle that number of Gold Fields shares which equates to 34.9% of the entire issued share capital of Gold Fields, on a pro rata basis, with the shares tendered by accepting Gold Fields shareholders scaled back accordingly.

 

Q: When will I know the outcome of the offers? (See page 59)

 

A: In accordance with JSE and SRP regulations, Harmony will publish an announcement through SENS, the JSE Stock Exchange News Service, and through a simultaneous announcement in the press within four South African business days of the expiration of the offers. We will issue a press release regarding the results of the offers promptly after each announcement by SENS. We will file those press releases with the SEC as amendments to our Schedule TO.

 

Q: Will the offers be followed by a compulsory acquisition? (page 76)

 

A: If, following the completion of these offers, the exercise of the irrevocable agreement, and the completion of the further offers, Harmony has acquired 90 percent in nominal value of Gold Fields shares (including Gold Fields shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs) then we will be entitled to acquire all remaining Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs pursuant to section 440K of the South African Companies Act 1973. Holders of Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs subject to the compulsory acquisition would receive the same consideration as those holders of Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs who accept the offer.

 

Q: Will I be taxed on the Harmony ordinary shares or ADSs that I receive? (See page 69)

 

A: If you are a US holder and you are not a member of a special class of taxpayers, as a result of exchanging your Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer, and so long as less than 80% of the voting stock or less than 80% of all other classes of Gold Fields stock are validly deposited under the offers, you will generally recognize gain or loss, if any, for United States federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs that you receive in the exchange and the US dollar value of your adjusted tax basis in your Gold Fields securities exchanged. However, if at least 80% of the voting and 80% of all other classes of Gold Fields stock are validly deposited under the offers (and other conditions are met), it is possible that the exchange would be treated as part of a tax-free reorganization for US federal income tax purposes.

 

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SUMMARY

 

To understand this US offer and the businesses of Harmony and Gold Fields more fully, you should carefully read this entire prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the sections under the headings “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements”, and “Risk Factors”, as well as Harmony’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and Gold Fields’ consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

The Companies

 

Harmony

 

Suite No. 1

Private Bag X1

Melrose Arch, 2076

South Africa

Tel: 011-27-11-684-0140

 

Harmony is a South African company that, together with its subsidiaries, conducts underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including exploration, processing, smelting and refining. Harmony is currently the largest producer of gold in South Africa, producing some 30% of the country’s gold, and the sixth largest gold producer in the world. As at June 30, 2004 Harmony’s mining operations reported total proven and probable reserves of approximately 62 million ounces and in fiscal 2004, we sold approximately 3.2 million ounces of gold (3.3 million as measured under South African GAAP).

 

Gold Fields

 

21 St. Andrews Road

Parktown, 2193

South Africa

Tel: 011-27-11-644-2400

 

Gold Fields, a South African company, is a significant producer of gold and major holder of gold reserves in South Africa, Ghana and Australia. Gold Fields is primarily involved in underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing and smelting, and also has strategic interests in platinum group metals exploration. Gold Fields is currently the third largest gold producer in South Africa and one of the largest gold producers in the world on the basis of annual production.

 

Based on the figures reported by Gold Fields’ mining operations, as of June 30, 2003 Gold Fields had attributable proven and probable reserves of approximately 81.544 million ounces of gold. In the year ended June 30, 2003, Gold Fields processed 42.988 million tonnes of ore and produced 4.577 million ounces of gold, of which 4.334 million ounces were attributable to Gold Fields.

 

US Offer and South African Offer (See page 56)

 

Harmony is offering to acquire 34.9% of the outstanding Gold Fields securities. The offers are being structured through two separate offers for legal reasons in order to satisfy regulatory requirements.

 

The US offer and the South African offer are being made on substantially similar terms and completion of the offers is subject to the same conditions.

 

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The US offer is open to all holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in the United States and to all holders of Gold Fields ADSs, wherever located.

 

The South African offer is open to all holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in South Africa and to holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located outside of the United States, if, pursuant to the local laws and regulations applicable to those holders, they are permitted to participate in the South African offer.

 

Terms of the US Offer (See page 56)

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus, we are offering:

 

1.275 Harmony ordinary shares in exchange for each outstanding Gold Fields ordinary share validly tendered and not withdrawn.

 

1.275 Harmony ADSs (each Harmony ADS representing one Harmony ordinary share) in exchange for each outstanding Gold Fields ADS (each Gold Fields ADS representing one Gold Fields ordinary share) validly tendered and not withdrawn.

 

Based on a price of Rand 83.84 per Harmony ordinary share, which was the average of the daily volume weighted average price for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE during the 30 business days ended on October 14, 2004 (the last trading day before rumors and press articles significantly affected the share prices and trading volumes of Harmony ordinary shares and Gold Fields ordinary shares), the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 106.90, representing a premium of 28.1% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ordinary shares on the JSE during the same period, which was Rand 83.42 per Gold Fields ordinary share. Based on the closing price of Rand 83.50 for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE on October 15, 2004 the last trading day before the public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 106.46.

 

Based on a price of Rand 84.41 per Harmony ordinary share, which was the closing price for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE on October 14, 2004 (the last trading day before rumors and press articles significantly affected the share prices and trading volumes of Harmony ordinary shares and Gold Fields ordinary shares), the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 107.62, representing a premium of 29.0% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ordinary shares on the JSE in the 30 business days ending October 14, 2004, which was Rand 83.42 per Gold Fields ordinary share. Based on the closing price of Rand 83.50 for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 106.46.

 

Based on a price of US$12.89 per Harmony ADS, which was the average of the daily volume weighted average price for Harmony ADSs on the NYSE during the 30 business days ended on October 14, 2004, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.43, representing a premium of 28.2% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ADSs on the NYSE during the same period, which was US$12.82 per Gold Fields ADS. Based on the closing price of US$12.56 for ADSs on the NYSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before the public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.01.

 

Based on a price of US$12.93 per Harmony ADS, which was the closing price for Harmony ADSs on the NYSE on October 14, 2004, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.49, representing a premium of 28.6% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ADSs on the NYSE in the 30 business days ending October 14, 2004, which was US$12.82 per Gold Fields

 

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ADS. Based on the closing price of US$12.56 for Harmony ADS on the NYSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before the public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.01.

 

Consideration Offered after Payment of Gold Fields Dividends (See page 57)

 

If Gold Fields pays any dividend or any interim dividend in respect of the Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, before the settlement of the offers, the consideration offered in exchange for each Gold Fields ordinary share tendered and each Gold Fields ADS tendered will be reduced by an equivalent value in the manner described under “The Offer — Consideration Offered after Payment of Gold Fields Dividends”.

 

Entitlement to Harmony Dividends (See page 57)

 

In respect of any Harmony ordinary share, including any Harmony ordinary share represented by Harmony ADSs, that you receive in exchange for the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs that you tender in the US offer, you will be entitled to receive any dividend that is paid after the settlement of the offers. See “The Offer — Entitlement to Harmony Dividends”.

 

No Fractional Shares (See page 58)

 

No fractional Harmony ordinary shares or fractional Harmony ADSs will be issued in connection with the US offer. In calculating the number of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs to be received by holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs, to the extent practicable, the number of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number in the event that a fractional share comprises 0.5 or more of an Harmony share, and otherwise will be rounded down to the nearest whole Harmony share.

 

Ownership of Harmony after the Offers (See page 58)

 

If 34.9% of the Gold Fields securities are validly tendered and exchanged, pursuant to the terms of the US offer and the South African offer, immediately after the exchange:

 

the former holders, other than Gold Fields, of Gold Fields securities will own approximately 40.5% of the share capital and approximately 40.5% of the voting rights of Harmony, and

 

the current holders, other than Harmony, of Harmony securities will hold approximately 59.5% of the share capital and approximately 59.5% of the voting rights of Harmony.

 

After completion of the offers, you will hold securities of a company larger than Gold Fields. Accordingly, you will have lower ownership and voting percentages of Harmony than you now have in Gold Fields.

 

Conditions to the US Offer (See page 58)

 

Share issuance condition

 

Harmony’s obligation to complete the US offer is subject to the condition that the increase in the authorized share capital and issuance of additional Harmony ordinary shares to be issued on completion of the US offer and the South African offer has been duly approved by the shareholders of Harmony at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held for this purpose. We refer to this condition as the “share issuance condition”.

 

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F-4 declared effective

 

Harmony’s obligation to complete the US offer is subject to the condition that the registration statement submitted on Form F-4 of which this prospectus forms a part shall have been declared effective by the SEC.

 

Expiration Date; Extension (See page 59)

 

The expiration date for the offer is November 26, 2004.

 

If all of the conditions to the offers have not been either satisfied, fulfilled or, to the extent permitted, waived by Harmony by 6:00 a.m., New York City time, on November 26, 2004, Harmony may choose, but shall not be obliged, to extend the offers. We may also be required to extend the offers under applicable South African law and US securities laws if there is a material change in the offers. If we extend the offers, we will make a public announcement of the extension, not later than 8:00 a.m. Johannesburg time and 8:00 a.m. New York City time, on the next business day after the day on which the offers were scheduled to expire. We do not intend to extend the expiration date of the US offer unless the expiration date of the South African offer is extended or otherwise required by law.

 

Publication of Results (See page 59)

 

In accordance with JSE and SRP regulations, Harmony will publish an announcement through SENS, the JSE Stock Exchange News Service, and through a simultaneous announcement in the press within four South African business days of the expiration of the offer. We will issue a press release regarding the results of the offers promptly after each announcement on SENS. We will file those press releases with the SEC as amendments to our Schedule TO.

 

Further Offers (See page 76)

 

This offer will be followed immediately by further offers for the remainder of the outstanding securities obligations of Gold Fields. The offers will be made on the same terms but with different conditions from this offer. The conditions of the further offers will include, among others, a proposed merger being approved by the South African Competition Authorities and the proposed transaction between IAMGOLD and Gold Fields not being implemented for whatever reason.

 

In the further offers, we will offer the same consideration that was offered during the initial offers.

To the extent that Harmony offers greater consideration in the further offers, holders of Gold Fields securities that have accepted this US offer and South African offer and received offer consideration will be entitled to receive any excess consideration payable in the further offers, regardless of whether they have then disposed of Harmony securities received in this US offer and South African offer.

 

Procedures for Tendering Gold Fields Securities (See page 59)

 

The procedure for tendering Gold Fields securities varies depending on a number of factors, including:

 

whether you hold Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs;

 

whether you possess physical certificates or a financial intermediary holds physical certificates for your Gold Fields securities;

 

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whether you hold your securities in book-entry form; and

 

whether you hold your Gold Fields securities through a financial intermediary in the United States or South Africa.

 

You should read carefully the procedures for tendering your Gold Fields securities in this prospectus as well as the related transmittal materials enclosed with this prospectus.

 

Withdrawal Rights (See page 63)

 

You have the right to withdraw any Gold Fields securities that you have tendered prior to the expiration of the offers.

 

For a withdrawal to be effective, the US custodian, the US ADS exchange agent or your South African financial intermediary, as applicable, must receive a written notice of withdrawal prior to the expiration date of the offers.

 

Withdrawn Gold Fields securities may be retendered prior to the expiration of the offers by following the appropriate tender procedures.

 

Pro ration (See page 64)

 

In the event that total valid acceptances in the US offer and the South African offer exceed 34.9% of Gold Fields’ entire issued share capital by the expiration date of the offers, Harmony will only settle that number of Gold Fields shares which equates to 34.9% of the entire issued share capital of Gold Fields, on a pro rata basis, with the shares tendered by accepting Gold Fields shareholders scaled back accordingly.

 

Delivery of Harmony Ordinary Shares and Harmony ADSs; Settlement Date (See page 65)

 

Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs will be delivered to tendering holders following the publication by Harmony of the final results of the offers. Settlement is currently expected to take place approximately seven days following the expiration date of the offers in accordance with South African law and practice and the procedures of the depository for the ADSs.

 

If your Harmony ADSs will be evidenced by ADRs registered in your name, you may not receive the certificates until approximately two weeks after the settlement date.

 

Future Plans for Gold Fields; Compulsory Acquisition (See page 76)

 

If, following the completion of these offers, the exercise of the irrevocable agreement, and the completion of the further offers, Harmony acquires 90 percent in nominal value of Gold Fields shares (including Gold Fields shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs) then we will be entitled to acquire all remaining Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs pursuant to section 440K of the South African Companies Act 1973. Holders of Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs subject to the compulsory acquisition would receive the same consideration as those holders of Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs who accept the offer.

 

Market for Gold Fields Securities after the Offers (See page 66)

 

If Harmony were to acquire more than 90% of the Gold Fields shares, it may then petition the JSE to cause the delisting of the Gold Fields ordinary shares. After any compulsory acquisition resulting in Harmony acquiring 100% of the ordinary shares in Gold Fields, the JSE would in all likelihood delist the

 

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Gold Fields ordinary shares. In addition, subject to the completion of the offers, Harmony intends to cause Gold Fields to terminate its deposit agreement with the depositary for the Gold Fields ADSs, and to petition, or cause Gold Fields to petition, the NYSE to delist the Gold Fields ADSs.

 

Comparison of the Rights of Holders of Gold Fields Ordinary Shares and Harmony Ordinary Shares (See page 135)

 

There are differences between the rights of a shareholder in Gold Fields and the rights of a shareholder in Harmony. We urge you to review the discussion under “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights” for a summary of these differences.

 

Accounting Treatment (See page 66)

 

Harmony’s acquisition of the Gold Fields securities will be accounted for as a purchase business combination as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations.

 

Regulatory Approvals (See page 119)

 

Apart from SEC approval of the registration statement on Form F-4 of which this prospectus forms a part, completion of the US offer is not subject to any regulatory approvals.

 

Listing of Harmony Ordinary Shares and Harmony ADSs (See page 120)

 

Harmony ordinary shares are currently listed and admitted to trade on the JSE. Harmony shares are currently listed on the NYSE for listing purposes only and Harmony ADSs are currently listed and trade on the NYSE. The ordinary shares of Harmony are also listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and traded on the London Stock Exchange, or LSE and are listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext Paris. Harmony’s International Depositary Shares are listed on Euronext Brussels. Harmony will also apply for the supplemental listing of the Harmony ordinary shares and Harmony ADSs to be issued in these offers on the JSE and on the NYSE and LSE, as applicable.

 

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers of Harmony and Gold Fields (See page 137)

 

Based on the number of Harmony ordinary shares issued and outstanding on September 30, 2004, the directors and executive officer of Harmony, individually and the group as a whole, held less than one percent of the share capital of Harmony, including any Harmony ordinary shares held indirectly.

 

Gold Fields’ South African Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 2003 filed with the SEC under Form 6-K on October 13, 2004 states that the directors of Gold Fields, individually and the group as a whole, held less than one percent of the issued share capital of Gold Fields, including any Gold Fields ordinary shares held indirectly. The US Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2003 states that as of September 30, 2003 the directors and executive officers of Gold Fields, individually and the group as a whole, held, directly or indirectly, less than one percent of the shares of Gold Fields.

 

Material US Federal Tax Consequences of the Exchange (See page 69)

 

The following applies to you if you are a US holder (as defined under “Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences”) and you are not a member of a special class of taxpayers (as described under “Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences”) for US federal income tax purposes. As a result of exchanging your Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer, you will generally recognize gain or loss unless (i) the US offer and the South African offer are consummated as described herein, (ii) the

 

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further offer is consummated promptly after the consummation of the US offer and the South African offer and treated as part of the same transaction and, (iii) as a result of the offers, taken together, not less than 80% of the voting stock and 80% of all other classes of Gold Fields stock are validly deposited and not validly withdrawn (collectively, conditions (i) through (iii) are referred to herein as the primary supporting conditions). However, if the primary supporting conditions are satisfied, it is possible that exchange would be treated as part of a tax-free reorganization for US federal income tax purposes. You are urged to read carefully the information regarding US federal income tax consequences under “Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences — Tax Consequences of Exchanging Gold Fields Securities — United States federal income taxation — US holders”, and to consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the exchange to you.

 

In general, if you are a non-US holder (as defined in “Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences”), you will not be subject to United States federal income taxation on any gain or loss recognized in exchanging your Gold Fields securities. Exceptions, however, are described under “Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences — Tax Consequences of Exchanging Gold Fields Securities — United States federal income taxation — Non-US holders”.

 

The US ADS Exchange Agent (See page 65)

 

The Bank of New York has been appointed US ADS exchange agent in connection with the US offer. Your ADS letter of transmittal (or facsimile copies thereof) and certificates for Gold Fields ADSs should be sent by each tendering Gold Fields securityholder or his or her broker, dealer, bank or other nominee to the US ADS exchange agent at the addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus.

 

Appraisal Rights (See page 68)

 

Neither holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares nor holders of Gold Fields ADSs are entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the US offer as a matter of South African law.

 

Additional Information

 

If you have questions or want copies of additional documents, you may contact:

 

The information agent:

 

MacKenzie Partners, Inc.

105 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10016

Bankers and Brokers Call: (212) 929-5500

Toll-Free Call: (800) 322-2885

 

or

 

The joint dealer-managers:

 

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

452 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

 

and

 

Investec (US) Inc.

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004-1478

 

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SUMMARY SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF HARMONY

 

Selected Financial Data

 

The selected consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and with Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review Prospectus” of our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data

 

The following selected historical consolidated financial data for the last five fiscal years has been extracted from the more detailed information and financial statements, including Harmony’s audited consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the three years ended June 30, 2004 and at June 30, 2004 and 2003 and the related notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this registration statement. The historical consolidated financial data at June 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000, and for each of the years in the two years ended June 30, 2000 and 2001, has been extracted from Harmony’s audited consolidated financial statements not included in this document.

 

The audited financial information included in this registration statement has been prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

 

     FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

 
     (in $ thousands, except per share amounts)  

Income statement data

                              

Revenues

   1,283,056     782,945     696,840     607,220     490,651  

Operating income

   71,975     182,046     206,375     88,424     72,971  

Equity income of joint venture

   7,918     52,843     13,146            

Equity income/(loss) of associate companies

   2,020     (1,233 )   (473 )       1,401  

Income before taxes and minority interests

   (74,568 )   97,515     103,659     29,804     73,489  

Minority interests

   1,281     (468 )   (1,575 )   (349 )   (2,910 )

Income/(loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles

   (31,403 )   71,792     87,716     14,830     57,030  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of tax1

       14,770         (5,822 )    
    

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   (31,403 )   86,562     87,716     9,008     57,030  
    

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share ($) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles

   (0.12 )   0.40     0.57     0.15     0.68  

Basic (loss) earnings per share ($)

   (0.12 )   0.49     0.57     0.09     0.68  

Diluted (loss) earnings per share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles

   (0.12 )   0.39     0.53     0.14     0.67  

Diluted (loss) earnings per share

   (0.12 )   0.47     0.53     0.09     0.67  

Weighted average number of shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share

   254,240,500     177,954,245     153,509,862     102,156,205     83,593,424  

Weighted average number of shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per share

   254,240,500     182,721,629     165,217,088     105,504,328     85,590,876  

Cash dividends per share ($)

   0.26     0.57     0.07     0.16     0.19  

Cash dividends per share (R)

   0.70     5.50     0.75     1.20     1.20  

Other financial data

                              

Cash dividends per share ($)2

   0.05     0.20     0.41          

Cash dividends per share (R)2

   0.30     1.50     4.25          

Cash cost per ounce of gold ($/oz)3

   362     253     196     234     245  

1 As discussed in the consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this registration statement, the company changed its method of accounting for mineral and surface use rights during the 2004 fiscal year, its accounting for environmental obligations during the 2003 fiscal year, and its method of accounting for share based compensation during the 2002 fiscal year.

 

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2 Reflects dividends related to fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002 that we declared on July 30, 2004, August 1, 2003 and August 2, 2002, respectively.

 

3 Harmony has calculated cash costs per ounce by dividing total cash costs, as determined using the Gold Institute industry standard, by gold ounces sold for all periods presented. The Gold Institute is a non-profit international association of miners, refiners, bullion suppliers and manufacturers of gold products that has developed a uniform format for reporting production costs on a per ounce basis. The standard was first adopted in 1996 and was revised in November 1999. Cash costs, as defined in the Gold Institute standard, include mine production costs, transport and refinery costs, general and administrative costs, costs associated with movements in production inventories and ore stockpiles, costs associated with transfers to deferred stripping and costs associated with royalties. Cash costs have been calculated on a consistent basis for all periods presented. Changes in cash costs per ounce are affected by operational performance, as well as changes in the currency exchange rate between the Rand and the US dollar. Cash costs per ounce is not a US GAAP measure. Cash costs per ounce should not be considered by investors in isolation or as an alternative to net income, income before tax, operating cash flows or any other measure of financial performance presented. While the Gold Institute has provided a definition for the calculation of cash costs per ounce, the calculation of cash costs per ounce may vary from company to company and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. However, Harmony believes that cash costs per ounce is a useful indicator to investors and management of a mining company’s performance as it provides (1) an indication of a company’s profitability and efficiency, (2) the trends in costs as the company’s operations mature, (3) a measure of a company’s gross margin per ounce, by comparison of cash costs per ounce to the spot price of gold and (4) internal benchmark of performance to allow for comparison against other companies.

 

     FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,

     2004

   2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

     (in $ thousands)

Balance sheet data

                        

Cash and cash equivalents

   217,022    189,040    90,223    144,096    77,942

Other current assets

   223,370    146,709    109,753    136,794    59,582

Property, plant and equipment - net

   3,363,773    1,121,592    812,753    667,113    557,725

Goodwill

   32,480            

Restricted cash

   9,922             7,310

Investments in associates

   19,908    63,782    42,791      

Investment in joint venture

      272,754    102,578      

Other long-term assets

   451,216    89,183    137,399    81,822    69,629
    
  
  
  
  

Total assets

   4,590,691    1,883,060    1,295,141    1,029,825    772,188
    
  
  
  
  

Current liabilities

   322,632    173,890    138,677    152,886    150,148

Provision for environmental rehabilitation

   125,917    62,977    63,125    53,136    52,525

Provision for social plan

   1,958            

Deferred income and mining taxes

   558,812    209,628    99,789    47,050    48,686

Provision for post-retirement benefits

   1,584    1,017    737    1,002    3,709

Deferred financial liability

   91,513    37,228    87,226    49,374    40,174

Long-term loans

   509,195    301,572    152,461    151,466    46,635

Preference shares

            681   

Minority interest

      18,408       331   

Shareholders’ equity

   2,979,080    1,078,340    573,126    573,899    430,311
    
  
  
  
  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   4,590,691    1,883,060    1,295,141    1,029,825    772,188
    
  
  
  
  

 

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SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF GOLD FIELDS

 

The selected historical financial data set out below for the three years ended June 30, 2003, and as of June 30, 2002 and 2003, have been extracted from the more detailed information and financial statements, including Gold Fields’ audited consolidated financial statements for those years and as of those dates and the related notes, which appear have been incorporated by reference into this registration statement. The summary financial data for the year ended June 30, 2000, and as of June 30, 2001 and 2000 have been derived from Gold Fields’ audited consolidated financial statements as of that date, which are not incorporated by reference or included in their registration statement. The selected historical financial data set out below for the year ended, and as of, June 30, 1999 have been derived from Gold Fields’ unaudited consolidated financial information for that period and as of that date, which are not incorporated by reference or included in their registration statement. The selected historical financial data presented below have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

 

     Year ended June 30,

 
         1999

        2000

       2001

        2002

        2003

 
     (in $ millions, except where otherwise noted)  

Statement of Operations Data

                             

Revenues

   737.5     1,130.4    1,028.4     1,219.4     1,564.2  

Production costs

   497.3     861.8    743.4     710.0     1,015.0  

Corporate expenditure

   14.1     13.9    16.0     12.3     16.6  

Depreciation and amortization

   49.5     135.5    99.8     113.3     188.1  

Exploration expenditure

   14.3     11.7    17.7     16.5     29.6  

Franco-Nevada merger costs

          2.5          

Settlement costs of Oberholzer irrigation water dispute

          1.2     1.0      

Impairment of assets

   212.7     15.7    112.1         29.6  

(Decrease)/increase in post-retirement healthcare provision

   (16.1 )   8.4    8.8     6.6     (5.0 )

Increase in provision for environmental rehabilitation

   19.7     5.6    12.2     4.7     5.3  

Finance (income)/expense

   7.6     3.2    1.9     (8.3 )   (4.2 )

Unrealized (loss)/gain on financial instruments

   26.7     2.0    (0.8 )   (45.9 )   (35.7 )

Realized (loss)/gain on financial instruments

   (4.6 )   14.4    (7.4 )   (4.7 )   (15.1 )

Employment termination costs

   11.9     16.0    5.0     6.4     3.8  

Profit on sale of non-current investments

   (48.2 )              (57.2 )

Write-down of investments

          2.0          

Stock compensation

              4.8      

New York Stock Exchange listing and associated costs

              4.3      

Gain on disposal of St. Helena mine

                  (13.4 )

Share of equity investees’ losses

   0.5     0.8             

Cost of Driefontein merger

   10.6                 

Other expenses

   4.7     1.4    1.0         0.3  

(Loss)income before tax

   (63.2 )   40.0    13.0     398.4     406.5  

Income and mining tax benefit/(expense)

   80.3     85.2    (21.6 )   (147.1 )   (133.8 )

(Loss)/income before minority interests

   17.1     125.2    (8.6 )   251.3     272.7  

Minority interests

   (1.8 )   1.7    (8.8 )   (12.2 )   (14.4 )

Income/(loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   15.3     126.9    (17.4 )   239.1     258.3  

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net of tax

          (0.6 )       (1.3 )

Net (loss)/income

   15.3     126.9    (18.0 )   239.1     257.0  

Other Financial and Operating Data

                             

Basic (loss)/earnings per share before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles ($)

   0.03     0.28    (0.04 )   0.52     0.55  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles ($)

   0.03     0.28    (0.04 )   0.51     0.54  

Basic (loss)/earnings per share ($)

   0.03     0.28    (0.04 )   0.52     0.54  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share ($)

   0.03     0.28    (0.04 )   0.51     0.54  

Dividend per share (Rand)

   0.50     0.50    1.05     1.30     3.70  

Dividend per share ($)

   0.08     0.08    0.13     0.13     0.39  

Total cash costs per ounce of gold produced ($/oz)(1)

   207     215    194     170     212  

Total production costs per ounce of gold produced ($/oz)(2)

   224     251    224     198     254  

(1)

Gold Fields has calculated total cash costs per ounce by dividing total cash costs, as determined using the Gold Institute industry standard, by gold ounces sold for all periods presented. The Gold Institute is a non-profit international industry association of miners, refiners, bullion suppliers and manufacturers of gold products, which has developed a uniform format for reporting production costs on a per ounce basis. The standard was first adopted in 1996 and revised in November 1999. Total cash costs, as defined in the Gold Institute industry standard, are production costs as recorded in the statement of

 

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operations, less offsite (ie, central) general and administrative expenses (including head office costs charged to the mines, central training expenses, industry association fees, refinery charges and social development costs) and rehabilitation costs, plus royalties and employee termination costs. Changes in total cash cost per ounce are affected by operational performance, as well as changes in the currency exchange rate between the Rand and the US dollar. Management, however, believes that total cash costs per ounce provides a measure for comparing Gold Fields’ operational performance against that of its peer group, both for Gold Fields as a whole, and for its individual operations. Total cash cost per ounce is not a US GAAP measure. An investor should not consider total cash costs per ounce in isolation or as an alternative to net income/(loss), income before tax, operating cash flows or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with US GAAP. While the Gold Institute has provided a definition for the calculation of total cash costs, the calculation of total cash costs per ounce may vary significantly among gold mining companies, and by itself does not necessarily provided a basis for comparison with other gold mining companies. See “Information on the Company — Glossary of Mining Terms — Total cash costs per ounce”. For a reconciliation of Gold Fields’ production costs to its total cash costs for fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, see “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Results of Operations — Years Ended June 30, 2002 and 2003” and “Years Ended June 30, 2001 and 2002”.

 

(2) Gold Fields has calculated total production costs per ounce by dividing total production costs, as determined using the Gold Institute industry standard, by gold ounces sold for all periods presented. Total production costs, as defined by the Gold Institute industry standard, are total cash costs, as calculated using the Gold Institute industry standard, plus amortization, depreciation and rehabilitation costs. Changes in total production costs per ounce are affected by operational performance, as well as changes in the currency exchange rate between the Rand and the US dollar. Management, however, believes that total production costs per ounce provides a measure for comparing Gold Fields’ operational performance against that of its peer group. both for Gold Fields as a whole, and for its individual operations. Total production costs per ounce is not a US GAAP measure. An investor should not consider total production costs per ounce in isolation or as an alternative to net income/(loss), income before tax, operating cash flows or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with US GAAP. While the Gold Institute has provided a definition for the calculation of total production costs, the calculation of total production costs per ounce may vary significantly among gold mining companies, and by itself does not necessarily provide a basis for comparison with other gold mining companies. See “Information on the Company —Glossary of Mining Terms — Total production costs per ounce”. For a reconciliation of Gold Fields’ production costs to its total production costs for fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, see “Operational and Financial Review and Prospects — Results of Operations — Years Ended June 30, 2002 and 2003” and “Years Ended June 30, 2001 and 2002” in the Gold Fields annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference.

 

     Year ended June 30,

 
     1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    2003

 
     (in $ millions, except where otherwise noted)  

Balance Sheet Data

                              

Cash and cash equivalents

   42.3     75.8     23.6     195.1     133.6  

Receivables

   64.5     36.0     50.5     56.2     74.9  

Inventories

   26.9     24.5     21.1     68.5     76.8  

Material contained on heap leach pads

   9.0     17.7     31.3     45.0     41.8  

Total current assets

   142.7     159.0     126.5     364.8     327.1  

Net property, plant and equipment

   2,480.6     2,178.1     1,798.7     1,548.9     2,070.4  

Mineral interests and other intangible assets

               178.0     160.6  

Fair value of financial instruments

               46.2     67.7  

Non-current investments

   32.2     38.5     42.2     73.3     101.0  

Total assets

   2,655.5     2,375.6     1,967.4     2,211.2     2,726.8  

Accounts payable and provisions

   159.3     148.1     127.4     153.3     184.7  

Income and mining taxes payable

   13.1     13.9     1.2     44.5     52.0  

Short term loans

   12.0                  

Current position of long-term loans

       10.0         37.0     20.5  

Total current liabilities

   184.4     172.0     128.6     234.8     257.2  

Long term loans

   16.4     20.0         145.0     21.1  

Deferred income and mining taxes

   796.8     588.8     506.9     448.2     647.3  

Provision for environmental rehabilitation

   42.0     42.6     47.5     58.8     99.2  

Provision for post-retirement health care costs

   58.0     55.9     51.0     44.7     23.9  

Minority interests

   38.4     29.4     39.0     52.8     58.8  

Share capital

   40.8     41.1     41.3     42.1     42.2  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,471.5     1,493.0     1,498.1     1,560.8     1,565.2  

(accumulated loss)/retained earnings

   (8.5 )   81.9     2.7     182.6     255.3  

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

   15.7     (149.1 )   (347.7 )   (556.8 )   (243.4 )

Total shareholders’ equity

   1,519.5     1,466.9     1,194.4     1,226.9     1,619.3  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   2,655.5     2,375.6     1,967.4     2,211.2     2,726.8  

Other Data

                              

Number of ordinary shares as adjusted to reflect changes in capital structure

   448,389,216     453,250,595     455,836,608     470,522,224     472,364,872  

Net assets

   1,519.5     1,466.9     1,194.4     1,226.9     1,619.3  

 

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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET INFORMATION

 

Harmony ordinary shares are listed on the JSE under the symbol “HAR”, and Harmony ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HMY”. Gold Fields ordinary shares are listed on the JSE under the symbol “GFI” and Gold Fields ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GFI”. The following table presents the closing market prices per security for Harmony ordinary shares and Harmony ADSs and Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs in Rand or US dollars, as the case may be:

 

as reported on the JSE for Harmony ordinary shares and Gold Fields ordinary shares; and

 

as reported on the NYSE for Harmony ADSs and Gold Fields ADSs.

 

In each case the prices are given:

 

as of October 14, 2004, which was the last full trading day on the JSE and the NYSE before rumors and press articles significantly affected the share prices and trading volumes of Harmony ordinary shares and Gold Fields ordinary shares;

 

as of October 15, 2004, which was the last full trading day on the JSE and on the NYSE, prior to the public announcement of the proposed offers;

 

as of October 20, 2004, which was the latest practicable date prior to the date of this prospectus.

 

See “Market Price and Dividend Data” for further information about historical market prices of these securities.

 

The following table also presents the implied equivalent value per security for Gold Fields ordinary shares in Rand and Gold Fields ADSs in US dollars. The implied equivalent value of a Gold Fields ordinary share was calculated by multiplying the closing market price per Harmony ordinary share by 1.275, the exchange ratio for each Gold Fields ordinary share in the US offer. The implied equivalent value of an Gold Fields ADS was calculated by multiplying the closing market prices per Harmony ADS by 1.275, the applicable ratio for each Gold Fields ADS in the US offer.

 

In calculating the implied equivalent value per Gold Fields ADS, amounts in Rand have been translated into US dollars at a rate of 6.545 Rand = US$1.00, which was the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate on October 14, 2004 and at a rate of 6.4475 Rand = US$1.00, which was the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate on October 15, 2004.

 

     Harmony

   Gold Fields

   Implied Equivalent Value
per Gold
Fields Security


    

Ordinary
Shares

(Rand)

  

ADSs

(US $)

  

Ordinary
Shares

(Rand)

  

ADSs

(US $)

  

Ordinary
Shares

(Rand)

  

ADSs

(US $)

October 14, 2004

   84.41    12.90    90.89    13.89    107.62    16.44

October 15, 2004

   83.50    12.95    94.02    14.58    106.46    16.51

October 20, 2004

   72.15    11.66    88.50    14.40    91.99    14.87

 

The market prices of Harmony ordinary shares and Harmony ADSs and Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs are likely to fluctuate prior to the expiration date of these offers and cannot be predicted. We urge you to obtain current market information regarding Harmony ordinary shares and Harmony ADSs and Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs.

 

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EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

 

The following tables show, for the periods indicated, information concerning the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Rand. The average rates for the monthly periods presented in these tables were calculated by taking the simple average of the daily noon buying rates, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The average rates for the interim periods and annual periods presented in these tables were calculated by taking the simple average of the noon buying rates on the last day of each month during the relevant period. This information is provided solely for your information, and we do not represent that the Rand could be converted into US dollars at these rates or at any other rate. These rates are not the rates used by Harmony or Gold Fields in the preparation of their respective consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

The data provided in the following table are expressed in Rand per US dollar and are based on noon buying rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the Rand. On October 14, 2004, the date before rumors and press articles significantly affected the share prices and trading volumes of Harmony and Gold Fields’ securities, the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Rand expressed in Rand per US dollar was 6.5450. On October 15, 2004, the date immediately prior to the announcement of the offers, the exchange rate was 6.4475. On October 20, 2004, the most recent practicable date prior to the printing of this prospectus, the exchange rate was 6.2950.

 

    

Period-end

Rate(1)


  

Average

Rate(2)


   High

   Low

Recent Monthly Data

                   

October, 2004 (through October 14, 2004)

   6.5450    6.5513    6.6340    6.4775

September, 2004

   6.4780    6.5349    6.6800    6.4020

August, 2004

   6.6450    6.4667    6.7400    6.0900

July, 2004

   6.2725    6.1350    6.3410    5.9050

June, 2004

   6.2275    6.4216    6.6400    6.1650

May, 2004

   6.5150    6.7996    7.0530    6.5150

Interim Period Data

                   

Nine months ended March 31, 2004

   6.3235    6.9776    7.8000    6.2601

Six months ended December 31, 2003

   6.7000    7.0845    7.8000    6.2601

Nine months ended March 31, 2003

   7.9000    9.4944    10.9000    7.9000

Six months ended December 31, 2002

   8.5850    10.0408    10.9000    8.5850

Annual Data Fiscal Year ended June 30

                   

2004

   6.2275    6.8794    7.8000    6.1650

2003

   7.5100    9.0418    10.9000    7.1750

2002

   10.3900    10.1670    13.6000    8.0140

2001

   8.0500    7.6229    8.1620    6.7850

2000

   6.7900    6.3553    7.1800    5.9800

(1) The period-end rate is the noon buying rate on the last business day of the applicable period.

 

(2) The average rates for the monthly periods were calculated by taking the simple average of the daily noon buying rates, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The average rates for the interim periods and annual periods were calculated by taking the simple average of the noon buying rates on the last day of each month during the relevant period.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

In deciding whether to accept this US offer, you should carefully consider the following risks that relate to the US offer as well as the risk factors related to an investment in Harmony’s ordinary shares or ADSs and related to an investment in Gold Fields’ ordinary shares or ADSs. There may be additional risks that Harmony does not know of or that Harmony currently deems immaterial based on information available to it. Harmony’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks, resulting in a decline in the trading price of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs.

 

RISKS RELATING TO THE OFFERS

 

Even if Harmony consummates the offers, and exercises the irrevocable undertaking from Gold Fields’ largest shareholder, there may be a delay before Harmony can obtain control of the management of Gold Fields or Harmony may not gain control at all.

 

In order for Harmony to control the management of Gold Fields following successful completion of the offers and the exercise of the irrevocable undertaking, Harmony will need to take control of the board of directors of Gold Fields.

 

South African law allows a shareholder or shareholders who hold more than 50% of the issued share capital of a company to remove the directors of that company by ordinary resolution. However, the law also stipulates the procedures to be followed to remove a director, which procedures require a notice of removal to be delivered to the company and the director, and for a general meeting of shareholders to be called.

 

There is no assurance that Harmony will acquire enough shares or ADSs pursuant to this US offer and South African offer and the further offers or that it will obtain competition and other regulatory approvals to enable Harmony to exert control over Gold Fields.

 

The integration of the companies will present significant challenges that may result in the combined business not operating as effectively as expected or in the failure to achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of the transaction.

 

The benefits and cost savings expected to result from the offers will depend in part on whether the operations of Gold Fields can be integrated in a timely and efficient manner with those of Harmony. Harmony will face significant challenges in consolidating its functions with those of Gold Fields, and integrating the organizations, procedures and operations of the two businesses. The integration of Harmony and Gold Fields will be complex and time-consuming, and the managements of both companies will have to dedicate substantial time and resources to it. These efforts could divert management’s focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from day-to-day operational matters during the integration process. Failure to successfully integrate the operations of Harmony and Gold Fields could result in the failure to achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits from the transaction, including cost savings and other operating efficiencies, and could have an adverse effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of Harmony after the transaction.

 

We have not been given the opportunity to conduct a due diligence review of the non-public records of Gold Fields. Therefore, we may be subject to unknown liabilities of Gold Fields which may have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.

 

In commencing the offers and determining their terms and conditions, we have relied solely and exclusively upon publicly available information relating to Gold Fields, including periodic and other reports for Gold Fields as filed with or furnished to the SEC on Form 20-F and Form 6-K. We have not

 

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conducted an independent due diligence review of, nor had access to, any non-public information about Gold Fields. As a result, after the consummation of our offers, we may be subject to unknown liabilities of Gold Fields, which may have an adverse effect on our profitability, results of operations and financial position, which we might have otherwise discovered if we had been permitted by Gold Fields to conduct a complete due diligence review.

 

We have not verified the reliability of the Gold Fields information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and, as a result, our estimates of the impact of consummation of the offers on the pro forma financial information in this prospectus may be incorrect.

 

In respect of information relating to Gold Fields presented in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, including all Gold Fields financial information, we have relied exclusively upon publicly available information, including information publicly filed by Gold Fields with securities regulatory authorities. Although we have no knowledge that would indicate that any statements contained in this prospectus based upon such reports and documents are inaccurate, incomplete or untrue, we were not involved in the preparation of such information and statements and, therefore, cannot verify the accuracy, completeness or truth of such information or any failure by Gold Fields to disclose events that may have occurred, but that are unknown to us, that may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information. Gold Fields has not provided representatives of Harmony with access to Gold Fields’ accounting records, and, therefore, we have not independently verified certain adjustments and assumptions with respect to Gold Fields’ financial information in preparing the pro forma financial information presented in this prospectus. Any financial information regarding Gold Fields that may be detrimental to the combined entity and that has not been publicly disclosed by Gold Fields, or errors in our estimates due to the lack of cooperation from Gold Fields, may have an adverse effect on the benefits we expect to achieve through the consummation of the offers and may result in material inaccuracies in the pro forma financial information included in this prospectus.

 

Consummation of the offers may result in adverse tax consequences to Harmony resulting from a change of ownership of Gold Fields.

 

We have not had access to information concerning Gold Fields’ tax situation. It is possible that the consummation of the offers may result in adverse tax consequences arising from a change of ownership of Gold Fields. The tax consequences of a change of ownership of a corporation can lead to an inability to carry-over certain tax attributes, including, but not limited to, tax losses, tax credits and/or tax basis of assets. In addition, the change of ownership may result in other tax costs not normally associated with the ordinary course of business. Such other tax costs include, but are not limited to, stamp duties, land transfer taxes, franchise taxes and other levies. The fact that Harmony is unaware of information relevant to a determination of the potential tax consequences and related costs represents an additional transaction risk.

 

Change of control provisions in Gold Fields’ agreements may be triggered upon Harmony’s acquisition of control of Gold Fields and may lead to adverse consequences for Harmony, including the loss of significant contractual rights and benefits, the termination of joint venture and/or licensing agreements or the need to renegotiate financing agreements.

 

Gold Fields may be a party to joint ventures, licenses and other agreements and instruments that contain change of control provisions that may be triggered when Harmony acquires control of Gold Fields upon the completion of this US offer and South African offer and the further offers. Gold Fields has not provided us with copies of any of the agreements to which it is party and these types of agreements are not generally publicly available. Agreements with change of control provisions typically provide for, or permit the termination of, the agreement upon the occurrence of a change of control of one of the parties or, in the case of debt instruments, require repayment of all outstanding

 

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indebtedness. These provisions, if any, may be waived with the consent of the other party and Harmony will consider whether it will seek these waivers. In the absence of these waivers, the operation of the change of control provisions, if any, could result in the loss of significant contractual rights and benefits, the termination of joint venture agreements and licensing agreements or require the renegotiation of financing agreements.

 

In addition, employment agreements with members of the Gold Fields senior management and other Gold Fields employees may contain change of control clauses providing for compensation to be paid in the event the employment of these employees is terminated, either by Gold Fields or by those employees, following the consummation of the offers. These payments, if triggered, could be substantial and could adversely affect our results of operations in the period they become payable.

 

If this US offer and South African offer and the further offers for Gold Fields securities are successful, but some Gold Fields securities remain outstanding, the existence of minority interests in Gold Fields following the offers may limit our ability to integrate and manage the assets and operations of the combined businesses and therefore reduce benefits that we could otherwise achieve.

 

The existence of minority interests in Gold Fields after the completion of the offers could impede the integration of our operations with those of Gold Fields and thereby make it more difficult to achieve the cost savings and other operating efficiencies or to realize the revenue and earnings growth that might otherwise be possible.

 

If this US offer and South African offer and the further offers for Gold Fields securities are successful, but some Gold Fields securities remain outstanding, the liquidity and market value of the remaining Gold Fields securities held by the public could be adversely affected by the fact that they will be held by a smaller number of holders.

 

Depending upon the number of Gold Fields securities acquired pursuant to the offers, following the completion of the offers, the Gold Fields ADSs may no longer meet the requirements of the NYSE for continued listing. Moreover, to the extent permitted under applicable law and stock exchange regulations, and should Harmony receive sufficient acceptances, Harmony intends to seek to cause the delisting of the Gold Fields ADSs on the NYSE, and, the delisting of the Gold Fields ordinary shares on the JSE.

 

If the NYSE were to delist the Gold Fields ADSs, or if the JSE were to delist the Gold Fields ordinary shares, the market for these Gold Fields securities could be adversely affected. Although it is possible that the Gold Fields ADSs and/or the Gold Fields ordinary shares would be traded in over-the-counter markets, such alternative trading markets may not occur. In addition, the extent of the public market for the Gold Fields ADSs and Gold Fields ordinary shares and the availability of market quotations would depend upon the number of holders and/or the aggregate market value of the Gold Fields ADSs and Gold Fields ordinary shares, remaining at such time, the interest in maintaining a market in the Gold Fields ADSs and Gold Fields ordinary shares, on the part of securities firms and the possible termination of registration of Gold Fields ADSs under the Exchange Act. If such registration is terminated, Gold Fields could cease filing periodic reports with the SEC, which could further impact the value of the Gold Fields ADSs. To the extent the availability of such continued listings or quotations depends on steps taken by Harmony or Gold Fields, Harmony or Gold Fields may or may not take such steps. Therefore, you should not rely on any such listing or quotation being available.

 

Harmony’s largest shareholders will continue to own a significant percentage of the enlarged share capital and voting rights of Harmony immediately after the offers are completed.

 

If 34.9% of the Gold Fields securities are validly tendered and exchanged pursuant to the terms of the US offer and the South African offer, immediately after the exchange, African Rainbow Minerals Limited (ARM), Harmony’s largest shareholder, will own, on a diluted basis, approximately 11.8% of

 

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the share capital (other than share capital held by Harmony) of Harmony. If all of the Gold Fields securities are validly tendered and exchanged pursuant to this offer, the exercise of the irrevocable undertaking with Norilsk Nickel, and the completion of the further offers, ARM will own, on a diluted basis, approximately 6.72% of the combined company. In addition, Norilsk Nickel, the largest shareholder of Gold Fields, will own, on a diluted basis, 13.25% of the combined company.

 

To the extent these shareholders maintain such level of shareholding and particularly if they act in concert, after the exchange, ARM and Norilsk Nickel may be in a position to exert heightened influence in the election of the directors and officers of Harmony and in other corporate actions that require shareholders’ approval. Ownership of a large percentage of the share capital and voting rights of Harmony by these two principal shareholders, particularly if they act in concert, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future change in the control of Harmony and may discourage future bids for Harmony other than with the support of these shareholders.

 

RISK FACTORS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN HARMONY

 

Due to the fact that the majority of Harmony’s production costs are incurred in Rand and that gold is sold in US Dollars, Harmony’s financial condition could be materially harmed by an appreciation in the value of the Rand.

 

Gold is sold throughout the world in US Dollars, but the majority of Harmony’s operating costs are incurred in Rand. As a result, any significant and sustained appreciation of Rand against the US Dollar will serve materially to reduce Harmony’s Rand revenues and overall net income.

 

The Rand appreciated significantly against the US dollar during 2003 and most of calendar 2004 following significant depreciation against the US dollar since 1997. Harmony’s operating environment has been severely influenced by the strong Rand particularly during fiscal 2004, which has impacted on the company’s short-term profitability.

 

The profitability of Harmony’s operations, and the cash flows generated by those operations, are affected by changes in the market price for gold, which in the past has fluctuated widely.

 

Substantially all of Harmony’s revenues come from the sale of gold. Historically, the market price for gold has fluctuated widely and has been affected by numerous factors over which Harmony has no control, including:

 

the demand for gold industrial uses and for use in jewelry

 

international or regional political and economic trends;

 

the strength of the US dollar (the currency in which gold prices generally are quoted) and of other currencies;

 

financial market expectations regarding the rate of inflation;

 

interest rates;

 

speculative activities;

 

actual or expected purchases and sales of gold bullion holdings by central banks or other large gold bullion holders or dealers;

 

forward sales by gold producers; and

 

the production and cost levels for gold in major gold-producing nations, such as South Africa.

 

In addition, the current demand for and supply of gold affects the price of gold, but not necessarily in the same manner as current demand and supply affect the prices of other commodities. Historically, gold has tended to retain its value in relative terms against basic goods in times of inflation and monetary crisis. As a result, central banks, financial institutions and individuals hold large amounts of gold as a store of value and production in any given year constitutes a very small portion of the total

 

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potential supply of gold. Since the potential supply of gold is large relative to mine production in any given year, normal variations in current production will not necessarily have a significant effect on the supply of gold or its price.

 

The volatility of gold prices is illustrated in the following table, which shows the annual high, low and average of the afternoon London Bullion Market fixing price of gold in US dollars for the past ten years:

 

          Price per Ounce

Year


       High

       Low

       Average

     ($)    ($)    ($)

1994

   396    370    384

1995

   396    372    384

1996

   415    367    388

1997

   367    283    331

1998

   313    273    294

1999

   326    253    279

2000

   313    264    282

2001

   293    256    271

2002

   332    278    309

2003

   412    322    361

2004 (through October 14)

   427    375    401

 

On June 30, 2004, the afternoon fixing price of gold on the London Bullion Market was $396 per ounce. On October 14, 2004, the afternoon fixing price of gold on the London Bullion Market was $415 per ounce.

 

While the aggregate effect of these factors is impossible for Harmony to predict, if gold prices should fall below Harmony’s cost of production and remain at such levels for any sustained period, Harmony may experience losses and may be forced to curtail or suspend some or all of its operations. In addition, Harmony would also have to assess the economic impact of low gold prices on its ability to recover any losses it may incur during that period and on its ability to maintain adequate reserves. Harmony’s average cash cost of production per ounce of gold sold was approximately $362 in fiscal 2004, $253 in fiscal 2003, $196 in fiscal 2002.

 

Actual or expected sales of gold by central banks have had a significant impact on the price of gold.

 

Over the past several years, one of the most important factors influencing the gold price has been actual or expected sales of gold reserves by central banks. Since 1997, a number of central banks, including the central banks of Australia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, have announced plans to sell significant gold reserves, and, more recently, the International Monetary Fund has discussed selling significant gold reserves to fund international debt relief. The gold price has declined following each such announcement and sale, culminating in a drop in the gold price to its lowest level in at least twenty years in July 1999, after the Bank of England completed the first part of its announced sale of more than half of its gold reserves. In September 1999, the central banks of fifteen European countries agreed to limit sales of gold reserves for the next five years to sales announced at that time and to limit gold lending and derivative operations for five years. The announcement of this agreement led to an immediate increase in the price of gold, although the gold price was subsequently subject to downward pressure, around the time of the periodic auctions held by the Bank of England. The agreement by the central banks is voluntary and there are a number of central banks with significant gold reserves that are not subject to the agreement. Any future sales or publicly announced proposed sales by central banks of their gold reserves are likely to result in a decrease in the price of gold.

 

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Because Harmony does not use commodity or derivative instruments to protect against low gold prices with respect to most of its production, Harmony is exposed to the impact of any significant drop in the gold price.

 

As a general rule Harmony sells its gold production at market prices. There have been two instances in which Harmony has made use of gold price hedges: Harmony’s forward sale of a portion of the production at Bissett at a set gold price and put options relating to 1 million ounces of Harmony’s production at Elandskraal. Both of these hedges were affected by Harmony in order to secure loan facilities and have since been closed out. A significant proportion of the production at Randfontein was already hedged when acquired by Harmony, and these hedges have since been closed out. In addition, a substantial proportion of the production at each of New Hampton and Hill 50 was also hedged when acquired by Harmony and remains hedged. During fiscal 2004 a significant portion, amounting to 500,000 ounces, of these inherited hedge agreements were closed out, at a cost of US$ 14.4 million. The outstanding agreements are now treated as speculative and the mark-to-market movement will be reflected in the income statement. Harmony generally does not enter into forward sales, derivatives or other hedging arrangements to establish a price in advance for the sale of its future gold production. See Item 4. “Information on the Company — Business — Hedge Policy” and Item 11. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Commodity Price Sensitivity” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference. In general, hedging in this manner reduces the risk of exposure to volatility in the gold price. Because Harmony does not generally establish a future price for hedged gold, Harmony can realize the positive impact of any increase in the gold price. However, this also means that Harmony is not protected against decreases in the gold price and if the gold price decreases significantly Harmony runs the risk of reduced revenues in respect of gold production that is not hedged.

 

Harmony’s gold reserve figures are estimated based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions as to mining and recovery factors, future production costs and the price of gold and may yield less gold under actual production conditions that currently estimated.

 

The ore reserve estimates contained in this document are estimates of the mill delivered quantity and grade of gold in Harmony’s deposits and stockpiles. They represent the amount of gold which Harmony believes can be mined, processed and sold at prices sufficient to recover it estimated future total costs of production, remaining investment and anticipated additional capital expenditures. Harmony ore reserves are estimated based upon a number of factors, which have been stated under the Reserves section of this document.

 

As Harmony’s ore reserve estimates are calculated based on estimates of future production costs, future gold prices and, because of the fact that Harmony’s gold sales are primarily in US Dollar and Harmony incurs most of its production costs in Rand, the exchange rate between the Rand and the US Dollar and, in the case of Harmony’s Australian operations, the Australian Dollar. As a result, the reserve estimates contained in the annual report should not be interpreted as assurances of the economic life of Harmony’s gold deposits or the profitability of its future operations.

 

Since ore reserves are only estimates that Harmony makes based on the above factors, Harmony may in future need to revise these estimates. In particular, if Harmony’s production costs increase (whether in Rand terms, in Australian Dollar terms, or in relative terms due to appreciation of the Rand or the Australian Dollar against the US Dollar) or the gold price decreases, a portion of Harmony’s ore reserves may become uneconomical to recover. This will force Harmony to lower its estimated reserves.

 

Harmony’s strategy depends on its ability to make additional acquisitions.

 

In order to increase Harmony’s gold production and to acquire additional reserves, Harmony continuously explores opportunities to expand its production base by acquiring selected gold producers

 

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and mining operations. However, Harmony cannot guarantee that:

 

it will be able to identify appropriate acquisition candidates or negotiate acquisitions on favorable terms;

 

it will be able to obtain the financing necessary to complete future acquisitions; or

 

the issuance of Harmony’s ordinary shares or other securities in connection with any future acquisition will not result in a substantial dilution in ownership interests of holders of Harmony’s ordinary shares.

 

As at June 30, 2004 Harmony’s mining operations reported total proven and probably reserves of approximately 62.2 million ounces. If Harmony is unable to acquire additional gold producers or generate additional proven and probable reserves at Harmony’s existing operations or through its exploration activities, Harmony cannot be certain that it will be able to expand or replace its current production with new reserves in an amount sufficient to its mining operations beyond the current life of its reserves.

 

To maintain gold production beyond the expected lives of Harmony’s existing mines or to increase production materially above projected levels, Harmony will need to access additional reserves through development or discovery.

 

Harmony’s Australian operations have limited proven and probable reserves and exploration and discovery is necessary to maintain current gold production levels at these operations. Exploration for gold and other precious metals is speculative in nature, is frequently unsuccessful and involves many risks, including risks related to:

 

locating ore bodies;

 

identifying the metallurgical properties of ore bodies;

 

estimating the economic feasibility of mining ore bodies;

 

developing appropriate metallurgical processes;

 

obtaining necessary governmental permits; and

 

constructing mining and processing facilities at any site chosen for mining.

 

Harmony’s exploration efforts might not result in the discovery of mineralization and any mineralization discovered might not result in an increase in Harmony’s proven and probable reserves. To access additional reserves in South Africa, Harmony will need to successfully complete development projects, including extending existing mines and, possibly, developing new mines. Development projects would also be necessary to access any mineralization discovered through exploration in Australia or elsewhere. Harmony typically uses feasibility studies to determine whether or not to undertake significant development projects. Feasibility studies include estimates of expected or anticipated economic returns, which are based on assumptions about:

 

future gold and other metal prices;

 

anticipated tonnage, grades and metallurgical characteristics of ore to be mined and processed;

 

anticipated recovery rates of gold and other metals from the ore, and

 

anticipated total costs of the project, including capital expenditure and cash operating costs.

 

Actual costs, production and economic returns may differ significantly from those anticipated by Harmony’s feasibility studies. Moreover, it can take a number of years from the initial feasibility studies until development is completed and during that time, the economic feasibility of production may change. In addition, there are a number of uncertainties inherent in the development and construction of an extension to an existing mine or any new mine, including:

 

the availability and timing of necessary environmental and governmental permits;

 

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the timing and cost necessary to construct mining and processing facilities, which can be considerable;

 

the availability and cost of skilled labor, power, water and other materials;

 

the accessibility of transportation and other infrastructure, particularly in remote locations;

 

the availability and cost of smelting and refining arrangements; and

 

the availability of funds to finance construction and development activities.

 

Harmony has addressed growth through the recent expansion of its exploration activities. The company currently maintains a range of focused exploration programs, concentrating on areas not too distant from its operation mines, as well as a number of prospective known gold mineralized regions around the world. During 2004, the bulk of exploration expenditure was allocated to activities in Australia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Peru with subordinate expenditure in West Africa and Madagascar. In fiscal 2005, Harmony intends to carry out exploration in South Africa, West Africa, Australia, South America and Papua New Guinea.

 

However, there is no assurance that any future development projects will extend the life of Harmony’s existing mining operations or result in any new commercial mining operations.

 

Harmony may experience problems in managing new acquisitions and integrating them with its existing operations.

 

Acquiring new gold mining operations involves a number of risks including:

 

difficulties in assimilating the operations of the acquired business;

 

difficulties in maintaining the financial and strategic focus of Harmony while integrating the acquired business;

 

problems in implementing uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;

 

increasing pressures on existing management to oversee a rapidly expanding company; and

 

to the extent Harmony acquires mining operations outside South Africa, encountering difficulties relating to operating in countries in which Harmony has not previously operated.

 

Any difficulties or time delays in achieving successful integration of new acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on Harmony’s business, operating results, financial condition and share price.

 

Due to the nature of mining and the type of gold mines it operates, Harmony faces a material risk of liability, delays and increased production costs from environmental and industrial accidents and pollution.

 

The business of gold mining by its nature involves significant risks and hazards, including environmental hazards and industrial accidents. In particular, hazards associated with underground mining include:

 

rock bursts;

 

seismic events;

 

underground fires;

 

cave-ins or falls of ground;

 

discharges of gases and toxic chemicals;

 

release of radioactive hazards;

 

flooding;

 

accidents; and

 

other conditions resulting from drilling, blasting and removing and processing material from a deep level mine.

 

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Hazards associated with open cast mining (also known as open pit mining) include:

 

flooding of the open pit;

 

collapse of the open pit walls;

 

accidents associated with the operation of large open pit mining and rock transportation equipment; and

 

accidents associated with the preparation and ignition of large scale open pit blasting operations.

 

Hazards associated with waste rock mining include:

 

accidents associated with operating a waste dump and rock transportation; and

 

production disruptions due to weather.

 

Harmony is at risk of experiencing any and all of these environmental or other industrial hazards. The occurrence of any of these hazards could delay production, increase production costs and result in liability.

 

Harmony’s land and mineral rights in South Africa could be subject to land restitution claims which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Harmony’s privately held land and mineral rights could be subject to land restitution claims under the Restitution of Land Rights Act 1994, or the Land Claims Act. Under this Act, any person who was dispossessed of rights in land in South Africa as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices without payment of just and equitable compensation is granted certain remedies, including the restoration of the land. Under the Land Claims Act, persons entitled to institute a land claim were required to lodge their claims by December 31, 1998. Harmony has not been notified of any land claims, but any claims of which it is notified in the future could have a material adverse effect on Harmony’s right to the properties to which the claims relate and, as a result, on Harmony’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill, or the Amendment Bill, was published on August 16, 2003. Under the Land Claims Act, the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, or the Land Minister, may not acquire ownership of land for restitution purposes without a court order unless an agreement has been reached between the affected parties. As proposed, the Amendment Bill would entitle the Land Minister to acquire ownership of land for the purpose of restitution or for the benefit of claimants who do not qualify for restitution under the Land Claims Act without a court order and without obtaining the agreement of the affected parties. The state would be required to pay just and equitable compensation to the owner of land thus acquired. If the Amendment Bill becomes effective, there is no guarantee that any of Harmony’s privately held land rights could not become subject to acquisition by the state without Harmony’s agreement, or that Harmony would be adequately compensated for the loss of its land rights, which could have a negative impact on Harmony’s South African operations and therefore an adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Harmony’s insurance coverage may prove inadequate to satisfy future claims against it.

 

Harmony has third party liability coverage for most potential liabilities, including environmental liabilities. While Harmony believes that its current insurance coverage for the hazards described above is adequate and consistent with industry practice, Harmony may become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards against which it has not insured or cannot insure, including those in respect of past mining activities. Further, Harmony maintains and intends to continue to maintain, property and liability insurance consistent with industry practice, but such insurance contains exclusions and limitations on coverage. In addition, there can be no assurance that insurance will continue to be available at economically acceptable premiums. As a result, in the future Harmony’s insurance coverage may not cover the extent of claims against it for environmental or industrial accidents or pollution.

 

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The results of Harmony’s South African operations may be negatively impacted by inflation.

 

Harmony’s operations have not in recent years been materially affected by inflation, however, Harmony’s profits and financial condition could be affected adversely in the absence of a concurrent devaluation of the Rand and an increase in the price of gold.

 

Socio-economic instability in South Africa or regionally may have an adverse effect on Harmony’s operations and profits.

 

Harmony is incorporated and owns significant operations in South Africa. As a result, it is subject to political and economic risks relating to South Africa, which could affect an investment in Harmony. South Africa was transformed into a democracy in 1994, with successful rounds of democratic elections held during 1999 and 2004. Harmony fully supports government policies aimed at redressing the disadvantages suffered by the majority of citizens under previous governments and recognizes that in order to implement these policies, Harmony’s operations and profits may be impacted. In addition to political issues, South Africa faces many challenges in overcoming substantial differences in levels of economic development among its people. While South Africa features highly developed and sophisticated business sectors and infrastructure at the core of its economy, large parts of the population do not have access to adequate education, health care, housing and other services, including water and electricity.

 

The South African government has committed itself to creating a stable, democratic, free-market economy, which it has achieved to a great extent in the past 10 years since the first democratic elections in 1994. It remains cumbersome however, to predict the future political, social and economic direction of South Africa or the manner in which government will attempt to address the country’s inequalities. It is also difficult to predict the impact of addressing these inequalities on Harmony’s business. Furthermore, there has been regional political and economic instability in countries north of South Africa, which may have a negative impact on Harmony’s ability to manage and operate its South African mines.

 

Harmony’s financial flexibility could be materially constrained by South African currency restrictions.

 

South Africa’s exchange control regulations provide for restrictions on exporting capital from South Africa. As a result, Harmony’s ability to raise and deploy capital outside South Africa is restricted. In particular, Harmony:

 

is generally not permitted to export capital from South Africa or to hold foreign currency without the approval of the South African exchange control authorities;

 

is generally required to repatriate to South Africa profits of foreign operations; and

 

is limited in its ability to utilize profits of one foreign business to finance operations of a different foreign business.

 

These restrictions could hinder Harmony’s normal corporate functioning. While exchange controls have been relaxed in recent years and are continuing to be so relaxed, it is difficult to predict whether or how the South African government will further relax the exchange control regulations in the future.

 

Since Harmony’s South African labor force has substantial trade union participation, Harmony faces the risk of disruption from labor disputes and new South African labor laws.

 

Despite the history of positive and constructive engagement with the unions, there are periods during which the various stakeholders are unable to agree on dispute resolving processes. Labor disruptive activities which normally differ in intensity then become unavoidable. Due to the high level of union membership among Harmony’s employees, Harmony is at risk of having its production stopped for

 

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indefinite periods due to strikes and other labor disputes. Significant labor disruptions may have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition and we are not able to predict whether we will experience significant labor disputes in the future.

 

Our production may also be materially affected by labor laws. Since 1995, South African laws relating to labor have changed significantly in ways that affect Harmony’s operations. In particular, laws enacted since then which regulate work time, provide for mandatory compensation in the event of termination of employment for operational reasons, and impose large monetary penalties for non-compliance with administrative and reporting requirements in respect of affirmative action policies, could result in significant costs. In addition, future South African legislation and regulations relating to labor may further increase our costs or alter our relationship with our employees. Harmony may continue to experience significant changes in labor law in South Africa over the next several years.

 

HIV/AIDS poses risks to Harmony in terms of productivity and costs.

 

The incidence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, which is forecast to increase over the next decade, poses risks to Harmony in terms of potentially reduced productivity and increased medical and other costs. Harmony expects that significant increases in the incidence of HIV/AIDS infection and HIV/AIDS-related diseases among the workforce over the next several years may adversely impact on Harmony’s operations and financial status. This expectation, however, is based on assumptions about, among other things, infection rates and treatment costs which are subject to material risks and uncertainties beyond Harmony’s control. As a result, actual results may differ from the current estimates.

 

The cost of occupational healthcare services may increase in the future.

 

Occupational healthcare services are available to Harmony’s employees from its existing healthcare facilities. There is a risk that the cost of providing such services could increase in future depending on changes in the nature of underlying legislation and the profile of Harmony’s employees. This increased cost, should it transpire, is currently indeterminate. Harmony embarked on a number of interventions focused on improving the quality of life of Harmony’s work force, however, there can be no guarantee that such initiatives will not be adversely affected by increased costs.

 

Laws governing mineral rights ownership have changed in South Africa recently.

 

On May 1, 2004, the South African Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act became effective. The principal objectives set out in the Act are:

 

to recognize the internationally accepted right of the state of South Africa to exercise full and permanent sovereignty over all the mineral and petroleum resources within South Africa;

 

to give effect to the principle of the State’s custodianship of the nation’s mineral and petroleum resources;

 

to promote equitable access to South Africa’s mineral and petroleum resources to all the people of South African and redress the impact of past discrimination;

 

to substantially and meaningfully expand opportunities for historically disadvantaged persons, including women, to enter the mineral and petroleum industry and to benefit from the exploitation of South Africa’s mineral and petroleum resources;

 

to promote economic growth and mineral and petroleum resources development in South Africa;

 

to promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of all South Africans;

 

to provide security of tenure in respect of prospecting, exploration, mining and production operations;

 

to give effect to Section 24 of the South African Constitution by ensuring that South Africa’s mineral and petroleum resources are developed in an orderly and ecologically sustainable manner while promoting justifiable social and economic development;

 

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to follow the principle that mining companies keep and use their mineral rights, with no expropriation and with guaranteed compensation for mineral rights; and

 

to ensure that holders of mining and production rights contribute towards socio-economic development of areas in which they are operating.

 

Under the Act, tenure licenses over established operations will be secure for 30 years (and renewable for 30 years thereafter), provided that mining companies obtain new licenses over existing operations within five years of the date of enactment of the Act and fulfil requirements specified in the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African mining industry, or the Mining Charter.

 

The principles contained in the Mining Charter relate to the transfer of 26 per cent of South Africa’s mining assets to historically disadvantaged South Africans, over a 10-year period, as defined in the Mining Charter. Under the Mining Charter, the South African mining industry has committed to securing financing to fund participation of historically disadvantaged South Africans in an amount of R100 billion within the first five years of the Mining Charter’s tenure. The Mining Charter provides for the review of the participation process after five years to determine what further steps, if any, are needed to achieve the 26 per cent target participation. The Mining Charter requires programmes for black economic empowerment and the promotion of value-added production, such as jewellery-making and other gold fabrication, in South Africa. The Mining Charter also sets out targets for broad-based black economic empowerment in the areas of human resources, skill development, employment equality, procurement and beneficiation. In addition, the Mining Charter addresses other socio-economic issues, such as migrant labor, housing and living conditions.

 

Harmony actively carries out mining and exploration activities in all of its material mineral rights areas. Accordingly, we will be eligible to apply for new licenses over its existing operations, provided that we comply with the Mining Charter. Harmony has taken steps to comply with the expected provisions of the Mining Charter, such as promoting value-added production, exploring black empowerment initiatives and increasing worker participation. We expect more costs involved in complying with the Mining Charter, which may have an adverse impact on the profits generated by Harmony’s operations in South Africa.

 

The Act also makes reference to royalties payable to the state in terms of an Act of Parliament, known as the Money Bill, which was made available for public comment. The introduction of the Money Bill will have an adverse impact on the profits generated by Harmony’s operations in South Africa. In terms of the draft regulations, royalties will only be payable starting in 2009.

 

In Australia, most mineral rights belong to the government, and mining companies pay royalties to government based on production. There are, however, limited areas where government granted freehold estates without reserving mineral rights. Harmony’s subsidiary, New Hampton, has freehold ownership of its Jubilee mining areas, but the other mineral rights in Harmony’s Australian operations belong to the Australian government and are subject to royalty payments. In addition, current Australian law generally requires native title approval to be obtained before a mining license can be granted and mining operations can commence. New Hampton and Hill 50 have approved mining leases for most of their reserves, including all reserves that are currently being mined, and Bendigo has an approved mining license for its current development area. Should New Hampton, Hill 50 or Bendigo desire to expand operations into additional areas under exploration, these operations would need to convert the relevant exploration licenses prior to commencing mining, and that process could require native title approval. There can be no assurance that any approval would be received.

 

Harmony is subject to extensive environmental regulations.

 

As a gold mining company, Harmony is subject to extensive environmental regulation. Harmony has experienced and expects to continue to experience increased costs of production arising from

 

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compliance with South African environmental laws and regulations. The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002, certain other environmental legislation and the administrative policies of the South African government regulate the impact of Harmony’s prospecting and mining operations on the environment.

 

Pursuant to these regulations, upon the suspension, cancellation, termination or lapsing of a prospecting permit or mining authorization in South Africa, Harmony will remain liable for compliance with the provisions of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002, including any rehabilitation obligations. This liability will continue until such time as the South African Department of Minerals and Energy certifies that Harmony has complied with such provisions.

 

In the future, Harmony may incur significant costs associated with complying with more stringent requirements imposed under new legislation and regulations. This may include the need to increase and accelerate expenditure on environmental rehabilitations and alter provisions for this expenditure, which could have a material adverse effect on Harmony’s results and financial condition.

 

The South African government has reviewed requirements imposed upon mining companies to ensure environmental restitution. For example, with the introduction of an environmental rights clause in South Africa’s constitution, a number of environmental legislative reform processes have been initiated. Legislation passed as a result of these initiatives has tended to be materially more onerous than laws previously applied in South Africa. Examples of such legislation include the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002, the National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999, the National Water Act 36 of 1998 and the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, which include stringent “polluter-pays” provisions. The adoption of these or additional or more comprehensive and stringent requirements, in particular with regard to the management of hazardous wastes, the pollution of ground and ground water systems and the duty to rehabilitate closed mines, may result in additional costs and liabilities.

 

Because the principal non-United States trading market for Harmony’s ordinary shares is the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa, investors face liquidity risk in the market for Harmony’s ordinary shares.

 

The principal non-United States trading market for Harmony’s ordinary shares is the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa, or the JSE. Historically, trading volumes and liquidity of shares listed on the JSE have been low in comparison with other major markets. The ability of a holder to sell a substantial number of Harmony’s ordinary shares on the JSE in a timely manner, especially with regard to a large block trade, may be restricted by the limited liquidity of shares listed on the JSE.

 

Harmony may not pay cash dividends to its shareholders in the future.

 

It is the current policy of Harmony’s Board to declare and pay cash dividends if profits and funds are available for that purpose. Whether or not funds are available depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of cash available and on capital expenditures and other cash requirements existing at that time. Under South African law, cash dividends may only be paid out of the profits of Harmony. No assurance can be given that cash dividends will be paid in the future.

 

To maintain gold production beyond the expected lives of Harmony’s existing mines or to increase production materially above projected levels, Harmony continues efforts to access additional reserves through development or discovery.

 

Harmony has addressed growth through the recent expansion of its exploration activities. The company currently maintains a range of focused exploration programmes, concentrating on areas not too distant from its operation mines, as well as a number of prospective known gold mineralized regions around the world. During 2004, the bulk of exploration expenditure was allocated to activities in

 

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Australia, South Africa and Peru with subordinate expenditure in West Africa and Madagascar. In fiscal 2005, Harmony intends to carry out exploration in South Africa, West Africa, Australia, South America and Papua New Guinea.

 

During 2004, Harmony continued to evaluate new projects in Peru. Two joint venture agreements were entered into with local partners whereby Harmony could earn-in to prospective projects by undertaking phased exploration expenditure. Analytical results from drilling and sampling of these projects, suggested that they did not conform to Harmony’s investment criteria and the joint ventures were terminated. In addition to these joint ventures, Harmony has undertaken a comprehensive target generation programme in Peru, supported by surface sampling programmes. New projects generated by this programme, or coming under negotiation, shall form the focus of an accelerated exploration programme in 2005. For this reason, Harmony established a small exploration office in Peru during 2004.

 

Harmony non-South African shareholders face additional investment risk from currency exchange rate fluctuations since any dividends will be paid in Rand.

 

Dividends or distributions with respect to Harmony’s ordinary shares have historically been paid in Rand. The US Dollar equivalent of any dividends or distributions with respect to Harmony’s ordinary shares would be adversely affected by potential future decreases in the value of the Rand against the US Dollar. In fiscal 2004, the value of the Rand relative to the US Dollar increased by an average of 40 per cent.

 

Because Harmony has a significant number of outstanding options, Harmony’s ordinary shares are subject to dilution.

 

On June 30, 2004, Harmony had an aggregate of 350,000,000 ordinary shares authorized to be issued and at that date an aggregate of 320,741,577 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding. In addition, Harmony also has employee share option schemes. The employee share option schemes came into effect in 1994, 2001 and 2003 respectively. At June 30, 2004, options to purchase a total of 5,855,300 ordinary shares were outstanding. The exercise prices of these options vary between R11.70 and R93.00. As a result, shareholders’ equity interests in Harmony are subject to dilution to the extent of the future exercises of the options.

 

Investors in the United States may have difficulty bringing actions, and enforcing judgments, against Harmony, its directors and its executive officers based on the civil liabilities provisions of the federal securities laws or other laws of the United States or any state thereof.

 

Harmony is incorporated in South Africa. All of Harmony’s directors and executive officers (and certain experts named herein) reside outside of the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons and substantially all of the assets of Harmony are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to enforce against these persons or Harmony a judgment obtained in a United States court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities or other laws of the Unites States or any state thereof. A foreign judgment is not directly enforceable in South Africa, but constitutes a cause of action which will be enforced by South African courts provided that:

 

  the court that pronounced the judgment had jurisdiction to entertain the case according to the principles recognized by South African law with reference to the jurisdiction of foreign courts;

 

  the judgment is final and conclusive (that is, it cannot be altered by the court which pronounced it);

 

  the judgment has not lapsed;

 

 

the recognition and enforcement of the judgment by South African courts would not be contrary to public policy, including observance of the rules of natural justice which require that the

 

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documents initiating the United States proceeding were properly served on the defendant and that the defendant was given the right be heard and represented by counsel in a free and fair trial before an impartial tribunal;

 

  the judgment does not involve the enforcement of a penal or revenue law; and

 

  the enforcement of the judgment is not otherwise precluded by the provisions of the Protection of Business Act 99 of 1978, as amended, of the republic of South Africa.

 

It is the policy of South African courts to award compensation for the loss or damage actually sustained by the person to whom the compensation is awarded. Although the award of punitive damages is generally unknown to the South African legal system, that does not mean that such awards are necessarily contrary to public policy. Whether a judgment was contrary to public policy depends on the facts of each case. Exorbitant, unconscionable, or excessive awards will generally be contrary to public policy. South African courts cannot enter into the merits of a foreign judgment and cannot act as a court of appeal or review over the foreign court. South African courts will usually implement their own procedural laws and, where an action based on an international contract is brought before a South African court, the capacity of the parties to the contract will usually be determined in accordance with South African law.

 

It is doubtful whether an original action based on United States federal securities laws may be brought before South African courts. A plaintiff who is not a resident in South Africa may be required to provide security for costs in the event of proceedings being initiated in South Africa. Furthermore, the Rules of the High Court of South Africa require that documents executed outside South Africa must be authenticated for the purpose of use in South Africa.

 

RISK FACTORS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN GOLD FIELDS

 

Changes in the market price for gold, which in the past has fluctuated widely, affect the profitability of Gold Fields’ operations and the cash flows generated by those operations.

 

Substantially all of Gold Fields’ revenues are derived from the sale of gold. Historically, the market price for gold has fluctuated widely and has been affected by numerous factors over which Gold Fields has no control, including:

 

the demand for gold for industrial uses and for use in jewellery;

 

actual, expected or rumored purchases and sales of gold bullion holdings by central banks or other large gold bullion holders or dealers;

 

speculative trading activities in gold;

 

the overall level of forward sales by other gold producers;

 

the overall level and cost of production by other gold producers;

 

international or regional political and economic events or trends;

 

the strength of the US dollar (the currency in which gold prices generally are quoted) and of other currencies;

 

financial market expectations regarding the rate of inflation; and

 

interest rates.

 

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In addition, the current demand for and supply of gold affects the price of gold, but not necessarily in the same manner as current demand and supply affect the prices of other commodities. Since the potential supply of gold is large relative to mine production in any given year, normal variations in current production will not necessarily have a significant effect on the supply of gold or the gold price. Central banks, financial institutions and individuals historically have held large amounts of gold as a store of value and production in any given year historically has constituted a small portion of the total potential supply of gold. Historically, gold has tended to retain its value in relative terms against basic goods in times of inflation and monetary crisis.

 

Certain European central banks are party to an agreement, pursuant to which they restrict their annual sales of gold to specified limits. This agreement expires by its terms in September 2004. This agreement may not be renewed, or if it is, specified limits on annual gold sales by central banks may be higher or lower.

 

While the aggregate effect of these factors is impossible for Gold Fields to predict, if gold prices should fall below Gold Fields’ cost of production and remain at such levels for any sustained period, Gold Fields may experience losses and may be forced to curtail or suspend some or all of its operations. In addition, Gold Fields might not be able to recover any losses it may incur during that period.

 

Because Gold Fields does not use commodity or derivative instruments to protect against low gold prices with respect to its production, Gold Fields is exposed to the impact of any significant drop in the gold price.

 

Unlike many other gold producers, as a general rule Gold Fields sells its gold production at market prices. Gold Fields generally does not enter into forward sales, derivatives or other hedging arrangements to establish a price in advance for the sale of its future gold production. In general, hedging reduces the risk of exposure to volatility in the gold price. Hedging also enables a gold producer to fix a future price for hedged gold that generally is higher than the then current spot price. To the extent that it does not generally use commodity or derivative instruments, Gold Fields will not be protected against decreases in the gold price, and if the gold price decreases significantly, Gold Fields runs the risk of reduced revenues in respect of gold production that is not hedged.

 

Gold Fields’ gold reserves are estimates based on a number of assumptions, any changes to which may require Gold Fields to lower its estimated reserves.

 

The ore reserve statement extracted in this registration statement represent the amount of gold that Gold Fields believed, as of June 30, 2003, could be mined, processed and sold at prices sufficient to recover Gold Fields’ estimated future total costs of production, remaining investment and anticipated additional capital expenditures. Ore reserves are only estimates based on assumptions regarding Gold Fields’ costs, expenditures, prices and exchange rates, many of which are beyond Gold Fields’ control. In the event that Gold Fields revises any of these assumptions in an adverse manner, Gold Fields may need to revise its ore reserves downwards. In particular, if Gold Fields’ production costs or capital expenditures increase or if gold prices decrease, a portion of Gold Fields’ ore reserves may become uneconomical to recover, forcing Gold Fields to lower its estimated reserves.

 

To the extent that Gold Fields seeks to expand through acquisitions, it may experience problems in executing acquisitions or managing and integrating the acquisitions with its existing operations.

 

In order to expand its operations and reserve base, Gold Fields may seek to make acquisitions of selected precious metal producing companies or assets. Gold Fields’ success at making any acquisitions will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

 

negotiating acceptable terms with the seller of the business to be acquired;

 

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obtaining approval from regulatory authorities in South Africa and the jurisdiction of the business to be acquired;

 

assimilating the operations of an acquired business in a timely and efficient manner;

 

maintaining Gold Fields’ financial and strategic focus while integrating the acquired business;

 

implementing uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies at the acquired business; and

 

to the extent that Gold Fields makes an acquisition outside of markets in which it has previously operated, conducting and managing operations in a new operating environment.

 

Any problems experienced by Gold Fields in connection with an acquisition as a result of one or more of these factors could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

To the extent that Gold Fields seeks to expand through its exploration program, it may experience problems associated with mineral exploration or developing mining projects.

 

In order to expand its operations and reserve base, Gold Fields may rely on its exploration program for gold and platinum group metals and its ability to develop mining projects. Exploration for gold and other precious metals is speculative in nature, involves many risks and frequently is unsuccessful. Any exploration program entails risks relating to the location of economic orebodies, the development of appropriate metallurgical processes, the receipt of necessary governmental permits and regulatory approvals and the construction of mining and processing facilities at the mining site. Gold Fields’ exploration efforts may not result in the discovery of gold or platinum group metal mineralization and any mineralization discovered may not result in an increase of Gold Fields’ reserves. If orebodies are developed, it can take a number of years and substantial expenditures from the initial phases of drilling until production commences, during which time the economic feasibility of production may change. Gold Fields’ exploration program may not result in the replacement of current production with new reserves or result in any new commercial mining operations. Also, to the extent Gold Fields participates in the development of a project through a joint venture there could be disagreements or divergent interests or goals among the joint venture parties, which could jeopardize the success of the project.

 

Due to the nature of mining and the type of gold mines it operates, Gold Fields faces a material risk of liability, delays and increased production costs from environmental and industrial accidents and pollution.

 

The business of gold mining by its nature involves significant risks and hazards, including environmental hazards and industrial accidents. In particular, hazards associated with Gold Fields’ underground mining operations include:

 

rock bursts;

 

seismic events, particularly at the Driefontein and Kloof operations;

 

underground fires and explosions, including those caused by flammable gas;

 

cave-ins or falls of ground;

 

discharges of gases and toxic chemicals;

 

releases of radioactivity;

 

flooding;

 

sinkhole formation and ground subsidence; and

 

other accidents and conditions resulting from drilling, blasting and removing and processing material from an underground mine.

 

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Hazards associated with Gold Fields’ open pit mining operations include:

 

flooding of the open pit;

 

collapses of the open pit walls;

 

accidents associated with the operation of large open pit mining and rock transportation equipment;

 

accidents associated with the preparation and ignition of large scale open pit blasting operations;

 

production disruptions due to weather; and

 

hazards associated with heap leach processing, such as groundwater and waterway contamination.

 

Hazards associated with Gold Fields’ rock dump and production stockpile mining and tailings disposal include:

 

accidents associated with operating a rock dump and production stockpile and rock transportation;

 

production disruptions due to weather;

 

collapses of tailings dams; and

 

ground and surface water pollution, on and off site.

 

Gold Fields is at risk of experiencing any and all of these environmental or other industrial hazards. The occurrence of any of these hazards could delay production, increase production costs and result in liability for Gold Fields.

 

Gold Fields’ insurance coverage may prove inadequate to satisfy potential claims.

 

Gold Fields may become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards against which it has not insured or cannot insure, including those in respect of past mining activities. Gold Fields’ existing property and liability insurance contains exclusions and limitations on coverage. In fiscal 2003, in an effort to reduce costs, Gold Fields changed from business interruption insurance cover based on gross profit to cover based on fixed operating costs or standing charges only. Should Gold Fields suffer a major loss, future earnings could be affected. In addition, insurance may not continue to be available at economically acceptable premiums. As a result, in the future Gold Fields’ insurance coverage may not cover the extent of claims against Gold Fields, including, but not limited to, claims for environmental or industrial accidents or pollution.

 

Because most of Gold Fields’ production costs are in Rand and Australian dollars, while gold is generally sold in US dollars, Gold Fields’ operating results or financial condition could be materially harmed by an appreciation in the value of the Rand or the Australian dollar.

 

Gold is sold throughout the world principally in US dollars, but Gold Fields’ operating costs are incurred principally in Rand and Australian dollars. As a result, any significant and sustained appreciation of either of these currencies against the US dollar may materially increase Gold Fields’ costs and reduce its net revenue.

 

The Rand and the Australian dollar each appreciated against the US dollar during 2002, with the Rand appreciating by approximately 28.4% in 2002 and the Australian dollar appreciating by approximately 10.0% in 2002. More recently, the Rand and the Australian dollar have experienced a period of further appreciation against the US dollar. As of September 30, 2003, the Rand had appreciated by 19.1%, and the Australian dollar had appreciated by 21.1%, against the US dollar since January 1, 2003. This appreciation has already significantly increased Gold Fields’ costs in US dollar terms particularly at its South African operations and continuation of the appreciation trend for either of these currencies could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ operating results or financial condition.

 

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Political or economic instability in South Africa or regionally may have an adverse effect on Gold Fields’ operations and profits.

 

Gold Fields is incorporated and owns significant operations in South Africa. As a result, political and economic risks relating to South Africa could affect an investment in Gold Fields. Large parts of the South African population do not have access to adequate education, health care, housing and other services, including water and electricity. Government policies aimed at alleviating and redressing the disadvantages suffered by the majority of citizens under previous governments may have an adverse impact on Gold Fields’ operations and profits. In recent years, South Africa has experienced high levels of crime and unemployment. These problems have impeded fixed inward investment into South Africa and have prompted emigration of skilled workers. As a result, Gold Fields may have difficulties attracting and retaining qualified employees.

 

Recently, the South African economy has been growing at a relatively slow rate, inflation and unemployment have been high by comparison with developed countries, and foreign reserves have been relatively low. GDP growth was 1.2% for 1999, 3.1% for 2000, 2.1% for 2001 and 2.4% for 2002. Corresponding inflation rates were 5.2% in 1999, 5.3% in 2000, 5.7% in 2001 and 9.2% in 2002, while corresponding unemployment rates were 23.3%, 26.7%, 26.9% and 30.5% as of December 31, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Foreign reserves stood at $7.8 billion as of September 30, 2003. The depreciation of the Rand in 1997 and 1998 resulted in an increase in the South African bank prime lending rate, which peaked at approximately 25.5% during 1998, although rates have since decreased. On September 30, 2003, the rate was 13.5%. Consequently, Gold Fields faces a high cost of capital should it need to borrow in South Africa.

 

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, inflation in South Africa reached record highs. This increase in inflation resulted in considerable year over year increases in operational costs. In recent years, the inflation rate has decreased to single-digit figures. A return to significant inflation in South Africa, without a concurrent devaluation of the Rand or an increase in the price of gold, could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ operating results and financial condition.

 

There has been regional political and economic instability in the countries surrounding South Africa. Any similar political or economic instability in South Africa could have a negative impact on Gold Fields’ ability to manage and operate its South African operations.

 

Political or economic instability in Ghana may have an adverse effect on Gold Fields’ operations and profits.

 

A significant portion of Gold Fields’ production takes place in Ghana at the Tarkwa and Damang mines. As a result, political and economic risks relating to Ghana could affect an investment in Gold Fields.

 

Ghana has had periods of political instability, and could be subject to instability again in the future. Presidential and parliamentary elections were conducted under the present Ghanaian constitution in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The 2000 elections resulted in the principal opposition party winning the elections and forming the present government. Since the present government came into power it has passed legislation imposing a tax and import duty which have affected the mining industry. The Ghana Chamber of Mines, of which Gold Fields Ghana Limited and Abosso Goldfields Limited, subsidiaries of Gold Fields, are members, has expressed its concern to the government that these legislative measures have eroded the competitiveness of the fiscal regime affecting mining companies in Ghana. The current government or a future government might adopt additional changes to policies in the future, which could: (1) modify the regulatory or fiscal regime governing mining companies in Ghana, such as increasing the proportion of foreign currency earnings that mining companies are required to repatriate to Ghana or (2) otherwise make investments or foreign-owned operations in Ghana less attractive. Any departure from current policies by the government of Ghana could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

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In addition, it is possible that in the future Ghana will experience adverse economic conditions or disruptions which may negatively impact Gold Fields’ Ghana operations.

 

Gold Fields’ financial flexibility could be materially constrained by South African exchange control regulations.

 

South Africa’s exchange control regulations restrict the export of capital from South Africa, the Republic of Namibia, and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland, known collectively as the Common Monetary Area. Transactions between South African residents (including companies) and non-residents of the Common Monetary Area are subject to exchange controls enforced by the South African Reserve Bank, or SARB. As a result, Gold Fields’ ability to raise and deploy capital outside the Common Monetary Area is restricted. In particular, Gold Fields:

 

is generally not permitted to export capital from South Africa or to hold foreign currency without the approval of the SARB;

 

is generally required to repatriate to South Africa profits of its foreign operations; and

 

is limited in its ability to utilize the income of one foreign subsidiary to finance the operations of another foreign subsidiary.

 

These restrictions could hinder Gold Fields’ normal corporate functioning, particularly its ability to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures and exploration projects outside South Africa.

 

An acquisition of shares in or assets of a South African company by a non-South African purchaser that is subject to exchange control regulations may not be granted regulatory approval.

 

In some circumstances, potential acquisitions of shares in or assets of South African companies by non-South African resident purchasers are subject to review by the SARB pursuant to South African exchange control regulations. In 2000, the SARB refused to approve an acquisition of Gold Fields by Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation Limited, a Canadian mining company. The SARB may refuse to approve similar proposed acquisitions of Gold Fields in the future. As a result, Gold Fields’ management may be limited in its ability to consider strategic options and Gold Fields’ shareholders may not be able to realize the premium over the current trading price of Gold Fields’ ordinary shares which they might otherwise receive upon such an acquisition.

 

Gold Fields’ operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by labor disputes or changes in South African, Ghanaian or Australian labor laws.

 

As of June 30, 2003, approximately 77% of Gold Fields’ employees belonged to unions. Accordingly, Gold Fields is at risk of having its production stopped for indefinite periods due to strikes called by unions and other labor disputes. In South Africa, in addition to strikes, on occasion Gold Fields experiences work stoppages based on national trade union “stay away” days regardless of the state of its relations with its workforce. Significant labor disruptions at any of Gold Fields’ operations could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ production may also be materially affected by relatively new labor laws. Since 1995, South African laws relating to labor have changed significantly in ways that affect Gold Fields’ operations. In particular, laws enacted since then that provide for mandatory compensation in the event of termination of employment for operational reasons and that impose large monetary penalties for non-compliance with the administrative and the reporting requirements in respect of affirmative action policies, could result in significant costs to Gold Fields. There may continue to be significant and adverse changes in labor law in South Africa over the next several years.

 

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Ghanaian law contains broad provisions requiring mining companies to recruit and train Ghanaian personnel and to use the services of Ghanaian companies. Any expansion of these provisions or new labor legislation which increases labor costs in Ghana could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ mining operations in Ghana and, accordingly, on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The Labour Relations Reform Act of Western Australia was passed by Parliament in July 2002. This law reduces the availability of state workplace agreements and is designed to promote collective bargaining and union access to the workplace. This law could strengthen the role of unions in Western Australia’s mining industry, which could have a material adverse effect on labor costs at Gold Fields’ mining operations in Australia and, accordingly, on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields may suffer adverse consequences as a result of its reliance on outside contractors to conduct its operations in Ghana and Australia.

 

A significant portion of Gold Fields’ operations in Ghana and Australia are currently conducted by outside contractors. As a result, Gold Fields’ operations at those sites are subject to a number of risks, some of which are outside Gold Fields’ control, including:

 

negotiating agreements with contractors on acceptable terms;

 

the inability to replace a contractor and its operating equipment in the event that either party terminates the agreement;

 

reduced control over those aspects of operations which are the responsibility of the contractor;

 

failure of a contractor to perform under its agreement with Gold Fields;

 

interruption of operations in the event that a contractor ceases its business due to insolvency or other unforeseen events;

 

failure of a contractor to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, to the extent it is responsible for such compliance; and

 

problems of a contractor with managing its workforce, labor unrest or other employment issues.

 

In addition, Gold Fields may incur liability to third parties as a result of the actions of its contractors. The occurrence of one or more of these risks could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ South African operations may be adversely affected by increased labor costs at its mining operations in South Africa.

 

Wages and related labor costs account for approximately 50% of Gold Fields’ total production costs. Accordingly, Gold Fields’ costs may be materially affected by increases in wages and related labor costs, particularly with respect to Gold Fields’ South African employees, who are highly unionized. Recent negotiations with South African unions have resulted in agreements on above-inflation wage increases required to be implemented through July 2005. If Gold Fields is unable to increase production levels or implement cost cutting measures to offset these increased wages and labor costs, these costs could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ mining operations in South Africa and, accordingly, on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

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Gold Fields may suffer adverse consequences in connection with its transfer to owner mining at Tarkwa.

 

As part of a project undertaken by Gold Fields to expand operations at the Tarkwa mine in Ghana, or the Tarkwa Expansion Project, Gold Fields plans to shift operations at the mine from contractor mining to owner mining. Implementation of the project will involve renegotiating the terms of employment of certain employees at the mine, including negotiating the employment of a portion of the employees currently provided by the contractor. The transition to owner mining could result in increased costs or disruption of operations both during and following this transition, which could have a negative effect on Gold Fields’ operations in Ghana and therefore on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

HIV/AIDS poses risks to Gold Fields in terms of lost productivity and increased costs.

 

The incidence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, which is forecast to increase over the next decade, poses risks to Gold Fields in terms of potentially reduced productivity and increased medical and other costs. Gold Fields’ current estimate of the potential impact of HIV/AIDS on its operations and financial condition is based on a variety of existing data and certain assumptions, including the incidence of HIV infection among its employees, the progressive impact of HIV/AIDS on infected employees’ health, and the medical and other costs associated with the disease, most of which involve factors beyond Gold Fields’ control. Should Gold Fields’ actual experience significantly differ from the assumptions on which its current estimate is based, the actual impact of HIV/AIDS on its business, operating results and financial condition could be significantly worse than Gold Fields expects.

 

Gold Fields’ operations in South Africa are subject to environmental regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Gold Fields’ South African operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations including, for example, those relating to waste treatment, emissions and disposal, and must comply with permits or standards governing, among other things, tailings dams and waste disposal areas, water consumption, air emissions and water discharges. Gold Fields may, in the future, incur significant costs to comply with the South African environmental requirements imposed under existing or new legislation, regulations or permit requirements or to comply with changes in existing laws and regulations or the manner in which they are applied. Also, Gold Fields may be subject to litigation and other costs as a result of environmental rights granted to individuals under South Africa’s Constitution or other sources of rights. These costs could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

South African mining companies are required by law to undertake rehabilitation works as part of their ongoing operations. In addition, during the operational life of their mines, they must provide for the cost of mine closure and post-closure rehabilitation and monitoring once mining operations cease. Gold Fields funds these environmental rehabilitation costs by making contributions into an environmental trust fund, with amounts approved by the authorities. As of September 30, 2003, Gold Fields had contributed a total of approximately Rand 320.0 million, including accrued interest, to the fund. Changes in legislation or regulations (or the approach to enforcement of them) or other unforeseen circumstances may materially and adversely affect Gold Fields’ future environmental expenditures or the level and timing of Gold Fields’ provisioning for these expenditures.

 

Gold Fields’ operations in South Africa are subject to health and safety regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

The present Mine Health and Safety Act 1996, or the Mine Health and Safety Act, came into effect in January 1997. The principal object of the Mine Health and Safety Act is to improve health and safety at

 

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South African mines and to this end, the Mine Health and Safety Act imposes various duties on Gold Fields at its mines, and grants the authorities broad powers to, among other things, close unsafe mines and order corrective action relating to health and safety matters. Exercising her authority under the Mine Health and Safety Act, the Minister of Minerals and Energy stopped production at Beatrix Shaft Nos. 1 and 2 for 10 days in May 2001 and required Gold Fields to implement various safety measures at the mine, following a methane gas explosion in which 13 people lost their lives and which was the second such explosion since May 2000. In the event of any future accidents at Gold Fields’ mines, regulatory authorities could take similar steps.

 

The Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act 78 of 1973, or the Occupational Diseases Act, governs compensation for medical costs related to certain illnesses contracted by persons employed in mines or at sites where activities ancillary to mining are conducted. An amendment to the Occupational Diseases Act came into effect on January 22, 2003, pursuant to which the owner of a mine is required to pay compensation for an indefinite period of time for certain medical costs related to the treatment of occupational illnesses of persons currently employed or persons employed at the time of the onset of the illness. The Mines and Works Compensation Fund that South African mining companies, including Gold Fields, contribute to in order to fund payments due pursuant to the Occupational Diseases Act is presently under funded and levies may need to be reviewed to address this shortfall. Gold Fields may experience increased costs at its mining operations in South Africa a result of its obligation to pay medical compensation pursuant to the Occupational Diseases Act, which could have an adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ mineral rights in South Africa will become subject to new legislation which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

The New Minerals Act. On October 3, 2002, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002, or the New Minerals Act, was signed by the President of South Africa. Provisions of the New Minerals Act will come into operation on those dates specified by the President. The President may stipulate different dates for the different provisions of the New Minerals Act. It is uncertain when the President will exercise these powers. Until such time as the President exercises these powers, the existing regulatory regime will remain in place. Gold Fields currently owns substantially all of the mineral rights under the existing regime for the properties for which it has mining authorizations.

 

Among other things, the New Minerals Act: (1) vests the right to prospect and mine in the state without the automatic payment of compensation, (2) makes provision for a transitional period for the phasing out of privately held mineral rights, prospecting permits and mining authorizations held under the old regime and (3) requires that new applications be made in respect of those rights and new rights to be granted pursuant to the New Minerals Act. Consistent with international practice, the New Minerals Act provides that a mining or prospecting right granted under the New Minerals Act could be cancelled if the mineral to which the right relates is not mined at an “optimal rate.” There is no guarantee that Gold Fields could successfully apply for any or all of its existing mining rights under the New Minerals Act or that the terms on which they would be granted would not be significantly less favorable to Gold Fields. The requirements of the New Minerals Act could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ mining and exploration activities in South Africa and, as a result, Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The Mining Titles Registration Amendment Act, or the Mining Titles Act, was assented to the President on November 26, 2003. The Mining Titles Act provides for the registration of rights granted under the New Minerals Act and will come into effect in the same manner as the New Minerals Act. The Mining Titles Act will repeal certain sections of the current legislation dealing with the registration of mineral rights, subject to the transitional provisions of the New Minerals Act. The status of registration of

 

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transactions involving mineral rights held under the existing regime during the transition to the new regime will remain somewhat uncertain, however, until the provisions regarding transition are finalized, and there is no guarantee that Gold Fields could successfully register any or all of its mineral rights held under the existing regime that become subject to transactions during the New Mineral Act’s transitional period. Failure to successfully register any mineral rights during this period could have an adverse impact on Gold Fields’ South African operations and therefore an adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The New Minerals Act contains a provision requiring the Minister of Minerals and Energy, or the Minister, within six months of the relevant provision becoming operational, to develop a broad-based socio-economic empowerment charter for effecting entry of historically disadvantaged South Africans, or HDSAs, into the mining industry. The South African Government appointed a task team which included representatives from mining companies, including Gold Fields, to develop a charter. On October 11, 2002, the Minister and representatives of certain mining companies and the National Union of Mineworkers signed a charter that reflects the consultation process called for by the New Minerals Act.

 

The charter’s stated objectives are to:

 

promote equitable access to South Africa’s mineral resources for all the people of South Africa;

 

substantially and meaningfully expand opportunities for HDSAs, including women, to enter the mining and minerals industry and to benefit from the exploitation of South Africa’s mineral resources;

 

utilize the existing skills base for the empowerment of HDSAs;

 

expand the skills base of HDSAs in order to serve the community;

 

promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of mining communities and areas supplying mining labor; and

 

promote beneficiation of South Africa’s mineral commodities beyond mining and processing, including the production of consumer products.

 

To achieve these objectives, the charter requires that mining companies achieve a 15% HDSA ownership of mining assets within 5 years and a 26% HDSA ownership of mining assets within 10 years by each mining company. Under the charter, the mining industry as a whole agrees to assist HDSA companies in securing finance to fund participation in an amount of Rand 100 billion over the first 5 years. Beyond the Rand 100 billion commitment, HDSA participation will be increased on a willing seller-willing buyer basis, at fair market value, where the mining companies are not at risk. In addition, the charter requires, among other things, that mining companies spell out plans for achieving employment equity at management level with a view to achieving a baseline of 40% HDSA participation in management and achieving a baseline of 10% participation by women in the mining industry, in each case within 5 years. When considering applications for the conversion of existing licenses, the government will take a “scorecard” approach, evaluating the commitments of stakeholders to the different facets of promoting the objectives of the charter.

 

In order to comply with the terms of the charter, Gold Fields would be required to adjust the ownership structure of its South African mining assets and the composition of its management team. On November 26, 2003, Gold Fields and Mvelaphanda Resources Limited, or Mvela Resources, issued a detailed joint cautionary announcement to shareholders, describing the terms of an agreement in principle for a broad-based black empowerment consortium, led by Mvela Resources, to acquire a 15% beneficial interest in the South African gold mining assets of Gold Fields for consideration of Rand

 

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4.139 billion to be paid on completion of the transaction. An initial joint cautionary announcement regarding the proposed transaction was released on June 10, 2003. The acquisition relates to Gold Fields’ current South African gold mining assets, which include the Driefontein, Kloof and Beatrix mines and ancillary assets and operations. See “Information on the Company — Recent Developments”. The transaction is intended to meet the charter’s requirement that mining companies achieve a 15% HDSA ownership within 5 years of the charter coming into effect. There is no guarantee, however, that the Mvela Resources transaction will be completed and, if completed, that it will not have a negative effect on the value of Gold Fields’ ordinary shares. In addition, any further adjustment to the ownership structure of Gold Fields’ South African mining assets could have a material adverse effect on the value of Gold Fields’ ordinary shares and failing to comply with the charter’s requirements could subject Gold Fields to negative consequences, the scope of which has not yet been fully determined. Gold Fields may also incur expenses to give effect to the charter, and may need to incur additional indebtedness in order to comply with the industry-wide commitment to assist HDSAs in securing Rand 100 billion of financing during the first 5 years of the charter’s effectiveness. Moreover, there is no guarantee that any steps Gold Fields has already taken or might take would ensure that it could successfully apply for conversion of any or all of its existing mining rights or for the grant of new mining rights or that the terms of any conversion or grant would not be significantly less favorable to Gold Fields than the terms of its current rights.

 

The Royalty Bill. On March 20, 2003 the draft Mineral and Petroleum Royalty Bill, or the Royalty Bill, was released for public comment. The South African National Treasury subsequently missed an August 1, 2003 deadline for submitting a revised draft to the South African Parliament and, as a result, the Royalty Bill was not presented to the South African Parliament during 2003.

 

The Royalty Bill proposes to impose a 3% revenue based royalty on the South African gold mining sector payable to the South African government. Under the terms of the Royalty Bill released for comment, the royalty is to take effect when companies convert to new order mining rights in accordance with the New Minerals Act, although the Minister has indicated that the royalty is not expected to take effect until the transitional period for the conversion of mining rights under the New Minerals Act expires. If adopted, the Royalty Bill could have a negative impact on Gold Fields’ South African operations and therefore an adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ land and mineral rights in South Africa could be subject to land restitution claims which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Gold Fields’ privately held land and mineral rights could be subject to land restitution claims under the Restitution of Land Rights Act 1994, or the Land Claims Act. Under this Act, any person who was dispossessed of rights in land in South Africa as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices without payment of just and equitable compensation is granted certain remedies, including the restoration of the land. Under the Land Claims Act, persons entitled to institute a land claim were required to lodge their claims by December 31, 1998. Gold Fields has not been notified of any land claims, but any claims of which it is notified in the future could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ right to the properties to which the claims relate and, as a result, on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill, or the Amendment Bill, was published in the Government Gazette on July 25, 2003. Under the Land Claims Act, the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, or the Land Minister, may not acquire ownership of land for restitution purposes without a court order unless an agreement has been reached between the affected parties. As proposed, the Amendment Bill would entitle the Land Minister to acquire ownership of land for the purpose of restitution or for the benefit of claimants who do not qualify for restitution under the Land Claims Act

 

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without a court order and without obtaining the agreement of the affected parties. The state would be required to pay just and equitable compensation to the owner of land thus acquired. If the Amendment Bill becomes effective, there is no guarantee that any of Gold Fields’ privately held land rights could not become subject to acquisition by the state without Gold Fields’ agreement, or that Gold Fields would be adequately compensated for the loss of its land rights, which could have a negative impact on Gold Fields’ South African operations and therefore an adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ operations in Ghana are subject to environmental regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Gold Fields’ Ghana operation is subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations. The Ghanaian environmental protection laws require, among other things, that Gold Fields register with the Ghanaian environmental authorities, and obtain environmental permits and certificates for the Ghana operation.

 

Ghanaian mining companies are required by law to rehabilitate land disturbed as a result of their mining operations pursuant to an environmental reclamation plan agreed with the Ghanaian environmental authorities. Gold Fields funds these environmental rehabilitation costs in part by posting a reclamation bond to secure estimated costs of rehabilitation. Changes in the required method of calculation for these bonds or an unforeseen circumstance which produces unexpected costs may materially and adversely affect Gold Fields’ future environmental expenditures.

 

Gold Fields’ operations in Ghana are subject to health and safety regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

The Ghanaian health and safety regulations impose statutory duties on an owner of a mine to, among other things, take steps to ensure that the mine is managed and worked in a manner which provides for the safety and proper discipline of the mine workers. The regulations prescribe the measures to be taken to ensure the safety and health of the mine workers. Additionally, Gold Fields is required under the terms of its mining leases to comply with the reasonable instructions of the relevant authorities for securing the health and safety of persons working in or connected with the mine. A violation of the health and safety regulations or a failure to comply with the reasonable instructions of the relevant authorities could lead to, among other things, a temporary shut down of all or a portion of the mine, a loss of the right to mine or the imposition of costly compliance procedures and, in the case of a violation of the regulations relating to health and safety, constitutes an offense under Ghanaian law. If Ghanaian health and safety authorities require Gold Fields to shut down all or a portion of its mines or to implement costly compliance measures, whether pursuant to existing or new health and safety laws and regulations, such measures could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields, as the holder of the mining lease, has potential liability arising from injuries to, or deaths of, workers, including, in some cases, workers employed by its contractors. In Ghana, statutory workers’ compensation is not the exclusive means for workers to claim compensation. Gold Fields’ insurance for health and safety claims or the relevant workers’ compensation arrangements may not be adequate to meet the costs which may arise upon any future health and safety claims.

 

On September 12, 2003, the National Health Insurance Act, 2003 (Act 650) came into effect. The act requires every person resident in Ghana to belong to either a public or private health insurance scheme. To fund the National Health Insurance Fund, the act imposes a levy of 2.5% on goods and services produced or provided in, or imported into, Ghana. The provisions of the act relating to the levy require further legislation to be passed to bring it into effect. Once effective, the levy could have an

 

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adverse impact on Gold Fields’ Ghanaian operations and thus an adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ mineral rights in Ghana are subject to regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

In Ghana, the ownership of land on which there are mineral deposits is separate from the ownership of the minerals. All minerals in their natural state in or upon any land or water are, under Ghanaian law, the property of Ghana and vested in the President on behalf of the people of Ghana. Gold Fields’ mining leases for the Tarkwa property have not yet been ratified by the Ghanaian parliament, as required by law. To the extent that failure to ratify these leases adversely affects their validity, there may be a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ operations in Australia are subject to environmental regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Gold Fields’ Australian operations are subject to various laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, which are similar in scope to those of South Africa and Ghana. Gold Fields may, in the future, incur significant costs to comply with the Australian environmental requirements imposed under existing or new legislation, regulations or permit requirements or to comply with changes in existing laws and regulations or the manner in which they are applied. These costs may have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Australian mining companies are required by law to undertake rehabilitation works as part of their ongoing operation. Gold Fields makes provisions in its accounts for the estimated cost of environmental rehabilitation for its Australian mining properties. Gold Fields guarantees its environmental obligations by providing the Western Australian Government with unconditional bank - guaranteed performance bonds to secure the estimated costs. These bonds do not cover remediation for events that were unforeseen at the time the bond was taken. Changes in the required method of calculation for these bond amounts or an unforeseen circumstance which produces unexpected costs may materially and adversely affect future environmental expenditures.

 

Gold Fields’ operations in Australia are subject to health and safety regulations which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Western Australian health and safety laws impose a duty on a mine owner to provide and maintain a working environment which is safe for mine workers. The regulations prescribe specific measures to be taken and provide for inspectors to review the work site for hazards and violations of the health and safety laws. A violation of the health and safety laws or a failure to comply with the instructions of the relevant health and safety authorities could lead to, among other things, a temporary shutdown of all or a portion of the mine, a loss of the right to mine or the imposition of costly compliance procedures. If health and safety authorities require Gold Fields to shut down all or a portion of the mine or to implement costly compliance measures, whether pursuant to existing or new health and safety laws and regulations, such measures could have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Gold Fields’ tenements in Australia are subject to native title claims and Aboriginal heritage sites which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

Certain of Gold Fields’ tenements are subject to native title claims, and there are Aboriginal heritage sites located on certain of Gold Fields’ tenements. Native title and Aboriginal legislation protects the rights of Aboriginals in relation to the land in certain circumstances. Other tenements may become

 

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subject to native title claims if Gold Fields seeks to expand or otherwise change its interest in rights to those tenements. Native title claims could require costly negotiations with the claimants or could affect Gold Fields’ access to or use of its tenements, and, as a result, have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Aboriginal heritage sites relate to distinct areas of land which have either ongoing ethnographic or archaeological or historic significance. Aboriginal heritage sites have been identified with respect to portions of some of Gold Fields Australian mining tenements. Additional Aboriginal heritage sites may be identified on the same or additional tenements. Gold Fields may, in the future, incur significant costs as a result of changes in the interpretation of, or new laws regarding, native title and Aboriginal heritage, which may result in a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial conditions.

 

Investors in the United States may have difficulty bringing actions, and enforcing judgments, against Gold Fields, its directors and its executive officers based on the civil liabilities provisions of the federal securities laws or other laws of the United States or any state thereof.

 

Gold Fields is incorporated in South Africa. The majority of Gold Fields’ directors and executive officers (and certain experts named herein) reside outside of the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons and substantially all of the assets of Gold Fields are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to enforce against these persons or Gold Fields a judgment obtained in a United States court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities or other laws of the United States or any state thereof. A foreign judgment is not directly enforceable in South Africa, but constitutes a cause of action which will be enforced by South African courts provided that:

 

the court which pronounced the judgment had jurisdiction to entertain the case according to the principles recognized by South African law with reference to the jurisdiction of foreign courts;

 

the judgment is final and conclusive (that is, it cannot be altered by the court which pronounced it);

 

the judgment has not lapsed;

 

the recognition and enforcement of the judgment by South African courts would not be contrary to public policy, including observance of the rules of natural justice which require that the documents initiating the United States proceeding were properly served on the defendant and that the defendant was given the right to be heard and represented by counsel in a free and fair trial before an impartial tribunal;

 

the judgment was not obtained by fraudulent means;

 

the judgment does not involve the enforcement of a penal or revenue law; and

 

the enforcement of the judgment is not otherwise precluded by the provisions of the Protection of Businesses Act 99 of 1978, as amended, of the Republic of South Africa.

 

It is the policy of South African courts to award compensation for the loss or damage actually sustained by the person to whom the compensation is awarded. Although the award of punitive damages is generally unknown to the South African legal system, that does not mean that such awards are necessarily contrary to public policy. Whether a judgment was contrary to public policy depends on the facts of each case. Exorbitant, unconscionable, or excessive awards will generally be contrary to public policy. South African courts cannot enter into the merits of a foreign judgment and cannot act as a court of appeal or review over the foreign court. South African courts will usually implement their own procedural laws and, where an action based on an international contract is brought before a South African court, the capacity of the parties to the contract will usually be determined in accordance with South African law. It is doubtful whether an original action based on United States federal securities laws may be brought before South African courts. A plaintiff who is not resident in South Africa may be

 

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required to provide security for costs in the event of proceedings being initiated in South Africa. Furthermore, the Rules of the High Court of South Africa require that documents executed outside South Africa must be authenticated for the purpose of use in South Africa.

 

Gold Fields is the defendant in a lawsuit filed in the United States alleging human rights violations during the apartheid era which could impose significant costs and burdens.

 

On May 6, 2003, a lawsuit was filed by Zalumi Singleton Mtwesi against Gold Fields in the State of New York. Mr. Mtwesi alleges that during the apartheid era in South Africa he was subjected to human rights violations while employed by Kloof Gold Mining Company Limited, which at the time was a subsidiary of Gold Fields of South Africa Limited, or GFSA. With effect from January 1, 1998, substantially all of the gold mining assets and interests previously held by GFSA were acquired by a company that is now a subsidiary of Gold Fields. See “Information on the Company — History.” Mr. Mtwesi filed the lawsuit on behalf of himself and as representative of all other victims and all other persons similarly situated. Mr. Mtwesi and the plaintiffs’ class have demanded an order certifying the plaintiffs’ class and compensatory damages from Gold Fields in the amount of $7 billion. A complaint has not been served on Gold Fields. Should the lawsuit proceed, defending it may be costly and time consuming and there can be no assurance that Gold Fields will be successful. If Gold Fields is unsuccessful in defending the lawsuit considerable compensatory damages or other penalties may be imposed on Gold Fields which may have a material adverse effect on Gold Fields’ business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Because the principal trading market for Gold Fields’ ordinary shares is the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa, investors face liquidity risk in the market for Gold Fields’ ordinary shares.

 

The principal trading market for Gold Fields’ ordinary shares is the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa, or the JSE. Historically, trading volumes and liquidity of shares listed on the JSE have been low in comparison with other major markets. The ability of a holder to sell a substantial number of Gold Fields’ ordinary shares on the JSE in a timely manner, especially in a large block trade, may be restricted by this limited liquidity.

 

Gold Fields may not pay dividends or make similar payments to its shareholders in the future.

 

Gold Fields pays cash dividends only if funds are available for that purpose. Whether funds are available depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of cash available and Gold Fields’ capital expenditures and other cash requirements existing at the time. Under South African law, Gold Fields will be entitled to pay a dividend or similar payment to its shareholders only if it meets the solvency and liquidity tests set out in the South African Companies Act and Gold Fields’ Articles of Association. Cash dividends or other similar payments may not be paid in the future.

 

Gold Fields’ non-South African shareholders face additional investment risk from currency exchange rate fluctuations since any dividends will be paid in Rand.

 

Dividends or distributions with respect to Gold Fields’ ordinary shares have historically been paid in Rand. The US dollar or other currency equivalent of any dividends or distributions with respect to Gold Fields’ ordinary shares will be adversely affected by potential future reductions in the value of the Rand against the US dollar or other currencies. In the future, it is possible that there will be changes in South African exchange control regulations, such that dividends paid out of trading profits will no longer be freely transferable outside South Africa to shareholders who are not residents of the Common Monetary Area.

 

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Gold Fields’ ordinary shares are subject to dilution upon the exercise of Gold Fields’ outstanding options.

 

As of September 30, 2003, Gold Fields had an aggregate of 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares authorized to be issued and as of that date an aggregate of 473,645,481 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding. Gold Fields has two securities option plans which are authorized to grant options in an amount of up to an aggregate of 25,071,013 ordinary shares. Gold Fields had outstanding as of September 30, 2003 options to purchase a total of 10,028,469 ordinary shares at exercise prices of between Rand 13.55 and Rand 154.65. Shareholders’ equity interests in Gold Fields will be diluted to the extent of future exercises of these options and any additional options granted under the plans.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements made or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:

 

projections of operating revenues, net income, net earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items or ratios;

 

statements of our plans, objectives or goals, business strategies, operating efficiencies, competitive positions, growth opportunities for existing services; and

 

statements of assumptions underlying such statements.

 

Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “forecast,” “guideline,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements.

 

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such factors, some of which are discussed under “Risk Factors”, include but are not limited to:

 

overall economic and business conditions in South Africa and elsewhere;

 

the ability to achieve anticipated efficiencies and other cost savings in connection with past and future acquisitions;

 

decreases in the market price of gold;

 

the occurrence of hazards associated with underground and surface gold mining;

 

the occurrence of labor disruptions;

 

availability, terms and deployment of capital;

 

changes in government regulation, particularly mining rights and environmental regulation;

 

fluctuations in exchange rates, currency devaluations and other macroeconomic monetary policies; and

 

political instability in South Africa and regionally.

 

We caution you that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and that other risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments.

 

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Notwithstanding any statement in this prospectus or in any press release that Harmony has filed in connection with the US offer or the South African offer and incorporated herein by reference, Harmony acknowledges that the safe harbor for forward-looking statements under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as added by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, does not apply to forward-looking statements made in connection with a tender offer.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

On July 7, 2004, Bendigo announced that it raised A$100 million in a capital raising exercise and subsequently issued additional shares in a employee share purchase plan. As a result, Harmony’s shareholding in Bendigo was diluted from 31.8% to its current 11.63% stake. Bendigo is no longer classified as an investment in an associate.

 

On August 11, 2004, share options over 4,411,149 shares were reserved for issuance to management of Harmony and 12,908,311 to the broad-based Employees’ Share Option Plan.

 

BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFERS

 

BACKGROUND OF THE OFFERS

 

Since undergoing a change in management in 1995, Harmony has employed a successful strategy of growth through a series of acquisitions and through the evolution and implementation of a simple set of management systems and philosophies, which Harmony refers to as the “Harmony Way,” and which Harmony believes are unique in the South African gold mining industry. A significant component of the success of Harmony’s strategy to date has been its ability to acquire under-performing mining assets, mainly in South Africa, and in a relatively short time frame to transform these mines into cost-effective production units. The execution of Harmony’s strategy between fiscal 1995 and fiscal 2004 has resulted in the growth of Harmony’s annual gold sales from approximately 650,000 ounces in fiscal 1995 to approximately 3.3 million ounces in fiscal 2004 (3.2 million ounces under US GAAP). Despite increased cash operating costs, resulting largely from the strength of the Rand against the US dollar, Harmony has expanded its proven and probable ore reserve base and, as at June 30, 2004, Harmony’s mining operations reported total proven and probable reserves of approximately 62 million ounces.

 

Harmony’s acquisition strategy in South Africa has been, and will continue to be, mainly to pursue mature, underperforming gold mining operations in which it believes it can successfully introduce the “Harmony Way” to increase productivity, reduce costs and extend mine life. The advantage to acquiring mature, underperforming operations is that they tend to be cheaper to acquire and, particularly for underground operations, much of the required capital expenditure has already been made. Harmony’s corporate strategy with respect to acquisition targets is as follows:

 

to make acquisitions in addition to pursuing greenfield and brownfield developments when it is economical to do so;

 

to acquire mature assets with turnaround potential;

 

to acquire assets that fit Harmony’s management model; and

 

to acquire assets that enhance Harmony’s overall resource base.

 

In South Africa, Harmony has continued to explore a number of potential acquisitions. The South African gold mining industry has undergone a significant restructuring since 1990 with the result that a number of gold mining companies owned principally by mining houses have been sold to other gold operators. Harmony believes that this restructuring process has not yet been completed and that there will continue to be opportunities for further acquisitions in South Africa.

 

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Outside of South Africa, Harmony intends to leverage the broad gold mining experience it has gained through acquisitions and existing operations. Through Harmony’s existing operations, Harmony has gained extensive underground mining experience. Harmony has also gained extensive experience in surface mining by open cast methods through its acquisition of Kalgold and the open cast operations of Randfontein, New Hampton and Hill 50 and in mechanized mining of greenstone orebodies through Harmony’s acquisitions of Bissett, New Hampton and Hill 50. These types of mining are more typical outside of South Africa. Harmony believes that these skills should position it to be able to pursue a broad range of acquisition opportunities. Harmony continues to explore new business opportunities both inside and outside of South Africa. Harmony may in the future pursue additional suitable potential acquisitions in South Africa or internationally.

 

As part of Harmony’s core strategy, Harmony continuously evaluates potential acquisitions to expand its resource base and actively seeks out potential opportunities. It also receives unsolicited proposals from other companies and from financial advisers. Since 1995, Harmony has made 26 acquisitions, 17 of which were either shafts or listed companies.

 

In November 2003, Harmony requested Investec to conduct a review of its operations and potential opportunities for acquisitions. During the course of this work, Investec prepared various proposals to the Harmony senior management team for consideration with regard to acquisition opportunities both in South Africa and internationally.

 

In July 2004, in connection with its evaluation of the entire South African gold mining industry, Investec prepared a presentation to the Harmony management team with regard to the value that Harmony could obtain from the Gold Fields’ South African mining assets, in particular. Coupled with this analysis was the observation by Investec that MMC Norilsk Nickel, or Norilsk, the largest shareholder of Gold Fields, was known in the market to be interested in identifying an international entity into which its international gold assets might be infused. Therefore, the initial proposal developed by Investec focused on Harmony working with Norilsk to form two separate geographically-focused entities with Harmony acquiring the South African assets and Norilsk acquiring the international assets. The primary question at that point was the most effective manner in which to approach Gold Fields with regard to this proposal.

 

On July 15, 2004, during a periodic visit to discuss potential business opportunities, representatives of HSBC met with Ferdi Dippenaar, Harmony’s Marketing Director, to present concepts for possible business combinations with Gold Fields. Various scenarios were discussed and HSBC was asked by Harmony to develop further analysis for Harmony’s consideration.

 

In late July 2004, Harmony requested Investec to perform a detailed analysis on the value proposition of the proposal that had been presented by Investec with regard to the Gold Fields assets. This analysis was completed in late July and presented to the Harmony senior management team. This discussion was further reviewed by Harmony’s senior management team, with the question remaining as to the most appropriate approach strategy, particularly whether to explore the discussion with Gold Fields management or with Norilsk.

 

On August 3, 2004, HSBC presented to Bernard Swanepoel, Harmony’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dippenaar and De Wet Schutte, Harmony’s executive responsible for Exploration and New Business, a more detailed analysis of the potential opportunities, including detailed consideration of the strategic implications for Norilsk. HSBC suggested the possibility of a meeting with Norilsk to explore Norilsk’s strategic thinking with respect to their investment in Gold Fields and whether there might be synergies between Harmony’s interests and Norilsk’s objectives. Given that Investec had also recommended an approach to Norilsk, and that HSBC had contacts with Norilsk, HSBC was requested to discuss a potential meeting with Norilsk. Later that week, a meeting was arranged for September 6, 2004 with Leonid Rozhetskin, the Deputy Chairman of Norilsk. HSBC did not mention a possible

 

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Harmony-Gold Fields transaction when they arranged the meeting and Mr. Rozhetskin was only informed of this at the meeting.

 

On August 11, 2004, the proposed IAMGold transaction was announced by Gold Fields.

 

HSBC prepared an initial analysis of the transaction for Harmony based on the information then available about the proposed transaction, which was then discussed with Mr. Swanepoel and Mr. Schutte.

 

Following the announcement of the proposed IAMGold transaction, HSBC mobilized its team to produce a more detailed analysis of the potential transaction for implications for shareholders of Gold Fields and IAMGold, as well as the potential benefits for Harmony to consider the acquisition of all or part of the assets of Gold Fields. In line with its initial reaction, HSBC’s analysis indicated that the offer had negative implications for the shareholders of Gold Fields and that there were opportunities for Harmony to present a transaction that would be more favorable to the shareholders of Gold Fields than the IAMGold transaction, while also being in the interest of Harmony shareholders.

 

Investec also analyzed the IAMGold transaction and concluded that there was considerable value leakage from Gold Fields and that an opportunity existed for Harmony to develop a proposal that would be more favorable to the Gold Fields shareholders than the IAMGold transaction.

 

On September 6, 2004, Mr. Swanepoel and HSBC met with Mr. Rozhetskin. Harmony and HSBC presented their observations on the value leakage to Gold Fields shareholders of the IAMGold transaction. They also presented a view on possible synergy benefits of a combination of Harmony and Gold Fields. Harmony expressed interest in exploring a possible transaction to acquire all or part of Gold Fields. Harmony requested from Norilsk a response as to whether such a transaction would be opposed by Norilsk as a major shareholder or might attract the support of Norilsk. Norilsk declined to provide any response but promised to consider and revert.

 

On September 10, 2004 HSBC met with Mr. Rozhetskin. Norilsk declared its dissatisfication with the proposed IAMGold transaction from the perspective of shareholder value. Norilsk expressed an interest in receiving a specific proposal from Harmony that would be more favorable to shareholders of Gold Fields.

 

Through late September and early October, Harmony assembled a team of outside advisors to assist in the feasibility of a possible public offer for all the Gold Fields securities, including an unsolicited public offer. Given the synergies in the proposals developed by HSBC and Investec, Harmony engaged Investec and HSBC to act as its joint financial advisers to perform further analysis. For legal counsel, Harmony retained Cliffe Dekker to advise on South African corporate, securities and competition law and Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. to advise on US securities law issues and related matters and international competition and regulatory issues.

 

On September 23, 2004, a further meeting took place between Mr. Swanepoel, HSBC, and Mr. Rozhetskin. Harmony expressed continued interest in a possible transaction but stated that a condition precedent would be signature by Norilsk of an irrevocable agreement, a draft of which was handed to Norilsk. Norilsk stated its intention to retain legal and financial advisers to advise on the irrevocable agreement and on the likelihood of success of such a transaction. Norilsk also observed that Harmony had yet to provide any indicative pricing on the possible offer. On September 28, 2004, HSBC received a call from Mr. Rozhetskin who expressed continued interest in evaluating the possible transaction.

 

During late September and early October, initial discussions were held with the Securities Regulation Panel on a confidential basis. Prior to the announcement of the offers, representatives of Harmony’s US legal advisers contacted the staff of the SEC to discuss certain aspects of the US offer and related documentation.

 

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In early October, Harmony also retained Financial Dynamics Business Communications as its communications adviser, Beachhead Media and Investor Relations as media and investor relations advisers and MacKenzie Partners, Inc., as proxy solicitation agent.

 

Through early October, a team of key Harmony executives worked with Harmony’s outside advisors to analyze the opportunity presented by a combination with Gold Fields and to begin preliminary preparations for a possible unsolicited offer for all the Gold Fields shares that would be presented directly to Gold Fields shareholders. During this period, initial drafts of the applicable offer documentation required to be filed with stock market and securities regulators in South Africa and the United States were started. Harmony’s senior management and advisers reviewed with Mr. Swanepoel various aspects of a possible transaction with Gold Fields, including the potential financial impact of a possible transaction with Gold Fields under a range of possible offer terms. However, no decision was made to proceed with the offer or regarding the definitive terms of any offer.

 

On October 5, 2004, a meeting took place in London between Mr. Swanepoel, HSBC, Mr. Rozhetskin and Deutsche Bank, advisers to Norilsk. Harmony suggested an indicative offer premium. Norilsk indicated that the premium was not adequate. Deutsche raised certain questions for Harmony’s consideration. On October 7, 2004, HSBC called Mr. Rozhetskin to further discuss the issue of the offer premium.

 

On October 6-8, 2004, members of Harmony’s Investment Committee were briefed on the possible transaction and their views were taken into account by Harmony’s advisers and senior management team.

 

On October 7, 2004, Mr. Swanepoel’s administrative assistant received an unsolicited call from Mr. Cockerill’s administrative assistant asking whether Mr. Swanepoel would be able to meet with Mr. Cockerill, chief executive officer of Gold Fields, on October 8, 2004. Due to prior scheduling commitments, Mr. Swanepoel’s administrative assistant suggested that the earliest opportunity would be October 12, 2004.

 

On October 8, 2004, Harmony’s Investment Committee met to discuss the analysis of the proposed transaction with Harmony’s senior management team and advisers. The Investment Committee recommended that the proposal be presented to Harmony’s Board of Directors with a favorable recommendation from the Investment Committee and that the senior management and advisers continue to prepare for a potential approach to Gold Fields.

 

On October 11, 2004, Deutsche Bank and HSBC met to discuss Deutsche Bank’s outstanding issues with regard to the irrevocable agreement and other aspects of the possible transaction. Deutsche Bank informed HSBC that Norilsk’s Board planned to meet on October 18, 2004 to decide on whether it would be prepared to sign the irrevocable agreement.

 

On October 16, 2004, following resolution of their remaining issues, the board of Norilsk approved the entering into of the irrevocable agreement. Harmony and Norilsk resolved their remaining issues and signed an irrevocable agreement.

 

On October 16, 2004, following the signing of the agreement, Mr. Swanepoel telephoned Mr. Cockerill and proposed a merger of the two companies based on a premium of 1.275 Harmony shares for each Gold Fields share. Mr. Swanepoel informed Mr. Cockerill of the irrevocable agreement with Norilsk Nickel, and expressed his belief that the proposed business combination of Harmony and Gold Fields was superior to the proposed IAMGold transaction. Mr. Swanepoel suggested that he present a written offer to Mr. Cockerill and Mr. Cockerill suggested that Mr. Swanepoel send such offer by fax. Mr. Swanepoel further expressed that the time constraints upon them were severe and real and requested

 

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a response to his proposal by Sunday evening. Mr. Cockerill indicated his view was that the premium was unacceptable. Immediately after the call, Mr. Swanepoel faxed a proposal letter to Mr. Cockerill. Approximately two hours after their first telephone conversation, Mr. Cockerill telephoned Mr. Swanepoel and requested answers to three questions that Mr. Cockerill would put to his board.

 

On October 17, Mr. Swanepoel sent a fax to Mr. Cockerill setting forth the answers to his three questions. In response to a query regarding the level of shareholder support committed to Harmony, Mr. Swanepoel responded that Harmony had not approached or obtained commitments from any shareholders other than Norilsk. With regard to Mr. Cockerill’s second question regarding competition approvals, Mr. Swanepoel responded that as in keeping with a transaction of this nature, the proposed merger had several conditions precedent of which competition commission approval was one part. With regard to the final question regarding the integration of management, Mr. Swanepoel indicated that if the Gold Fields board supported the offer, Mr. Swanepoel and Mr. Cockerill would sit down together to discuss the details.

 

On October 18, 2004, Harmony announced its intention to make the offers to shareholders of Gold Fields through a press release and public presentation in Johannesburg.

 

On October 19, 2004, the Securities Regulation Panel of South Africa, or SRP, approved the South African offering circular.

 

On October 20, 2004, the JSE approved the category 1 acquisition circular to Harmony shareholders. On the same day, Harmony received notice from Edward Nathan & Friedland, South African legal advisers to Gold Fields, that Gold Fields seeks a ruling from the SRP as to certain matters under the SRP Code, which could affect the offers. The mechanics and structure of the offers have been approved by SRP and Harmony believes that Gold Fields’ submissions to the SRP are without merit.

 

PAST CONTRACTS, TRANSACTIONS, NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS

 

On October 23, 2001, Gold Fields granted Harmony an exclusive option to negotiate the possible acquisition from Gold Fields of the St. Helena and Oryx mines in the Free State Province. Harmony, in return, granted Gold Fields an exclusive option to negotiate the acquisition of Harmony’s stake in AurionGold. These agreements expired, without exercise, on February 15, 2002.

 

On May 24, 2002, Harmony, ARMgold and Gold Fields, through its subsidiary, St. Helena Gold Mines Limited, announced that an agreement in principle had been reached under which St. Helena Gold Mines Limited would sell the St. Helena gold mining assets to the Free Gold Company for Rand 120 million ($13.7 million), plus a royalty equal to one percent of revenue for a period of 48 months beginning on the effective date of the sale. The sale was completed on October 30, 2002, and the Free Gold Company assumed management control on that date.

 

On September 22, 2003, Harmony and ARMgold completed a merger, one result of which was that Harmony became the owner of 100% of the Free Gold Company. The royalty agreement between Harmony and Gold Fields referred to above remains in effect.

 

Other than as set forth in this prospectus, including in the above captioned section “—Background of the Offers”, since January 1, 2002, to the best knowledge of Harmony, there have been no negotiations, transactions or material contacts between Harmony or any of its subsidiaries on the one hand, and Gold Fields or any of its affiliates, on the other hand, relating to any merger, consolidation, acquisition, tender offer for any class of Gold Fields’ securities, election of any director of Gold Fields or any sale or other transfer of a material amount of the assets of Gold Fields.

 

Other than as set forth in this prospectus, since January 1, 2002, to the best knowledge of Harmony, there has been no transaction, or series of related transactions, between Harmony or any of its affiliates, on the one hand, and

 

any executive officer, director or affiliate of Gold Fields that is a natural person that exceeded US $60,000 in aggregate; or

 

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Gold Fields or any of its affiliates that is not a natural person

 

that exceeded one percent of the consolidated revenues of Gold Fields for the fiscal year in which such transaction occurred.

 

REASONS FOR THE OFFER

 

Harmony is making the offers in order to acquire, in the most expedient manner possible, control of Gold Fields. Harmony is seeking to acquire Gold Fields because Harmony believes that the combination of the two companies will create the world’s leading gold mining company, with the enhanced scale, financial strength and reserves and to enhance shareholder value in ways that are not likely to be achieved by either Harmony or Gold Fields on a stand alone basis.

 

In reaching its decision to approve the US offer and the South African offer, the Harmony board of directors considered a number of factors, including those set out below.

 

The Harmony board of directors considered the strategic rationale for combining the two companies, including the following:

 

the opportunity to realize significant cost savings and other synergies;

 

continuation of a strategy for value and growth, both in South Africa and internationally; and

 

the creation of the world’s leading gold mining company, with enhanced scale, financial strengths and reserves and resources.

 

Substantial operational synergies

 

Harmony firmly believes that it can achieve significant reductions in Gold Fields’ cost base, in addition to Gold Fields’ current efficiency initiatives. Harmony estimates that in order to justify the premium offered to Gold Fields shareholders, it needs to achieve cost reductions of at least 15% per annum in Gold Fields’ South African cost base, equating to an estimated improvement in pre-tax operating profit of R1 billion per annum.

 

These cost benefits are expected to be achieved, inter alia, through:

 

empowering operational management;

 

improving operational efficiencies;

 

rationalising corporate overhead and administrative infrastructures;

 

rationalising activities in areas such as procurement and insurance;

 

improved capital programme management;

 

improved services management and mining systems and;

 

empowering local operational management.

 

Based on its prior experience, Harmony believes that it can deliver these cost savings within six to nine months and, in addition, deliver Gold Fields’ current cost initiatives more quickly than Gold Fields’ stated intention to deliver them within 36 months.

 

Harmony believes that its ability to deliver cost savings in acquisitions is borne out by its demonstrable track record of applying its low cost culture and high productivity mining methods to previously acquired assets. Harmony has made numerous acquisitions where it has been able to show significant cost reductions. Harmony has even proven this ability with assets acquired from Gold Fields itself. For example, Harmony acquired Evander from Gold Fields and after eighteen months had reduced costs by 31%.

 

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A strategy for value and growth, both domestically and internationally

 

Harmony considers that Gold Fields’ management has prematurely placed Gold Fields’ South African portfolio into harvest mode and believes that, through the application of the Harmony Way, Harmony can revitalise this valuable asset base. Harmony believes that application of the Harmony Way to Gold Fields’ South African assets will produce significantly reduced overall unit costs, leading to improved ore reserve management and increased operational and financial flexibility. Harmony believes that this will have the effect of not only increasing profitability, but will also convert non-pay areas into pay areas. Based on past experience, this process is expected to increase reserves and resources and extend the economic life of Gold Fields’ South African mines.

 

As a result, Harmony believes it will re-establish the viability and future competitiveness of Gold Fields’ South African asset portfolio, putting mature assets back into growth mode, transforming current replacement projects into genuine growth opportunities and allowing projects that were previously abandoned to be reconstituted as economically feasible.

 

Harmony believes that its ability to deliver is further demonstrated by its track record in turning terminal assets back into growth. The table below sets out the details of reserves within assets that had been abandoned by the previous operator and that Harmony has successfully turned into growth projects, economically producing over 1.5 million ounces per annum:

 

Project


  

Mineable

reserve (‘000 oz)


  

Total

funding cost
per ounce
(US$)*


  

Production

per annum (oz)


Masimong expansion

   2,530    12    315,000

Elandsrand new mine

   6,300    33    450,000

Tshepong decline

   1,300    28    167,000

Phakisa shaft

   4,100    18    265,000

Doornkop South Reef shaft

   3,700    46    330,000
    
  
  

Total

   17,930    27    1,527,000
    
  
  

 

*Includes acquisition, exploration and capital expenditure figures

 

Harmony believes that positive socio-economic benefits, primarily from the creation of further employment opportunities and extending the life of existing jobs, accrue from applying the “Harmony Way” to increase reserves and extend the life of mines. In addition, the resultant increase in profitability and financial flexibility will enable the enlarged group to fund capital and development expenditure, offering long term growth opportunities, improving the overall quality of the enlarged group’s asset portfolio and maximising shareholder returns.

 

Harmony believes that a revitalised South African asset base will provide the platform from which to develop the international asset portfolio. Harmony will continue to explore new business opportunities and pursue suitable acquisitions both within South Africa and internationally.

 

Harmony intends to manage actively the combined international asset portfolio and continue to support and expand exploration activities as another important avenue for increasing the size of its reserve base. Harmony will examine the real potential of Gold Fields’ APP (Finland) and Cerro Corona (Peru) projects and plans to develop further the known potential of its own Hidden Valley (Papua New Guinea) and Wafi/Golpu (Papua New Guinea) projects. Harmony will also consider, on an ongoing basis, value creation opportunities for the international portfolio, both collectively and on an individual basis. Such opportunities might include a future listing or collective disposal of the international assets, or the disposal of participations in an individual asset. Should Harmony decide to realise the value in all

 

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or part of its international assets, Harmony would plan to do so only for full value in a manner that ensured that shareholders fully participated in the upside and at a valuation that incorporated the full benefit of any international rating.

 

Creation of a new international major with enhanced investor appeal

 

Harmony and Gold Fields are currently the world’s 6th and 4th largest gold mining companies, respectively, in terms of attributable production, approximately 3.3 million ounces (3.2 million ounces according to US GAAP) and 4.2 million ounces per annum, during the financial year ended June 30, 2004, respectively.

 

Harmony believes that a merger will create a new international major with true global scale and relevance, thereby becoming a more attractive stock for both gold and other investors. The enlarged group will be:

 

  the world’s largest gold mining company by:

 

  attributable production of approximately 7.5 million ounces per annum;

 

  attributable resources amounting to approximately 593 million ounces; and

 

  attributable reserves amounting to approximately 139 million ounces.

 

The above is based on publicly available information as at June 30, 2004.

 

  the world’s second largest gold mining company with a

 

  market capitalisation of approximately US$11.0 billion, based on the closing prices of Harmony and Gold Fields shares on the last practicable date, on a pro forma basis, prior to any market re-rating which may result from the recognition of the benefits expected from the proposed merger.

 

The enlarged group will retain an integrated geographic strategy, led by a strong management team with a proven track record both operationally and in terms of delivering value-enhancing acquisitions. The combination of the two companies and the resultant increase in market capitalisation is expected to increase the weighting in all relevant investment indices, leading to greater liquidity and access to a greater universe of potential investors.

 

As a new international major, Harmony believes that, the enlarged group will have the requisite financial strength and flexibility to continue to deliver value to its shareholders through:

 

profit enhancement at existing operations through the continued implementation of Harmony’s unique management structure, systems and philosophy;

 

growth in production resulting from organic projects;

 

growth from acquisitions in South Africa and internationally; and

 

continued expansion of its reserve base through its current and future exploration and development projects.

 

Other positive factors considered

 

In addition to the strategic rationale for the offers discussed above, the Harmony board of directors also considered the following factors, generally supporting the decision to make the offers:

 

the financial terms of the offers, including the historic trading prices of Gold Fields ordinary shares relative to Harmony ordinary shares, the fixed exchange ratio to be received in the offers by holders of Gold Fields securities;

 

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the fact that the largest shareholder of Gold Fields was supportive of the offers and agreed to tender its shares in the second offer;

 

the required regulatory consents and the likelihood that the acquisition of Gold Fields securities would be approved by South African antitrust regulators without the imposition of materially burdensome terms or conditions;

 

the expectation that the offers could be completed successfully, including the likelihood that no competing offeror would emerge; and

 

the fact that the combined group would allow Harmony to expand its operations in South Africa and internationally.

 

Other factors considered

 

In addition, the Harmony board of directors considered the following factors, generally weighing against the decision to commence the offers and proceed with the attempted acquisition:

 

the difficulties and management distractions inherent in integrating the operations of two large mining companies and in continuing to manage the two companies;

 

the fact that the offers were unsolicited and were being launched without the support and recommendation of Gold Fields’ board of directors, including that there was no opportunity to conduct due diligence of non-public information before commencing the offers and that the unsolicited nature of the offers might make integration more difficult;

 

the risk that the offers might not be completed, and the possible adverse implication to investor relations, management credibility and employee morale under such circumstances.

 

For a further discussion of certain of these risks and uncertainties, please see “Risk Factors” and the “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements”.

 

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Harmony board of directors in making its decision to approve the offers does not purport to be exhaustive, but includes all material factors considered by the Harmony board of directors. In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the offers and the proposed acquisition of Gold Fields and the inherent complexity of these matters, the Harmony board of directors did not find it useful, and did not attempt, to quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to these factors. In addition, different members of the Harmony board of directors may have given different weight to different factors.

 

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THE OFFER

 

THE US OFFER AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN OFFER

 

For legal reasons in order to satisfy regulatory requirements, Harmony is offering to acquire all of the Gold Fields securities through two separate offers:

 

a US offer open to all holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in the United States and to all holders of Gold Fields ADSs, wherever located; and

 

a South African offer open to all holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in South Africa and to holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located outside of the United States, if, pursuant to the local laws and regulations applicable to such holders, they are permitted to participate in the South Africa offer.

 

Taken together, the US and the South African offer are for 34.9% of the outstanding Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, and all Gold Fields ordinary shares that are or may become issuable prior to the expiration of the offers due to the exercise of outstanding Gold Fields stock options. According to Gold Fields’ South African annual report filed with the SEC under Form 6-K on October 13, 2004, as at June 30, 2004 there were 491,492,520 Gold Fields ordinary shares outstanding. Of these, based on publicly available information, we estimate that 89,502,813 Gold Fields ordinary shares are represented by Gold Fields ADSs and, in addition, based on the best available public information, we estimate that up to approximately 63,461,593 Gold Fields ordinary shares are held by holders who are located in the United States.

 

The South African offer and the US offer commenced on October 21, 2004. The South African and the US offer are being made on substantially similar terms and completion of the offers is subject to substantially similar conditions. However, holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are located in the United States and all holders of Gold Fields ADSs, wherever located, do not have the right to tender their Gold Fields securities in the South African offer and holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares who are not located in the United States do not have the right to tender their Gold Fields ordinary shares in the US offer. This prospectus covers only the US offer for Gold Fields securities.

 

The South African offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into, and may not be accepted in or from, the United States. Copies of the offer documentation being used in the South African offer and any related materials are not being and should not be mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into the United States.

 

The distribution of this prospectus and the making of this US offer may, in some jurisdictions, be restricted by law. The US offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into, and may not be accepted from within, any jurisdiction in which the making of the US offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus should inform themselves of and observe any and all of these restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. We do not assume any responsibility for any violation by any person of any of these laws or restrictions.

 

TERMS OF THE US OFFER

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this US offer, we are offering:

 

1.275 newly issued Harmony ordinary shares, in exchange for each outstanding Gold Fields ordinary share validly tendered and not withdrawn; and

 

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1.275 newly issued Harmony ADSs (each Harmony ADS representing one Harmony ordinary share), in exchange for each outstanding Gold Fields ADS (each Gold Fields ADS representing one Gold Fields ordinary share) validly tendered and not withdrawn.

 

Based on a price of Rand 83.84 per Harmony ordinary share which was the average of the daily volume weighted average price for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE in the 30 business days ending on October 14, 2004 (the last trading day before rumors and press articles significantly affected the share prices and trading volumes of Harmony ordinary shares and Gold Fields ordinary shares), the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 106.90, representing a premium of 28.1% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ordinary shares on the JSE for the same period, which was Rand 83.42 per Gold Fields ordinary share. Based on the closing price of Rand 83.50 for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before the public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 106.46.

 

Based on a price of Rand 84.41 per Harmony ordinary share, which was the closing price for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE on October 14, 2004 (the last trading day before rumors and press articles significantly affected the share prices and trading volumes of Harmony ordinary shares and Gold Fields ordinary shares), the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 107.62, representing a premium of 29.0% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ordinary shares on the JSE in the 30 business days ending October 14, 2004, which was Rand 83.42 per Gold Fields ordinary share. Based on the closing price of Rand 83.50 for Harmony ordinary shares on the JSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ordinary share at Rand 106.46.

 

Based on a price of US$12.89 per Harmony ADS, which was the average of the daily volume weighted average price for Harmony ADSs on the NYSE in the 30 business days ending on October 14, 2004, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.43, representing a premium of 28.2% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ADSs on the NYSE for the same period, which was US$12.82 per Gold Fields ADS. Based on the closing price of US$12.56 for Harmony ADSs on the NYSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before the public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$6.01.

 

Based on a price of US$12.93 per Harmony ADS, which was the closing price for Harmony ADSs on the NYSE on October 14, 2004, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.49, representing a premium of 28.6% over the daily volume weighted average price for Gold Fields ADSs on the NYSE in the 30 business days ending October 14, 2004, which was US$12.82 per Gold Fields ADS. Based on the closing price of US$12.56 for Harmony ADS on the NYSE on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before the public announcement of the US offer, the terms of the US offer value each Gold Fields ADS at US$16.01.

 

CONSIDERATION OFFERED AFTER PAYMENT OF GOLD FIELDS DIVIDENDS

 

If Gold Fields pays any dividend or any interim dividend (in cash or in shares) in respect of the Gold Fields ordinary shares, including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs, before the settlement of the offers, the consideration offered in exchange for each Gold Fields ordinary share and each Gold Fields ADS will be reduced by an amount equal to the net value of the dividend.

 

ENTITLEMENT TO HARMONY DIVIDENDS

 

In respect of the Harmony ordinary shares, including Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs, issued in exchange or part exchange for your tendered Gold Fields securities, you will be entitled to receive any dividend that is paid after the settlement of this exchange offer.

 

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Your entitlement to receive these dividends, if any, in respect of the Harmony ordinary shares, including Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs, that you receive in the US offer is in addition to the consideration described above. Harmony reserves the right to pay an interim dividend with respect to Harmony’s 2004 results.

 

NO FRACTIONAL SHARES

 

No fractional Harmony ordinary shares will be issued in connection with the US offer. In calculating the number of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs to be received by holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs, to the extent practicable, the number of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number in the event that a fractional share comprises 0.5 more of an Harmony share, and otherwise will be rounded down to the nearest whole Harmony share.

 

OWNERSHIP OF HARMONY AFTER COMPLETION OF THE OFFERS

 

If the maximum 34.9% of the Gold Fields securities are validly tendered and exchanged pursuant to the terms of the US offer, and the South African offer, the former holders, other than Gold Fields, of Gold Fields securities and the current holders of Harmony securities, other than Harmony, will hold the following percentages of Harmony’s outstanding share capital (other than share capital held by Harmony) and voting rights immediately after the exchange:

 

    

Owned by Current
Holders of
Harmony
Securities


  

Owned by Former
Holders of Gold
Fields Securities


Number of outstanding Harmony ordinary shares (including Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs) held after completion of the offers:    320,741,577    218,701,884

Percentage of share capital of Harmony:

   59.5%    40.5%

percentage of total voting rights in Harmony:

   59.5%    40.5%

 

CONDITIONS TO THE US OFFER

 

Share issuance condition

 

Harmony’s obligation to complete the US offer is subject to the condition that the issuance of additional Harmony ordinary shares to be issued on completion of the US offer and South African has been duly approved by the shareholders of Harmony at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held for this purpose. We refer to this condition as the “share issuance condition”.

 

F-4 declared effective

 

Harmony’s obligation to complete the US offer is subject to the condition that the registration statement submitted on Form F-4 of which this prospectus forms a part shall have been declared effective by the SEC.

 

OFFERS LAPSING

 

If any conditions are not satisfied, the offers will lapse.

 

If the offers lapse because a condition is not satisfied, Harmony reserves the right to commence a new offer or not, in its sole discretion, and to make that offer available in the United States or not, in its sole discretion. If the offers lapse, the Gold Fields securities that you tendered in the US offer will be returned to you without interest or any other payment being due.

 

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GROUNDS FOR CLOSING THE OFFERS; RETURN OF TENDERED GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

 

In accordance with South African law and regulations the South African offer must remain open for at least 21 days from the date of posting of the South African offer document. The offer must remain open for at least 14 days after it becomes or is declared unconditional. Where the offer is extended until further notice, at least 14 days notice must be given before it can be closed.

 

If the offers are closed without becoming unconditional or lapse, the Gold Fields securities that you tendered in the US offer will be returned to you without interest or any other payment being due. This should occur within five trading days following the announcement of the closing or lapse.

 

EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSION OF OFFER

 

The US offer will expire at 6:00 a.m., New York City time on November 26, 2004, unless the offer has been extended in South Africa or the offers lapse or are withdrawn prior to that time.

 

Harmony does not intend to extend the US offer. We may, however, be required to extend the offers under applicable South African law and US securities laws if there is a material change to the offers. If we extend the offers, we will make a public announcement of the extension, not later than 8:00 a.m. Johannesburg time and 8:00 a.m. New York City time, on the next business day after the day on which the offers were scheduled to expire. We do not intend to extend the expiration date of the US offer unless the expiration date of the South African offer is extended or otherwise required by law.

 

We will not extend the expiration date of the US offer unless the expiration date of the South African offer is extended.

 

PUBLICATION OF RESULTS

 

In accordance with JSE and SRP regulations, Harmony will publish an announcement through SENS, the JSE news service, within four business days of the expiration of the offer, and through a simultaneous announcement in the press. Harmony will also file all such announcements under cover of Schedule TO pursuant to SEC regulations.

 

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING GOLD FIELDS ADSs

 

Gold Fields American depositary receipts

 

If you hold certificates, commonly known as American depositary receipts, or ADRs, evidencing your Gold Fields ADSs, you may tender your Gold Fields ADSs by delivering the following materials to the US ADS exchange agent prior to the expiration date at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus:

 

your Gold Fields ADSs;

 

a properly completed and duly executed ADS letter of transmittal, or a facsimile copy with an original manual signature, with any required signature guarantees; and

 

any other documents required by the ADS letter of transmittal.

 

If a Gold Fields ADS is registered in the name of a person other than the signatory of the ADS letter of transmittal, the Gold Fields ADS must be endorsed or accompanied by the appropriate stock powers. The stock powers must be signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the Gold Fields ADS, with the signature(s) on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed as described below.

 

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Gold Fields ADSs held in book-entry form

 

If you hold your Gold Fields ADSs in book-entry form, you may tender your Gold Fields ADSs by taking, or causing to be taken, the following actions prior to the expiration date:

 

a book-entry transfer of your Gold Fields ADSs into the account of the US ADS exchange agent at the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to the procedures described below;

 

the delivery to the US ADS exchange agent at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus of either:

 

a properly completed and duly executed ADS letter of transmittal, or a facsimile copy with an original manual signature, with any required signature guarantees, or

 

an agent’s message (as defined below); and

 

delivery to the US ADS exchange agent at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus of any other documents required by the ADS letter of transmittal.

 

Within two business days after the date of this prospectus, the US ADS exchange agent will establish an account at DTC with respect to Gold Fields ADSs for purposes of the US offer. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC’s systems may make book-entry delivery of Gold Fields ADSs by causing DTC to transfer such Gold Fields ADSs into the account of the US ADS exchange agent in accordance with DTC’s procedure for the transfer. An “agent’s message” delivered in lieu of the ADS letter of transmittal is a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the US ADS exchange agent as part of a confirmation of a book-entry transfer. The message states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the DTC participant tendering the Gold Fields ADSs that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the ADS letter of transmittal and that we may enforce such agreement against such participant.

 

Gold Fields ADSs held in “street name”

 

If you are not the registered holder of your Gold Fields ADSs but hold your Gold Fields ADSs in “street name” through a broker, bank or custodian, you should contact your broker, bank or custodian to discuss the appropriate procedures for tendering.

 

ADS letter of transmittal

 

Signature Guarantees. In general, signatures on letters of transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm that is a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program, or by any other “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, each of which we refer to as an “eligible institution”. However, signature guarantees are not required in cases where Gold Fields ADSs are tendered:

 

by a registered holder of Gold Fields ADSs who has not completed either the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on the ADS letter of transmittal; or

 

for the account of an eligible institution.

 

Partial Tenders. If you wish to tender fewer than all of the Gold Fields ADSs evidenced by any ADRs delivered to the US ADS exchange agent, you must indicate this in the ADS letter of transmittal by completing the box entitled “Number of Gold Fields ADSs Tendered”.

 

Treatment of Tendered Gold Fields ADSs. The ADS letter of transmittal authorizes the US ADS exchange agent, as agent and attorney-in-fact for tendering holders of Gold Fields ADSs, among other things, to surrender tendered Gold Fields ADSs to the Gold Fields ADS depositary and instruct the

 

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Gold Fields ADS depositary to deliver the underlying Gold Fields ordinary shares even before Harmony accepts the tendered Gold Fields ADSs for exchange. Harmony intends to instruct the US ADS exchange agent to take these actions promptly after the expiration of these offers so that the Gold Fields ordinary shares underlying the Gold Fields ADSs will be tendered as part of the South African centralizing procedures within 5 business days after the expiration date. Harmony will agree under the ADS letter of transmittal that if it does not accept the tendered Gold Fields ADSs for exchange, it will cause the Gold Fields ordinary shares underlying those Gold Fields ADSs to be re-deposited under the deposit agreement and Gold Fields ADSs representing those Gold Fields ordinary shares to be delivered to the US ADS exchange agent. The US ADS exchange agent will then return the Gold Fields ADSs to you. You will retain beneficial ownership of tendered Gold Fields ADSs unless and until Harmony accepts the tendered Gold Fields ADSs for exchange. After acceptance, you will only have a right to receive the exchange consideration from Harmony in accordance with the US offer.

 

Guaranteed delivery

 

If you wish to tender Gold Fields ADSs pursuant to this US offer and your Gold Fields ADRs are not immediately available or you cannot deliver such Gold Fields ADRs and all other required documents to the US ADS exchange agent prior to the expiration date, or you cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, you may nevertheless tender such Gold Fields ADSs provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

 

the tender is made by or through an eligible institution;

 

a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form made available by us, is received by the US ADS exchange agent as provided below on or prior to the expiration date; and

 

within three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery, you deliver to the US ADS exchange agent, either:

 

  - your Gold Fields ADRs, in proper form for transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed ADS letter of transmittal or a manually executed facsimile copy, with any required signature guarantee, or

 

  - a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of your Gold Fields ADSs into the account of the US ADS exchange agent at DTC as described above, together with a properly completed and duly executed ADS letter of transmittal or a manually executed facsimile copy, with any required signature guarantee or an agent’s message.

 

The notice of guaranteed delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile transmission or mailed to the US ADS exchange agent. The notice of guaranteed delivery must in all cases include a guarantee by an eligible institution in the form set forth in such notice. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with its procedures does not constitute delivery to the US ADS exchange agent.

 

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING GOLD FIELDS ORDINARY SHARES

 

Gold Fields ordinary shares held through South African financial intermediaries

 

If you hold your Gold Fields ordinary shares through a South African financial intermediary, you should not complete the ADS letter of transmittal. Instead, your South African financial intermediary should send you transmittal materials and instructions for participating in the US offer. If you have not yet received instructions from your South African financial intermediary, please contact your South African financial intermediary directly.

 

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Gold Fields ordinary shares held through US custodians

 

If you hold your Gold Fields ordinary shares through a US custodian, you should not complete an ADS letter of transmittal. Instead, your US custodian should either forward you the transmittal materials and instructions sent by the South African financial intermediary that holds the Gold Fields ordinary shares on behalf of your US custodian as record owner or send you a separate form prepared by your US custodian. If you have not yet received instructions from your US custodian, please contact your US custodian directly.

 

EFFECTS OF TENDER

 

By tendering your Gold Fields securities, you represent and warrant that you have the power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Gold Fields securities tendered and to acquire the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, as applicable, and/or cash issuable or payable upon the exchange of your tendered Gold Fields securities, and that, when and if the Gold Fields securities are accepted for exchange, Harmony will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered Gold Fields securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and not subject to any adverse claim or right. You also warrant that you will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by Harmony or its agents to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the tendered Gold Fields securities.

 

By executing an ADS letter of transmittal or form of acceptance, you will irrevocably appoint us or our designees as your attorneys-in-fact and proxies. Our appointment, or that of our designees, will be to the full extent of your rights with respect to the Gold Fields securities tendered by you and accepted for exchange by Harmony or its designees. The appointment will be effective, and your voting rights will be affected, only when we accept for exchange your tendered Gold Fields securities in accordance with the terms of this US offer. Once we accept for exchange your tendered Gold Fields securities, the appointment will be irrevocable. Upon the effectiveness of the appointment, all prior proxies given by you will be revoked without further action, and you will not be able to give powers of attorney, proxies or written consents with respect to the Gold Fields securities tendered by you and accepted by us. Our designees will have the authority to exercise all of your voting and other rights at any meeting of Harmony’s shareholders, by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise.

 

Harmony reserves the right to require that, in order for your Gold Fields securities to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Harmony’s acceptance of such Gold Fields securities for exchange, Harmony must be able to exercise all rights of ownership, including full voting and disposition rights, with respect to such Gold Fields securities.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

 

If the ADS letter of transmittal, form of acceptance, notice of guaranteed delivery or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or other persons acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing. Proper evidence of authority to act must be submitted by such persons, although we may waive this requirement.

 

If any Gold Fields ADR or Gold Fields ordinary share or other evidence of ownership has been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, you must:

 

furnish to your South African financial intermediary or US custodian satisfactory evidence of ownership and of the destruction, loss or theft or such document;

 

indemnify your South African financial intermediary or US custodian against loss; and

 

comply with any other reasonable requirements.

 

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If any Gold Fields ADR has been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, you must contact the Gold Fields ADS depositary and comply with the requirements under the deposit agreement to obtain a replacement Gold Fields ADR before you will be able to tender those Gold Fields ADSs in this US offer.

 

Your tender of Gold Fields ADSs or Gold Fields ordinary shares pursuant to any of the procedures described above in “— Procedures for Tendering Gold Fields ADSs” and “— Procedures for Tendering Gold Fields Ordinary Shares” will constitute your binding agreement with us to the terms and conditions of this US offer.

 

DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY

 

We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility for exchange of any tendered Gold Fields securities. Our determination will be final and binding on the holders of Gold Fields securities. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders that we determine are not in proper form. We also reserve the right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Gold Fields securities of any particular holder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other securityholders. Unless otherwise waived by us, your tender of securities will not be valid until all defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. None of Harmony, the US ADS exchange agent, the information agent, the dealer-managers or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any Gold Fields securities, or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the US offer will be final and binding on the holders of Gold Fields securities.

 

In addition, in tendering Gold Fields securities, you will represent and warrant that you have full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer your Gold Fields securities (and any distributions) and, when the same are accepted for exchange by Harmony, Harmony will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim. Harmony reserves the right to reject any Gold Fields securities that it determines do not satisfy these conditions.

 

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

 

You may withdraw Gold Fields securities tendered to us pursuant to the US offer at any time prior to its expiration.

 

For a withdrawal to be effective, the South African financial intermediary, the US custodian or the US ADS exchange agent, as applicable, must receive in a timely manner the written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal. Any such notice must specify the name of the person who tendered the Gold Fields securities being withdrawn, the number of Gold Fields securities being withdrawn and the name of the registered holder, if different from that of the person who tendered such Gold Fields securities.

 

If Gold Fields ADRs being withdrawn have been delivered or otherwise identified to the US ADS exchange agent, then, prior to the physical release of such ADRs, (1) the US ADS exchange agent also must receive the name of the registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular Gold Fields ADRs and (2) the signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution unless such Gold Fields ADSs have been tendered for the account of an eligible institution. If Gold Fields ADSs have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Gold Fields ADSs. If you have tendered Gold Fields ordinary shares, the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the JSE account to be credited with the withdrawn Gold Fields securities.

 

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We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal. Our determination shall be final and binding on the holders of the Gold Fields securities. None of Harmony, the US ADS exchange agent, the information agent, the dealer-managers or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Gold Fields securities properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the US offer. However, withdrawn Gold Fields securities may be re-tendered at any time prior to the expiration date by following the procedures described above under “— Procedures for Tendering Gold Fields ADSs” or “— Procedures for Tendering Gold Fields Ordinary Shares”, as applicable.

 

PRO RATION

 

In the event that total valid acceptances in the US offer and the South African offer exceed 34.9% of Gold Fields’ entire issued share capital by the expiration date of the offers, Harmony will only settle that number of Gold Fields shares which equates to 34.9% of the entire issued share capital of Gold Fields, on a pro rata basis, with the shares tendered by accepting Gold Fields shareholders scaled back accordingly.

 

ACCEPTANCE AND RETURN OF GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the US offer, we will exchange any and all Gold Fields securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn for Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, as applicable, or return such Gold Fields securities as promptly as practicable under South African tender offer practice after the expiration date. Subject to applicable rules of the SEC, we reserve the right to delay acceptance for exchange, or delay exchange, of Gold Fields securities in order to comply in whole or in part with any applicable law.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERED GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the offers, the newly issued Harmony ordinary shares will be transferred to the account of the financial intermediary who tendered the Gold Fields securities.

 

Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the exchange of Gold Fields securities and/or cash for Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, as applicable, regardless of any delay in making the exchange.

 

RETURN OF TENDERED GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

 

In case any Gold Fields securities tendered in accordance with the instructions set forth in the offer materials are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the terms and conditions of this US offer, we will cause these Gold Fields securities to be returned within five South African business days following the announcement of the lapse or withdrawal of the offers or the publication by the SENS of the results of the offers, as the case may be.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

If we increase the consideration offered to any holder of Gold Fields securities prior to the expiration date, we will pay the increased consideration to all holders of Gold Fields securities that are exchanged in the US offer, whether or not such Gold Fields securities were tendered prior to the announcement of such increase. In such circumstances, the SRP and/or the SEC may require an extension of the offer period. No such increase is currently expected.

 

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DELIVERY OF HARMONY ORDINARY SHARES, HARMONY ADSs; SETTLEMENT DATE

 

In the event that the offers are successful, Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, as applicable, will be delivered to the tendering holders of Gold Fields securities following the publication by SENS of the final results of the offers for Gold Fields securities. If the offers are consummated, the final settlement date for the offers is currently expected to be within approximately seven trading days following the expiration date of the offers. With respect to the tendered Gold Fields ADSs only, the cash consideration payable in the US offer will be paid in US dollars calculated by converting the applicable amount in Rand into US dollars using a current spot exchange rate, less expenses. If your Harmony ADSs will be evidenced by ADRs registered in your name, you may not receive these certificates until approximately two weeks after the settlement date.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

Except as set forth below, we will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or other person soliciting tenders of Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer or the South African offer.

 

Harmony will pay the fees charged by the ADS depositary for Gold Fields ADSs tendered into the offer, including any fees charged by the ADS depositary to redeposit Gold Fields ordinary shares underlying tendered Gold Fields ADSs that have been previously withdrawn from deposit with the ADS depositary in the event that the offers are not consummated.

 

We have retained HSBC and Investec to act as joint financial advisors with respect to the offers. The joint financial advisers will receive reasonable and customary fees for these services, plus reimbursement of its out of pocket expenses.

 

We have also retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to act as information agent in connection with this US offer. The information agent may contact holders of Gold Fields securities by mail, telephone, telex, fax, e-mail and personal interview and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee shareholders to forward these offer materials to owners of Gold Fields securities. The information agent will receive reasonable and customary fees for these services, plus reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses.

 

We have retained The Bank of New York to act as US ADS exchange agent in connection with the US offer. We will pay the US ADS exchange agent reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the US offer, plus reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses. We will also reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in forwarding material to their customers.

 

We will indemnify the joint financial advisors, information agent and the US ADS exchange agent against specified liabilities and expenses in connection with the US offer, including liabilities under the US federal securities laws. Indemnification for liabilities under the US federal securities laws may be unenforceable as against public policy.

 

The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the US offer and the South African offer will be paid by Harmony and are estimated in the aggregate to be approximately $18.15(1) million. Such expenses include registration fees, the fees and expenses of the financial advisors and dealer-managers, US ADS exchange agent and information agent, accounting and legal fees and printing costs and expenses related to the financing of the offer consideration, among others.

 

(1) The cash expenses assume full acceptance of this US offer and a 6.4475 Rand = US$1.00 exchange rate, the noon buying rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on October 15, 2004, the last trading day before the announcement.

 

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LISTING OF HARMONY ORDINARY SHARES AND HARMONY ADSs

 

Harmony ordinary shares are listed on the JSE and trade under the symbol “HAR”. Harmony ordinary shares and Harmony ADSs are listed on the NYSE and Harmony ADSs trade under the symbol “HMY”. The ordinary shares of Harmony are also listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and traded on the London Stock Exchange and are listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext Paris. Harmony’s International Depositary Shares are listed on Euronext Brussels. Harmony will apply for the supplemental listing on the JSE of the Harmony ordinary shares to be issued in these offers. Harmony will apply for the supplemental listing on the NYSE of the Harmony ADSs to be issued in the US offer and, for listing purposes only and not for trading purposes, will apply for the supplemental listing of the Harmony ordinary shares that are represented by such newly issued Harmony ADSs. Harmony will comply with all of the usual requirements of these exchanges within the time periods specified by these exchanges. Harmony will also apply for supplemental listings, or exemptions, as appropriate, or the LSE, Euronext Paris and Euronext Brussels.

 

TREATMENT OF GOLD FIELDS’ STOCK PURCHASE OPTIONS AND GOLD FIELDS’ STOCK SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

 

If you are the holder of exercisable Gold Fields’ stock purchase options or Gold Fields’ stock subscription options and you would like to tender the underlying Gold Fields ordinary shares into the US offer, you must first exercise the options and then tender the underlying Gold Fields ordinary shares on or prior to the expiration date of the US offer according to the instructions given in this document.

 

Harmony has not had access to, and does not know, important information relating to Gold Fields’ stock option plans, including the terms of any such plans.

 

TREATMENT OF GOLD FIELDS’ EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS AND EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLANS

 

Harmony has not had access to important information relating to Gold Fields’ employee savings plans and employee shareholder plans.

 

REGULATORY APPROVALS

 

Apart from SEC approval of the registration on Form F-4 of which this prospectus forms a part, completion of the US offer is not subject to any regulatory approvals.

 

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

 

Harmony’s acquisition of the Gold Fields securities will be accounted for as a purchase business combination as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations.

 

EFFECT OF THE OFFERS ON THE MARKET FOR GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

 

For the reasons discussed below, if the offers for Gold Fields securities are completed, depending on the number of Gold Fields securities tendered, there may no longer be an active trading market for the Gold Fields securities, and their liquidity could be materially adversely affected.

 

Delisting of Gold Fields securities

 

Gold Fields ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE. Gold Fields ordinary shares are listed and traded on the JSE and are also listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and traded on the London Stock Exchange, and are listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext Paris and the SWX Swiss

 

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Exchange and International Depositary Shares are quoted on Euronext Brussels. Depending upon the number of Gold Fields securities acquired pursuant to the US offer and the South African offer, following the completion of the offers, Gold Fields ADSs may no longer meet the listing requirements of the NYSE and the Gold Fields ordinary shares may no longer meet the listing requirements of the JSE or the other exchanges named above. To the extent permitted under applicable law and stock exchange regulations, Harmony may seek to cause the delisting of Gold Fields ADSs and the Gold Fields ordinary shares on these exchanges. Further, subject to applicable law and the NYSE rules, Harmony may cause Gold Fields to terminate its deposit agreement, and petition, or cause Gold Fields to petition, the NYSE to delist the Gold Fields ADSs. If the deposit agreement for the Gold Fields ADSs is terminated, holders of Gold Fields ADSs will only have the right to receive the Gold Fields ordinary shares underlying the Gold Fields ADSs upon surrender of any ADR representing the Gold Fields ADSs and payment of applicable fees to the Gold Fields ADS depositary. There is no US public trading market for the Gold Fields ordinary shares. An issuer may apply to have its securities deleted from the list maintained by the JSE in circumstances where notice has been given to the shareholders in the offer or in a circular and the shareholders are provided with an opportunity to vote thereon. Where Harmony is entitled to compulsorily acquire the shares of Gold Fields minorities in terms of s.440K of the Companies Act, no Gold Fields shareholder approval will be required for delisting if notice has been given of the intention to delist in these circumstances in the offer. In other circumstances shareholder approval will be required together with a fair and reasonable offer to shareholders.

 

If either the NYSE or JSE were to delist the Gold Fields ADSs or Gold Fields ordinary shares, the market for Gold Fields ordinary shares and/or Gold Fields ADSs could be adversely affected. Although it is possible that the Gold Fields ordinary shares (and the Gold Fields ADSs, if we do not cause the deposit agreement to be terminated) would be traded on other securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, and the price quotations would be reported by such exchanges, or other quotation systems or by other sources, there can be no assurance that any such trading quotations will occur. The extent of the public market for the Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs and the availability of such quotations would depend upon the number of holders and/or the aggregate market value of the public float of Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs remaining at such time and the interest in maintaining a market in such securities on the part of securities firms.

 

To the extent the availability of such listings or quotations depends on steps taken by Harmony, Harmony may or may not take such steps. Therefore, you should not rely on any such listing or quotation being available following the successful completion of the offers.

 

Deregistration under the Exchange Act

 

Because they are listed on the NYSE, Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs (together with a guarantee of a certain series of cumulative preference shares of a subsidiary) currently are required to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. Registration of these securities may be terminated by Gold Fields upon application to the SEC if they are no longer listed on a national securities exchange and if there are fewer than 300 holders. Termination of the registration of the Gold Fields securities under the Exchange Act would substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by Gold Fields to their holders and to the SEC and would make certain provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the requirements of Rule 13e-3, relating to “going private” transactions no longer applicable to these securities. Furthermore, “affiliates” of Gold Fields and persons holding “restricted securities” of Gold Fields may be deprived of the ability to dispose of such securities pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. If, as a result of the purchase of Gold Fields shares and Gold Fields ADSs pursuant to the offers and prior to completing the compulsory acquisition procedures referred to in “Subsequent Transactions; Compulsory Acquisition; Delisting”, Gold Fields is not required to maintain registration of Gold Fields ADSs and Gold Fields shares under the Exchange Act, Harmony intends to cause Gold Fields to apply for termination of such registration. If registration of Gold Fields ADSs and Gold Fields shares is not terminated prior to completion of the

 

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aforementioned compulsory acquisition procedures, then, following completion of the aforementioned compulsory acquisition procedures, then, following completion of the aforementioned compulsory acquisition procedures, Gold Fields ADSs will cease trading on the NYSE and the registration of Gold Fields ADSs and Gold Fields shares under the Exchange Act would be terminated.

 

To the extent the registration of Gold Fields ordinary shares and Gold Fields ADSs under the Exchange Act depends on steps taken by Harmony, Harmony may or may not take such steps. Therefore, you should not rely on the continued registration of any Gold Fields securities under the Exchange Act.

 

Margin regulations

 

Gold Fields ADSs are currently “margin securities”, as defined under the rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers to extend credit on the collateral of the Gold Fields ADSs. If Gold Fields ADSs were deregistered under the Exchange Act and/or delisted from the NYSE, they would cease to qualify as “margin securities” which would likely have an adverse impact on their value.

 

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

 

Neither holders of Gold Fields ordinary shares nor holders of Gold Fields ADSs are entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the US offer or the South African offer as a matter of South African law. There are no appraisal rights under South African company law.

 

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MATERIAL SOUTH AFRICAN TAX AND US FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

 

This section summarizes the material South African tax and United States federal income tax consequences of exchanging your Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer for Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, as the case may be. It applies to you only if you hold your Gold Fields securities, and will hold your Harmony securities, as a capital asset for United States federal income tax purposes. This section does not apply to you if you are a resident of South Africa for South African tax purposes, or a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including:

 

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

 

a tax-exempt organization;

 

a life insurance company, bank or financial institution;

 

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

a person that acquired their Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs by exercising employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

 

a person that actually or constructively owns 5% or more, by voting power or value (using the applicable rules of attribution), of Harmony voting stock following the exchange;

 

a person that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of Gold Fields voting stock or Harmony voting stock;

 

a partnership, S corporation or other pass-through entity;

 

with respect to South African taxation, a trust.

 

a person that holds Gold Fields securities, or, after the exchange, will hold Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction; and

 

a US holder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the US dollar.

 

This section is intended only as a general summary and does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects that may apply. This section does not constitute legal or tax advice. This section is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations, published rulings and court decisions, and the South African tax laws, as well as on the income tax convention between the United States of America and the Republic of South Africa (the “South African Treaty”), all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

 

You are a non-resident of South Africa for South African tax purposes if you are a beneficial owner of the Gold Fields securities that exchanges your Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer and, for South African income tax purposes you are not:

 

ordinarily resident in South Africa;

 

physically present in South Africa for 91 days in the current and each of the three preceding South African fiscal years and for 549 days in aggregate during the three preceding South African fiscal years;

 

a corporation incorporated in South Africa or which has its place of effective management in South Africa;

 

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a trust established or formed in South Africa or which has its place of effective management in South Africa;

 

an estate established or formed in terms of South African laws or administered in South Africa; or

 

a US holder.

 

You are a US holder if you are a beneficial owner of Gold Fields securities that exchanges your Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer, and you are for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any State;

 

an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

 

You are a non-US holder if you are a beneficial owner of Gold Fields securities that exchanges Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer, and you are not a US holder.

 

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, State and local, and the South African and other tax consequences of exchanging your Gold Fields securities and of owning and disposing of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs in your particular circumstances.

 

TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING GOLD FIELDS SECURITIES

 

South African taxation

 

Non-South African Resident Holders. Unless (i) the holder directly or indirectly holds at least 20% of the equity share capital of Gold Fields and 80% or more of the market value of the net assets of Gold Fields is directly or indirectly attributable to immovable property situated in South Africa, or (ii) the shares are attributable to the holder’s permanent establishment in South Africa, any gain resulting from the exchange will not be subject to South African income tax.

 

In the event that the holder is, in spite of the abovementioned exemption, liable for South African income tax in respect of the exchange of the Gold Fields shares, it is likely that the transaction will qualify for relief from South African normal tax in terms of section 43 of the South African Income Tax Act. In the case of holders of Gold Fields ADSs, this is subject to the South African Revenue Services accepting that the exchange of ADSs qualifies as an exchange of equity shares as envisaged in that section. If this is the case then (i) if the offer and the exchange are consummated as described herein and, (ii) if, within 90 days of the exchange, more than 25% of the equity shares of Gold Fields are acquired by Harmony on similar terms and conditions (in the case where no other shareholder holds an equal or greater amount of the equity shares of Gold Fields) or (iii) in any other case, at least 35% of the equity shares of Gold Fields are so acquired by Harmony, then, in the opinion of Ernst & Young, advisors to Harmony, the exchange will be treated as a share for share transaction within the meaning of section 43 of the South African Income Tax Act for South African income tax purposes and as a result the following material South African income tax consequences will arise:

 

  you will not recognize a gain on the exchange of Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs for Harmony shares or Harmony ADSs pursuant to the offer;

 

  the base cost of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs you receive will be the same as the base cost of the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs surrendered therefor;

 

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  the holding period of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, will include the holding period of the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs surrendered therefore, provided that the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs are held as capital assets at the time of the exchange;

 

  any valuation of the Gold Fields shares at 1 October 2001 for capital gains tax purposes will be deemed to relate to the Harmony shares;

 

In addition to the achievement of the de minimis holding by Harmony of 25% (or 35% where applicable) in the equity share capital of Gold Fields, the opinion of Ernst & Young will be based on specified assumptions and limitations, as well as factual representations and covenants made by the parties, including any representations in certificates of officers of the parties to be delivered to tax counsel before completion of the exchange, and upon assumptions, including the absence of changes in facts or in law between the date of the delivery of the representations and the completion of the exchange. Furthermore, for purposes of the tax opinion described above and the tax consequences described in this summary, and based upon representations received by Ernst & Young, it has been assumed that Gold Fields is not a domestic financial instrument holding company as defined in section 41 of the South African Income Tax Act. If any of those conditions, representations, covenants or assumptions is inaccurate, the tax consequences of the transaction could differ materially from those summarized above. Harmony is not currently aware of any facts or circumstances which would cause any such representations made to counsel to be untrue or incorrect in any material respect. Ernst & Young is under no obligation to update the opinion as a result of a change in law after the date for the exchange or discovery of any inaccuracy in such representations. This opinion will not be binding on the South African Revenue Services or the courts nor preclude the South African Revenue Services from adopting a contrary position.

 

If the non-resident is not exempt from income tax on the disposal of the Gold Fields shares and de minimis holding by Harmony of 25% (or 35% where applicable) in the equity share capital of Gold Fields is not achieved or any of the other representations, covenants or assumptions described above is inaccurate or the exchange does not qualify as a share for share transaction within the meaning of section 43 of the South African Income Tax Act, the following will generally apply:

 

  you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss, if any, as a result of exchanging Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs for Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs. Such capital gain or loss will be equal to the difference between (a) the sum of the value of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, determined in South African rand (referred to as the amount realized); and (b) your base cost, determined in South African rand, in the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs that you exchange (for this purpose, the value of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs received will equal the fair market value of such shares on the day before the exchange, determined in South African rand);

 

  your base cost in each such share or ADS, as applicable, immediately after the exchange will equal its fair market value, as taken into account in determining the amount realized;

 

  your holding period in each such share will begin on the day after the exchange date.

 

Special rules may apply to partially disallow a loss recognized. Holders of Gold Fields securities who expect to recognize a loss should consult their tax advisors regarding the amount and character of income, gain or loss to them on the exchange.

 

If you are a non-corporate holder, any capital gain will be taxable at a maximum rate of 10%.

 

South African Resident Holders: You will be subject to South African income tax on any gain unless the exchange constitutes a share for share transaction envisaged in section 43 of the Income Tax Act. In

 

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the event the exchange constitutes a share for share transaction, the South African income tax consequences will be the same as set out for Non South African Resident Holders who are not exempt from income tax on the exchange.

 

Domestic Financial Instrument Holding Company Status

 

Gold Fields will be regarded as a domestic financial instrument holding company (a “DFIHC”) if more than half of the market value or two-thirds of the actual cost of all the assets of that company together with the assets of all controlled group companies in relation to that company consist of qualifying financial instruments.

 

Gold Fields must hold at least 75% of the equity shares of a company in order for it to be a controlled group company.

 

In determining the above mentioned ratio’s any shares held in controlled group companies or any loans to controlled group companies or between controlled group companies must be ignored.

 

In the event that Gold Fields is a DFIHC, the exchange will not qualify as a share for share transaction in terms of section 43 of the Income Tax Act.

 

 

United States federal income taxation

 

US Holders. Unless (i) the US offer and the South African offer are consummated as described herein, (ii) the subsequent offer is consummated promptly after the consummation of the US offer and the South African offer and treated as part of the same transaction and, (iii) as a result of the offers, taken together, not less than 80% of the voting stock and 80% of all other classes of Gold Fields stock are validly deposited and not validly withdrawn (collectively, conditions (i) through (iii) are referred to herein as the primary supporting conditions), then, the exchange will be taxable for US federal income tax purposes and the following US federal tax consequences will generally result:

 

  you will generally recognize capital gain or loss, if any, as a result of exchanging Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs for Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs. Such capital gain or loss will be equal to the difference between (a) the sum or the value of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs, determined in US dollars (referred to as the amount realized); and (b) your tax basis, determined in US dollars, in the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs that you exchange (for this purpose, the value of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs received will equal the fair market value of such shares on the date of the exchange, determined in US dollars);

 

  your tax basis in each such share or ADS, as applicable immediately after the exchange will equal its fair market value, as taken into account in determining the amount realized;

 

  your holding period in each such share will begin on the day after the exchange date.

 

Special rules may apply to disallow or defer a loss recognized by a US holder. Holders of Gold Fields securities who expect to realize a loss should consult their tax advisors regarding the amount and character if income, gain or loss to them on the exchange.

 

If the primary supporting conditions are satisfied, it is possible that the exchange and the subsequent offer could be treated as a single transaction for US federal income tax purposes under the step transaction doctrine and, as a result, the exchange, together with the subsequent offer, treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code for US federal Income tax purposes. However, there is a lack of uniformity in applying this doctrine and its application is dependent upon the facts involved in each transaction. We are presently unaware of any other authority involving facts directly analogous to the offers. Therefore, it is unclear whether the US Internal

 

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Revenue Service or a court would conclude that the offers should be treated under the step transaction doctrine as part of a single transaction for federal income tax purposes. If the exchange were treated as part of a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code, then, the following material US federal income tax consequences would result (assuming that Gold Fields is not a controlled foreign corporation as defined in Section 957(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code):

 

  you will not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs for Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs pursuant to the offer;

 

  the aggregate tax basis of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs you receive will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Gold Fields ordinary shares of Gold Fields ADSs surrendered therefor; and

 

  the holding period of the Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs will include the holding period of the Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs surrendered therefor, provided that the shares of Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs are held as capital assets at the same time of the exchange.

 

Non-US Holders. You will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain or loss recognized as a result of exchanging your Gold Fields ADSs pursuant to the US offer unless:

 

  - the gain or loss is “effectively connected” with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment that you maintain in the United States if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty as a condition for subjecting you to United States taxation on a net income basis; or

 

  - you are an individual who is present in the United States for at least 183 days in the taxable year of the sale, and certain other requirements are met.

 

If you are a corporate non-US holder that under the rules described above is subject to United States federal income tax on the exchange of your Gold Fields securities, you may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or at a lower rate if you are eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty that provides for a lower rate.

 

Passive foreign investment company status

 

A non-US corporation will be classified as a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for any taxable year if at least 75 percent of its gross income consists of passive income (such as dividends, interest, rents, royalties or gains on the disposition of certain minority interests), or at least 50 percent of the average value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. If either Gold Fields or Harmony were characterized as a PFIC, US holders would suffer adverse tax consequences, and US federal income tax consequences different from those described above may apply. These consequences may include having gains realized on the disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain and being subject to punitive interest charges on certain dividends and on the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs. US holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to their exchange of Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer and their ownership of Harmony ordinary shares or Harmony ADSs acquired pursuant to the US offer.

 

INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

 

Proceeds from the exchange of Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer that are paid to a US holder (other than certain exempt recipients, such as corporations) generally are subject to information reporting and, if the US holder fails to provide a valid taxpayer identification number to the paying agent and comply with certain certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption, to backup

 

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withholding at the applicable rate (currently 28%). A non-US holder may also be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at the applicable rate with respect to proceeds from the exchange of Gold Fields securities pursuant to the US offer.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or credited against the holder’s US federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding in their particular circumstances and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding under current treasury regulations.

 

TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING HARMONY SHARES AND ADSs

 

SOUTH AFRICAN TAXATION

 

Taxation of Dividends. The gross amount of dividends received in respect of the Harmony shares and ADSs is exempt from the South African taxation.

 

Exercise of Options. In general, you will not recognize any gain or loss where you exercise your options. The base cost of ordinary shares you receive when you exercise your options will be equal to the exercise price plus your base cost, as adjusted, in the options so exercised.

 

Capital Gains. If you sell your ordinary shares or options, you will recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the sale and your base cost in the ordinary shares or options. Capital gains recognized by an individual holder is generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 10%.

 

In the case of capital gains, non-residents are subject to tax only on the sale of:

 

  The non-resident’s immovable property located in South Africa or any interest or right (of whatever nature) in that property; and

 

  Any asset that is attributable to the non-resident’s permanent establishment located in South Africa.

 

For purposes of the above, the term “immovable property” generally includes a direct or indirect interest of at least 20% in the equity share capital of a company if more than 80% of the assets of that company is attributable to immovable property (or interest or right therein). Non-residents pay this tax as part of the general income taxes due as part of their annual return.

 

South African Reporting and Withholding Rule. There are currently no South African reporting or withholding rules for transactions of this nature with non-residents. The recently published draft legislation indicates an intention to introduce withholding requirements in the future.

 

 

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

 

In general, if you hold ADSs, you will be treated as the holder of the ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for US federal income tax purposes.

 

Taxation of Dividends

 

The gross amount of dividends that you receive in cash (or that are part of a distribution that any shareholder has the right to receive in cash) in respect of the ordinary shares generally will be subject to US federal income taxation as foreign source dividend income.

 

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Dividends paid in South African Rand will be includible in your gross income in a US dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day you receive (or the depository receives, in the case of the ADSs) the dividend. You generally should not be required to recognize any foreign currency gain or loss to the extent such dividends paid in South African Rand are converted into US dollars immediately upon receipt by the applicable party.

 

 

Capital Gains

 

If you sell your ordinary shares or warrants, you will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the sale and your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or warrants. You will recognize a capital loss if you fail to exercise a warrant prior to its expiration date. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the ordinary shares or warrants for more than one year. Long-term capital gain recognized by an individual US holder is generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%. In general, any capital gain or loss recognized upon the sale or exchange of ordinary shares or warrants will be treated as US source income or loss, as the case may be, for US foreign tax purposes. Your ability to offset capital losses against income is subject to limitations.

 

Deposits and withdrawals of ordinary shares by US holders in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes.

 

To the extent that you incur South African stamp duty, MST or uncertified securities tax in connection with a transfer or withdrawal of ordinary shares or warrants as described under “ – Certain South African Tax Considerations – Stamp Duty on the Shares and Warrants” above, such stamp duty, MST or uncertified securities tax will not be a creditable tax for US foreign tax credit purposes.

 

Non-US Holders

 

If you are a non-US holder of the ordinary shares, you generally will not be subject to US federal income or withholding tax on dividends received on such ordinary shares, unless such income is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If you are a non-US holder of the ordinary shares or warrants, you will also generally not be subject to US federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain realized on the sale of such ordinary shares or warrants, unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States or (ii) in the case of gain realized by an individual non-US holder, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met. If you are a corporate foreign shareholder, effectively connected income may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax.

 

US Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Rules

 

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain US-related financial intermediaries are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding at a rate currently of 28% unless the holder (i) is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Holders that are not US persons generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such a holder may be required to provide a certification of its non-US status in connection with payments received within the United States or through a US-related financial intermediary.

 

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PLANS FOR GOLD FIELDS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE OFFERS

 

CURRENT PLANS

 

The purpose of the US offer and the South African offer is to acquire control of Gold Fields. It is the present intention of Harmony, as soon as practicable after the consummation of the US and South African offers, the further offers described below and the exercise of the irrevocable undertaking by Norilsk, to seek maximum representation on the board of directors of Gold Fields. Harmony also irrevocably commits to launch further offers in the United States and South Africa for the remainder of the Gold Fields shares.

 

The US offer and the South African offer are not being made pursuant to any agreement with Gold Fields, and we have not had access to any information other than publicly available information. See “Risk Factors — We have not been given the opportunity to conduct a due diligence review of the non-public records of Gold Fields. Therefore, we may be subject to unknown liabilities of Gold Fields which may have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations”. During the US offer and the South African offer, we will continue to review, on the basis of publicly available information, the business and operations of Gold Fields and evaluate various business strategies and operational initiatives that we may implement in the event that we acquire control of Gold Fields and to the extent we believe them appropriate. In addition, if and to the extent that we acquire control of Gold Fields, or otherwise obtain access to the books and records, management, employees and other resources of Gold Fields, we intend to conduct a detailed review of Gold Fields, its business, operations, assets, financial projections, budgets, strategic and business plans, corporate, legal and governance structures, properties, dividend policy, capitalization, capital structure, management and personnel and consider and determine what, if any, future actions would be desirable in light of the circumstances that then exist. For example, we may, among other things, plan to make changes in Gold Fields’ business, facility locations, corporate structure, capital structure, boards of directors and/or management, marketing strategies or dividend policy. If Harmony eventually acquires the necessary voting rights and if such action is desirable in light of the circumstances that then exist, Harmony also reserves the right to merge Gold Fields into Harmony.

 

The employees of Gold Fields, following completion of a merger, would remain employed by Gold Fields. Local labor laws in each of the relevant jurisdictions would continue to govern the ongoing employment of such employees.

 

SUBSEQUENT TRANSACTIONS; COMPULSORY ACQUISITION; DELISTING

 

Immediately subsequent to the completion of these offers, Harmony has irrevocably committed to make offers in the United States and South Africa for all of the remaining share capital of Gold Fields, on the same terms but subject to different conditions from these offers. These conditions will include:

 

  the passing and, where applicable, registration by the registrar of the Harmony resolutions relating to such offers, among other things;

 

  Harmony receiving acceptances of the further offers from Gold Fields shareholders holding in excess of 50% of the entire issued share capital of Gold Fields (including those Gold Fields shares settled by Harmony under this US offer and South African offer and those Gold Fields shares in respect of which Norilsk has irrevocably undertaken to accept the subsequent offer);

 

  the proposed IAMGold transaction not being implemented for whatever reason including, inter alia, Gold Fields shareholders failing to approve the proposed IAMGold transaction at the Gold Fields general meeting, which, on September 30, 2004, Gold Fields announced is expected to occur in early to mid-December;

 

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  the proposed merger being approved by the Competition Authorities;

 

  the registration statement on Form F-4 with respect to the Harmony shares to be issued in the further offers having been declared effective by the SEC; and

 

  the approval of all regulatory authorities whose approval is required for the implementation of the further offers.

 

In the event that, following this US offer and the South African offer, the exercise of the irrevocable undertaking by Norilsk Nickel and the further offers, Harmony acquires a substantial majority of the Gold Fields shares, Harmony may seek to effect a compulsory acquisition or delisting of the Gold Fields shares. In the event that acceptances of the offer are received from holders of not less than nine-tenths of the offer shares within the applicable time period, Harmony will invoke the provisions of section 440K of the Companies Act, 1973 (61 of 1973), as amended, in order to compulsorily acquire those offer shares in respect of which acceptances have not been received. In the event that the board of directors of Gold Fields recommend the transaction, Harmony may implement the proposed merger by way of a scheme of arrangement between Gold Fields and the Gold Fields shareholders in terms of section 311 of the Companies Act, 1973 (61 of 1973), as amended. In a scheme of arrangement the approval of 75% (seventy-five percent) of shareholders present in person or by proxy at a general meeting convened for the purposes of considering the scheme will, if sanctioned by the court, enable Harmony to compulsorily acquire those shares which are not owned by it.

 

Under South African law, in the event that an offer does not become or is not declared unconditional and has been withdrawn or has lapsed, the offeror may not make a further offer of the relevant securities, or acquire any securities which will result in a mandatory offer within a period of 12 (twelve) months of the date on which the offer is withdrawn or lapses.

 

Finally, subject to applicable law and as set forth below, we reserve the right to acquire, following the completion or termination of the US offer and the South African offer, additional Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, a subsequent tender offer or exchange offer, or otherwise, upon the terms and at the prices as we determine, which may be more or less favorable than those of the US offer. We also reserve the right to dispose of any and all Gold Fields ordinary shares or Gold Fields ADSs acquired by us pursuant to the US offer, the South African offer or otherwise, upon the terms and at the prices we may determine.

 

In the further offers, we will offer the same consideration that was offered during the initial offers. To the extent that Harmony offers greater consideration in the further offers, holders of Gold Fields securities that have accepted this US offer and South African offer and received offer consideration will be entitled to receive any excess consideration payable in the further offers, regardless of whether they have then disposed of Harmony securities received in this US offer and South African offer.

 

FUTURE DIVIDEND POLICY OF GOLD FIELDS

 

Harmony is not in a position at this date to state what the dividend policy will be in respect of Gold Fields securities after completion of the US offer and the South African offer, but it is likely that such policy will be determined in the context of Gold Fields’ integration into the combined group. This integration may result in a reduction in the level of dividends paid by Gold Fields.

 

FUTURE DIVIDEND POLICY OF HARMONY

 

It is Harmony’s present intention to continue its current dividend policy. For details of your entitlement to receive dividends in respect of the Harmony ordinary shares, including Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs, that you receive in exchange for the Gold Fields securities that you tender into the US offer, please refer to “The US Offer — Entitlement to Harmony Dividends”.

 

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SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATION

 

Assuming 34.9% of the outstanding Gold Fields ordinary shares (including Gold Fields ordinary shares represented by Gold Fields ADSs), on a diluted basis taking into account all in-the-money options that are exercisable as of the expected closing date, are tendered into the US offer or the South African offer pursuant to the terms of the offers, we would be obliged to issue 218,701,884 Harmony ordinary shares (including Harmony ordinary shares represented by Harmony ADSs). The issuance of these new Harmony ordinary shares must be approved by the affirmative vote of 75% of the voting power present at an extraordinary meeting of the shareholders. As of June 30, 2004, ARM, our principal shareholder, held 63,632,922 Harmony ordinary shares, representing in aggregate 19.8% of our outstanding share capital (other than share capital held by Harmony). ARM has expressed that it will approve the increase in share capital that will be submitted to the extraordinary meeting of shareholders. See “Background and Reasons for the Offers — Background of the Offers”.

 

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INFORMATION ABOUT HARMONY

 

The legal and commercial name of our company is Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited. We are a corporation first incorporated and registered as a public company in South Africa on August 25, 1950. Our principal executive offices are located at Suite No. 1, Private Bag X1, Melrose Arch, 2076, South Africa and the telephone number at this location is +27-11-684-0140. For additional information regarding our business and operations, we encourage you to review our Annual Report on form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, incorporated by reference to this prospectus.

 

BUSINESS

 

Introduction

 

Harmony and its subsidiaries conduct underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including exploration, processing, smelting and refining. Harmony is currently the largest producer of gold in South Africa, producing some 30% of the country’s gold, and the sixth largest gold producer in the world. As at June 30, 2004 Harmony’s mining operations reported total proven and probable reserves of approximately 62 million ounces.

 

In fiscal 2004, Harmony processed approximately 33.955 million tons of ore and sold 3,225,202 ounces of gold, which includes gold production from ARMgold for nine months from October 1, 2003 and Avgold (Target) for two months from May 1, 2004.

 

The gold market is relatively deep and liquid, with the price of gold generally quoted in US dollars. The demand for gold is primarily for fabrication purposes and bullion investment. The purchase and sale of gold takes place around the globe in all sizes and forms.

 

Harmony’s principal mining operations are located in South Africa and Australia, with exploration and evaluation programs in Papua New Guinea.

 

Harmony conducts its mining operations through various subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2004, Harmony’s significant subsidiaries were Randfontein Estates Limited, Evander Gold Mines Limited, ARMgold/Harmony Freegold Joint Venture Company (Pty) Ltd, ARMgold Limited, Avgold Limited, Kalahari Goldridge Mining Company Limited, Lydenburg Exploration Limited, Abelle Limited and Harmony Gold (Australia) (Pty) Limited. All are wholly-owned direct subsidiaries incorporated in South Africa, save for Hill 50 Limited and Abelle Limited, which are direct subsidiaries of Harmony incorporated in Australia through Harmony Gold (Australia) (Pty) Limited.

 

Harmony has made several strategic investments in mining companies within and outside South Africa. In fiscal 2003, we made a successful bid to the minority shareholders of Abelle Limited and Avgold Limited, which are now wholly-owned subsidiaries of Harmony. In fiscal 2002, we acquired ordinary shares representing approximately 31.6% of Bendigo, a single project Australian gold mining development company. Later that year, we also acquired stakes in Highland Gold, a company that held gold mining assets and mineral rights in Russia, and in High River, a company that held gold mining assets in Russia, Canada and West Africa. We sold our interests in Highland Gold and High River during fiscal 2004 for a combined pre-tax gain of approximately R528.2 million.

 

In South Africa, Harmony and its subsidiaries have nineteen operating shafts in the Free State Province, five operating shafts at Evander in the Mpumalanga Province, four operating shafts at Randfontein in the Gauteng Province, an open cast mine at Kalgold and two operating shafts in Orkney in the North West Province, and one production shaft unit at Elandskraal in the North West and Gauteng provinces. Free Gold (in which Harmony had a 50 percent interest as of the end of fiscal 2003 and which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harmony since the merger with ARMgold was concluded on September 22, 2003) has eleven operating shafts in the Free State Province.

 

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Harmony’s Australian operations currently include two operations in Western Australia: Mt. Magnet (acquired in the Hill 50 transaction) and South Kalgoorlie (including Jubilee, acquired in the New Hampton transaction, and New Celebration, acquired in the Hill 50 acquisition). Underground and surface mining is conducted at each of these Australian operations, with underground access through two declines at Mt. Magnet and one decline at South Kalgoorlie and surface access principally through open pits. The underground operations of Big Bell operations (acquired in the New Hampton transaction) ceased in fiscal 2004.

 

Ore from the shafts and surface material are treated at twelve metallurgical plants in South Africa (two at the Free State operations, one at Elandskraal, two at Evander, two at Randfontein, one at Kalgold and three at the Free Gold Company) and at two metallurgical plants in Australia (one at Mt. Magnet and one at South Kalgoorlie). Harmony received regulatory approval in 1997 to market its own gold, a function that was previously the sole preserve of the SARB. A refinery was commissioned by Harmony during fiscal 1997 in the Free State Province at South Africa.

 

Harmony increased the capacity of this refinery in fiscal 2002, as a result of which Harmony has the capacity to refine all of its gold produced in South Africa. In fiscal 2004, the capacity of the refinery was 100 tonnes.

 

History

 

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited was incorporated and registered as a public company in South Africa on August 25, 1950. Harmony’s principal executive offices are located at 4 The High Street, First Floor, Melrose Arch, Melrose North 2196, South Africa and the telephone number at this location is +27-11-684-0140. Harmony operates under a variety of statutes and regulations. To learn more about these statutes and regulations, see Item 4. “Information on the Company — Regulation” and Item 10. “Additional Information — Memorandum and Articles of Association” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

Commercial gold mining in South Africa evolved with the establishment of various mining houses at the beginning of the 1900s by individuals who bought and consolidated blocks of claims until sufficient reserves could be accumulated to sustain underground mining. The mines were then incorporated, but it was not the practice of the founding mining house to retain a majority shareholding. Instead, the mining house would enter into a management agreement with the mine pursuant to which the mining house would carry out certain managerial, administrative and technical functions pursuant to long-term contracts. Fees were generally charged based on revenues, working costs or capital expenditures, or a combination of all three, without regard to the cost or the level of services provided.

 

Harmony was operated as a mining operation in this manner and the mining house Randgold & Exploration Company Limited, or Randgold, retained the management agreement. In late 1994, Randgold cancelled the management agreement and entered into a service agreement with Harmony to supply executive and administrative services at market rates. In 1997, Harmony and Randgold terminated their service agreement and Harmony began operating as a completely independent gold mining company.

 

Harmony’s operations have grown significantly since 1995. Since 1995, Harmony has expanded from a lease-bound mining operation into an independent, world-class gold producer. Harmony increased its gold sales from 650,312 ounces of gold in fiscal 1995 to approximately 3.2 million ounces of gold in fiscal 2004.

 

In fiscal 2004, approximately 90% of Harmony’s gold production took place in South Africa and 10% in Australia. In fiscal 2004, approximately 84% of Harmony’s gold came from underground mines and 16% came from its surface mines and other surface sources. For more detailed geographical information about Harmony’s activities, see Item 4. “Information on the Company — Business — Harmony’s Mining Operations” and “Geographical and Segment Information” in note 37 to the consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

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South African Operations

 

Harmony acquired additional mineral rights in the Free State, Mpumulanga, Gauteng and North West provinces in South Africa when it acquired Lydex in 1997, Evander in 1998, Kalgold in 1999, Randfontein in 2000, ARMgold in 2003 and Avgold in 2004.

 

On November 21, 2001, Harmony and ARMgold reached an agreement in principle with AngloGold to purchase the Free Gold assets, subject to specified conditions. Pursuant to the subsequently executed definitive agreements, the Free Gold assets were purchased by the Free Gold Company (in which Harmony and ARMgold each has a 50% interest) for Rand 2.2 billion ($206.8 million at an exchange rate of R10.64 per $1.00), plus an amount equal to any liability for taxes payable by AngloGold in connection with the sale. For purposes of US GAAP, Harmony equity accounted for its interest in the Free Gold Company with effect from May 1, 2002 and the purchase price of the Free Gold assets was determined to be Rand 2.264 billion. See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Overview” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

In connection with the acquisition of the Free Gold assets, Harmony and ARMgold entered into a formal joint venture and shareholders’ agreement relating to the Free Gold Company. The agreement provided that Harmony and ARMgold were each responsible for 50% of the expenses associated with operating the Free Gold assets. The Free Gold operations are now wholly-owned by Harmony following the merger with ARMgold which was completed on September 22, 2003.

 

On May 24, 2002, Harmony, ARMgold and Gold Fields, through its subsidiary, St. Helena Gold Mines Limited, announced that an agreement in principle had been reached under which St. Helena Gold Mines Limited would sell the St. Helena gold mining assets to the Free Gold Company for Rand 120 million ($13.7 million), plus a royalty equal to one percent of revenue for a period of 48 months beginning on the effective date of the sale. The sale was completed on October 30, 2002, and the Free Gold Company assumed management control on that date.

 

On May 2, 2003, Harmony and ARMgold announced details of their 50/50 joint acquisition of a 34.5% stake in Anglovaal Mining Limited, previously known as Avmin and now African Rainbow Minerals Limited, or ARM. Based on a value of R43.50 per share, the transaction was valued at Rand 1.687 billion and was paid for in cash, which was funded by a long term loan from Nedcor Bank which is repayable by November, 2004.

 

On July 15, 2003, Harmony announced that it had entered into an agreement with Anglo South Africa (Pty) Limited (“Anglo SA”) whereby it acquired 77,540,830 ordinary shares in Avgold Limited (“Avgold”) or 11.5% of Avgold’s outstanding share capital from Anglo SA, in exchange for 6,960,964 new Harmony ordinary shares issued to Anglo SA. The agreement with Anglo SA provides that should the Company make an offer to acquire the other Avgold shareholders’ interest, the consideration payable to Anglo SA will be adjusted to reflect the amounts paid to the other Avgold shareholders.

 

On September 22, 2003, Harmony and ARMgold consummated a merger, the terms of which were announced on May 2, 2003. Pursuant to the merger agreement, following the respective company shareholder approvals, Harmony issued 2 ordinary shares for every 3 ARMgold ordinary shares acquired. ARMgold also paid its shareholders a special dividend of R6.00 per ordinary share ($0.84) prior to the consummation of the merger. Harmony issued 63,670,000 ordinary shares to ARMgold’s shareholders which resulted in ARMgold becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harmony. For US GAAP purposes, the merger was accounted for as a purchase by Harmony of ARMgold for a purchase consideration of approximately $697 million. The results of ARMgold have been included in those of Harmony from October 1, 2003.

 

On November 7, 2003, Harmony entered into an agreement to dispose of its wholly-owned subsidiary Kalgold to The Afrikander Lease Limited (“Aflease”) for a total consideration of $39.0 million. The

 

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consideration comprised of a cash payment of $19.5 million and the balance through the issue by Aflease of new ordinary shares valued at $19.5 million. Although all the other conditions precedent to the agreement were met, Aflease could not provide appropriate funding and the contract was subsequently cancelled on March 15, 2004.

 

Following the Harmony merger with ARMgold, on November 13, 2003, Harmony announced that it reached an agreement in principle with ARM whereby it would enter into a number of transactions which would restructure ARM. The first transaction involved Harmony acquiring ARM’s 286,305,263 ordinary shares in Avgold, or 42.2% of Avgold’s outstanding share capital, in exchange for 28,630,526 new Harmony ordinary shares to be issued to ARM. The acquisition of ARM ‘s interest in Avgold became unconditional in April 2004, when Harmony was required to make a mandatory offer to the Avgold minority shareholders on the same terms as which it acquired ARM ‘s interest in Avgold. Harmony and ARM have cross shareholdings in each other whereby Harmony owns a 19% interest in ARM, and ARM owns a 19.84% interest in Harmony.

 

On April 15, 2004, ARM shareholders approved the disposal of their entire shareholding of 286,305,263 ordinary shares in Avgold Limited to Harmony. By way of share exchange, ARM Limited received 1 Harmony share for every 10 Avgold shares held. On May 11, 2004 Harmony announced that its mandatory offer to Avgold minorities was successful and that a total of 62,204,893 Harmony shares were issued to acquire the entire shareholding in Avgold. Avgold owns the Target mine in the Free State. Harmony also disposed of its Kalplats platinum project and associated mineral rights to ARM Limited, in exchange for 2 million new ARM ordinary shares issued to Harmony. All of the above described transactions were consummated during May 2004, which resulted in Avgold becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harmony. As of June 30, 2004 Harmony owned 19% of ARM.

 

On May 21, 2004, Harmony announced that it had raised R1.7 billion by way of an issue of convertible bonds to international investors, which reduced Harmony’s South African interest payments by approximately R85 million per year. In addition to these cost benefits, it also allowed Harmony to consolidate its short term debt. The convertible bonds are Rand denominated and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 4.875% per annum. The convertible bonds may be converted into ordinary shares at a price, including premium of R121.00 per share, from July 1, 2004, until the seventh day prior to the maturity date, which is expected to be on May 15, 2009.

 

Australian Operations

 

Harmony presently conducts Australian operations through three acquired Australian gold mining companies: New Hampton, acquired with effect from April 1, 2001, Hill 50, acquired with effect from April 1, 2002 and Abelle, acquired with effect from May 1, 2003.

 

Harmony made its first investment in the Australian gold mining industry in February 2000, by acquiring a stake in Goldfields (Australia), an independent gold production and exploration company. Effective December 31, 2001, Delta Gold Limited, or Delta, completed a merger with Goldfields (Australia). In connection with the merger, holders of Delta shares received 187 Goldfields (Australia) shares in exchange for every 200 Delta shares held. Harmony’s stake in Goldfields (Australia) following the merger was diluted to approximately 9.8%. In February 2002, Goldfields (Australia) changed its name to AurionGold Limited. On May 25, 2002, Harmony and Placer Dome entered into an agreement under which Harmony accepted Placer Dome’s offer to acquire all of Harmony’s interest in AurionGold. As a result of this transaction, Harmony obtained a 1.9% interest in Placer Dome, which was disposed of during fiscal 2003.

 

In fiscal 2002 Harmony closed the acquisition of 96.2% of New Hampton’s shares and 95% of New Hampton’s warrants for cash valued at approximately A$56.3 million (R228.2 million at an exchange rate of R4.05 per A$1.00, or $28.5 million at an exchange rate of R8.00 per $1.00). Harmony subsequently completed a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares and warrants.

 

On December 11, 2001, Harmony commenced a conditional cash offer for all of the outstanding ordinary shares and listed options of Hill 50. The total cash bid valued Hill 50 at approximately A$233

 

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million (R1.419 billion at an exchange rate of R6.09 per A$1.00, or $124.8 million at an exchange rate of R11.37 per $1.00). The offer closed on May 3, 2002, at which time shareholders holding 98.57% of Hill 50’s shares and 98.76% of Hill 50’s listed options had accepted Harmony’s offer and this offer had become unconditional. Harmony subsequently completed a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares and options under the rules of the Australian Stock Exchange. See Item 4. “Information on the Company — Business — Harmony’s Mining Operations-Australian Operations” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference. Harmony financed the Hill 50 offer from existing cash resources and borrowings, including a syndicated loan facility entered into on February 28, 2002, with Citibank, N.A., as lead arranger. See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Credit Facilities and Other Borrowings” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference. In an effort to increase efficiency and reduce corporate expenditures, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 Harmony integrated New Hampton’s Jubilee operations with Hill 50’s New Celebration operations to form the South Kalgoorlie operations and combined the corporate offices of New Hampton and Hill 50 in Perth. Harmony reports the New Hampton and Hill 50 operating results together within an “Australian Operations” segment.

 

On February 26, 2003, Harmony announced that it would subscribe for new shares in Abelle Limited and the intention to make a public offer for ordinary shares and options in Abelle for A$0.45 per ordinary share and A$0.30 per option. The offer closed on March 26, 2003, and as at June 30, 2003, Harmony owned 87% of Abelle’s outstanding shares and 65% of the listed options which were acquired for a total consideration of $105.4 million. Abelle is an Australian company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with interests in mining and exploration projects in Australia and Papua New Guinea. From May 1, 2003, Harmony reports the results of Abelle, together with those of New Hampton and Hill 50 in the “Australian Operations” segment. See Item 4. “Information on the Company — Business — History” and Item 4. “Information on the Company — Business — Harmony’s Mining Operations — Australian Operations” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

On September 25, 2001, Harmony announced that it had reached an agreement in principle with Bendigo, to acquire 294 million shares of Bendigo for a total purchase price of approximately A$50 million (R292 million at an exchange rate of R5.84 per A$1.00, or $22.8 million at an exchange rate of R12.80 per $1.00). On December 13, 2001, shareholders of Bendigo approved this subscription and Harmony acquired ordinary shares representing approximately 31.8% of the outstanding share capital of Bendigo. On that date, Harmony was also granted options to acquire 360 million additional shares of Bendigo at any time before December 31, 2003, at a price of A$0.30 per share for a maximum consideration of A$108 million (R630.7 million at an exchange rate of R5.84 per A$1.00, or $72.2 million). Bendigo is a single project Australian gold mining development company that controls the New Bendigo Gold Project in the historic Bendigo goldfields. Bendigo controls all of the mining and exploration rights beneath and in the immediate vicinity of the city of Bendigo in Victoria. Bendigo has reported that it is using the funds it received from Harmony’s investment in a project with the goal of developing and bringing into production a high grade, mechanized underground mine. Following completion of a feasibility study in fiscal 2004, Harmony informed Bendigo that it would not be participating in a capital fund raising. The board of Bendigo pursued other funding options and Harmony’s shareholding is currently 11.63% as a result of the dilution from the capital raised and additional shares issued by Bendigo for a share purchase plan.

 

Also on November 7, 2003, Abelle announced that it had entered into negotiations with Legend Mining Limited, whereby Legend offered to purchase the Gidgee gold project. Legend made an offer to buy Abelle’s 100% legal and beneficial interest in the project for a consideration of A$6.5 million (subject to certain adjustments) comprising approximately 600 square kilometers of mining and exploration tenements together with project infrastructure including the CIP gold treatment plant, haul roads and

 

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access infrastructure, underground mine and associated infrastructure as well as stockpiles, reserves and resources. This transaction closed in December 2003 for a consideration of A$6.3 million.

 

On March 15, 2004 Harmony announced an offer to holders of ordinary shares, listed options and unlisted options in Abelle Limited (“Abelle”) that Harmony does not already own. The acquisition of the Abelle minorities is valued at approximately R620 million or A$125 million. On May 19, 2004, the Company announced that its bid for all the outstanding securities in Abelle was unconditional and proceeded with a compulsory acquisition of all the securities in Abelle, which resulted in Abelle becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harmony.

 

On July 7, 2004, Bendigo announced that it raised A$100 million in a capital raising exercise and subsequently issued additional shares in a employee share purchase plan. As a result, Harmony’s shareholding in Bendigo was diluted from 31.8% to its current 11.63% stake. Bendigo is no longer classified as an investment in an associate.

 

On August 11, 2004 share options over 4,411,149 shares were reserved for issuance to management of Harmony and 12,908,311 to the broad-based Employees’ Share Option Plan.

 

Canadian Operations

 

In 1998, Harmony acquired its first production facility outside South Africa by purchasing the mining assets in the Bissett area of Manitoba in Canada from the liquidators of the Rea Gold Corporation. Harmony completed the capital expenditure and development programs required to establish a production unit capable of producing over 65,000 ounces per year on this property. In fiscal 2001, due to the mining operations being uneconomical at then-current gold prices, Harmony decided to suspend production at the Bissett mine, and placed the operations on a care and maintenance program during the quarter ended September 30, 2001. On December 2, 2003, Harmony signed a letter of intent regarding the sale of its interest in Bissett to San Gold Resources Corporation for C$7.5 million, subject to certain conditions. On March 17, 2004, Harmony completed the disposal of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Bissett to Rice Lake Joint Venture Inc, a joint venture between San Gold Resources Corporation and Gold City Industries Limited, for C$7,625,000, which was made up of C$3,625,000 in cash plus C$4,000,000 in shares of San Gold and Gold City. Rice Lake is owned jointly by San Gold and Gold City.

 

Other Strategic Investments

 

On January 21, 2003, Randfontein Estates Limited (“Randfontein”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harmony, entered into an agreement with Africa Vanguard Resources (Proprietary) Limited (“Africa Vanguard”), pursuant to which Randfontein sold 26% of its mineral rights in respect of the Doornkop Mining Area to Africa Vanguard for a purchase price of R250 million plus VAT. Randfontein and Africa Vanguard also entered into a Joint Venture Agreement on the same day, pursuant to which they agreed to jointly conduct a mining operation in respect of the Doornkop Mining Area. The Agreements were subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions precedent, the last of which was fulfilled on August 12, 2003. The Agreements were implemented, and the initial purchase price of $19 million was paid on August 15, 2003. For US GAAP purposes, Harmony did not account for this transaction as a sale, but have consolidated the results of Africa Vanguard and the Doornkop Joint Venture, as both these entities have been determined to be variable interest entities, with Harmony as the primary beneficiary of both variable interest entities.

 

On April 28, 2004, Harmony announced that it had entered into a joint venture with Network Healthcare Holdings (Netcare). The joint venture company is known as Health-Manco and has been formed for the purpose of managing the provision of healthcare services of the Harmony Group. The agreement between Harmony and Netcare forms the first part of a deal that will eventually see the complete outsourcing of the management of Harmony’s healthcare.

 

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Strategy

 

Harmony is an independent growth oriented company in the gold production business and is distinguished by the focused operational and management philosophies that it employs throughout the organization. Harmony’s growth strategy is focused on building a leading international gold mining company through acquisitions, organic growth and focused exploration. Harmony is currently expanding in South Africa and Australia, building on Harmony’s position as a leading cost-effective South African gold company in order to enhance Harmony’s position as one of the world’s premier international gold producers. During fiscal 2004, Harmony also invested funds in mining opportunities in Papua New Guinea and Peru.

 

The international and South African gold mining industries have been in the recent past and continue to be affected by structural and investment trends moving toward the consolidation of relatively smaller operations into larger, more efficient gold producers with lower, more competitive cost structures. This consolidation enables gold producers to be more competitive in pursuing new business opportunities and creates the critical mass (measured by market capitalization) necessary to attract the attention of international gold investment institutions. Harmony’s current strategy is predominantly influenced by these investment trends, which have already resulted in significant restructuring and rationalization in the South African, Australian and North American gold mining industries. Harmony believes these trends will continue to lead to significant realignments in the international gold production business. Harmony intends to continue to participate in the South African and international restructuring activity to continue to achieve its growth objectives.

 

Since undergoing a change in management in 1995, Harmony has employed a successful strategy of growth through a series of acquisitions and through the evolution and implementation of a simple set of management systems and philosophies, which Harmony refers to as the “Harmony Way,” and which Harmony believes are unique in the South African gold mining industry. A significant component of the success of Harmony’s strategy to date has been its ability to acquire under-performing mining assets, mainly in South Africa, and in a relatively short time frame to transform these mines into cost-effective production units. The execution of Harmony’s strategy between fiscal 1995 and fiscal 2004 has resulted in the growth of Harmony’s annual gold sales from approximately 650,000 ounces in fiscal 1995 to approximately 3.2 million ounces in fiscal 2004. Despite increased cash operating costs, Harmony has expanded its proven and probable ore reserve base and, as at June 30, 2004, Harmony’s mining operations reported total proven and probable reserves of approximately 62 million ounces.

 

Harmony is managed according to the philosophy that its shareholders have invested in Harmony in order to own a growth stock, which will also participate in movements in the gold price. Accordingly, Harmony has consistently maintained a policy of generally not hedging its future gold production. Harmony’s policy is to eliminate any hedging positions existing within the companies that it acquires as soon as opportunities can be created to do so in sound, commercially advantageous transactions. There may, however, be instances where certain hedge positions in acquired companies need to be kept in place for contractual or other reasons.

 

The major components of Harmony’s strategy include:

 

Continuing to implement Harmony’s unique management structure and philosophy.

 

Harmony implements a simple set of management systems and philosophies, which Harmony refers to as the “Harmony Way”, and which it believes are unique to the South African gold mining industry. This “Harmony Way” is underpinned by the following concepts:

 

Empowered management teams. At each mining site Harmony has established small, multi-disciplinary, focused management teams responsible for planning and implementing the

 

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mining operations at the site. Each of these teams is accountable for the results at its particular site and reports directly to Harmony’s executive committee.

 

Active strategic management by the Board. Annual operational goals and targets, including cost, volume and grade targets are established in consultation with the Harmony’s executive committee for each mining site. Each management team develops an operational plan to implement the goals and targets for its mine site. Harmony’s executive committee reviews and measures the results at each mining site on a regular basis throughout the year.

 

Increased productivity. Gold mining in South Africa is very labor intensive with labor accounting for approximately 50% of Harmony’s costs. To control these costs, Harmony structures its operations to achieve maximum productivity with the goal of having 60% of Harmony’s workforce directly engaged in stoping, or underground excavation, and development rock breaking activities. In addition, Harmony has implemented productivity-based bonuses designed to maximize productivity.

 

A no-frills, low cost ethic. Harmony has an obsession about lowering its cost base and, to this end, Harmony extensively benchmarks its costing parameters both internally between operations within Harmony and externally against other gold producers.

 

Systems. Harmony has implemented sophisticated cost accounting systems and strict ore accounting and ore reserve management systems to measure and track costs and ore reserve depletion accurately, so as to enable it to be proactive in its decision making.

 

Harmony has implemented the “Harmony Way” at its original mining operations and at each mining property Harmony has acquired since 1995. By implementing this process, Harmony generally has been able to reduce costs significantly while increasing production and extending mine life. Harmony and ARMgold share similar management philosophies, which Harmony took into consideration in deciding on the merger with ARMgold, which was completed in September 2003.

 

Growing through acquisitions in South Africa and internationally.

 

Harmony’s acquisition strategy in South Africa has been, and will continue to be, mainly to pursue mature, underperforming gold mining operations in which it believes it can successfully introduce the “Harmony Way” to increase productivity, reduce costs and extend mine life. The advantage to acquiring mature, underperforming operations is that they tend to be cheaper to acquire and, particularly for underground operations, much of the required capital expenditure has already been made. Harmony’s corporate strategy with respect to acquisition targets is as follows:

 

to make acquisitions in addition to pursuing greenfield and brownfield developments when it is economical to do so;

 

to acquire mature assets with turnaround potential;

 

to acquire assets that fit Harmony’s management model; and

 

to acquire assets that enhance Harmony’s overall resource base.

 

In South Africa, Harmony continues to explore a number of potential acquisitions. The South African gold mining industry has undergone a significant restructuring since 1990 with the result that a number of gold mining companies owned principally by mining houses have been sold to other gold operators. Harmony believes that this restructuring process has not yet been completed and that there will continue to be opportunities for further acquisitions in South Africa.

 

Outside of South Africa, Harmony intends to leverage the broad gold mining experience it has gained through acquisitions and existing operations. Through Harmony’s existing operations, Harmony has gained extensive underground mining experience. Harmony has also gained extensive experience in

 

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surface mining by open cast methods through its acquisition of Kalgold and the open cast operations of Randfontein, New Hampton and Hill 50 and in mechanized mining of greenstone orebodies through Harmony’s acquisitions of Bissett, New Hampton and Hill 50. These types of mining are more typical outside of South Africa. Harmony believes that these skills should position it to be able to pursue a broad range of acquisition opportunities. Harmony continues to explore new business opportunities both inside and outside of South Africa. Harmony may in the future pursue additional suitable potential acquisitions in South Africa or internationally.

 

Expanding Harmony’s exploration and development activities to increase its reserve base.

 

Harmony intends to continue to support and expand exploration activities as another important avenue for increasing the size of its reserve base. Exploration projects involve material risks and uncertainties, however, and Harmony cannot be sure these projects will be successful. See Item 3. “Key Information — Risk Factors — To maintain gold production beyond the expected lives of Harmony’s existing mines or to increase production materially above projected levels, Harmony will need to access additional reserves through development or discovery” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

Harmony is engaging in, and investigating possibilities for, organic growth through targeted development projects. Harmony is pursuing substantial projects to deepen the Elandskraal operations and improve the Masimong shaft system. Harmony is also currently conducting feasibility studies for shallow and medium-depth capital projects in the vicinity of Harmony’s existing Randfontein and Evander operations. See Item 4. “Information on the Company — Harmony’s Mining Operations — Elandskraal Operations,” Item 4. “Information on the Company — Harmony’s Mining Operations — Randfontein Operations,” Item  4. “Information on the Company — Harmony’s Mining Operations — Free State Operations” and Item 4. “Information on the Company — Harmony’s Mining Operations — Evander Operations” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference. In evaluating and pursuing these projects, Harmony’s goal is to achieve organic growth in South Africa. Capital development projects of this type involve material risks and uncertainties, however, and Harmony cannot be sure its development efforts will be successful. See Item 3. “Key Information — Risk Factors — To maintain gold production beyond the expected lives of Harmony’s existing mines or to increase production materially above projected levels, Harmony will need to access additional reserves through development or discovery” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

Implementation of continuous operations

 

In July 2004, Harmony agreed with NUM to the concept and implementation of continuous operations, referred to as CONOPS on a national scale. CONOPS refers to the practice whereby a mine operates on all the days of the year, including Sundays and excluding public holidays. Workers operate on a roster or shift arrangement which sees them work the same amount of hours per week and therefore companies need to employ more people in order to facilitate working the additional days.

 

Currently most gold mines in South Africa operate for approximately 273 days per year. The introduction of CONOPS is expected to increase this number to 353 days per year which would result in a 20% increase in labor per stope on the shafts as well as a 5% to 8% reduction in unit cost/tonne in due course. Except for Merriepruit 3 shafts, Brand shaft, Unisel shaft, Harmony 2 shaft, and Masimong shafts, Harmony has implemented CONOPS at all its operations.

 

Hedge Policy

 

As a general rule Harmony sells its gold production at market prices. Harmony generally does not enter into forward sales, derivatives or hedging arrangements to establish a price in advance for the sale of

 

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its future gold production. As a result of this policy, Board approval is required when hedging arrangements are to be entered into to secure loan facilities. Any change to this policy requires ratification by the Board. Currently, Harmony’s hedge book is managed by a risk and treasury management services company, which is a joint venture between a major South African bank and a black economic empowerment company.

 

Harmony does not trade in derivatives for its own account. In the past three years, there have been two instances in which Harmony has made use of gold price hedges: Harmony’s forward sale of a portion of the production at Bissett at a set gold price and put options relating to 1 million ounces of Harmony’s production at Elandskraal. Both of these hedges were entered into in order to secure loan facilities and have since been closed out.

 

Harmony inherited the following forward exchange contracts with the acquisition of Avgold in May 2004.

 

     June 30, 2005

   June 30, 2006

   Total

Forward exchange contracts & calls sold US$ million

   79.4    39.5    118.9

Average Strike US$/R

   9.073    9.543    9.229

 

The contracts do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting and the mark-to-market movement is reflected in the income statement. The mark-to-market of these contracts was a negative R300 million (US$48 million) as at June 30, 2004. These values were based upon a spot price of US$1/R6.44 (as of September 29, 2004) and prevailing market interest rates at the time. Independent risk and treasury management experts provided these valuations.

 

The forward exchange contracts mature on a monthly basis, resulting in cash inflow or outflow, equal to the difference between the strike price of the contracts and the spot price on the particular day. The average strike price of the contracts, are significantly higher that the spot price of US$1/R6.44 (as of September 29, 2004), resulting in significant cash outflows.

 

A significant proportion of the production at Randfontein was already hedged when acquired by Harmony. On April 12, 2002, Harmony had closed out all of the Randfontein hedge positions, including closing forward sale contracts and call options covering a total of 490,000 ounces and forward purchases covering a total of 200,000 ounces.

 

In addition, a substantial proportion of the production of both New Hampton and Hill 50 was already hedged when acquired by Harmony. These hedge agreements were accounted for as speculative contracts. In fiscal 2002, in line with Harmony’s strategy of being generally unhedged, Harmony reduced New Hampton’s hedge book by over 900,000 ounces and combined and restructured the remainder of the hedge portfolio of Harmony’s Australian operations (including New Hampton and Hill 50) to normal purchase and sale agreements, under which Harmony had to deliver a specified quantity of gold at a future date subject to agreed-upon prices. In fiscal 2003, a significant portion of the inherited hedge book was closed out, resulting in the remaining hedge agreements do not meet hedge accounting criteria for accounting purposes and the marked-to-market movements in these contracts are reflected in the income statement. During fiscal 2004, a further 500,000 ounces of the inherited hedge books of both New Hampton and Hill 50 were closed out at a cost of Rand 105 million (US$14.4 million). As of June 30, 2004, the resulting hedge portfolio covered 495,000 ounces over a five-year period at an average strike price of A$518 per ounce ($363 at an exchange rate of A$0.70 per $1.00). Harmony has reduced the remaining hedge positions of the Australian operations gradually by delivering gold pursuant to the relevant agreements as well as through the close out of these hedge agreements.

 

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In December 2001, in response to significant depreciation in the Rand and to protect itself against possible appreciation of the Rand against the US dollar, Harmony entered into Rand-US dollar currency forward exchange contracts intended to cover estimated revenues from the Free State operations’ planned production for calendar 2002. Harmony fixed the Rand-US dollar exchange rate for a total of $180 million at an average exchange rate of Rand 11.20 per US dollar. These forward exchange contracts expired on December 31, 2002, and were not renewed. Harmony has not renewed or entered into any forward exchange contracts since then, although it has inherited such contracts in connection with its acquisition of Avgold in May 2004.

 

Description of Mining Business

 

Exploration

 

Exploration activities are focused on the extension of existing orebodies and identification of new orebodies both at existing sites and at undeveloped sites. Once a potential orebody has been discovered, exploration is extended and intensified in order to enable clearer definition of the orebody and the potential portions to be mined. Geological techniques are constantly refined to improve the economic viability of prospecting and mining activities.

 

Harmony conducts exploration activities by itself or with joint venture partners. Harmony’s prospecting interests in South Africa measure approximately 100,000 hectares. The area has been reduced, from 382,000 hectares, as regional exploration identified focused areas of mineralization, requiring more detailed investigation. Harmony’s Australian operations also control prospecting interests, as described below. In addition to ongoing mine site exploration, Harmony has a program of investment in regional exploration. The exploration strategy on these greenstone belts uses geological, geophysical and geochemical techniques to identify broad systems of anomalous gold and associated rock alteration within which gold deposits typically occur as clusters.

 

Harmony spent approximately R108.87 million, excluding contributions from joint venture partners, on exploration in fiscal 2004 and the bulk of exploration expenditure was allocated to activities in Australia, South Africa and Peru with smaller expenditures in West Africa and Madagascar. In fiscal 2005, Harmony intends to carry out exploration in South Africa, West Africa, Australia, South America and Papua New Guinea.

 

Harmony disposed of its interest in the Kalplats projects during the year and is currently assessing the most appropriate route to be taken on its non-core mineral rights in South Africa.

 

Harmony’s exploration activity in West Africa and South America, excluding Peru, was restricted to project generation and reconnaissance sampling. Site visits and negotiations with potential joint venture partners are ongoing.

 

During 2004, Harmony continued to evaluate numerous projects in Peru. Two joint venture agreements were entered into with local partners, whereby Harmony could earn-in to prospective projects by undertaking phased exploration expenditure. Both of the projects are focused on areas with demonstrated potential to host epithermal gold mineralization. Analytical results from drilling of the first project and sampling of the second, suggested that they did not conform to Harmony’s investment criteria and the joint ventures were terminated.

 

In addition to these joint ventures, Harmony has undertaken a comprehensive target generation program in Peru, supported by surface sampling programs. New projects generated by this program, or coming under negotiation, shall form the focus of an accelerated exploration program in 2005. For this reason, Harmony established a small exploration office in Peru during 2004.

 

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Harmony’s Australian operations conduct prospecting at various sites within their exploration mineral right areas, which include various types of property rights recognized in Australia covering a total area of approximately 298,355 hectares (737,250 acres). Harmony’s exploration strategy in Australia includes exploration on greenstone belts using aeromagnetics, ground magnetics, geochemical, regolith and geotechnical techniques to identify broad systems of anomalous gold and associated rock alteration within which gold mineralization typically occurs. Thereafter, promising targets are drilled to test geological structures and establish the presence of gold mineralization. Should this process be successful in discovering ore, the deposits are then drilled and sampled systematically to determine ore reserves and metallurgical characteristics. Exploration of priority targets within Harmony’s holdings, continued to be the focus of regional exploration over the 2004 fiscal year.

 

Harmony currently has a 11.63% stake in Australian-listed Bendigo Mining NL, an Australian listed company that controls a large tenement holding in the Bendigo goldfield of Victoria (Australia). It has been estimated that 22 million ounces of gold have historically been produced from numerous reefs in the Bendigo goldfield. Bendigo Mining management consider that the goldfield has the potential to host a further 12 million ounce resource below the historic mine workings. The coarse grain size and erratic distribution of the gold in the Bendigo reefs (“nugget effect”) precludes the use of drilling as a reliable reserve definition tool. During 2003, a production size decline was sunk to access several reefs that had previously been defined by drilling. The objective was to establish ore-body geometry and grades as well as to gain further confidence in the proposed mining methods and process metallurgy. Bendigo’s management have announced that nine of the seventeen targeted reefs had been evaluated by August 2003. The feasibility study was completed in fiscal 2004.

 

Following the acquisition of Hill 50, Harmony integrated Hill 50’s exploration program on the properties south of Kalgoorlie with New Hampton’s programs in that area. These programs involve exploration on a combination of freehold title and mineral leases forming an east-west belt extending from Lake Roe to Coolgardie, south of Kalgoorlie. The tenements span a number of geological domains including the Kalgoorlie-Kambalda Belt and the Boulder-Lefroy structure, the Zuleika Shear, the Coolgardie Belt and the Yilgarn-Roe structures. A comprehensive structural-geological and regolith-geochemical review was completed in July 2001 for the Southeast Goldfields area. This review outlined priority targets within Harmony’s holdings, which were the focus of regional exploration over the 2002 fiscal year and continued to be the focus of regional exploration during the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years. Hill 50’s exploration has also continued to focus on brownfield and greenfield opportunities at Mt. Magnet and on regional targets in the Yalgoo tenements, which comprise approximately 35,800 hectares (88,464 acres) located approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Mt. Magnet.

 

Through the Hill 50 transaction, Harmony also acquired two development projects in the Northern Territory of Australia: the Maud Creek project and a fifty percent share in the Burnside Joint Venture which includes the Brocks Creek project. Maud Creek is an advanced greenfield project based on a recent discovery located close to the historic Yeuralba gold field in the Pine Creek district. The Maud Creek project faces a metallurgical risk associated with the extraction of gold from the ore. The Maud Creek orebody is partially refractory in nature and specific (yet to be finalized) ore processing routes would be required to liberate the gold. The contemplated processes are expected to result in higher capital and operating costs, but are not expected to involve significant technical risk. Brocks Creek is an effort to bring mines formerly operated by AngloGold, Dominion Mining and Gold Fields of Australia, respectively, back into production. In fiscal 2004, Harmony had a total expenditure of A$8.4 million in combined levels of exploration at New Hampton and Hill 50.

 

On February 26, 2003 Harmony made an offer to subscribe for new shares as well as a public offer for the ordinary shares and options in Abelle Limited and as of May 2004, Abelle is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harmony. Abelle owns 100% of the Hidden Valley and Wafi deposits in Papua New

 

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Guinea. The Hidden Valley project has an estimated mineral resource of 73.9 million tons at 2.2 grams per ton gold and 30 grams per ton silver for 5.2 million ounces of gold and 71 million ounces of silver. A feasibility study completed by Lycopodium of Australia in October 2002 envisaged a single open pit containing 2.8 million ounces of gold and 48 million ounces of silver. A new feasibility study completed by Abelle in December 2003, envisaged construction of a smaller but more profitable mine, which will produce 1.9 million ounces of gold and 25.5 million ounces of silver in phase one. The Wafi project is situated 60 kilometers from Morobe and is an advanced exploration project. Wafi consists of two deposits situated 1 kilometer apart. The Golpu deposit is a porphyry copper-gold deposit. The resource estimate for Golpu is 100 million tons at 1.3% copper and 0.6 grams per ton gold for 1.3 million tons of copper and 2.3 million ounces of gold. The second deposit (the Wafu gold deposit) is a high sulphidation gold deposit that contains an inferred resource of 53.3 million tons at 2.5 grams per ton for 4.3 million ounces gold. A 5,000 meter diamond drill program is currently underway at the recently discovered, high grade “link zone” of the Wafi gold deposit.

 

With the exception of the Burnside Joint Venture, which Hill 50 and Northern Gold NL formed in March 2002 to develop the Brocks Creek project, Harmony’s exploration and development projects in Australia are wholly-owned.

 

With the exception of the Burnside Joint Venture, which Hill 50 and Northern Gold NL formed in March 2002 to develop the Brocks Creek project, Harmony’s exploration and development projects in Australia are wholly-owned.

 

Mining

 

The mining process can be divided into two main phases: (i) creating access to the orebody and (ii) mining the orebody. This basic process applies to both underground and surface operations.

 

  Access to the orebody. In Harmony’s underground mines, access to the orebody is by means of shafts sunk from the surface to the lowest economically and practically mineable level. Horizontal development at various intervals of a shaft (known as levels) extends access to the horizon of the reef to be mined. On-reef development then provides specific mining access. In Harmony’s open pit mines, access to the orebody is provided by overburden stripping, which removes the covering layers of topsoil or rock, through a combination of drilling, blasting, loading and hauling, as required.

 

Mining the orebody. The process of ore removal starts with drilling and blasting the accessible ore. The blasted faces are then cleaned and the ore is transferred to the transport system. In open pit mines, gold-bearing material may require drilling and blasting and is usually collected by bulldozers or shovels to transfer it to the ore transport system.

 

In Harmony’s underground mines, once ore has been broken, train systems collect ore from the faces and transfer it to a series of ore passes that gravity feed the ore to hoisting levels at the bottom of the shaft. The ore is then hoisted to the surface in dedicated conveyances and transported either by conveyor belts directly or via surface railway systems or roads to the treatment plants. In addition to ore, waste rock broken to access reef horizons must similarly be hoisted and then placed on waste rock dumps. In open pit mines, ore is transported to treatment facilities in large capacity vehicles.

 

Processing

 

Harmony currently has fourteen metallurgical plants that treat ore to extract the gold. The principal gold extraction processes used by Harmony are carbon in leach, or CIL, carbon in pulp, or CIP, and carbon in solution, or CIS, although Harmony also has an old filter plant processing low grade waste rock.

 

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The gold plant circuit consists of the following:

 

Comminution. Comminution is the process of breaking up the ore to expose and liberate the gold and make it available for treatment. Conventionally, this process occurs in multi-stage crushing and milling circuits, which include the use of jaw and gyratory crushers and rod and tube and ball mills. Harmony’s more modern milling circuits include semi or fully autogenous milling where the ore itself is used as the grinding medium. Typically, ore must be ground to a minimum size before proceeding to the next stage of treatment.

 

Treatment. In most of Harmony’s metallurgical plants, including the plants at the Free Gold operations and at Hill 50, gold is extracted into a leach solution from the host ore by leaching in agitated tanks. Gold is then extracted onto activated carbon from the solution using the CIL, CIP or CIS process. In addition, each of Harmony and the Free Gold Company has one metallurgical plant that uses the zinc precipitation filter process to recover gold in solution. Harmony’s Saaiplaas plant also used the zinc precipitation filter process prior to fiscal 2002, but it was converted to the CIS process during fiscal 2002. During fiscal 2003, however, the Saaiplaas plant was converted to the CIL process thereby lowering costs and improving extraction efficiency. Harmony will consider a similar conversion for the remaining Harmony zinc precipitation plant depending on the properties of the materials to be processed.

 

Gold in solution from the filter plants is recovered using zinc precipitation. Recovery of the gold from the loaded carbon takes place by elution and electro-winning. Because cathode sludge produced from electro-winning is now sent directly to Harmony’s refinery, most of the plants no longer use smelting to produce rough gold bars (dor). Harmony’s zinc precipitation plant, however, and the zinc precipitation plant used by the Free Gold Company continue to smelt precipitate to produce rough gold bars. These bars are then transported to Harmony’s refinery, which is responsible for refining the bars to a minimum of good delivery status.

 

Harmony operates the only independent gold refinery in South Africa. In fiscal 2004, all of Harmony’s South African gold production was refined at Harmony’s refinery. In fiscal 2003, approximately 85% of Harmony’s South African gold production was refined at Harmony’s refinery and the remainder was refined at the Rand Refinery, which is owned by a consortium of the major gold producers in

South Africa. In April 2002, Harmony sold its ownership interest in the Rand Refinery back to the Rand Refinery. Harmony received approximately Rand 6.4 million ($0.6 million at an exchange rate of R10.66 per $1.00) from this sale.

 

Harmony produces its own branded products at its refinery, including various sizes of gold bars. This has allowed Harmony to sell to markets such as India, the Middle East and East Asia. Harmony’s refinery supplies gold alloys and associated products to jewelry manufacturers in South Africa and internationally. In fiscal 2004, Harmony had refinery capacity of 100 tonnes per year. Harmony spent approximately Rand 4.8 million (compared to Rand 4.6 million ($0.67 million) in fiscal 2003) on capital expenditures at its refinery in fiscal 2004.

 

The South African government has emphasized that the production of value-added fabricated gold products, such as jewelry, is an important means for creating employment opportunities in South Africa and has made the promotion of these beneficiation activities a requirement of the Mining Charter. Harmony’s beneficiation initiatives have benefited from the expansion and improvement of Harmony’s refinery. Harmony supports jewelry ventures in South Africa, including providing facilities for a jewelry school and, in fiscal 2002, Harmony acquired rights to manufacture and distribute a range of jewelry based on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in South Africa, the United States and Canada. On December 11, 2002, Harmony and Mintek, a South African government research and development organization, signed a memorandum of understanding to create Musuku Beneficiation Systems, or Musuku, an integrated manufacturing and technology group focusing on the beneficiation of precious metals.

 

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Musuku will provide management, operational and technical to integrate value-added processes into the gold mining industry. On July 28, 2004, the Competition Commission approved the Musuku transaction.

 

Services and Supplies

 

Mining activities require extensive services, located both on the surface and underground. These services include mining-related services such as mining engineering (optimizing mining layouts and safe mining practices), planning (developing short-term and long-term mining plans), ore reserve management (to achieve optimal orebody extraction), ventilation (sustaining operable mining conditions underground), provision of supplies and materials, and other logistical support. In addition, engineering services are required to ensure equipment operates effectively. Unlike many other South African gold producers, Harmony generally provides only those services directly related to mining. In some cases, other services are provided by outside contractors. Harmony provides medical services to employees at its Free State, Evander and Randfontein hospitals. During fiscal 2004, Harmony entered into a joint venture agreement with Netcare Healthcare Holdings to outsource the management of Harmony’s healthcare.

 

The Mining Charter establishes a policy of according preferred supplier status to enterprises controlled by members of historically disadvantaged groups when those enterprises are able to offer goods and services at competitive prices and quality levels. Harmony believes that its procurement policy is consistent with this policy.

 

Harmony’s Management Structure

 

As part of the “Harmony Way,” Harmony structures its mining operations in a way that it considers to be unique in the South African gold mining industry. Harmony’s operational structure is based on small empowered management teams at each production site, which may include one or more underground mine shafts or open cast sites. These management teams are fully responsible for planning and executing the mining at the production site and report directly to Harmony’s Executive Committee. Each management team consists of an ore reserve manager, a mining manager, a financial manager, an engineering manager and a human relations manager. Each member of the management team has an individual area of responsibility: the mining manager is responsible for rock breaking and safety; the ore reserve manager is responsible for geology and ore reserves; the financial manager is responsible for financial management; the engineering manager is responsible for maintaining equipment; and the human relations manager is responsible for manpower issues. One of the managers is appointed as the team captain. Financial incentives are provided for the production team at each site based on the production and efficiency at the site.

 

Placing management power at the level of the actual production sites has resulted in greater flexibility, innovation and quicker decision-making than the more traditional management structures at South African gold mines. It also means that Harmony operates without multiple levels of management. This contributes to decreased overhead costs, which has a positive impact on the payable portion of Harmony’s mineral resources. In addition, the reduced management structure is important in facilitating Harmony’s goal of having 60% of its work force being directly involved in actual mining as opposed to the industry standard of 40%. Harmony believes that this initiative has resulted in increased productivity.

 

In addition, Harmony and the United Association of South Africa have signed an agreement to redefine the traditional role of shift boss, or supervisor, to that of a coach. This initiative, which Harmony has implemented at its South African operations, re-aligns features of Harmony’s operational-level organization. The principal features of this initiative are to allow coaches to focus on safety promotion

 

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by transferring line supervision duties to the mine overseers (whose technical expertise will be available to blasting crews) and changing the compensation structure so that coaches will not receive incentive compensation based on production levels. In addition, coaches spend the entire eight-hour working shift underground with the mining team, in contrast with the four hours shift bosses typically spent with the mining team. Harmony believes that this initiative will promote a safe production environment for the blasting crew and enhance career development for previously disadvantaged individuals.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Capital expenditures, including the non-cash portion, incurred for fiscal 2004 totalled approximately $126.5 million, compared with $209 million for fiscal 2003 and $59.0 million for fiscal 2002. The focus of Harmony’s capital expenditures in recent years has been underground development and plant improvement, upgrades and acquisitions, and management currently expects this focus to continue in fiscal 2005. The decrease in capital expenditure in fiscal 2004 compared with fiscal 2003 was as a result of downscaling at the Elandskraal and Australian operations as well as the appreciation of the Rand against the US dollar. The increase in capital expenditures in fiscal 2003 compared with fiscal 2002 was due to the acquisition of Abelle in March 2003 and the development of projects such as Tshepong and Bambanani. Harmony has budgeted approximately $144.1 million for capital expenditures in fiscal 2005. Details regarding the capital expenditures for each operation are found in the individual mine sections in our annual report on Form 20-F under “Business — Harmony’s Mining Operations.” Harmony currently expects that its planned capital expenditures will be financed from operations and existing cash on hand. However, if Harmony decides to expand major projects such as the Poplar Project and the Rolspruit Project at Evander beyond its current plans, Harmony may consider alternative financing sources described below. See Item 4. “Information on the Company — Business — Harmony’s Mining Operations — Evander Operations” of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 8, 2004, as amended, and incorporated by reference.

 

Description of Property

 

Harmony’s operational mining areas in South Africa comprise the Free State operations of 55,801 acres, the Evander area of 91,178 acres the Randfontein area of 41,026 acres, the Kalgold area of 5,259 acres, the Elandskraal area of 22,864 acres, the Free Gold’s area of 35,582 acres and the Target area 10,469 acres. Harmony’s operational mining areas (granted tenements) in Australia comprise the combined Mt. Magnet — Big Bell area of 252,114 acres, the South Kalgoorlie area of 222,647 acres and active holdings in the Northern Territory that total 288,083 acres. Harmony furthermore owns, controls or shares in mineral rights that have not been brought to production.

 

In line with the rest of the South African mining industry, Harmony has been rationalizing its mineral rights holdings in recent years. Accordingly, over the past three years, Harmony disposed of its shares and its participation rights in areas in as well as outside of South Africa in which it has not actively pursued mining. Harmony may continue to investigate further disposals.

 

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The following pages contain maps of Harmony’s South African and worldwide operations and interests.

 

WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS

 

LOGO

 

Geology

 

The major portion of Harmony’s South African gold production is derived from mines located in the Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa. The Witwatersrand Basin is an elongate structure that extends approximately 300 kilometers in a northeast-southwest direction and approximately 100 kilometers in a northwest-southeast direction. It is an Archean sedimentary basin containing a 6 kilometers thick stratigraphic sequence consisting mainly of quartzites and shales with minor volcanic units.

 

Conglomerate layers occur in distinctive depositional cycles or packages within the upper, arenaceous portion of the sequence, known as the Central Rand Group. It is within these predominately conglomeratic units that the gold-bearing alluvial placer deposits, termed reefs, are located.

 

The differences in the morphology and gold distribution patterns within a single reef, and from one reef to the next, are a reflection of the different sedimentary processes at work at the time of placer deposition on erosional surfaces in fluvial and littoral environments.

 

Within the various goldfields of the Witwatersrand Basin there are major and minor fault systems, and some of the normal faults have displaced basin-dipping placers upwards in a progressive step-like manner, enabling mining to take place at accessible depths.

 

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The majority of Harmony’s South African gold production is derived from auriferous placer reefs situated at different stratigraphic positions and at varying depths below surface in three of the seven defined goldfields of the Witwatersrand Basin.

 

Harmony’s production from the Australian operations and South African Kalgold operations are sourced from Archaean greenstone gold deposits. These types of deposits are formed by the interaction of gold-bearing hydrothermal fluids with chemically or rheologically suitable rock types. The hydrothermal fluids are typically focused along conduits termed shear zones. The nature of the shear zone and the host rock determines the style of the mineralization, which may be narrow veins with high gold grades or wide disseminated mineralization with low-medium grades. Frequently the two styles occur together.

 

At Harmony’s Papua New Guinea operations, the sedimentary/volcaniclastic rocks of the Owen Stanley Formation that surround the Wafi Diatreme, host the gold mineralization at the Wafi project. Gold mineralization occurs as extensive high-sulphidation epithermal alteration overprinting porphyry mineralization and epithermal style vein-hosted and replacement gold mineralization with associated wall-rock alteration. The Golpu Copper-Gold project is located about 1kilometer northeast of the Wafi gold orebody. It is a porphyri (Diorite) copper-gold deposit. The host lithology is a diorite that exhibits a typical zoned porphyry copper alteration halo and the mineralized body can be described as a porphyry copper-gold ‘pipe’. Harmony’s Hidden Valley project comprise low sulphidation carbonate-base metal-gold epithermal deposits within the Morobe Goldfield, in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. In the Hidden Valley project area a batholith of Morobe Granodiorite (locally a coarse grained monzogranite) is flanked by fine metasediments of the Owen Stanley Metamorphics. Both are cut by dykes of Pliocene porphyry ranging from hornblende-biotite to feldspar-quartz porphyries. A number of commonly argillic altered and gold anomalous breccias are known, including both hydrothermal and over printing structural breccias. The Hidden Valley deposit area is dominated by a series of post Miocene faults controlling the gold mineralization, including an early north trending set and the main NW faulting.

 

Reserves

 

Harmony applies an ore reserve management system that emphasizes effective geological control of the orebody. In addition, ongoing management of the ore reserves is decentralized to each production site where management applies site-specific technical and working cost parameters to determine the optimal cut-off grade. This cut-off grade is defined as the grade at which the total profits from mining the orebody, under a specific set of mining parameters, is maximized and, therefore, optimizes exploitation of the orebody. The use of a cut-off grade attempts to account for all the ore tons that make a marginal contribution to the profitability of the mine.

 

Historically, South African gold mining companies have not been required to follow any particular standard for reporting ore reserves. Consequently, Harmony inherited a number of different standards for reporting ore reserves as it acquired mining operations.

 

The JSE requires that all gold mining companies listed on the JSE must report ore reserves on the basis of the South African Mineral Resource Committee code of practice, or SAMREC. The Harmony ore reserves as at June 30, 2004 have been reported in accordance with this ruling. In addition, the ore reserve information for Harmony’s Australian operations is reported on the basis of the Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, or JORC Code. The JORC Code is consistent with SAMREC, although the JORC code focuses more specifically on open cast mining, which is more common in Australia. Only the reserves which qualify as proven and probable reserves for purposes of the SEC’s industry guide number 7 at each of Harmony’s mining operations are presented in this registration statement.

 

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As at June 30, 2004, Harmony’s mining operations reported total proven and probable reserves of approximately 62.26 million ounces, which includes Target, as set forth in the following table:

 

Ore reserve statement as at June 30, 2004

 

Operations


  Proven Reserves

  Probable Reserves

  Total Reserves

 

Gold sales

in the fiscal

year ended

June 30, 20031


   

Tons

(million)

 

Grade

(oz/ton)

 

Gold oz2

(million)

 

Tons

(million)

 

Grade

(oz/ton)

 

Gold oz2

(million)

 

Tons

(million)

 

Grade

(oz/ton)

 

Gold oz2

(million)

  (oz)

S.A. Underground

                                       

Elandskraal

  12.75   0.24   3.06   23.99   0.24   5.69   36.74   0.24   8.75   318,708

Free State

  27.83   0.14   3.82   21.04   0.13   2.71   48.87   0.13   6.53   654,420

Randfontein

  9.91   0.16   1.61   6.14   0.16   0.99   16.05   0.16   2.60   394,166

Evander

  12.24   0.20   2.42   66.83   0.20   13.39   79.07   0.20   15.81   359,733

Avgold

  8.59   0.22   1.88   18.12   0.20   3.56   26.71   0.20   5.44   53,4345

Free Gold

  26.19   0.22   5.78   57.12   0.20   11.47   83.31   0.21   17.25   959,3676

ARMgold

  3.52   0.23   0.82   0.61   0.22   0.13   4.13   0.23   0.95   215,015
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total S.A. Underground

  101.03   0.19   19.39   193.85   0.20   37.94   294.88   0.19   57.33   2,954,843
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

S.A. Surface

                                       

Elandskraal

                    5,301

Avgold

        3.80   0.02   0.07   3.80   0.02   0.07  

Free State

  13.76   0.01   0.13   6.64   0.02   0.10   20.40   0.01   0.23   26,732

Randfontein

  33.76   0.01   0.47   0.05   0.24   0.01   33.81   0.01   0.49   18,872

Evander

                    1,961

Kalgold (open cast)

  6.14   0.06   0.38         6.14   0.06   0.38   82,756

Free Gold

  2.79   0.01   0.04   23.64   0.02   0.38   26.44   0.02   0.42   73,1226
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total S.A. Surface

  56.45   0.02   1.02   34.13   0.02   0.56   90.59   0.02   1.59   208,744

Australian Operations2

                                       

Northern Territory

  0.06   0.41   0.02   0.88   0.08   0.08   0.94   0.10   0.10  

Mt. Magnet

  2.71   0.05   0.15   5.78   0.14   0.78   8.49   0.11   0.92   173,228

South Kalgoorlie5

  1.65   0.08   0.13   1.28   0.11   0.14   2.94   0.09   0.27   120,532

Big Bell

                    11,574
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total Australian Operations

  4.42   0.07   0.30   7.94   0.13   1.00   12.37   0.10   1.30   305,334
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Papua New Guinea4

  2.23   0.09   0.20   21.43   0.09   1.84   23.66   0.09   2.04   32,954
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

  164.1     20.91   257.35     41.35   421.50     62.26   3,501,875
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1 “Gold oz” figures are fully inclusive of all mining dilutions and gold losses, and are reported as mill delivered tons and head grades. Metallurgical recovery factors have not been applied to the reserve figures. Approximate metallurgical recovery factors are set forth below.

 

2 Includes reserves from underground and surface mining at each of the Australian operations.

 

3 The South Kalgoorlie operations include Jubilee, acquired in the New Hampton transaction, and New Celebration, acquired in the Hill 50 transaction.

 

4 Includes reserves from underground and surface mining at the operations.

 

5 Represents sales for two months from May 1, 2004 for the Avgold operations.

 

6 Represents Free Gold sales for fiscal year 2004 without taking into account equity accounting for the first three months taken into consideration.

 

The numbers shown in the table above are fully inclusive of all mining dilutions and gold losses, and are reported as mill delivered tons and head grades. Metallurgical recovery factors have not been applied to the reserve figures stated above. The approximate metallurgical recovery factors for the table above are as follows: (a) Elandskraal 95.6%; (b) Free State 95%; (c) Randfontein 96.5%; (d)

 

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Evander 96.7%; (e) Kalgold 82%; (f) the Free Gold assets 97%; (g) Target 97.5%, (h) Big Bell 86%; (i) Mt. Magnet 93%; (j) South Kalgoorlie 92%. A gold price of Rand 92,000 per kilogram was applied in calculating the ore reserve figures. The gold price on September 29, 2004 was approximately R84,500 per kilogram. Harmony’s standard for narrow reef sampling with respect to both proven and probable reserve calculations for underground mining operations at Elandskraal, Free State, Evander, Randfontein, Free Gold and Target is applied on a 6 meter by 6 meter grid. Average sample spacing on development ends is at 2 meter intervals in development areas. For the massive mining at the Target operations, the Harmony standard for sampling with respect to both proven and probable reserves are fan drilling with “B” sized diamond drill holes (43mm core) sited at 50 meter spaced sections along twin access drives. Harmony’s standard for sampling with respect to both proven and probable reserves at its Australian underground operations include sampling development drives and crosscuts at intervals of up to 4 meters, drilling fans of diamond drill boreholes with a maximum spacing of 20 meters in any orientation within the ore bodies, and assaying core at 1 meter intervals. The Kalgold open cast operations are sampled on diamond drill and reverse circulation drill spacing of no more than 25 meters on average. Surface mining at South African operations other than Kalgold involves recovering gold from areas previously involved in mining and processing, such as metallurgical plants, waste rock dumps and tailings dams (slimes and sand) for which random sampling is used. Australian surface operations are sampled on diamond drill and reverse circulation drill spacing of no more than 20 meters on average.

 

In calculating proven and probable reserves, Harmony applies a cut-off grade. The cut-off grade is determined for each shaft using Harmony’s optimizer computer program, which takes account of a number of factors, including grade distribution of the orebody, an assumed gold price, planned production rates, planned working costs and mine recovery factors. Harmony’s optimizer computer program determines the total profits that can be made from mining blocks of various grades. The point of maximum total profit is used to determine the cut-off grade. Mining the blocks at and above the cut-off grade will be profitable if the assumptions underlying the cut-off grade hold true. Blocks below the cut-off grade are not included in Harmony’s reserve estimates. Harmony generally aims to mine above the cut-off grade. This can be contrasted with the so-called “pay limit” approach for determining reserve estimates, which identifies the grade at which revenues and costs are equal and then determines the portion below this break-even grade that can be mined together with portions above the break-even grade to remain profitable. Harmony believes the cut-off grade methodology defines more precisely which blocks should be mined for profitable operations.

 

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INFORMATION ABOUT GOLD FIELDS

 

The legal and commercial name of our company is Gold Fields Limited. Gold Fields is a public company incorporated in South Africa, with its registered office located at 24 St. Andrews Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa. The telephone number of Gold Fields is 011-27-11-644-2400. For additional information regarding the business and operations of Gold Fields, we refer you to the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on December 29, 2003 and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

BUSINESS

 

Introduction

 

Gold Fields is a significant producer of gold and major holder of gold reserves in South Africa, Ghana and Australia. Gold Fields is primarily involved in underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing and smelting, and also has strategic interests in platinum group metals exploration. Gold Fields is currently the third largest gold producer in South Africa and one of the largest gold producers in the world on the basis of annual production.

 

Gold Fields’ mining operations are located primarily in South Africa. It also owns the St. Ives and Agnew gold mining operations in Australia and has a 71.1% interest in each of the Tarkwa gold mine and the Damang gold mine in Ghana. In addition, Gold Fields has gold and other precious metal exploration activities and interests in Africa, Australasia, China, Europe, North America and South America. Gold Fields owns 100% of the Arctic Platinum Partnership, or APP, in northern Finland, which is evaluating the economic potential of deposits of open pittable and underground platinum group metal mineralization. APP was formerly a joint venture with Outokumpu Oyj, or Outokumpu. On September 11, 2003, Gold Fields acquired Outokumpu’s 49% stake in APP.

 

Gold Fields’ operations include:

 

Driefontein Operation. This operation consists of eight shaft systems and three gold plants in South Africa’s Gauteng Province near Carletonville. Driefontein produced 1.238 million ounces of gold during the year ended June 30, 2003, accounting for approximately 27% of total gold production for Gold Fields in fiscal 2003. The operation employed approximately 18,300 people as of June 30, 2003. The Driefontein operation includes both underground mining and surface rock dump processing.

 

Kloof Operation. This operation consists of five shaft systems and three gold plants in South Africa’s Gauteng Province near Carletonville. Kloof produced 1.140 million ounces of gold during the year ended June 30, 2003, accounting for approximately 25% of total gold production for Gold Fields in fiscal 2003. The operation employed approximately 19,000 people as of June 30, 2003. The Kloof operation includes both underground mining and some surface rock dump processing.

 

Beatrix Operation. This operation, formerly known as the Free State Operation, was renamed Beatrix following the sale of the St. Helena gold mining operation to ARMGold/Harmony Freegold Joint Venture Company (Proprietary) Limited, or Freegold, on October 30, 2002. The operation consists of four shaft systems and two gold plants in South Africa’s Free State Province near Welkom and Virginia. The Beatrix operation produced 0.659 million ounces of gold during the year ended June 30, 2003, accounting for approximately 15% of total gold production for Gold Fields in fiscal 2003. The operation employed approximately 12,600 people as of June 30, 2003. The Beatrix operation consists of both underground mining and some limited surface rock dump processing.

 

Ghana Operation. This operation consists of: (1) the Tarkwa mine, which comprises several open pit operations with two heap leach recovery facilities and (2) the Damang mine, which Gold Fields acquired in January 2002 and which comprises an open pit operation. Both mines are located in southwestern Ghana, about 300 and 360 kilometers by road west of Accra, respectively. During the

 

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year ended June 30, 2003, the Ghana operation produced 0.839 million ounces of gold (of which 0.596 million ounces of gold were attributable to Gold Fields and the remainder to minority shareholders in the Ghana operation), accounting for approximately 18% of total gold production for Gold Fields in fiscal 2003. The operation had approximately 2,400 employees as of June 30, 2003, including those working for the outside contractor at the sites.

 

Australia Operation. Gold Fields purchased the St. Ives and Agnew gold mining operations from WMC Limited and WMC Resources Ltd (collectively, WMC) in November 2001. Both mines are located in the state of Western Australia, with St. Ives situated near Kambalda, straddling Lake Lefroy, and Agnew situated near Leinster. These two mines together produced 0.657 million ounces of gold, accounting for approximately 15% of total gold production for Gold Fields in fiscal 2003. St. Ives and Agnew had approximately 1,200 employees as of June 30, 2003, including those working for outside contractors at the sites. St. Ives and Agnew conduct both underground and surface operations. Prior to their acquisition by Gold Fields, St. Ives and Agnew were owned by WMC, which has a financial year-end of December 31.

 

Based on the figures reported by Gold Fields’ mining operations, as of June 30, 2003 Gold Fields had attributable proven and probable reserves of approximately 81.544 million ounces of gold. In the year ended June 30, 2003, Gold Fields processed 42.988 million tonnes of ore and produced 4.577 million ounces of gold, of which 4.334 million ounces were attributable to Gold Fields.

 

History

 

The company that is today Gold Fields was originally incorporated as East Driefontein Gold Mining Company Limited on May 3, 1968, and subsequently changed its name to Driefontein Consolidated Limited. The Gold Fields group holdings evolved through a series of transactions, principally in 1998 and 1999.

 

With effect from January 1, 1998, a company formed on November 21, 1997, and referred to in this discussion as Original Gold Fields, acquired substantially all of the gold mining assets and interests previously held by Gencor Limited, Gold Fields of South Africa Limited and New Wits Limited and certain other shareholders in the companies owning the assets and interests including:

 

a 100% interest in Beatrix Mines Limited, or Beatrix, which in turn owned a 100% interest in Beatrix Mining Company Limited, or BMC. BMC owned the Beatrix mine;

 

a 37.3% interest in Driefontein Consolidated Limited, which owned the Driefontein operation;

 

a 100% interest in Kloof Gold Mining Company Limited, or Kloof, which owned the Kloof operation;

 

a 54.2% interest in St. Helena Gold Mines Limited, or St. Helena, which owned the St. Helena and Oryx mines;

 

a 100% interest in Gold Fields Guernsey Limited, or Gold Fields Guernsey, which indirectly owned a 70% interest in the Ghana operation (which was later increased to 71.1% due to the dilution of the other shareholders);

 

a 100% interest in Orogen Holding (BVI) Limited, or Orogen; and

 

various exploration and other rights and assets.

 

The Driefontein, Kloof and Tarkwa interests were acquired from Gold Fields of South Africa Limited, while the Beatrix and St. Helena interests were acquired from Gencor Limited. New Wits Limited provided various mineral rights.

 

With legal effect from January 1, 1999, Driefontein Consolidated Limited acquired Original Gold Fields (which was subsequently renamed GFL Mining Services Limited) in a merger. For accounting

 

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purposes, Original Gold Fields was fully consolidated with effect from June 1, 1999. Although for legal purposes Driefontein Consolidated Limited acquired Original Gold Fields, for accounting purposes Original Gold Fields was considered the acquiror because Original Gold Fields’ shareholders obtained the larger interest in the enlarged company. Driefontein Consolidated Limited was renamed Gold Fields Limited on May 10, 1999, following the merger. For accounting purposes, the merger was treated as if it occurred on June 1, 1999.

 

In order to achieve greater operational and administrative efficiency within the Gold Fields group following the merger, the Gold Fields group structure was reorganized with effect from July 1, 1999 as follows:

 

GFL Mining Services Limited transferred its interests in Beatrix, St. Helena, Oryx and Kloof to Gold Fields; and

 

Gold Fields transferred the Driefontein mine as a going concern to a shelf company named Driefontein Consolidated (Proprietary) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gold Fields.

 

With effect from July 1, 1999, Gold Fields also acquired the remaining 45.8% interest in St. Helena from St. Helena’s minority shareholders. Subsequent to this acquisition, St. Helena acquired the Beatrix mine from BMC.

 

On November 30, 2001, Gold Fields acquired the St. Ives and Agnew gold mining operations from WMC.

 

On January 23, 2002, Gold Fields acquired a 71.1% interest in Abosso Goldfields Limited, or Abosso.

 

On October 30, 2002, Gold Fields sold the St. Helena gold mining operation to Freegold for gross consideration of Rand 120.0 million and a monthly 1% royalty payment to Gold Fields on the net revenues from gold sales from the St. Helena mine for a period of four years after closing. Subsequent to the sale, St. Helena was renamed Beatrix Mining Ventures Limited and the Free State Operation was renamed the Beatrix Operation.

 

Gold Fields is a public company incorporated in South Africa, with a registered office located at 24 St. Andrews Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa, telephone number 011-27-11-644-2400.

 

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Organizational Structure

 

Gold Fields is a holding company with its ownership interests organized as set forth below.

 

LOGO

Note:

 

(1) Unless otherwise stated, all subsidiaries are, directly or indirectly, wholly owned by Gold Fields Limited.

 

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South Africa: Gold Fields’ interests in the Driefontein, Kloof and Beatrix operations are held through individual subsidiaries, each of which owns a 100% interest in the mining operations and assets at a particular operation. On November 26, 2003, Gold Fields and Mvelaphanda Resources Limited, or Mvela Resources, issued a detailed joint cautionary announcement describing the terms of an agreement in principle for a broad-based black empowerment consortium, led by Mvela Resources, to acquire a 15% beneficial interest in the South African gold mining assets of Gold Fields for consideration of Rand 4.139 billion to be paid on completion of the transaction.

 

Ghana: Gold Fields’ interests in the Tarkwa and Damang mines, which comprise the Ghana operation, are held through its 71.1% owned subsidiaries, Gold Fields Ghana Limited and Abosso, respectively. The remaining interests in Gold Fields Ghana Limited and Abosso are indirectly held by Iamgold Corporation, or Iamgold, which acquired an 18.9% beneficial interest previously held by Repadre Capital Corporation following a merger between the two companies on January 8, 2003, and the government of Ghana, which holds a 10.0% interest.

 

Australia: Gold Fields’ interests in the St. Ives and Agnew mines are held through two wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries, St. Ives Gold Mining Company Pty Limited and Agnew Gold Mining Company Pty Limited, which, in turn, are wholly-owned through intermediaries by Orogen.

 

Exploration Assets: Gold Fields’ exploration assets are generally held by project companies in the jurisdiction where the exploration assets are located, which are, in turn, held through either Orogen or Gold Fields Guernsey. Orogen holds APP through intermediaries.

 

Strategy

 

General

 

Gold Fields is a significant producer of gold and major holder of gold reserves in South Africa, Ghana and Australia. The gold industry has historically been highly fragmented and a trend has been underway to consolidate the industry to make it more competitive and efficient. Gold Fields supports and is participating in this consolidation, as shown by its acquisitions of assets in Australia and Ghana.

 

Gold Fields also intends to enter the platinum group metals, or PGM, business, and to this end has acquired a PGM deposit in Finland. The full mineral and economic potential of this deposit continued to be evaluated during fiscal 2003.

 

Global Context

 

Gold Fields’ strategy was developed in the context of a global market characterized by an extended period of low gold prices, reduced global expenditure on gold exploration and increasing industry consolidation. This strategy has evolved over time, but despite the recent increase in the price of gold, Gold Fields has maintained a strategy of general caution with respect to financial commitments while maintaining full exposure to the effects of the gold price.

 

Generally, Gold Fields’ strategy consists of the following key elements:

 

Improving returns through the optimization of existing assets and diversification. Specifically, this implies the reduction of costs and growing assets through inward investment while growing Gold Fields by diversifying geographical, technical and product risk by acquiring and developing additional long-life assets;

 

  Developing the people of Gold Fields. Gold Fields believes that it has two primary assets — ore reserves and people — and Gold Fields has implemented education and training programs for employees at all levels;

 

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Earning and maintaining what Gold Fields calls its “license to operate” in those countries and regions in which it operates. Gold Fields views its ability to conduct its operations as involving a reciprocal commitment from Gold Fields to the communities where it is located and the ability to deal with issues related to sustainable development;

 

Developing the gold market for the benefit of Gold Fields’ product and its shareholders. The fact that Gold Fields is essentially unhedged underlines its commitment to gold. Gold Fields fully supports the World Gold Council, or the WGC. Christopher M.T. Thompson, a director and chairman of Gold Fields, became chairman of the WGC in 2002.

 

Improved Profitability and Increased Reserves

 

Improved profitability and increased reserves at existing underground operations in South Africa and operations elsewhere can be achieved by reducing costs and thereby reducing cut-off grades. Management believes that significant opportunity exists to do this, specifically through:

 

investing in cost reduction through replacement of older equipment with modern and more efficient equipment;

 

improved incentive compensation systems that more effectively link reward to key outputs; and

 

better use of new technologies in the form of new mining methods, the use of drill rigs and jigs, improved ventilation usage and research into new underground mining techniques.

 

Acquisitions and Exploration

 

Gold Fields is one of the largest producers of gold in the world based on annual gold production. Gold Fields’ corporate development mandate is to grow as a world leader in developing and operating precious metal mines and to make investments that generate positive returns. Gold Fields is sensitive to the fact that industry pressure for consolidation and the competition for acquisitions are pushing asset prices to high levels that threaten returns. Gold Fields believes its acquisitions of St. Ives and Agnew in Australia, the Teberebie property in Ghana and the Damang mine in Ghana offer excellent prospects of good investment returns and growth due to the exploration potential offered at the sites and, with respect to the Ghana operation, the synergies offered with respect to Gold Fields’ existing operations. Accordingly, these acquisitions provide examples of what is possible despite the limitations that constrain Gold Fields’ ambitions.

 

For acquisitions of gold assets or companies outside South Africa, Gold Fields is at somewhat of a disadvantage to certain of its competitors outside South Africa but also has offsetting strengths. First, South African exchange control regulations limit the amount of Gold Fields’ cash flows that can be invested abroad and limit Gold Fields’ ability to provide guarantees or borrow outside South Africa without express approval from the SARB. Although these restrictions were relaxed in February 2003 when the SARB allowed South African companies, upon approval by the SARB, to invest up to Rand 2.0 billion per project anywhere in Africa, which could benefit Gold Fields to the extent that investments made in Ghana may be funded from South Africa, Gold Fields nonetheless remains at a disadvantage to its non-South African competitors. Second, shares of North American and, to a lesser extent, Australian gold companies historically have traded at premiums relative to shares of South African gold companies, thereby making it difficult to make non-dilutive acquisitions through equity issuances, although these premiums have reduced recently. On the other hand, Gold Fields has a strong balance sheet and low debt-to-equity ratio that diminishes the equity pricing disadvantage, and also has a skilled and effective corporate evaluation and acquisition team.

 

Gold Fields maintains an active global exploration effort for gold and PGMs through exploration offices worldwide and an exploration team that management believes is well focused, cost efficient and skilled. Generally, Gold Fields budgets to spend up to $10 per ounce of gold it produces on exploration, provided the opportunities offered warrant such expenditure. Exploration efforts are carefully selected with strict economic criteria in mind.

 

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Hedging

 

Generally, Gold Fields does not enter into forward sales, derivatives or other hedging arrangements to establish a price in advance for future gold production. Gold Fields believes that investors in Gold Fields’ shares seek an unlimited exposure to movements in the gold price and the resulting effect on Gold Fields’ earnings.

 

However, hedges are sometimes undertaken on a project specific basis as follows:

 

to protect cash flows at times of significant expenditure;

 

for specific debt servicing requirements; and

 

to safeguard the viability of higher cost operations.

 

Gold Fields may from time to time establish currency financial instruments to protect underlying cash flows.

 

Reserves of Gold Fields as of June 30, 2003

 

Methodology

 

While there are some differences between the definition of the South African Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, or SAMREC Code, of reserves and that of the SEC’s industry guide number 7, only reserves at each of Gold Fields’ operations as of June 30, 2003 which qualify as proven and probable reserves for purposes of the SEC’s industry guide number 7 are presented in the table below. In accordance with the requirements imposed by the JSE, Gold Fields reports its reserves using the terms and definitions of the SAMREC Code. Mineral reserves, as defined under the SAMREC Code, are divided into categories of proved and probable reserves and are expressed in terms of tonnes to be processed at mill feed head grades, allowing for estimated mining dilution and recovery factors.

 

Gold Fields reports reserves using cut-off grades at which an orebody can be mined without profit or loss calculated using an appropriate gold price and working costs, plus modifying factors. Modifying factors used to calculate the cut-off grades include adjustments to mill delivered amounts, due to dilution incurred in the course of mining. Modifying factors applied in estimating reserves are primarily historical, but commonly incorporate adjustments for planned operational improvements such as those described below under “ — Description of Mining Business — Productivity Initiatives.”

 

The estimation of reserves at the South African underground operations is based on surface drilling, underground drilling and underground channel sampling. The reefs are initially explored by drilling from the surface on regular 1,000 meter by 2,000 meter grids. Once underground access is available, drilling is undertaken on an approximate 30 meter by 60 meter grid. Underground channel sampling perpendicular to the reef is undertaken at 3 meter intervals in development areas and 5 meter intervals at stope faces. For the Tarkwa open pit operation, estimation of reserves is based on a combination of an initial 100 or 200 meter grid of diamond drilling and a 12.5 meter to 25.0 meter grid of reverse circulation drilling. For the Damang open pit operation, estimation of reserves is based on a 20 meter to 80 meter grid of both diamond drilling and reverse circulation drilling.

 

At the Australian operations the estimation of reserves for both underground and open-pit operations is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques, primarily from drill holes and mine development. The locations of sample points are spaced closely enough to assume or confirm geological and grade continuity. Generally, drilling is undertaken on grids which range between 20 meters by 20 meters to 40 meters by 40 meters, although this may vary depending on the continuity of the orebody. Due to the variety and diversity of resources at St. Ives and Agnew, sample spacing may also vary depending on each particular ore type.

 

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Reserve Statement

 

As of June 30, 2003, Gold Fields had aggregate attributable proven and probable reserves of approximately 81.5 million ounces as set forth in the following table:

 

Ore Reserve statement as of June 30, 2003(1)

 

    Proven Reserves

  Probably Reserves

  Total Reserves

 

Attributable
gold
production
in the year
ended

June 30,
2003(2)


 
   

Tonnes

(million)

 

Grade

(g/t)

 

Gold

(‘000 oz)

 

Tonnes

(million)

 

Grade

(g/t)

 

Gold

(‘000 oz)

 

Tonnes

(million)

 

Grade

(g/t)

 

Gold

(‘000 oz)

 

(‘000 oz)

 

Underground

                                         

Driefontein (total)

  25.4   8.2   6,684   69.9   8.9   19,926   95.3   8.7   26,610   1,057  

Above infrastructure(3)

  25.4   8.2   6,684   30.7   9.0   8,860   56.1   8.6   15,544      

Below infrastructure(3)

        39.2   8.8   11,066   39.2   8.8   11,066      

Kloof (total)

  31.8   9.0   9,239   66.1   10.1   21,548   97.9   9.8   30,787   1,113  

Above infrastructure(3)

  31.8   9.0   9,239   26.2   7.5   6,343   58.0   8.4   15,582      

Below infrastructure(3)

        39.9   11.9   15,205   39.9   11.9   15,205      

Beatrix (total)

  19.9   5.7   3,623   53.7   4.9   8,466   73.6   5.1   12,089   640  

Above infrastructure(3)

  19.9   5.7   3,623   51.4   4.9   8,130   71.3   5.1   11,753      

Below infrastructure(3)

        2.3   4.6   336   2.3   4.6   336      

Australia

                                         

St. Ives(4)

                     

Agnew(4)

                     

Total Underground

  77.1   7.9   19,546   189.7   8.2   49,940   266.8   8.1   69,486   2,810  

Surface (Rock Dumps)

                                         

Driefontein

        13.5   1.1   492   13.5   1.1   492   181  

Kloof

        8.1   1.2   305   8.1   1.2   305   27  

Beatrix