HARMONY IN EXCELLENT FINANCIAL HEALTH
Johannesburg, 23 April 2009. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) is pleased to announce
that it has delivered on its promise of reducing its debt, preserving cash and positioning itself
to become net debt free.
Rand Uranium proceeds second and final tranche received
Harmony entered into agreements with Pamodzi Resources Fund 1 LLP (PRF), in terms of which
certain uranium and gold assets of Randfontein Estates Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of
Harmony) were sold into a special purpose vehicle, Rand Uranium (Proprietary) Limited (Rand
Uranium), for a purchase consideration of US$348 million. Harmony holds 40% of Rand Uraniums
shareholding and in exchange for 60% of the issued share capital of Rand Uranium, it was agreed
that Harmony would receive US$209 million. PRF paid the first tranche of US$40 million in November
2008. The second tranche of $169 million, plus interest thereon at 5% per annum, was payable in
April 2009. Shareholders attention is drawn to various announcements made relating to the
transaction on 19 December 2007, 24 October 2008 and 21 November 2008.
On 20 April 2009 PRF paid approximately US$172 million to Harmony as final payment in terms of the
Rand Uranium transaction. Harmonys Chief Executive Officer, Graham Briggs says, We are excited
about the future of Rand Uranium and look forward to sharing in Rand Uraniums success, together
with PRF and their investors, First Reserve Corporation and AMCI Capital.
Raising funds
Harmony has completed its planned capital raising, exploiting favorable market conditions by
issuing a second tranche of shares for cash in the open market, pursuant to its mandate given by
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.
In the capital raising 7 540 646 shares have been placed between 10 February 2009 and
6 March 2009 at an average subscription price of R124.45, raising R938 million before costs. The
average issue price compares favourably with the weighted average share price on the JSE over the
same period of R122.75 per share. The number of shares issued is equivalent to 1.9% of Harmonys
issued share capital of 403 424 148 shares as at 30 September 2008. Combined with the share issue
announced in December 2008, the cumulative share issue amounts to 4.5% thereof. To date, the total
number of shares in issue is 425,763,329. The cost of the second placement was approximately R15
million, or 1.6% of the value of the shares issued.
JP Morgan Equities Limited acted as transaction advisor.
Debt Position
The combined effect of the above is that Harmony is net debt free.
The proceeds from the capital raising and the Rand Uranium transaction totaling
R2.7 billion, will be utilized to repay Harmonys convertible bond (due in May 2009) and its short
term debt, leaving a positive cash balance of approximately R1.5 billion.
Harmony is in excellent financial health with a strong balance sheet thanks to all the
measures that have been taken in the past 18 months. Our focus now remains on achieving our overall
targets and delivering consistent results, concluded Briggs.
Harmony Presentation
Harmony will be hosting analysts and fund managers today. The presentation will be available on
the companys website at www.harmony.co.za at 08:00 this morning.
ends.
Issued by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
23 April 2009
For more details contact:
Frank Abbott
Interim Financial Director
on +27(0)82 800 4290
or
Graham Briggs
Chief Executive Officer
on +27(0)83 265 0274
or
Marian van der Walt
Executive: Corporate and Investor Relations
on +27(0)82 888 1242
Corporate Office:
Randfontein Office Park
P O Box 2
Randfontein
South Africa 1760
T +27 (11) 411 2000
For more information on Harmony, please visit
www.harmony.co.za
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JSE:
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HAR |
NYSE:
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HMY |
NASDAQ:
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HMY |
ISIN No.:
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ZAE000015228 |
Transaction advisor and sponsor in respect of capital raising: