South Deep gold mine

South Deeps is Gold Fields` remaining South African asset following its divestment from the Kloof, Driefontein and Beatrix mines. The operation comprises a single metallurgical plant and two operating shaft systems, the South Shaft and the Twin Shaft system. The South Shaft extends to 2.7km below the surface while the Twin Shaft system extends to 3km beneath the surface. Ore is processed at the Twin Shaft plant which has a capacity of 4Mt/a. A revised mine plan was released in early 2017. The original production targets of 750koz/a were scrapped and the new plan was based on a steady state production target of 500koz/a achievable from 2021. In August 2018, Gold Fields initiated a restructuring program at South Deeps to reduce operating costs, improve productivity and profitability. Gold production reached 227koz in 2020 and the operation realised improved financial metrics.