MEDIA RELEASE
FATALITIES AT KDC MINE
Johannesburg, 7 April 2011: Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (JSE, NYSE, NASDAQ Dubai: GFI) regrets to announce the death of two mine workers at its KDC mine's Masakhane shaft (formerly Driefontein 1 shaft) near Carletonville after a seismic-related accident. Another mine worker is seriously injured, two mine workers have been hospitalised and are in a stable condition, while nine were rescued with no or only minor injuries.
The accident occurred after a seismic event at 2h44 measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale, about 2,600 metres below surface.
The relevant authorities, including the Safety Inspectorate of the Department of Mineral Resources, were immediately notified. All workers were withdrawn from the reef horizon at the Masakhane shaft after the accident to conduct a detailed risk assessment of the area. A full investigation will follow to establish the causes of the accident.
The rescue teams managed to bring eleven of the 14 workers from the affected panels quickly and safely to the surface, of whom two were hospitalised and four treated for minor injuries. Two of the remaining three workers succumbed to their injuries and the third worker is in a stable condition after suffering serious injuries from the fall of ground.
Nick Holland, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields, said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to family, friends and colleagues of the deceased. Management will do everything possible to support them in this hour of need."
"The loss of life amongst our colleagues strengthens our resolve to improve the safety conditions at our mines. While we have made considerable progress in our quest to improve safety we still have some way to go. It remains my top priority to ensure that if we cannot mine safely we will not mine," Mr Holland added.
The names of the deceased mine workers will be released once their next of kin have been informed.
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Enquiries
Investor Enquiries
Willie Jacobsz
Tel +508 839-1188
Mobile +857 241-7127
email Willie.Jacobsz@gfexpl.com
Nikki Catrakilis-Wagner
Tel +27 11 562-9706
Mobile +27 (0) 83 309-6720
email Nikki.Catrakilis-Wagner@goldfields.co.za
Media Enquiries
Sven Lunsche
Tel +27 11 562-9763
Mobile +27 (0) 83 260 9279
email Sven.Lunsche@goldfields.co.za
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Notes to editors
About Gold Fields
Gold Fields is the world's fourth largest gold producer with attributable production of 3.6 million gold equivalent ounces per annum from nine operating mines in Australia, Ghana, Peru and South Africa. Gold Fields also has an extensive and diverse global growth pipeline with four major projects at various stages of development. Gold Fields has total attributable gold equivalent Mineral Reserves of 77 million ounces and Mineral Resources of 225 million ounces. Gold Fields is listed on the JSE Limited (primary listing), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the NASDAQ Dubai Limited, the Euronext in Brussels (NYX) and the Swiss Exchange (SWX).
Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities Limited
Gold Fields Limited 150 Helen Road Sandown Sandton 2196
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