-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Ov8ZttFg62HmeCp9oA0RTUURD/TfxNihUwDsW/h1pyAt7xx4pxu+9kpnFk3Vgaa/ KSDet7/MZU9I6aLNs2uoDQ== 0000743872-98-000001.txt : 19980128 0000743872-98-000001.hdr.sgml : 19980128 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000743872-98-000001 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19980127 ITEM INFORMATION: ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 19980127 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMESTAKE MINING CO /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000743872 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GOLD & SILVER ORES [1040] IRS NUMBER: 942934609 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08736 FILM NUMBER: 98514095 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 650 CALIFORNIA ST-9TH FL STREET 2: 9TH FL CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94108-2788 BUSINESS PHONE: 4159818150 8-K 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: January 27, 1998 HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-8736 94-2934609 (State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification Number) incorporation) 650 California Street, San Francisco, California 94108-2788 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 981-8150 http://www.homestake.com Item 5. Other Events. 1. Restructuring of the Homestake Mine. On January 26, 1998, the Registrant announced a major restructuring of operations at the Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota. Due to increasing production costs and the low gold price, the Company will implement a new operating plan to reduce costs. The Company will suspend underground mining while it completes the final details of the new operating plan and readies the underground mine to begin operating on the restructured basis. The Company's press release with respect to the restructuring of operations at the mine is included as Exhibit 99.13 to this Form 8-K Report. 2. Announcement of Special Meeting of Stockholders. A special meeting of stockholders has been set for Thursday, April 23, 1998. The record date is March 10, 1998. At that meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve issuance of Homestake Mining Company Common Stock to acquire Plutonic Resources Limited, an Australian gold producer. 3. Announcement of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The annual meeting of stockholders has been set for Friday, July 24, 1998. The record date for the annual meeting has not yet been established. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits. Exhibit 99.13 Press Release dated January 26, 1998 announcing the restructuring of operations at the Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Dated: January 27, 1998 HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY (Registrant) By: /s/ David W. Peat ------------------ David W. Peat Vice President and Controller EX-99.13 2 EXHIBIT 99.13 Contact: Gene G. Elam Michael A. Steeves Vice President, Finance Director, Investor Relations Chief Financial Officer 415-983-8169 415-981-8150 HOMESTAKE ANNOUNCES MAJOR RESTRUCTURING OF OPERATIONS AT THE HOMESTAKE MINE IN LEAD, SOUTH DAKOTA San Francisco, CA, January 26, 1998 -- Homestake Mining Company (NYSE:HM) announced today that in response to increasing production costs and the low gold price, it will implement a major restructuring of operations at the Homestake gold mine in Lead, South Dakota. Homestake will implement a new operating plan to reduce costs significantly and to position the mine to continue operating for many years to come. The plan will require a substantial reduction in annual production, a major reduction in the levels of employment and a complete reorganization of the methods of operation. To most effectively implement the new operating plan, the Company will suspend underground mining while it completes the final details of the new operating plan and readies the underground mine to begin operating on the restructured basis. During the shutdown period, operations at the mill will be reduced to a level sufficient to process ore from the Open Cut, which will continue to operate during the planned shutdown period. Upon completion of the restructuring, Homestake expects the total cash cost for the underground mine will decline from the current cost of approximately $335 per ounce to approximately $280 per ounce. Production is expected to be reduced to a rate of approximately 150,000 to 180,000 ounces per year by the beginning of 1999. To achieve the new operating plan, Homestake expects to invest $20 to $30 million by the end of 1999. The new operating plan also will involve closing parts of the mine and concentrating on substantially fewer production levels in order to reduce continuing infrastructure and operating costs. The Company is confident that the revised operating plan will significantly increase net cash flow from the mine compared with a continuation of the existing operating mode. Adoption of the plan will not have any adverse impact on Homestake's commitment to operating safely and in an environmentally responsible manner. Before taking into account the recently announced combination with Plutonic Resources Limited, the restructuring of Homestake mine operations is expected to reduce the Company's weighted average cash costs by approximately $8 per ounce by the end of 1999. Jack E. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said: "We understand the impact that a suspension of operations will have on our employees and we will work closely with them to address their concerns. At the same time, the mine cannot continue to operate at a substantial loss, and the alternative to restructuring is to close the mine completely. That would not benefit our stockholders, our employees or the community. We are confident that our employees will work with us to implement the new operating plan that can preserve as many jobs as possible while providing a continuing benefit to our stockholders." Homestake is now in the process of evaluating ore reserves and mineralized material at the mine in light of the new operating plan. Preliminary estimates are that the new operating plan will result in a decline of 1.5 million ounces in the mine's proven and probable reserves from the 4.6 million ounces reported at the end of 1996 (before taking account of 1997 production). Mineralized material also will be reduced in light of changed circumstances. Homestake Mining Company is an international gold mining company with substantial operations and exploration in the United States, Canada and Australia. Homestake also has active exploration programs in Latin America, and development and/or evaluation projects in Chile and Bulgaria. It has received numerous industry environmental and safety awards for its responsible environmental health and safety stewardships. Certain statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Forward- looking statements include those preceded by the words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," and similar expressions, and include reserve estimates of future production, costs per ounce, commencement of operations and 2 cost savings. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are discussed below. Those listed are not exclusive. Reserve estimation is an interpretive process based on drilling results and past experience as well as estimates of ore characteristics and mining dilution, prices, costs of mining and processing, capital expenditures and many other factors. Actual quality and characteristics of ore deposits cannot be known until ore is actually mined. Reserves change over time to reflect actual experience. Grades of ore processed at any time also may vary from reserve estimates due to geologic variations within areas mined. Production may vary from estimates because of changes in reserves, variation in ore mined from estimated grade and metallurgical characteristics, unexpected ground conditions, mining dilution, labor actions, and government restrictions. Cash costs may vary due to changes from reserve and production estimates, unexpected mining conditions, and changes in estimated costs of equipment, supplies, utilities, labor costs and exchange rates. Noncash cost estimates, based on total capital costs and reserve estimates, change based on actual amounts of unamortized capital, changes in estimates of final reclamation, and changes in reserves. Reclamation and remediation cost estimates are based on existing and expected legal requirements, past experience, cost estimates by the Company and others, and expectations regarding government action and time for government agencies to act, all of which change over time and require periodic reevaluation. Capital cost estimates are based on operating experience, expected production, estimates by and contract terms with third-party suppliers, expected legal requirements, feasibility reports by Company personnel and others, and other factors. Factors involved in estimated time for completion of projects include the Company's experience in completing capital projects, estimates by and contract terms with contractors, engineers, suppliers and others involved in design and construction of projects, and estimated time for the government to process applications, issue permits and take other actions. Changes in any factor may cause costs and time for completion to vary significantly from estimates. Pressrel\LEAD.98 3 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----