GOLD FIELDS Limited has become the first mining group to obtain accreditation for all its operations with the International Cyanide Management Code.

A statement issued by the company said the feat followed full accreditation of the code achieved by its Kloof and Driefontein Mines in South Africa.

The statement quoted Gold Fields Chief Executive Officer, Nick Holland, as saying “the Kloof and Driefontein achievements follow equally impressive accomplishments at Beatrix mine, which is also in South Africa, and which achieved full accreditation in February 2009”.

According to the statement, the Tarkwa and Damang Mines in Ghana, achieved full accreditation in June and May 2008, respectively and the new  South African mine, South deep, also achieved accreditation in December 2008.

The statement added that the Agnew mine in Australia achieved substantial accreditation in June 2009 and is expected to achieve full accreditation in December 2009.

“This means that all the eligible Gold Fields mines are now accredited and seven of the eight mines have achieved full compliance”, according to the statement.

The President of the ICMI, Mr Paul Bateman, congratulated Gold Fields on being the first mining group to obtain accreditation for all its signatory operations.

The statement said Gold Field’s support of the ICMI was consistent with the principles and objectives of the group’s sustainable development framework, which addressed every aspect of  sustainability in the organisation, including  the use of cyanide in the production of gold.

The cyanide code is recognised as best practise for cyanide management in the gold mining industry by the World Gold Council and the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practice (RJC).

The ICMI accreditation process adheres to the principles of the international council on mining and metals sustainable  development framework. It has also been acknowledged by the International Finance Corporation and the G-8 group of nation as best practice guide for responsible cyanide management.

Gold Fields is one of the world’s largest producers of gold with attributable production of 3.6 million ounces per annum from nine operating mines in South Africa, Ghana, Australia and Peru.