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the ownership, prospecting, development and mining of mineral reserves, taxation and royalties,
exchange controls, import and export duties and restrictions, investment approvals, employee and social/
community relations and other matters.
If, in one or more of these countries, we were not able to obtain or maintain necessary permits,
authorizations or agreements to implement planned projects or continue our operations under conditions
or within time frames that make such plans and operations economic, or if legal, ownership, fiscal
(including all royalties and duties), exchange control, employment, environmental and social laws and
regimes, or the governing political authorities change materially, which could result in changes to such
laws and regimes, our results of operations and our financial condition could be adversely affected.
In Mali and Tanzania, we are due refunds of input tax which remain outstanding for periods
longer than those provided for in the respective statutes. In addition, we have outstanding assessments
and unresolved tax disputes in a number of countries. If the outstanding input taxes are not received, the
tax disputes are not resolved and assessments are not made in a manner favorable to us, it could have
an adverse effect upon our results of operations and our financial condition.
In Argentina, the government is looking to apply export taxes of 5% to mining companies that
were exempt therefrom. We have filed a claim with the courts to prevent payment of an export tax. If the
outcome of the tax claim is unfavorable it could have an adverse effect upon our results of operations and
our financial condition.
Certain of the countries in which we have mineral deposits or mining or exploration operations,
including the DRC and Colombia, have in the past experienced and in certain cases continue to
experience, a difficult security environment as well as political instability. In particular, various illegal
groups active in regions in which we are present may pose a credible threat of terrorism, extortion and
kidnapping, which could have an adverse effect on our operations in such regions. In the event that
continued operations in these countries compromise our security or business principles, we may withdraw
from these countries on a temporary or permanent basis, which in turn, could have an adverse impact on
our results of operations and our financial condition.
Labor disruptions and/or increased labor costs could have an adverse effect on our operating
results and financial condition.
As at December 31, 2007, approximately 77% (2006: 69%) of our workforce excluding
contractors or 63% of total workforce was located in South Africa. Approximately 98% of the workforce
on our South African operations is unionized, with the National Union of Mineworkers ("NUM")
representing the majority of unionized workers.
Our employees in some South American countries and Ghana are also highly unionized. Trade
unions have a significant impact on our labor relations climate, as well as on social and political reforms,
most notably in South Africa.
It has become established practice to negotiate wages and conditions of employment with the
unions every two years through the Chamber of Mines of South Africa. An agreement was signed with
the unions in August 2007, following negotiations between NUM, United Associations of South Africa
("UASA") on behalf of some clerical and junior management staff and Solidarity (on behalf of a small
number of miners) and the Chamber of Mines. A two-year deal was reached without resort to any
industrial action.
Labor costs represent a substantial proportion of our total operating costs and in many
operations, including South African operations, is our single largest operating cost category. The two -
year wage agreement will be reviewed in June 2009 in negotiation with NUM, UASA, Solidarity and the
Chamber of Mines and any increases in labor costs have to be off-set by greater productivity efforts by all
operations and employees.