Assessing the state of financial distress of listed gold and platinum mining companies in South Africa

The main objective of this study was to assess the state of financial distress of gold and platinum mining companies in South Africa during the period 2011 to 2015. Out of a sample of 8 listed gold mining companies and 11 listed platinum mining companiesnly 5 gold mining companies and 5 platinum mining companies were selected to form a total sample of 10 gold and platinum mining companies. Standardised financial statements of the sampled companies were downloaded from iNET BFA database and analysed making use of Altman Z-score and Altman Z' (EM) score models as proxies to predict financial distress. The results of the study revealed that gold mining companies have the lowest Z-score as compared to platinum mining companies. Management in gold and platinum mining companies should conduct regular ratio analyses and take corrective actions where necessary to improve the financial health of the companies.&nbsp