Sasol Synfuels recorded solid progress in  its drive to improve plant stability and  production levels in 2010, setting a robust  platform for growth in the years ahead.  Our successes were, however, completely  overshadowed by the tragic deaths of  three employees during the year. In  addition, there was one service provider  fatality at premises leased from Sasol by  the service provider and not under the  control of Sasol. As a team, we deeply  regret these fatalities and fi rmly believe  that our goal of zero injuries is possible. significantly safer place at which to work  than it was a decade ago. However, we  continue to roll out various initiatives to  bolster our safety performance. Our  philosophy is encapsulated in the slogan  “Stop and think before you act”. The  intention is to inculcate a culture of being  aware of the surroundings and possible  safety hazards at all times, to think  through the activity that is required, as  well as the potential hazards while  performing it, and only then to perform  the activity, safely.  shutdown was completed on the SCC  in December, during which we made  modifications that improved stability.  The SCC uses fi rst-of-a-kind technology  to crack low-octane fuel into high-octane  fuel and chemical components. Two colleagues, Johnny Fourie and  Deon Olivier, were overcome by a noxious  gas; a third, Simon Tsotetsi, died after he  fell off a horse in the fields around our  complex. Although we have made  encouraging progress in our safety  performance in recent years, our foremost  priority remains that everyone who works  at Sasol Synfuels returns home safely  every day.  Sasol Synfuels’ operating profit for 2010  was R13 175 million. This is signifi cantly  less than the profit achieved in 2009  because of a drop in sales prices (due to  lower average oil prices) and the strength  of the rand. The 2009 results had also  benefited from a R4,9 billion gain on a  commodity derivative on the part of Sasol  Synfuels’ production in that year. Our recordable case rate (RCR) in  2010 was 0,37, which translates into  92 recordable injuries a year, up from  0,33 in 2009. In 2001, our RCR was  greater than 3, which is equivalent to  more than a thousand recordable injuries.  This shows that Sasol Synfuels is a  Production volumes rose 3,9% to 7,3 Mt  as a result of improved stability in our  production facility. In particular, the  selective catalytic cracker (SCC) plant  performed well, exceeding 80% of  its design load in the year from 70%  the previous year. A successful statutory  In March, the Sasol board of directors  approved the R2 billion required for  the construction of four additional Sasol  Fixed-Bed Dry-Bottom Gasifi ers™  (for coal gasification), as well as  R1,5 billion for a 17th gas reformer  (for the conversion of natural gas).  We plan to phase in the gasifiers, as well  37 annual review 2010 • operating reviews •  sasol synfuels To further enhance the robustness of our  operations, we are on track with the  replacement of the jackets and linings  of our coal gasifiers, as well as replacing  the feed pre-heaters and waste heat  boilers of our gas reformers.  Efforts to ensure that Sasol Synfuels’ cost  inflation is in line with market trends are  paying off, despite a 25% increase in  electricity prices and a higher coal price.  In 2010, unit cash costs decreased by  5,8%. This decline was due to capitalising  the cost of shutdowns. Excluding this  accounting treatment, Sasol Synfuels’  unit costs increased by 3,6%. Sustaining profi tability, improving  production Enhancing stability Recording solid progress At Secunda, located in central South Africa, Sasol Synfuels operates  the world’s only commercial coal-based synfuels manufacturing facility.  We produce synthetic fuel through coal gasification and natural gas  reforming, using Sasol’s proprietary technology to convert syngas to  synthetic fuel components, pipeline gas and chemical feedstock. Our fi nal  product is made up of 40% petrol-blend components, 20% diesel-blend  components and 40% chemical feedstock.