Gold Fields reported a six-fold jump in its quarterly earnings per share on Thursday on the back of increased production, a surging gold price, and ongoing cost-cutting measures at its South African operations.

Presenting the results, Ian Cockerill, the company’s chief executive, presented a bullish outlook for the metal, which last week traded at a 25-year high. “We could see some pullback from these heights,” he said, referring to the current price. “However, we expect this secular upturn (to continue) going forward.”