DRDGOLD is a JSE-listed (Ticker code: DRD) gold producer and specialist in the recovery of residue metal from the retreatment of surface tailings. It has a proven track record of optimising innovative technology-driven processing and demonstrated expertise in surface processing infrastructure development.
In August 2018, a transaction between DRDGOLD and Sibanye-Stillwater was completed whereby Sibanye-Stillwater traded selected assets from its West Rand Tailings Retreatment Project (WRTRP) – subsequently renamed Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) – for a 38.05% shareholding in DRDGOLD.
In January 2020, Sibanye-Stillwater increased its holding in DRDGOLD from a 38.05% to 50.1% equity interest which secured the majority shareholding. This acquisition is key to our surface operations strategy in South Africa, which involves leveraging existing surface operations and infrastructure, and developing a strong, long-life surface business by exploiting the low-risk and relatively high-margin characteristics of the West Rand’s surface resources.
DRDGOLD’s surface operations comprise:
- the Ergo plant and associated tailings storage facilities (TSFs) located 70km east of Johannesburg, near Benoni and Brakpan
- the Crown operations situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg, including the City Deep, Crown Mines and Knights areas
- the Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) operation on the West Rand, in the vicinity of Randfontein, Westonaria, Fochville and Carletonville in Gauteng. The FWGR includes historical TSFs covering a total area of 412ha as well as the Driefontein 1 and 2 gold plants
DRDGOLD intends to develop its selected assets into a large scale (1.2Mtpm), long-life (20 years) operation to reclaim gold through a phased approach. Phase one began in December 2018 and has reached steady state production. Planning for the phase two expansion is in progress.
At 31 December 2021, DRDGOLD had attributable surface Mineral Reserves of 2.6Moz and attributable surface Mineral Resources of 5.0Moz.
