18 April 2016

DRD: DRDGOLD LIMITED - Production update - Q3 FY2016 


DRD: DRDGOLD LIMITED - Production update - Q3 FY2016
Production update - Q3 FY2016

DRDGOLD LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1895/000926/06)
JSE share code: DRD
ISIN: ZAE000058723
NYSE trading symbol: DRD
('DRDGOLD' or the 'Company')



Production update - Q3 FY2016

  -  4% increase in gold production; and
  -  key regulatory milestone achieved for additional tailings deposition capacity.

DRDGOLD is pleased to advise shareholders that the Company reports a 4% increase in quarter on
quarter gold production for the quarter ended 31 March 2016 ('Quarter') to 1 187 kilograms,
notwithstanding a decrease of 7% in throughput to 5 896 000 tonnes.

The Company confirms that total operating costs were stable for the Quarter. As a result of the decrease
in throughput, operating costs per unit increased by 7% to just over R80 per tonne.

Throughput for the Quarter was lower as a result of inclement weather, as well as several grid-related
interruptions in the supply of electricity.

After paying a dividend of R51 million, DRDGOLD ended the Quarter with R416 million in cash and
cash equivalents, compared with R254 million in the previous quarter.

DRDGOLD is also pleased to announce that a key milestone in increasing the capacity of the
Brakpan/Withok Tailings Deposition Facility ('TDF') has been achieved, with the approval by the
Department of Water and Sanitation ('DWS') of certain amendments to its Integrated Water Use
Licence to incorporate the bulk of the Withok footprint.

This approval by the DWS paves the way for Ergo Mining (Proprietary) Limited´s ('Ergo') operation´s
deposition capacity to increase from 200 million tonnes to approximately 800 million tonnes, which is
enough to receive most of the mine waste tailings in and around the Johannesburg area.

The TDF is used to dispose of all residues from the reprocessing of mine waste from Ergo's clean-up
and reclamation sites across the eastern and western Johannesburg area. The TDF also serves as a
disposal facility for the DWS´ Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority´s water treatment facility in Boksburg,
where the bulk of acid mine drainage ('AMD') emanating from the central basin is treated.

Ergo has resources of approximately 10.8 million ounces of gold contained in mine waste, which are
being reprocessed at a rate of approximately 24 million tonnes per year.

DWS´s approval not only brings DRDGOLD closer to a very significant increase in the life of mine of
Ergo, but also serves as assurance of a long-term sustainable deposition site for the waste produced
by the treatment of AMD.


Crown Mines
18 April 2016

Sponsor
One Capital

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DRDGOLD Limited issued this content on 18 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 18 April 2016 06:11:05 UTC

Original Document: http://www.drdgold.com/investors-and-media/sens-news-view/2016/96f33884-ed97-4dd2-b0c8-e3d29e209fbb