Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Tailings |
| Commodities |
- Gold
- Uranium
- Sulphuric acid
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
|
| Mine Life | 20 years (as of Jan 1, 2019) |
DRDGOLD Limited has announced that its 38% shareholder, Sibanye Gold Limited, trading as Sibanye-Stillwater, has exercised its option to acquire an additional 12% interest in DRDGOLD.
DRDGOLD acquired the gold assets of Sibanye-Stillwater’s West Rand Tailings Retreatment Project – now known as Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) – in July 2018 in return for a 38.1% stake in DRDGOLD. Sibanye-Stillwater had a 24-month option to acquire an additional 12%. |
Source:
p. 1
In August 2018 a transaction between DRDGOLD and Sibanye-Stillwater was completed, whereby Sibanye-Stillwater traded selected assets from its WRTRP project (now DRDGOLD Far West Gold Recoveries – FWGR) for a 38.05% shareholding in DRDGOLD. Effective on 22 January 2020, Sibanye-Stillwater increased its holding in DRDGOLD from a 38.05% to 50.1% equity interest; securing the majority holding.
Summary:
The mineral assets are historical gold plant tailings material from the mining of auriferous and uraniferous ore from the goldbearing, late Archaean (2.7Ga to 3.2Ga), Witwatersrand Basin in the West Rand Goldfield. The typical composition is quartz (70 – 80%), mica (10%), chlorite and chloritoid (9% – 18%) and pyrite (1% – 2%). Gold, uranium oxide, zirconium and chromium are minor constituents.
The composition of a TSF depends on the geochemical make-up of the material being mined and the chemicals used in the mining and extraction process. Further, the internal structure of the TSF reflects the mining strategy and depositional methodologies employed for each operation. The bulk density of tailings material and the lateral and vertical variation in moisture content is a critical factor in the accurate estimation of tonnages. In addition, secondary processes such as metal re-mobilisation, erosion, weathering, leaching and acid mine drainage can affect the geochemical characteristics of a TSF. Gold can undergo mobilisation within the TSF over time, and hence, may exhibit areas of re-concentration, and even be present in the sub-structure (footprint) soil. These factors can result in a considerable variation in gold content and distribution throughout the TSF and such variation has an impact on final recoveries and projected revenues for the operation.
Summary:
Hydraulic mining (hydro-mining) using high-pressure water cannons to hydraulically excavate tailings material.
Source:
Summary:
FWGR is situated in the West Rand of the Gauteng province, 30km south of Johannesburg in the vicinity of Randfontein, Westonaria, Fochville and Carletonville. The FWGR includes historical TSFs with a total area of 412ha and includes the Driefontein 1 and 2 gold plants.
Driefontein 2 plant:
- Mineral processing - CIL
- Design capacity - 500 tpd.
Driefontein 3 plant:
- Mineral processing - CIL
- Design capacity - 120 tpd.
(DP3 on care and maintenance).
Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2019 | 2018 |
|
Gold
|
koz
| ...... | ...... |
|
Uranium (U3O8)
|
M lbs
| | |
|
Sulphuric acid
|
Mt
| | |
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2019 | 2018 |
|
Tonnes milled
| ...... | ...... |
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Reserves at December 31, 2019:
The Group reports Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves on an attributable basis for DRDGOLD Limited (DRDGOLD) due to its 38.05% (as at 31 December 2019) shareholding in the company.
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
|
Proven & Probable
|
545.9 Mt
|
Gold
|
0.3 g/t
|
5.653 M oz
|
|
Total Resource
|
1,083 Mt
|
Gold
|
0.3 g/t
|
9.887 M oz
|
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Staff:
| Employees | Contractors | Total Workforce | Year |
|
|
|
|
2018
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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