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South Africa

DRDGOLD Mine

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Summary

Mine TypeTailings
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Hydraulic mining
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Production Start... Lock
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotDRDGOLD operates the ERGO and Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) operations, focusing on recovering gold from the retreatment of historic gold tailings storage facilities (TSFs).

The ERGO assets include multiple TSFs, an extensive network of pipelines, and tailings deposition facilities, including the significant Brakpan/Withok TSF. Currently, ERGO deposits tailings on the Brakpan/Withok TSF.

DRDGOLD is developing the FWGR assets into a large-scale, long-life operation through a phased approach. Phase one of FWGR production currently deposits tailings on the Driefontein 4 TSF. From 2026 onwards, tailings deposition is expected to decrease as the TSF reaches full capacity. As of 2024, the construction of phase two, which includes the development of a regional storage facility for the retreatment of remaining historical TSFs, is underway and progressing well.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. 50.23 % Indirect
DRDGOLD Ltd. (operator) 100 % Direct
Sibanye-Stillwater holds a 50.23% effective equity interest in DRDGOLD Limited, which operates the Far West Gold Recoveries and Ergo Gold Recoveries operations.

Deposit type

  • Tailings

Summary:

DRDGOLD’s reprocesses surface tailings deposits from legacy underground mines in the regions it operates which were residue of the processing of gold and uranium ores of the gold bearing late Archaean (2.7Ga to 3.2Ga) Witwatersrand sedimentary basin.

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.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Commodity Production

CommodityUnits2024202320222021202020192018
Gold koz  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe17959

Operational metrics

Metrics2024202320222021202020192018
Tonnes milled  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe26,418 kt9,904 kt

Production Costs

Commodity2024202320222021202020192018
All-in sustaining costs (sold) Gold  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1,108 / oz **  USD 1,338 / oz **  USD
All-in costs Gold  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1,123 / oz **  USD 1,719 / oz **  USD
** Net of By-Product.

Operating Costs

Currency20242023202220212020
Total operating costs ($/t milled) ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Mine Financials

Units2024202320222021202020192018
Sustaining costs M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 43   15  
Growth Capital M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Capital expenditures M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 82   318  
Revenue M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 3,621   1,048  
Pre-tax Income M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 695  
After-tax Income M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 496.1   590.5  
EBITDA M ZAR  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 854  
Book Value M ZAR  ....  Subscribe

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 1, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 1, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 1, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 1, 2025

Workforce

EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2024
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2023
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2018

Aerial view:

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