DRDGOLD CEO Niël Pretorius pointed out that mining was a marathon and not a sprint type of industry, with success hinging on making companies “survivable” through prudent capital allocation, optimised orebodies and executing in accordance with capacities.

DRDGOLD stronger than ever as it hits 130-year mark at time of sky-high gold pricing and, DRDGOLD says premature gold mine closure can no longer be allowed.

DRDGOLD Limited reported a 4% increase in revenue driven by a 10% rise in the average golf price to R1 685 760 per kilogram. This positive financial outcome coincides with the company’s celebration of 130 years of uninterrupted listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

In the three months to March 31 when gold sold in the quarter added up to 1 109 kg, the revenue of surface gold miner DRDGOLD increased on strong gold pricing, despite the impact of unprecedented wet weather.

The good gold price is providing gold mining companies with much more confidence to execute capital programmes, and a sentiment doing the rounds is that South Africa should, in every respect, make the most of it while it lasts

The current gold price is improving margins, sustaining the opportunity for existing miners to mine for longer, and probably creating new opportunities. That is the view of DRDGOLD chairperson Tim Cumming, who spoke to Mining Weekly on the sidelines of the 130th anniversary of the listing of DRDGOLD on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 1895.

With the gold price expected to be stronger for longer, hopes are high that South Africa’s five main remaining gold mining companies will maximise gold production and avoid repeating the gold sector’s big past mistake of closing operations too soon.

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Friday, April 25, marked the remarkable 130th anniversary of the uninterrupted listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange of South Africa's resilient gold producer, DRDGOLD.

DRDGOLD’s head of finance Riaan Davel believes where there is mine waste, there is an opportunity for environmental rehabilitation. For the oldest mining company listed on the JSE, it’s about encouraging mining companies around the world to be more sustainable. Mining giant DRDGOLD’s approach to environmental management is part of its broader commitment to sustainable development, according to its CFO Riaan Davel.

DRDGOLD CEO Niël Pretorius said the company is looking for new acquisitions including assets in regions that may be considered risky. He was commenting after DRDGOLD’s interim results ended December on February 18 in which the company rewarded shareholders with a 30 South African cents per share interim payout by virtue of a 26% increase in its average received gold price. The higher gold price resulted in a 65% increase in the bottom line.