DRDGOLD reports strong results as major Carletonville and Fochville projects progress
Gold producer records 89% rise in headline earnings while major infrastructure investments boost operations in the region.
DRDGOLD, which owns several operations in the Carletonville and Fochville area, reported excellent results last week.
The company showed stable production, materially higher earnings and a debt-free balance sheet, as more than R5b invested in Vision 2028 began translating into new operating infrastructure and capacity.
Revenue increased by 42% to R11.2b, operating profit by 83% to R6.5b and headline earnings by 89% to R4.3b. Gold production remained stable at 4 839kg, marginally ahead of the corresponding time last year and above annual guidance.
“This was a year of delivery,” said CEO Niël Pretorius. “We maintained production while investing at a level that is fundamentally reshaping the business, and we did that while remaining debt-free and continuing to return value to shareholders.
“What is particularly encouraging is that we are now seeing that investment translate into operating capability.
The infrastructure we have been building is starting to come online, and the next phase of DRDGOLD is beginning to take shape.”
Free cash flow increased by 85% to R2.3b. DRDGOLD invested R3.5b in capital expenditure and paid R779.3m in dividends during the year, ending FY2026 with R2.8b in cash and cash equivalents and no debt. The Board declared a final cash dividend of 120c per share.
Among other achievements, the expanded DP2 plant at FWGR near Carletonville had its new elution circuit and smelt house commissioned in July, with first gold poured on the same day. Meanwhile, the Regional Tailings Storage Facility (RTSF) near Fochville was approximately 67% complete at year-end.
Following the transfer of Kloof2 dump from Sibanye-Stillwater to FWGR in December 2025, this dump also added 67 million tonnes to the Group’s Mineral Reserves and extended FWGR’s life of mine by four years.
“The gold price has been supportive, but that is not something we control. What we can control is how well we operate, how we allocate capital and whether we use favourable conditions to leave the business stronger and better positioned for the future,” Pretorius added.
