| Thu 17 Aug 2023, 8:00 | | DRDGOLD LIMITED - Voluntary trading statement and trading update for the year ended 30 June 2023 |
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Voluntary trading statement and trading update for the year ended 30 June 2023
DRDGOLD LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1895/000926/06)
ISIN: ZAE000058723
JSE share code: DRD
NYSE trading symbol: DRD
(“DRDGOLD” or the “Company” or the “Group”)
VOLUNTARY TRADING STATEMENT AND TRADING UPDATE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
DRDGOLD is in the process of finalising its results for the year ended 30 June 2023 (“Current Reporting
Period”) and shareholders are accordingly advised that the Company has reasonable certainty that for the
Current Reporting Period it will report:
• earnings per share (“EPS”) of between 142.5 cents and 155.7 cents per share compared to EPS of
131.2 cents per share for the year ended 30 June 2022 (“Previous Corresponding Period”), being an
increase of between 9% and 19%; and
• headline earnings per share (“HEPS”) of between 141.7 cents and 154.7 cents per share compared to
HEPS of 130.7 cents per share for the Previous Corresponding Period, being an increase of between
8% and 18%.
The expected increases in EPS and HEPS, respectively, for the Current Reporting Period compared to the
Previous Corresponding Period, are mainly due to movements in, inter alia, the following items:
1. Revenue
Revenue increased by R377.8 million, or 7%, to R5,496.3 million (2022: R5,118.5 million).
Ergo Mining Proprietary Limited’s (“Ergo”) revenue increased by R403.7 million to R4,108.6 million (2022:
R3,704.9 million), mainly due to a 16% increase in the Rand gold price received as well as a 21% increase
in yield to 0.227g/t from 0.188g/t in 2022 to make up for the 5% decrease in gold sold to 3,936kg (2022:
4,139kg). Gold production decreased as a result of a decrease in throughput tonnages, caused by
significant load shedding at the beginning of the financial year affecting particularly the City Deep line, the
depletion of high-volume reclamation sites at City Deep and Ergo and the late commissioning of two major
new reclamation sites.
Far West Gold Recoveries Proprietary Limited's (“FWGR”) revenue decreased by R25.9 million to R1,387.7
million (2022: R1,413.6 million). The 15% decrease in gold sold to 1,337kg (2022: 1,575kg) was offset by
the 16% increase in the Rand gold price received. The decrease in the amount of gold sold was as a result
of a decrease in throughput tonnages due to Driefontein 5 nearing the end of its life of mine and entering
final clean up, and a delay in the commissioning of the new Driefontein 3 reclamation site. Yield decreased
by 8% to 0.237g/t from 0.257g/t in 2022, in part attributable to the material being processed from the lower
grade areas of the newly commissioned Driefontein 3 and the almost depleted Driefontein 5, as well as
reduced milling with mills needing to be switched off during periods of load shedding.
2. Cash operating costs
The impact of the increase in revenue on earnings and headline earnings was moderated by an increase in
cash operating costs of R224.3 million, or 6%, to R3,688.1 million (2022: R3,463.8 million).
At Ergo, cash operating costs increased by R173.4 million, or 6%, to R3,183.2 million (2022: R3,009.8
million), and, at FWGR, cash operating costs increased by R50.9 million, or 11%, to R504.9 million (2022:
R454.0 million). At both Ergo and FWGR, costs relating to reagents, diesel, electricity and security
experienced above inflationary increases. Additionally, there was a significant increase in machine hire costs
to mechanically lift and reclaim material from late phase clean-up sites at both Ergo and FWGR.
3. Liquidity
As at 30 June 2023, DRDGOLD held R2,471.4 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to R2,525.6
million on 30 June 2022. During the Current Reporting Period, DRDGOLD generated free cash flow (cash
inflow from operating activities less cash outflow from investing activities) of R468.9 million (2022: R871.6
million) after a R546.0 million increase to R1,172.2 million in investing activities (2022: R626.2 million) and
paying cash dividends of R515.3 million (2022: R513.3 million). The Group remains free of any bank debt as
at 30 June 2023 (2022: Rnil).
The financial information contained in this announcement is the responsibility of the directors of DRDGOLD,
and such information has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company’s auditors.
The condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023 are expected to be
published on SENS on or about 23 August 2023.
Johannesburg
17 August 2023
Sponsor
One Capital
Date: 17-08-2023 08:00:00
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