Media releases

Mining plan change at Blyvoor to deal with seismicity

Details

Published: Tuesday, 13 December 2005 02:00

Chairman of DRDGOLD South Africa (DRDGOLD SA) Dr Paseka Ncholo announced today that, as a consequence of continuing seismicity, a new mining plan was being implemented at DRDGOLD SA’s Blyvooruitzicht (Blyvoor) mine near Carletonville.
Johannesburg, South Africa. 13 December 2005. DRDGOLD Limited (JSE: DRD; NASDAQ: DROOY; ASX: DRD; POM SoX: DRD). Chairman of DRDGOLD South Africa (DRDGOLD SA) Dr Paseka Ncholo announced today that, as a consequence of continuing seismicity, a new mining plan was being implemented at DRDGOLD SA’s Blyvooruitzicht (Blyvoor) mine near Carletonville.

“The new mining plan will result in a reduction in yield to about 6.0 grams per tonne but the impact of this will be offset to some degree by an increase in tonnage and resultant lower unit costs,” Ncholo said.

“More importantly, however, it is imperative that we take steps to ensure the continuing safety of our employees underground and preserve Blyvoor’s strong safety record, as evidenced by its seven consecutive wins in the West Rand Mine Managers’ Association Inter-mine Safety Competition.”

Blyvoor reported seismicity-induced impacts on production at the end of the September quarter. A consequent risk review, together with continuing seismicity affecting some 14 panels – approximately 30% of the mine’s production – had prompted the new mine plan, Ncholo said.

Features of the new mining plan include:

• a reduction in the centare profile in the B5A area in accordance with rock mechanics recommendations;
• substitution of this tonnage from lower grade Main Reef panels elsewhere on the mine;
• additional development costs of R5.9 million and;
• a full risk review and assessment of Phase 2 of the 2A sub-shaft project, with Phase 1, comprising mining above 15 level, continuing as planned.

Further details of the new Blyvoor mining plan will be released with DRDGOLD’s results for the quarter ending 31 December 2005, Ncholo said.

Queries:

South Africa
Investor and Media Relations
Ilja Graulich, DRDGOLD
+27 11 219 8707(office)
+27 83 604 0820 (mobile)

James Duncan, Russell & Associates
+27 11 880 3924 (office)
+27 82 892 8052 (mobile)

North America
Investor and Media Relations
Barbara Cano, Breakstone Group International
+1 646 452 2334 (office)

Australasia
Investor and Media Relations
Paul Downie, Porter Novelli
+61 893 861 233 (office)
+61 414 947 129 (mobile)

United Kingdom/Europe
Investor and Media Relations
Phil Dexter, St James's Corporate Services
+44 20 7499 3916 (office)
+44 779 863 4398

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DRDGOLD is an intermediate unhedged gold producer with mines in South Africa as well as Australasia. The company’s production profile is split equally between its highly leveraged SA operations and its low cost, cash generative offshore mines.

DRDGOLD has primary listings on the Johannesburg (JSE:DRD)and Australian (ASX:DRD) stock exchanges and secondary listings on NASDAQ (DROOY), the London and Port Moresby stock exchanges and the Paris and Brussels Bourses. Its shares are also traded on the regulated unofficial market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the Berlin OTC Market.

For more information, please visit www.drdgold.com

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