Media releases

DRDGOLD concludes wage negotiations at ERGO operations

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Published: Monday, 02 February 2026 10:45

Five-year wage agreement brings certainty for employees and ERGO
Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, 2 February 2026. DRDGOLD confirms that wage negotiations at its Ergo Mining (Proprietary) Limited (ERGO) operations have been finalised, following the conclusion of a single wage agreement with organised labour. The agreement, signed by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the majority union in the bargaining unit, applies to all employees regardless of union affiliation.

The agreement provides for:

• Guaranteed annual wage increases of between 6% and 7.5% and 7.5% over five years, well above current inflation and aligned with recent agreements concluded in the gold sector.
• A new 2% performance-based incentive linked to safety, production and attendance.
• Improvements to the Living Out Allowance and the interest-free housing support scheme.
• Backpay from 1 July 2025, payable in terms of the agreement.
• A R5 000 once-off ex gratia payment to all employees in the bargaining unit

“This agreement brings much-needed certainty for our employees and for the ERGO operations. It reflects constructive engagement by all parties and balances meaningful improvements in employee remuneration with the long-term sustainability of the business. Importantly, it allows us to move forward together, focused on safe, stable operations and continued value creation,” says DRDGOLD CEO, Niël Pretorius.

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