DRDGOLD produced 1,307kg gold in the quarter ended September 2026
Johannesburg – The operating update of the DRDGOLD Group for the quarter ended 30 September 2026 is as follows:
- Gold produced 1,307kg/42,021oz
- Gold sold 1,324kg/42,568oz
- Revenue R2,950 million
- Cash operating cost R1,301 million
- Average gold price received R2,223,112 per kg
- Operating profit R1,627 million
Revenue for the quarter ended 30 September 2026 increased by 31% to R2,950.6 million from R2,254.9 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, reflecting both a 14% increase in gold sold to 1,324kg and a 14% increase in the average Rand gold price received, to R2,223,112/kg. Gold production increased by 10% to 1,307kg, supported by a 15% improvement in yield to 0.212g/t, despite tonnage throughput being 5% lower.
Group cash operating costs increased by 12% to R1,300.7 million from R1,157.4 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, mainly due to higher reagent and diesel costs, as well as the purchase and processing of higher-grade third-party material.
The increase in diesel costs was attributable to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Electricity costs were also higher following the tariff adjustment and the impact of two winter months, partially offset by lower consumption of Eskom-sourced electricity due to the contribution of Ergo Mining Proprietary Limited’s (“Ergo”) solar plant and battery energy storage system (BESS).
Cash operating costs at Far West Gold Recoveries Proprietary Limited (“FWGR”) also increased, mainly due to higher labour and other costs associated with the commissioning of the elution plant and smelthouse, as well as preparations for the commissioning of the DP2 Plant expansion.
Cash operating costs per kilogram increased by 5% from R955,086/kg to R999,396/kg, while cash operating costs per tonne increased by 18% from R179/t to R211/t. The increase in cash operating costs per tonne was further impacted by tonnage throughput being 5% lower than in the quarter ended 30 September 2025.
Compared with the quarter ended 30 June 2026, Group cash operating costs increased by 6% to R1,300.7 million, primarily due to wage increases effective from 1 July 2026 at both operations, as well as higher contractor and machine hire costs, attributable to the increase in the diesel price. Cash operating costs
per kilogram consequently increased by 5% to R999,396/kg, while cash operating costs per tonne increased by 9% to R211/t, also reflecting the impact of the 3% decrease in tonnage throughput to 6.2Mt.
Operational performance outlook
The Company’s FY2026 results, published on 19 August 2026, included production guidance for the year ending 30 June 2027 of between 160,000 ounces and 170,000 ounces of gold, at cash operating costs of approximately R1,099,000/kg and all-in sustaining costs of R1,230,000/kg. The Company remains on track to achieve its FY2027 production guidance while maintaining its operating cost guidance.
