Name of the Project
Withok tailings storage facility (TSF).

Location
Immediately south of the Brakpan TSF, in Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Gold producer DRDGOLD, a specialist in the recovery of the metal from the retreatment of surface tailings.

Project Description
Withok is DRDGOLD’s longer-term TSF initiative. The TSF will have a deposition capacity of 310-million tonnes and a life of 20 years at an eventual deposition rate of 1.3-million tonnes a month.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
DRDGOLD reported in its year-end results in August 2025 that commissioning is expected to start within the next three years.

Latest Developments
DRDGOLD has reported in its results for the six months ended December 31, 2025, that a major milestone during the period has been the appointment by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) of the engineer that DRDGOLD has retained to design and build the Withok TSF as an approved professional person. Only such a person may legally design a TSF and, once the pending environmental authorisation is granted – after all conditions have been met – the engineer’s design will be submitted to the DWS for approval.

A key part of the process is, therefore, ensuring the right team of specialists is in place, while engaging constructively with the DWS to remain aligned with its requirements and progress to licensing as quickly as possible.

DRDGOLD has indicated that delivery on its medium- to long-term plans to reclaim the Marievale and Crown Tailings Complex reserves depends on the success of the Withok project.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Not disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
DRDGOLD, tel +27 11 470 2600.
R&A Strategic Communications, Jane Kamau, on behalf of DRDGOLD, email jane@rasc.co.za.