Name of the Project
Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) operation.

Location
Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
FWGR is owned and operated by gold producer DRDGOLD. Sibanye-Stillwater holds a 50.1% controlling interest in DRDGOLD.

Project Description
FWGR is a surface gold-retreatment operation that treats historic tailings in the West Rand goldfields. 

The operation is being expanded through DRDGOLD's Vision 2028 programme.

Phase 1 included upgrading the Driefontein 2 plant (DP2) to process tailings from the Driefontein 5 dump at between 400 000 t and 600 000 t a month and depositing the residue on the upgraded Driefontein 4 tailings dam.

The current expansion comprises the DP2 plant expansion, a regional tailings storage facility (RTSF) and a 135 km pipeline network linking DP2, the RTSF and the 74.3-million-tonne Libanon dump.

The expanded DP2 plant is designed to increase FWGR throughput from about 500 000 t a month to 1.2-million tonnes a month. Once operating, the Libanon reclamation station is planned to contribute 600 000 t a month.

The 800 ha, fully lined RTSF is designed initially to receive 1.2-million tonnes a month, with capacity to increase to 2.4-million tonnes a month and ultimately store up to 800-million tonnes of tailings.

Following the transfer of the Kloof 2 dump from Sibanye-Stillwater to FWGR in December 2025, 67-million tonnes were added to DRDGOLD's mineral reserves, extending FWGR's life-of-mine (LoM) by four years. Sibanye-Stillwater reports an FWGR LoM to 2045.

Potential Job Creation
Since its inception, FWGR has secured employment for more than 150 employees. Further 
opportunities are expected as the Vision 2028 expansion is implemented.

Capital Expenditure
DRDGOLD invested R330-million in Phase 1.

Vision 2028 capital allocated to FWGR comprises about R1.9-billion for the DP2 expansion, R3.4-billion for the RTSF and R1.2-billion for the pipeline project. DRDGOLD has also committed R880-million to an up-flow reactor at FWGR.

Planned Start/End Date
Phase 1 commercial production started on April 1, 2019.

The DP2 plant expansion was substantially complete by September 30, 2026, with commissioning scheduled for October 2026.

Latest Developments
At September 30, 2026, the RTSF was 77% complete, while the construction work required for beneficial occupation was 99% complete. Beneficial occupation remained subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and favourable weather. The pipeline network linking DP2, the RTSF and Libanon was about 95% complete at June 30, 2026. 

Construction of the Libanon reclamation station started in September 2026, following receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
DRDGOLD, tel +27 11 470 2600 or email communications@thirdactconsultants.com.