"DRDGOLD responds to the bench marks foundation report, 'Waiting to Inhale',

29 August 2017

DRDGOLD Limited (DRDGOLD; JSE, NYSE: DRD) has issued the following response to a report launched this morning by the Bench Marks Foundation, entitled ‘Waiting to Inhale’: “DRDGOLD has recently received the Bench Marks Foundation’s (BMF) report, entitled "Waiting to Inhale". As an opening remark we have to record our disappointment that BMF again failed to engage with us in the compilation of its report, even after such engagement was offered. A second, and perhaps even more important concern, is the lack of independent, credible research in support of the allegations BMF leveled against our operating footprint and the effect it has on surrounding communities...At the outset, we wish to place on record, that our aim – as a company – is to improve the quality of life of those living within our areas of influence...A statement is made that DRD operates without a water use licence. To the extent that this statement is aimed to suggest that we are using water without proper authority, this is simply not true. Each of our operations, Crown, City, Knights and Ergo obtained and are operating in terms of either Water Usage Licenses or usage permits...