BRAINBOX WINNER!

a quarterly newspaper for
the people of DRDGOLD
ISSUE 22 | July 2012
Let’s Talk
Asikhulume
DRDGOLD – THE PREFERRED EMPLOYER IN THE GOLD MINING INDUSTRY
CHARLES IS FIRST
BRAINBOX WINNER!
ABOUT SETTING A
GOOD EXAMPLE
TO YOUR FAMILY
their brains to work, and not leave them at the
gate. Our business is all about volume, so an
idea that saves even a few cents a tonne will add
up to considerable savings for the company in
the long run. When the company makes more
money, employees as well as shareholders
benefit.”
The employee submitting the best idea in
any quarter wins a R5 000 prize; and entries are
subject to the rules of the competition. Don’t
waste time – get your ideas in now for the next
R5 000 cash prize.
Don’t forget to write your name, phone
and employee numbers on the piece of paper
otherwise the suggestion will be disqualified
for the prize. The second winner will be
announced in the next issue of Asikhulume.
Charles studied human resources at the
Tshwane Institute of Techonolgy for three
years before joining Crown in October 2010.
A delighted Charles told Asikhulume that he
was thrilled to be the winner. “I am very happy
and this is a lot of money. I have to think
carefully about what I am going to do with
it,” said Charles. “I also think I must resume
my studies through Unisa, as education is a
good thing.”
Be reliable: if you promise
something, do it
Be responsible: be on time for
appointments, pick up litter, etc
Be a good person: do not lie,
cheat or steal
Live the “best” life: your family,
your community, your country all
need citizens with good values!
about it
NGOKUBA
NGUMZEKELO OMHLE
KWINTSAPHO YAKHO
Thembeka: xa uthembisa
ngokwenza into, yenze
Yiba nenkathalo: fika ngexesha
kwindibano yezigqibo, qoqosha
ubumdaka
Yiba ngumntu olungileyo: musa
ukuxoka, musa ukuqhatha okanye
ukuba
Phila eyona ntlalo nobona bomi
“bungcono” : usapho lwakho,
abahlali bendawo yakho, ilizwe
lakho, bonke badinga abemi
abazixabisileyo nabaxabise izinto
ezintle!
CHARLES’ SUGGESTION
Currently a hose is used to wash slime
which overflows from the tanks. Overflow
is washed straight into the installed
spillage pumps which pumps back into
the tanks. This material contains gold,
and the suggestion is that the engineering
department does the same when when it
replaces or repairs a pipeline or pump.
Charles Mathabathe from Crown celebrates his Brainbox win
C
harles Mathabathe, a plant operator
at Crown, is the first winner of the
DRDGOLD Brainbox competition. In the last
issue of Asikhulume, employees were asked to
Yi
le nto!
think about ways of working smarter.
CEO Niël Pretorius is adamant that the
workforce is the custodian of a large amount
of knowledge and information. He has, during
his time as CEO, urged employees to think
about what they are doing, how they are doing
it, and how it can be done better. “Although
there are certain ways of doing things at the
operations, it does not mean it is the best way,”
says Niël. “I would like employees to bring
In addition, bolts, pipes, nuts and
welding equipment must not be left lying
around as it represents a safety hazard.
These old items should also be collected for
recycling and reuse.
Charles’ idea scores in three ways –
redirecting material containing gold into
the treatment plant; improving safety and
environmental sustainability.
We want to hear from you
– give us feedback or send story ideas.
CONTACT YOUR HR MANAGER
Asikhulume
2
Celebrating three decades
Niël’s Note
– live the best life you can
J
uly marks the beginning of our financial
year, and this year is the first financial year
as a surface only recycling company. Our
Crown plant is now decommissioned, but the
years of experience accumulated by our people
since operations began there in the eighties
is now being consolidated into Ergo. Over
the next few months we will work carefully
to design an appropriate human resources
structure. We need to match the operational
and strategic requirements of the business
with the best available skills.
Operating a company of this nature close
to built-up areas, many of them residential,
requires a combination of skills that are both
extensive and unique. We all know that our
single most important operational necessity
is to deliver tonnes to our plants; with the
relatively low gold content of slimes, failure
to deliver the required volumes is the surest
way to put the business under stress.
Delivering tonnage to the plants is an
enormous and complex engineering exercise
and it brings with it a variety of other risks.
)335%s*ULY
DRDGOLD congratulates NUM and
donates to Literacy Day
Any breakdown or failure of our delivery
circuit could cause spillages and waste that
could affect our very long list of neighbours.
Managing these aspects, as well as the ongoing
dust and water issues, requires expertise. The
skills required for the social imperative of
sustainable development, and the proficiency
for interacting with the communities affected
by our activities, are considerable. These
different aspects of our business require a
combination of very different talents.
It is an appreciation for all of these equally
important imperatives that will both qualify
you for a rewarding future in DRDGOLD, and
ensure a satisfying career with the company.
The Vuselela “values” campaign and
the Best Life “life skills” initiatives are both
designed to align your professional life with
the requirements I explained above, while
also equipping you to improve your personal
wellbeing and long term security. I want to
encourage you all to seize these opportunities
– ultimately it is still much more satisfying to
“achieve” that it is to “receive”.
DO WHAT’S RIGHT
Report theft and fraud
M
ost people have been raised to know
which behaviours are right or wrong.
Behaviours and values are normally taught by
parents, or learnt from copying what parents
do and say. One of the problems South Africa
is facing in the 21st century is that the oldfashioned values are being overlooked and
ignored. There are a number of reasons for
this shift, including the fact that the number
of child-headed households is increasing.
Aside from the practical problems faced
by such households, they also suffer from a
“knowledge gap”, as information about the
correct way of doing things and the right
way to behave is traditionally passed on by
the older to the younger generation. It is
therefore more important than ever before
for adults to make sure they do the right
thing on a daily basis, as they may be role
models for others without realising it.
As we go about daily life, we often see others
doing the wrong thing, whether it is jumping a
traffic light or abusing someone. Wrongdoing
also takes place in the workplace. Sometimes
there is no way of knowing that a colleague is
doing something wrong. However, there are
times when an employee may have suspicions
about a colleague but is too afraid to report the
person due to the fear of victimisation.
DRDGOLD uses a system called Tip-Offs
Anonymous, run independently by Deloitte
(a consulting firm involved in audit, financial
and risk management) to enable employees
to take action if crimes are being committed
in the workplace.
Theft and fraud are the most common
form of crimes in the workplace. Harassment
and bullying of colleagues, while it may not be
a crime in the same way, is certainly an offence.
If you know of any unethical behaviour,
you can do the right thing. Report what
is happening, or what you think might be
happening. The report can be made to a call
centre in three different ways:
Totally anonymous: You do not give any
D
RDGOLD placed this advertisement in a special 30th anniversary publication to honour
the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Asikhulume adds its congratulations to the
organisation on this auspicious occasion.
In addition, earlier this year, DRDGOLD made a R20 000 donation towards a literacy day
organised by the NUM after the organisation’s Regional Chairman for Carletonville approached
the company for a contribution towards this event. This enabled DRDGOLD workers at Blyvoor
(which is now owned by Village Main Reef) to attend a local literacy event as many employees
could not travel to the national event that was being held elsewhere.
information about yourself.
Partially
anonymous:
You
provide
your contact details to Deloitte Tip-offs
Ukuguba iminyaka
engamashumi amathathu
Anonymous, but not to DRDGOLD.
Full disclosure: You give permission for
your details to be passed on to DRDGOLD.
Although the totally anonymous option
does work, it is easier for investigators to
I-DRDGOLD ihalalisela i-NUM kanye
nokwenza umnikelo kwi-Literacy Day
follow up and get more information if they
can contact the person who made the tip-off.
How to make contact with the Deloitte
Tip-offs Anonymous call centre:
Phone 0800 2053 15
(free from a Telkom landline)
Email report@tip-offs.com
Fax
0800 00 77 88
(free from a Telkom landline)
Mail
Address envelope to Deloitte Tip-offs
Anonymous, FreePost KZN 138,
Umhlanga Rocks 4320 (no stamp
required; post as normal in a letter box)
I
-DRDGOLD ifakele i-advethi (isikhangiso) kushicilelo lwesipesheli lwesikhumbuzo
seminyaka engu 30 ukubongela inyunyane ye-National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
I-Asikhulume nayo ihalalisela inhlangano kulesi sikhathi esibaluleke kangaka.
Nangaphezu kwalokho, i-DRDGOLD inikezele ngo-R20 000 kuhlelo lwe-literacy
olugqugquzelwe yi-NUM ngemuva kokuba Usihlalo weRijini we-NUM kwirijini
ye-Carltonville exhumane nenkampani ukucela umnikelo kwinkampani ukusiza kulo
msebenzi. Lokhu kwenze ukuthi abasebenzi be-DRDGOLD emayini yeBlyvoor (manje
umnikazi wayo oseyi-Village Main Reef) bakwazi ukuhambela uhlelo lwe-literacy njengoba
abasebenzi abaningi bebengakwazi ukuhamba baye kuhlelo lukazwelonke olwalubanjelwe
kwenye indawo.
Asikhulume
)335%s*ULY
GOODBYE TO
BLYVOOR
All Blyvoor employees received a letter in one of four languages at the end
of June.
3
SAFETY ALWAYS
COMES FIRST
180 days LTI free
C
rown and Knights recently celebrated an important safety record: 180 days
of zero lost time injuries (LTI). The record applies to miners, contractors,
security and administration staff. “Considering hundreds of people enter our
gates on a typical day,” says Danny Hitge, SBU manager at Crown, “we feel
this is a record to be proud of.” Josiah Tshisevhe, SBU manager at Knights, is
pleased that his team has achieved this record for the second time. The Knights
plant currently holds the record for zero LTI at 202 days, while Crown is at
197 days (at 8 June). “We are very proud of the effort made by employees,”
say both Danny and Josiah. “Congratulations to everyone and let’s keep up the
good work.” The management teams hold monthly meetings to address health
and safety, and all workers are required to attend regular safety meetings and
training sessions. In the workplace, foremen are proactive and encourage
workers on the topic of safety. Employees celebrated the achievement with a
braai and received t-shirts to mark the occasion.
POLOKEHO KA
MEHLA E TLA PELE
Above: Danny Hitge (left) and Josiah Tshisevhe
Matsatsi a 180 ho se be le Nako e
Lahlehang ka baka la Dikotsi (LTI)
!"
"#!
“Ha o nahana ka makgolokgolo
a batho ba kenang dihekeng tsa
rona letsatsi le leng le le leng,” ho
rialo Danny Hitge, motsamaisi wa
SBU mane Crown, “re bona hona
e le rekoto eo re ka bang motlotlo
haholo ka yona.” Josiah Tshisevhe,
motsamaisi wa SBU mane Knights,
o thabetse hore sehlopha sa hae se
la bobedi. Polante ya Knights ha
jwale e tshwere rekoto ya NLTI ya
matsatsi a 202, ha Crown yona e le
ho matsatsi a 197 (ka la 8 Phupjane).
“Re motlotlo haholo ka maiteko a
entsweng ke basebetsi ,” ho rialo
Danny le Josiah ka bobedi ba bona.
“Re lebohisa bohle mme ha re
tsweleng pele ka mosebetsi ona o
motle.” Dihlopha tsa botsamaisi
di tshwara dikopano tsa kgwedi le
kgwedi ho shebana le ditaba tsa
bophelo le polokeho, mme basebetsi
bohle ba lokela ho kenela dikopano
tsa nako le nako tsa polokeho le
diseshene tsa thupelo. Sebakeng
sa ho sebeletsa, diforomane di
nka mehato ka mafolofolo ho
kgothaletsa basebetsi ka sehlooho se
mabapi le polokeho.
Above: Danny Hitge with the shirt presented to employees
Asikhulume
4
)335%s*ULY
EBDA encourages entrepreneurship
Enterprise clubs launched
E
BDA’s enterprise club project,
featured in the last issue of
Asikhulume, has officially been
launched. The clubs focus on three secondary
schools – Langaville, Tsakane and Tlakula
– where selected students are taught values
and life skills to help them negotiate their
lives as young adults, irrespective of the the
career paths they choose.
The aim of the clubs is to expose learners
to the realities of the working world and to
help build an understanding of and passion
for entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurs are
people who start their own businesses, usually
with very little money, and build them up over
time. Small businesses are very important
for the economy given the high rate of
unemployment in South Africa.
The enterprise club programme runs
over three years. The first phase is a ninemonth training programme when students
are taught the basics of running a business.
Those students who qualify at the end of the
period are given a small amount of capital to
launch their own business idea. During the
following two years, they are given the support
and mentoring they need and their success is
measured on the amount of profit they are
able to make.
Enterprise club facilitator, Malefane
Maleka, explained that one of the aims of
the programme is to address the skills gap in
education. “Empowering people who have not
had the benefit of a good education is necessary
if we are to combat the economic hardships
of unemployment and poverty. We hope our
clubs will inspire young learners and create
passion, energy, drive and the commitment to
achieve their future potential,” he said at the
launch function recently.
Piet Pistorius, manager at EBDA, told those
present that CEO Niël Pretorius is “passionate
about the development of South Africa and
her people”. He continued: “DRDGOLD
considers this project as critical not only for
the community, but to ensure our future
leaders are prepared.”
Enterprise club students were full of
appreciation for the opportunities given to
them and believed the experience has helped
them not only academically, but personally.
One of the students said: “The skills I am
learning will improve my future chances
and this will help me give my family better
opportunities as well. It is good to see a
company like DRDGOLD giving back to
the community. This will benefit the socioeconomic development of the country.”
Due to the success of the project,
EBDA now intends to implement the same
programme at three more schools in FY2013.
“We have also managed to find premises in
the Tsakane Business Park,” says Piet. “This
will enable us to offer selected school leavers
the chance to sign up for the enterprise clubs.”
Support classes in mathematics and science
will also be offered at this venue for students
wanting to improve their marks.
EBDA was commissioned by DRDGOLD
in 2009 with a R92 million investment over
five years. The first learners attended ABET
classes and engineering classes. The enterprise
club project is just one of many community
projects which have been sponsored by
DRDGOLD through EBDA. According to
Piet, EBDA is a year ahead of the plan to
break even.
Originally founded to assist individuals
in becoming productive members of society,
EBDA now has FET status. Piet says: “This
accreditation allows us to extend our focus in
mathematics and science – two areas in which
South African learners have serious problems
– right up to the N3 level.”
Piet concludes: “We also hope to keep the
momentum going by using our club graduates.
Although they are not trained to teach, they
can definitely play a valuable role. We hope
that in time they will return and become
mentors for future participants.”
I-EBDA ikhuthaza ukuthi abantu baziqalele amabhizinisi
Kusungulwe ama-Enterprise club
I
projekthi ye-EBDA’s enterprise club,
okwakhulunywa ngayo kushicilelo lweAsikhulume, olwedlule seyiqalile. Ama-club
agxila kwizikole zesekondari ezintathu –
iLangaville, iTsakane neTlakula – lapho
abafundi abakhethiwe abafundiswa khona
ama-value kanye namakhono empilo
ukubasiza ukuba namakhono abalulekile
kubantu abasha, ngisho noma ngabe
bakhetha yiphi i-career.
Inhloso yama-club ukwenza ukuthi
abafundi babone impilo yasemisebenzini
kanye nokubasiza ukwakha ukuqondisisa
nogqozi
lokuziqalela
amabhizinisi.
Ama-Entrepreneur ngabantu abaziqalela
amabhizinisi ngokwabo, futhi bavamise
ukuqala ngemali encane, ngokuhamba
kwesikhathi bawakhe aze akhule. Amabhizinisi
amancane abaluleke kakhulu kumnotho
ngoba kunezinga eliphezulu lokusweleka
kwemisebenzi eNingizimu Afrika.
Uhlelo lwama-enterprise club luqhuba
iminyaka emithathu. Isigaba sokuqala uhlelo
loqeqesho lwezinyanga eziyisishagalolunye
(9) lapho abafundi abafundiswa khona
amakhono ayisisekelo sokuqala nokuqhuba
ibhizinisi.
Abafundi
abaphumelelayo
(abakhwalifayayo) ekugcineni banikezwa
imadlana yokuqala yekhapitali yokuziqalela
ibhizinisi lombono wabo. Kwiminyaka emibili
elandelayo, banikezwa usekelo abaludingayo.
Impumelelo yabo ikalwa ngenani leprofithi
abayenzayo.
U-facilitator we-Enterprise club, uMalefane
Maleka, uchaze inhloso yohlelo lokuvala igebe
lamakhono kwimfundo. “Ukunikeza abantu
amandla abangazange bathole ithuba lemfundo
enhle yinto efanele uma sizokwazi ukulwisana
nobunzima obukhona kwezomnotho kanye
nokusweleka kwemisebenzi nenhlupheko.
Sithemba ukuthi ama-club azofakela abafundi
abasha umfutho nogqozi kanye nokuzimisela
ukuthi bafinyelele ezingeni eliphezulu
lentuthuko yabo,” usho kanjalo emhlanganweni
wokuphothula uhlelo.
UPiet Pistorius, ongumenenja we-EBDA,
utshele labo ababekhona ukuthi u-CEO
Niël Pretorius “unogqozi ngentuthuko
yaseNingizimu Afrika kanye nabantu bayo”.
Uye waqhubeka wathi: “I-DRDGOLD ithatha
le-projekthi njengebaluleke kakhulu, hhayi
nje emphakathini, kodwa nasekuqinisekiseni
ukuthi kulungiselelwe abaholi bangekusasa.”
Abafundi be-Enterprise club babonge
kakhulu ngamathuba abanikezwe wona.
Bakholelwa ukuthi isipiliyoni abasitholile
sibasize kakhulu ukuthuthuka ngomqondo
nakwizimpilo zabo ziqu. Omunye wabafundi
uthe: “La makhono azothuthukisa ikusasa
lami, kanye nokunikeza amathuba angcono
kimi nomndeni wami. Kuyinto enhle ukubona
inkampani enjenge-DRDGOLD inikeza
okuthile emphakathini. Lokhu kuzozuzisa
intuthuko yabantu nomnotho wezwe.”
I-EBDA izimisele ukuqala lolu hlelo
olunempumelelo
kwezinye
izikole
ezinthathu kunyaka wezimali ka-FY2013.
“Kanti futhi sikwazile nokuthola izindawo
e-Tsakane Business Park,” kusho uPiet.
“Lokhu kuzokwenza ukuthi sisize abafundi
abaqeda isikole ithuba lokujoyina amaenterprise club.” Kanti futhi kuzosekelwa
namaklasi e-mathematics nesayense kule
ndawo, kubafundi abafuna ukuthuthukisa
amamaki abo.
I-EBDA yanikezwa igunya yi-DRDGOLD
ngo 2009 nokunikezwa utshalo-mali lwenani
elingu-R92miliyoni kwiminyaka emihlanu.
Abafundi bokuqala bahambela amaklasi
abadala okufunda e-ABET kanye naweengineering. Iprojekthi ye-enterprise club
ngenye yamaprojekthi amaningi omphakathi
asungulwe ngosizo noxhaso lwe-DRDGOLD
ngokusebenzisa i-EDBA. Ngokusho kukaPiet, abe-EBDA baphambili ngonyaka
ngokulandela iplani yabo yokuphumelela.
Abe-EBDA basanda kunikezwa isimo seFET. Kusho uPiet:“Le-accreditatian yenza ukuthi
sikwazi ukugxila kwizifundo ze-mathematics
nesayense, imikhakha emibili lapho abafundi
baseNingizimu Afrika abanezinkinga khona
kakhulu, ukufinyelela ezingeni le-N3.”
Kuphetha uPiet: “Sithemba nokuthi
sizoqhubeka
ngogqozi
ngokusebenzisa
abaphothule izifundo kuma-club. Ngisho
noma bengebona othisha, bangakwazi
ukudlala indima ebalulekile. Sethemba
ukuthi ngokuhamba kwesikhathi bazobuya
bazoba ngabafundi abazibonelo kubafundi
abazayo bangekusasa abazongenela uhlelo.”
Asikhulume
)335%s*ULY
5
GREY TO GOLD
Uniforms for needy learners
D
RDGOLD recently made 315 school
children smile when it sponsored
school uniforms to the value of R16 000 at
seven Soweto schools. The project began
when Buti Biloane, HR manager at Ergo saw
a child walking home from school, barefoot
and shivering in the rain. Remembering
his own school days, when there was not
enough money for a uniform and shoes, Buti
decided to take action. Working with the
Johannesburg Mining Environmental and
Economic Forum (JMEEF), uniform packs
were put together for the children in each
school who most needed the donations.
The uniform handover took place at
Lejoeleputsoa Primary School in Meadowlands,
Soweto. Said Buti: “The meaning of the word
‘lejoeleputsoa’ can mean either grey stone or
gold. I think this is quite fitting considering
DRDGOLD is a gold company.” Thabo
Rangwaga, spokesperson for the Member of
the Mayoral Committee of Environment for
the city of Johannesburg, was enthusiastic
about DRDGOLD’s donation. “It is important
that that these children have uniforms, and
also that they are warm enough to be able to
concentrate. Until now they have not been
dressed for the cold weather,” he said.
The six other schools involved are from the
Meadowlands, Orlando and Diepkloof areas:
Livhuwani Primary, Tsietsi Mashimini Primary,
Morutathuto Primary, Tswelelang Higher
Primary, Emelang Primary and Emzimvubu
Higher Primary.
Ouma Choshane, principal of Emelang
Primary School, explained what these donations
meant for her school pupils. “Children at this
young age are very sensitive about the fact they
look different from their peers. If they aren’t
dressed in school uniform, their self confidence
is damaged. These children are often hungry as
well, as their families are so poor that they can
only afford to have one meal a day. Owning a
new school uniform is a dream come true for
these pupils,” she said. “We are very grateful to
DRDGOLD and the people from JMEEF. They
are doing a great job identifying the schools
that most need these donations.”
Above: Young learners celebrate their new uniforms with a school representative
Ukuphuma kubungwevu uye kwigolide Iiyunifom
zabafundi abadingayo
K
utshanje, i-DRDGOLD idale uncumo
kubantwana besikolo abangama 315
xa ithe yaxhasa ngeeyunifom zesikolo
ezixabisa iR16 000 kwizikolo zase Soweto
ezisixhenxe. Le prowujekthi iqale mhla u
Buti Biloane, umanejal we-HR, e-Crown,
ethe wabona umntwana ehamba ngeenyawo
egoduka esuka esikolweni, enganxibanga
nto ezinyaweni kwaye engcangcazela
emvuleni. Ekhumbula imihla yakhe
yesikolo, xa kwakungekho mali yaneleyo
yokuthenga iyunifom nezihlangu, u Buti
wagqiba ekubeni athabathe amanyathelo.
Esebenzisana ne-Johannesburg Mining
Environmental and Economic Forum
(JMEEF),
kwahlanganiswa
iiyunifom
zabantwana besikolo ngasinye abangabona
bazidinga kakhulu ezi zipho.
Itheko lokunikezela ngezi yunifom
lalibanjelwe e-Lejoeleputsoa Primary School
e-Meadowlands, e-Soweto. U-Buti uthe:
“Eli gama lithi ‘lejoeleputsoa’ lingathetha
ilitye
elinombala
ongwevu
okanye
wegolide. Ndicinga ukuba eli gama lesi
sikolo lidibana nkqo nenkampani yethu xa
uqwalasela ukuba i-DRDGOLD yinkampani
yegolide. ” U-Thabo Rangwaga, osisithethi
seLungu leKomiti yoSodolophu elijongene
neMo eSingqongileyo kwisixeko saseJohannesburg wasithakazelela esi sipho
DRDGOLD’s
sase-DRDGOLD. “Kubalulekile ukuba aba
bantwana babeneyunifom, kwanokuba
babeshushu ngokwaneleyo ukuze bakwazi
ukuzinza kwizifundo zabo. Kude kubengoku
bebengakwazi nokunxiba shushu engqeleni,”
utshilo.
Ezinye
izikolo
ezintandathu
ezibandakanyekayo
zezase-Meadowlands,
e-Orlando nase-Diepkloof: i-Livhuwani
Primary, i-Tsietsi Mashinini Primary,
i-Morutathuto Primary, i-Tswelelang Higher
Primary, i-Emelang Primary kunye neEmzimvubu Higher Primary.
U-Ouma Choshane, inqununu yaseEmelang Primary School, ucacisile ukuba
zithetha ntoni ezi zipho kubantwana basikolo
sakhe. “Abantwana bayavakalelwa kakhulu
xa bekhangeleka bohlukile kwiintanga
zabo. Xa benganxibanga iyunifom yesikolo,
bonakalelwa kukuzithemba. Aba bantwana
badla ngokuphathwa nayindlala kuba
baphuma kumakhaya angamahlwempu
kangangokuba kudliwa kubekanye kuphela
ngemini. Ukubaneyunifom entsha lufezekiso
lwephupha
kwaba
bantwana,”utshilo.
“Siyibulela kakhulu i-DRDGOLD kunye
nabantu base-JMEEF. Benza umsebenzi
omhle kakhulu ngokuchonga izikolo
ezizezona zizidinga kakhulu ezi zipho.”
THIRD quarter results
(UJRPDNHV5PRSHUDWLQJSUR¿W
D
uring a fatality-free third quarter ended
31 March 2012, DRDGOLD announced
gold production of 34 947oz from continuing
surface operations (Ergo). This figure is 3%
higher than the previous quarter (33 983oz)
as a result of the completion of the Crown/
Ergo pipeline and the optimisation of the
circuit. Compared to the comparable quarter
last year, production was 5% lower. Average
yield was 5% lower than Q2 2012 at 0.19g/t
as a result of the depletion of the highergrade 4A11 sand dump material reporting
to the City Deep milling/pump station.
Cash operating unit costs were contained
to a 1% increase on the previous quarter at
R267 044/kg, reflecting higher throughput
and despite the increased costs of reagents,
including cyanide (Q3 2011: R209 828/kg).
Throughput for the quarter, compared to
Q3 2011, increased by 12%. Ergo achieved
an operating profit of R162.2 million, due in
part to the higher Rand gold price (Q3 2011:
R120.0 million). Capital expenditure for
the quarter was down 27% at R41.2 million
(Q3 2011: R56.5 million) as the Crown/Ergo
consolidation reached the final phase.
Blyvoor1, was unable to achieve the
recovery trends anticipated in the draft
business rescue plan, and mining operations
were suspended at 4 Shaft and 6 Shaft.
This resulted in a 15% decline in the mine’s
underground production during the quarter
(19 741oz), and retrenchment costs of R42.2
million. Quarter on quarter operating profits
were reduced from R98.6 million to R58.7
million and capital expenditure was 37%
lower at R21.0 million. Blyvoor also saw a 5%
decline in surface gold production to 6 204oz.
Compared to Q3 2011, cash operating unit
costs were up 24%, while the higher Rand gold
price and increased cash operating margin
drove Blyvoor’s Q3 2012 operating profit up
135% from R25.1 million to R58.7 million.
The disposal of DRDGOLD’s 74% interestt
in Blyvoor remains on track and after Partt
A closure, Blyvoor’s results will no longer be
consolidated into DRDGOLD’s results. Part B,
the final closure date, will take place once the
Department of Mineral Resources approves
the conversion and transfer of mining rights.
CEO Niël Pretorius reported that in
Zimbabwe exploration drilling continued
at the KT target at Gweru. At John Bull,
trenching has resulted in intersections of
between 2 and 24g/t and a drilling programme
is planned to determine the behaviour of the
reef at depth. At Leny, additional trenching
has been completed and sampling is pending;
at Ascot, geophysics and geochem sampling
will be carried out during the June quarter.
At Zhombe, geo-chemical analysis on a
50m x 50m staggered grid is planned. The
company is monitoring developments around
the land
lease
regime
proposed
by the Zimbabwe Government and is
positioned to move swiftly if the proposals are
put in place.
Pretorius said the greater operating
efficiencies anticipated by the Crown/Ergo
consolidation are now being enjoyed giving
the company the competitive advantage.
Looking ahead, he referred to the R250 million
flotation and fine grind circuit currently
under construction at the Brakpan plant and
which is expected to push up gold recoveries
by 16% to 20%. Additional research and
development into the production of uranium
as a by-product is underway and at current
uranium prices of US$50/lb this could have
the effect of softening gold production costs
by 5% to 8%.
1
Ownership of Blyvoor has transferred to Village Main
Reef in the interim.
6
Asikhulume
)335%s*ULY
ERGO FASCINATES VISITORS – Henry hosts UK student group
T
he pipes and tanks, the slurry and the
noise inside a metallurgical plant are
no mystery to the average Ergo employee.
And the contractor employees standing on
tailings dams with monitor guns, guiding
the pressure jets of water by remote control
to break the material down into slurry, are
likewise familiar with the landscape and
with the process. No doubt they are mostly
oblivious to the sights and sounds around
them – the occasional rainbow created by
the sun, the ‘gold dust’ and the mist; and the
jets flying overhead on their approach to and
from Oliver Tambo International Airport.
On top of the Brakpan Tailings Facility (BTF)
the workers no doubt go about their tasks,
not noticing the sun dancing on the rippling
water, the plants struggling to flourish under
tough conditions, and the gulls attracted to
the water despite the lack of fishy morsels.
For all these workers, and those who work
on the pipes and in the pump stations, this is
a normal, everyday work environment. But
for visitors, these are places of intrigue and
fascination. They marvel at the scale of the
operation; at the thought of gold dust clinging
to their shoes; at the remarkable business
of extracting ounces of gold from within
mountains of ‘sand’; and the adventure of
scaling a mine dump has enormous appeal.
Charles Symons (chief operating officer,
DRDGOLD), Henry Gouws (managing
director Ergo Mining (Pty) Ltd) and their
teams regularly conduct visits around the
operations. The relative simplicity of the
process, and the complex logistics and the
innovative technology are made interesting
by the Ergo hosts. Visitors are sometimes
local, usually foreign; men and women of the
media, investment advisors, financial analysts,
photographers and even students.
Recently, Henry Gouws hosted one of
the largest visits to Ergo since DRDGOLD
re-established the Brakpan plant in 2007.
The group of 25 MSc Metals and Energy
Finance students from Imperial College in
London, together with three members of
staff – including Professor Dennis Buchanan,
a South African and former geologist on the
Witwatersrand, came prepared with their
own PPE – high visibility vests, hard hats,
eye protection and steel-tipped boots. The
Ergo visit was the final fixture of a two-week
programme visiting active mineral projects
in South Africa. Although the Ergo visit was
their last, the group was in good spirits and
the enthusiasm of every individual was still
evident. After Henry Gouw’s fascinating
presentation, during which many questions
were asked – and answered – the group had
a quick lunch before splitting into groups.
Two groups toured the Brakpan metallurgical
plant, while a third group visited Elsburg, the
BTF and looked inside a pump station. Usually,
visitors get to see all the components of the
surface mining process, but because of the size
of this group and the limited amount of time
available, members had to choose between a
visit to the plant or the mine dumps.
According to Professor Buchanan the site
visit to DRDGOLD’s gold tailings retreatment
operation exceeded all expectations. In
a letter of thanks he said: “The detailed
and authoritative presentation by Henry
Gouws provided fascinating insights into
the strategy behind DRDGOLD’s business
model and the technical challenges involved
in selecting suitable sources of feed and the
hydrometallurgical processes being applied.
The students have, as part of their course, had
full teaching modules in minerals engineering
but the theory needs to be put into a practical
context. This is where a visit to Ergo added real
value to their educational and professional
experience. For my colleagues and me, the
visit ensured that we keep up to date with
developments in the industry.”
The Ergo management is generous in
providing its time in order to explain the
business of DRDGOLD. They do this job
in addition to all their normal duties, and it
is much appreciated by those who have the
opportunity to visit the operations. You can
play your part next time you see a party of
visitors – be sure to greet them with a smile
and give them a warm South African – or Ergo
– welcome. It will leave a good impression, and
help build relationships in small ways that you
cannot see, but that benefit the business in a
much broader sense.
Plant superintendent Sandile Lamani (right) toured the Brakpan plant with
this group
Giel Koekemoer, SBU manager at the Brakpan plant (second left), explains the
business to students
General engineering supervisor Gert Wolmarans (second right) with some of
the students
Ergo e hohela baeti – Henry e amohela sehlopha sa baithuti ba UK
Diphaepe le ditanka, slurry le lerata ka hara
polante ya metallurgy ha se dintho tse sa tsejweng
ho mosebetsi ka mong wa Ergo. Mme le basebetsi
ba dikonteraka ba leng dibakeng tse ka thoko ho
matamo ba tshwere di-monitor gun, ba tataisang
kgatello ho di-jet tsa metsi ka remote control ho
arola methiriele ho ba slurry, le bona ba tseba
tjhebahalo ena le tshebetso. Ha ho na pelaelo ya
hore hoo ho hlakile mabapi le seo ba se bonang
mmoho le medumo e ba potapotileng – mookodi
o etswang ke letsatsi ka dinako tse ding, ‘lerole
la kgauta’ le mohodi, le di-jet tse fofang ho tswa
le ho kena boemafofane bo haufi. Ka hodima
Brakpan Tailings Facility (BTF) ha ho na pelaelo
hore basebetsi ba ntse ba etsa mesebetsi ya bona,
ba sa lemohe letsatsi le tansang ka metsing a
ntseng a bopa maqhubu, dimela tse nang le
bothata ba ho hola tlasa maemo a boima, le digull tse hohelwang metsing le ha ho se na di-fishy
morsel.
Bakeng sa basebetsi bana kaofela, ekasitana le
bao ba sebetsang diphaepeng le diteisheneng tse
pompang, hona ke ntho e tlwaelehileng hape ya
letsatsi le letsatsi. Empa bakeng sa baeti, tsena ke
dibaka tse kgahlisang hape tse hohelang. Di tswa
pele boemong ba tshebetso; ka mohopolo wa lerole
la kgauta dieteng tsa bona, mosebetsing o moholo
wa ho epa di-ounce tsa kgauta ho tswa dithabeng
tsa ‘lehlabathe’ – le tshebetso ya ho fokotsa qubu ya
morafo ke mosebetsi o moholo.
Charles Symons (moofisiri e moholo wa
tshebetso, DRDGOLD), Henry Gouws (molaodi
wa tsamaiso, Ergo Mining (Pty) Ltd) le sehlopha ba
tsamaisa diketelo ka tlwaelo ditshebetsong. Tsela e
bonolo ya tshebetso, ho rarahana ha ditlhophiso
tsa dintho le thekenoloji e nang le tshibollo di
etswa hore e be ntho e qabolang ke sehlopha se
amohelang baeti sa Ergo. Baeti ka dinako tse ding
e ba ba mona hae, ba matjhabeng; banna le basadi
ba diphatlalatsi, baeletsi ba matsete, bahlopholli ba
ditjhelete, batho ba nkang ditshwantsho ekasitana
le baithuti.
Haufiyane tjena, Henry Gouws o le a amohela
sehlopha se seholo haholo sa baeti ba neng ba
tlile Ergo haesale ho ba ho thehwe DRDGOLD
mane polanteng ya Brakpan ka 2007. Sehlopha sa
baithuti ba 25 ba MSc Metals and Energy Finance
ho tswa Imperial College e mane London, mmoho
le ditho tsa moifo tse tharo – ho kenyelletswa
Professor Dennis Buchanan, mo-Afrika Borwa
hape e le geologist ya mehleng ya Witwatersrand,
ba tlile ba se ba itokiseditse ka di-PPE* tsa bona. Le
ha ketelo ya Ergo e bile ya ho qetela lenaneong la
bona la dibeke tse pedi, sehlopha se ne kgotsofetse
haholo hape ho ntse ho bonahala tshusumetso ho
e mong le e mong. Ka mora tlhahiso e hohelang ya
Henry Gouws, eo ho yona ho bileng le dipotso tse
ngata tse botswang - mme tsa arajwa - sehlopha se
ile sa ba le lantjhe ya ka potlako pele se arolwa ho
ba dihlotshwana. Dihlotshwana tse pedi di ile tsa
hahlaula polanteng ya metallurgy ya Brakpan, ha
sehlopha sa boraro se ile sa etela Elsburg, le BTF
mme sa sheba ka hara seteishene sa ho pompa.
Hangata, baeti ba kgona ho bona dikarolo tsohle
tsa tshebetso ya surface mining, empa ka baka la
boholo ba sehlopha le nako e nyenyane eo ba neng
ba na le yona, ditho di ile tsa tlameha ho kgetha
pakeng tsa ho etela polante kapa ho ya di-mine
dump.
Professor Buchanan o tse ketelo ena e bile ka
nqane ho tsohle tse neng di lebelletswe. Lengolong
la teboho o itse: “Tlhahiso e kenelletseng ka
Henry Gouws e fane ka ponelopele e hohelang
leanong la mmotlolo wa kgwebo ya DRDGOLD le
diphephetso tse amehang. Baithuti ba ne ba se ba
ntse ba rutilwe ka tshebetso, empa ho bile hotle ho
bona ho iponela yona ka moo e tsamayang ka teng.
Hona hape ho dumelletse nna le basebetsi mmoho
ba ka ho fumana monyetla wa ho bona hore ke dife
ntshetsopele tse seng di etsahetse indastering.
Botsamaisi ba Ergo bo ithaopile ho fana ka
nako ya bona bakeng sa ho hlalosa tshebetso ya
DRDGOLD. Ba etsa mosebetsi ona ka hodima
mesebetsi e meng yohle e tlwaelehileng, mme
hona ho ananetswe ke bao ba nang le monyetla
wa ho etela tshebetso tsa rona. O ka nka karolo
nakong e tlang ha o bona sehlopha sa baeti – etsa
bonnete ba ho ba dumedisa ka pososelo mme o ba
fe kamohelo e mofuthu ya Afrika Borwa – kapa ya
Ergo. Hona ho tla siya mohopolo o motle, mme ho
thuse ho bopa dikamano ka ditsela tse nyenyane
tseo o ke keng wa di bona, empa hoo ho tla tswela
kgwebo molemo ka tsela e nngwe e kgolo.
* PPE ke ditlhaku tse emetseng personal safety equipment –
disebediswa tsa polokeho tsa motho ka seqo – (di-high vis vest,
dibutshi tse nang le tshepe ka pele, dikatiba tse thata jwalojwalo)
Asikhulume
)335%s*ULY
DRDGOLD
I-DRDGOLD IYAHLANGULA
Isipho esibhedlele
TO THE RESCUE
K
utshanje, i-DRDGOLD inike isipho sobuxhakaxhaka bezinto ezixabisa
iR37 500 kwiSibhedlele i-Far East Rand, e-Springs. Esi sibhedlele sasebenzisa
ibhajethi yaso ukuze siseke iwadi yezigulana eyayidingeka kakhulu yokuhlala ixeshana.
Nangona kunjalo, le mali yayinganelanga ukufezekisa indleko yobu buxhakaxhaka.
Ngenxa yoko ke, le wadi yayingasetyenziswa kwaye izigulane bezigcinwa ezirhangini
ukuze zijongwe ngoonesi.
Bonke abaqeshwa be-DRDGOLD abahlala kwiindawo zase-Daveyton, e-Springs,
e-Brakpan, e-Tsakane, Kwathema, e-Kingsway nase-Benoni basebenzisa esi sibhedlele. Esi
sipho asiyi kwanela nje ukunika unakekelo olungcono kwizigulane, koko siyakunceda noonesi
ekwenzeni umsebenzi wabo.
Ngokutsho kuka Buti Biloane, uManejala weNguquko noPhuhliso olu-Zinzisekayo,
isibhedlele i-Far East Rand sineentsilelo zesitafu nezeemali ezifanayo nezo zezinye
izibhedlele kwiphondo. “I-DRDGOLD yacelwa incede ngesaziso sexeshana elifutshane,”
ucacisa atsho. “Siye sakuthakazelela ukunceda kuba sinomgaqo wokutyala imali
eyinzuzo kubahlali abangqonge iindawo esisebenzela kuzo,” utshilo. “Isipho sethu sinika
isisombululo esiyakunceda oonesi bazinakekele ngcono izigulane zabo.”
Isitafu seSibhedlele sivuye kakhulu ngesi sipho sivela e-DRDGOLD. “Siyasithakazelela
kakhulu esi sipho,” utshilo uGqirha Lekopane Mogaladi, oliGosa leSigqeba eliyiNtloko.
“Nangona kunjalo, isibhedlele sidinga umsebenzi omkhulu ngaphezulu koku phambi
kokuba sifezekise izidingo zabahlali.” Kudingeka malunga ne R15 million yokuphucula
umgangatho nokuvuselela izakhiwo nobuxhakaxhaka, kodwa oogqirha abaqondi ukuba
bayakuyifumana le mali kurhulumente. “Yiyo le nto kubalulekile ukuba iinkampani
zincede. I-DRDGOLD iyibonisile indlela kwaye siyathemba ukuba nezinye iinkampani
ziyakulandela,” ucacise watsho uGqirha Nokwethemba Mtshali, oyimanejala yezonyango.
Esi sibhedlele sineebhedi ezingama 390 kwaye sinceda izigulane ezingalaliyo ezingama
400 mihla le.
Donation to hospital
D
RDGOLD recently donated equipment
worth R37 500 to the Far East Rand
Hospital in Springs. The hospital had used
its own budget to create a much-needed
short-stay ward for patients. However, the
funds were not sufficient to cover the cost of
the monitoring equipment that was needed.
As a result the ward was not being used and
patients were being kept in passages so the
nursing staff could keep an eye on them.
The Far East Rand Hospital is the hospital
for many DRDGOLD employees living
in parts of Daveyton, Springs, Brakpan,
Tsakane, Kwathema, Kingsway and Benoni.
The DRDGOLD donation will not only help
provide better patient care, but will also assist
the nursing staff in doing their jobs.
According to Buti Biloane, then the
Transformation and Sustainable Development
Manager, the Far East Rand Hospital has
the same staffing and funding shortages
experienced by other hospitals in the province.
7
“DRDGOLD was asked to assist at short
notice,” he explained. “We were happy to
help as we have a policy of investing so the
communities around our operations benefit.
Our donation provides a solution that will
assist the nursing staff in taking better care of
their patients,” he said.
Hospital CEO Dr Lekopane Mogaladi and
clinical manager Dr Nokwethemba Mtshali
were delighted with the DRDGOLD donation.
“We really appreciate this gift,” said Mogaladi.
“However, the hospital requires a lot more
work before it can meet the community’s
needs.” About R15 million is needed for
upgrades and refurbishment, but the doctors
do not think they will receive these funds from
the government. “This is why it is important
for companies to give us a helping hand.
DRDGOLD has shown the way and we hope
other companies will follow,” explains Mtshali.
The hospital has 390 beds and caters for 400
outpatients daily.
DRDGOLD’s new structure
One large surface footprint
The
DRDGOLD’s Buti Biloane (left) and Barry de Blocq (fourth left), together with
Dr Paseka Ncholo (second left, chairman of DRDGOLD’s BEE partner, Khumo
Gold) and Dr Kgotso Ncholo (second right), with hospital representatives at the
handover ceremony
Ergo has a huge surface “footprint”
DRDGOLD’s
ERPM (which holds an 18.3 million ounce
underground mine, to Village Main Reef is
sale
of
Blyvoor,
gold exploration resource) are wholly owned
almost complete and Village now owns the
by Ergo Mining Operations (Pty) Limited
mine. In future DRDGOLD will concentrate
(EMO). EMO is owned by DRDGOLD (74%),
on the retreatment of surface gold tailings.
and the BEE partners Khumo Gold (20%) and
The company has restructured the business
the DRDSA Empowerment Trust (6%). The
so that all operations – Crown, City Deep,
new DRDGOLD structure came into effect on
Knights and Ergo – are part of one company,
1 July 2012.
Ergo Mining (Pty) Limited (Ergo). Gold
DRDGOLD has reached the end of an
extraction now only takes place at Brakpan,
important stage. “We expect the restructuring
Knights and City Deep. The plant at Crown
to result in improved synergies and cost
has been converted into a pump station, and it
savings; also, it places DRDGOLD in full
will also assist with the new fine grind process.
compliance with the BEE ownership target
These changes were made in order to
specified in the Mining Charter,” said CEO
save costs and improve efficiencies. Ergo and
Niël Pretorius.
Asikhulume
8
)335%s*ULY
DRDGOLD
drives Cara’s success
It looks like 10-year-old Cara Ford is a golf champion in the making, and DRDGOLD
is helping her achieve her dream. The company has paid for Mike Quinn, the golf
pro at the Consolidated Main Reef driving range, to give her coaching lessons for
the past year. Cara has won a number of competitions in her short career. This
year she has already achieved first place in the 19 – 25 handicap division of the
South African Junior Champs 2012, the Gauteng North Junior Champs and the
Eastern Province Junior Champs. Keep your eye on Cara!
I-DED igqugquzela
impumelelo ka-Cara
Kubonakala sengathi u-Cara oneminyaka engu 10, uzoba ngushampiyoni
wegalofu, kanti i-DRDGOLD yiyo emsizayo ukufezekisa iphupho lakhe.
Inkampani ikhokhele u-Mike Quinn, ongumpetha wegalofu e-Consolidated
Main Reef driving range ukuba ngukhoshi ukumfundisa onyakeni odlule.
U-Cara uwine imincintiswano eminingana kwi-career yakhe emfishane. Kulo
nyaka uwine isicoco sokuqala emkhakheni we 19 – 25 handicap division
wabe-South African Junior Champs 2012, kwi-Gauteng North Junior Champs
kanye ne-Eastern Province Junior Champs. Hlala ulindele izimanga ku-Cara!
Together we can make kids smile
D
RDGOLD recently donated warm blankets and jackets to 65 children from the Musenga
Primary School in Diepsloot. The donation was co-ordinated through the Make-aDifference and Together-we-can programme which is part of the Trinity School’s outreach
programme.
The DRDGOLD blankets and jackets were handed out at the end of a winter outreach party
hosted by the Trinity Grade 7 students where the visitors were treated to party food, games and
activities. The photographs below speak for themselves and show the joy and happiness that
something as simple as a party can bring to underprivileged children. Anyone who would like to
find out how to bring a smile to a child’s face can contact Natalie Stroud, cell: 082 560 7916, email:
info@togetherwecan.org.za, or visit www.togetherwecan.org.za. The organisation’s work is based
on the words of Helen Keller, the blind author and activist who said: “Alone we can do so little,
together we can do so much.”