Gold producer DRDGOLD has declared a final cash dividend for FY2025 of 40 South African cents per share (cps), double that of FY2024.

This reflects an increase of 26% in group revenue to R7 878.2 million and of 69% in group operating profit to R3 523.6 million, both mainly factors of a 31% increase in the average rand gold price received to R1 632 275/kg.

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Total headline earnings were 69% higher at R2 246.4 million, headline earnings per share rising by a corresponding 69% to 260.6 SA cps.

Cash and cash equivalents were 150% higher at R1 306.2 million after accounting for cash applied to capital of R 2 254.9 million, most of which relating to growth capex. At the end of FY2025, the company remained debt-free.

Group gold production was 3% lower at 4 830kg, reflecting 5% lower production at Ergo of 3 473kg where throughput rose by 21% to 19.5Mt.

However yield was 21% lower at 0.178g/t due both to depletion of high-grade material from clean-up activities at completed reclamation sites and a build-up of tonnage from new, lower grade sites.

Gold production at Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) was stable at 1 357kg, throughput and yield remained virtually unchanged. This was in line with current plant and deposition capacity, pending completion of capital projects.

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CEO Niël Pretorius says the company “enjoyed a greater level of stability during the year compared to FY2024, much of this resulting from its own endeavours and a robust gold price.

“At Ergo a new normal was established while we progressed projects to extend the operation’s life and continued to pursue our ambitious growth objectives in respect of FWGR.”