$DRD

DRDGOLD LTD (DRD) furnished an SEC Form 6-K — earnings release. Exhibit 99.1 Release dated October 21, 2026 “OPERATING UPDATE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2026” SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereun

DRDGOLD LTD (DRD) furnished an SEC Form 6-K — earnings release. Highlights Operating profit increased by 83% to R6 452.0m Headline earnings increased by 89% to R4 253.7m Final cash dividend of 120 SA cps Capital expenditure of R3 531.6m All-in sustaining costs margin2 of 53.0% Gold sold increased to 4 865 kilograms Review of operations Year e

JSE-listed DRDGOLD said it expects FY ended June 30 EPS of 481c to 507c, up 85% to 95% from 260c a year earlier. It plans to release results Aug 19. The company reported gold sales of 156,413 oz, revenue up 42% to R11.1m, and cash operating costs up 8% to R4.7m. Production was 155,577 oz, above guidance.

DRDGold said it expects HEPS for the year ended June 30 to rise 85% to 95% to 481.2c to 507.2c, citing higher gold prices. Revenue rose 42% to R11.16bn. Gold output was largely flat at 155,577oz. Cash operating costs rose 8% to R4.71bn. Capex increased 57% to R3.53bn. Full results are due Aug 19.

DRDGold says it is awaiting South African government approvals for water use licences and “beneficial occupation” for its RTSF tailings dam to complete its Vision 2028 R10bn expansion. RTSF is needed before summer rains to start commissioning. Analysts at HC Wainwright cite permit delays as key execution risk; Hannam & Partners cut its target to R76 from R79. DRDGold guided 140,000-150,000 oz for gold.

DRDGold said it is awaiting South African government approvals for water use licences and for beneficial occupation of the RTSF tailings dam to complete its Vision 2028 R10bn expansion. The RTSF project near Carletonville is linked to increased processing capacity at Far West Gold Recoveries. Analysts at HC Wainwright and Hannam & Partners cited permit delays and adjusted targets, with DRDGold guiding 140,000 to 150,000 oz gold and a year-end catalyst due in August.

DRDGold said it is awaiting multiple permits, including two water use licences and government approval for “beneficial occupation” of the RTSF tailings dam, before completing its Vision 2028 R10bn expansion. The plan targets 25% higher annual gold output to 200,000 oz. Analysts at HC Wainwright and Hannam & Partners cite execution and permit delays; Hannam cut its target to R76 from R79.

DRDGOLD’s CFO said the timing of the company’s R10bn Vision 2028 expansion is favorable as DRDGOLD’s market cap rose to about R30bn from R13bn in 2024 and the gold price moved to about R2.1m/kg from R1.2m/kg. DRDGOLD has spent just over R5bn and plans further capital through FY2029, including RTSF (R3.4bn) and DP2 (R1.9bn).

In a radio interview, Engineering News editor Martin Creamer says DRDGOLD will spend about R10 billion on five gold-from-waste projects, including sites at Ergo and on the Far West Rand. He also cites Sibanye-Stillwater’s R964 million capital plan for the K4 platinum group metals shaft at Marikana, adding 48 years of mine life. Mintek is also highlighted for expanded mineral research.

A US company, Alcoa, agreed to buy Hillside Aluminium Smelter in KwaZulu-Natal and acquire South32’s aluminium assets in South Africa, Australia and Brazil, aiming to focus on aluminium. Separately, South Africa’s DRDGOLD plans to spend R8bn to grow its gold-from-mine-waste business by 40%, targeting 6 tonnes of gold by 2028.