DRD was founded and listed in 1895. While its existing operations are all mature, they have been acquired since 1995.

Blyvooruitzicht and the ERPM operations are deep-level South African mines. DRD has an 85% stake in domestic South African operations Blyvoor, ERPM and Crown (15% held by an empowerment company). Foreign production comes from Tolukuma and Porgera (20%) in Papua New Guinea and Vatokoula (Fiji), which are held in 79.7%-owned Australian-listed Emperor Mines.

In addition to declining assets in South Africa, the company has run into operational problems in Fiji. Moreover, UBS reports that the company is having trouble rolling over a US$66 million convertible debt issue, and may have to issue more stock.

So, the Durban Roodepoort Deep (DRD) Gold is one you can avoid for now, I think. The Sept Quarter report is expected Nov. 2.

Later today, I'll present one from South Africa you might want to look at (and not just the wine). It's called WITS GOLD (JSE: WSR, ADR: WIWTY, soon -- Nov. I think -- to come to AMEX). Not too many people are aware of it, but I spent some one-on-one time with one of their executives/geologists at the recent Toronto Resource Investment Show, and came away impressed. They would have presented at DGF except their listing papers were under review, and cautious legal counsel advised against it, which sent them to Toronto instead. The WITS GOLD website is www.witsgold.com. I'll review it later; I'm just mentioning it here because I don't want to tick off too many people from RSA -- given all the bad stuff I've had to say about the Brascan/Brookfield Bay Street Boys.

Here too is the Durban Roodepoort Deep DRD website

DRD did not present their case at this year's Denver Gold Forum, perhaps because of their issues. But here are the presentations they made in 2004 and 2005.
DRD - DGF2005
DRD - DGF2004

For today at least, gold and silver spot prices are up. I'm telling you; it's preciousss.