/ 20 May 1999

DRD TO FASTTRACK AUSTRALIA BIDS

DURBAN Roodeport Deep plans to sharply accelerate its merger and acquisition strategy in Australia, CE Mike Prinsloo said on Tuesday. A target list of six stocks has been refined from an initial register of 38 stocks examined. Prinsloo, declined to name his preferred six, but said that early moves might be made on lifting his company’s stake in Hargraves Resources, and a fresh bid might be made for control of Emperor Mines. DRD recently acquired a 19,9% stake in Hargraves and obtained two board seats. As part of its decision to move rapidly into the Australian region, DRD is listing its shares on the Australian Stock Exchange on May 26.