West Wits Mining opens South Africa’s first new gold mine in 15 years
- Doug Bright
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
West Wits Mining (ASX: WWI) has officially opened its Qala Shallows underground mine west of Johannesburg, marking the first new underground gold mine to be developed in South Africa in 15 years.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Hon. Gwede Mantashe, the Australian High Commissioner Her Excellency Tegan Brink, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane, community leaders, investors and media.
The company says the event underscored the project’s role in breathing new life into the historic Witwatersrand gold province and demonstrated that modern, safe underground mines remain viable in the Central Rand Goldfield.
Since mobilisation in July, Qala Shallows has hit every major milestone.
The Witwatersrand built Johannesburg and shaped our economy, and it still holds substantial potential for the future.
West Wits CEO and Managing Director Rudi Deysel
First ore reached the surface in mid-October, underground infrastructure is in place and a surface stockpile is being built towards an expected 30,000 tonnes ahead of the operation’s first gold pour, scheduled for March next year at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Ezulwini processing plant.
Qala Shallows forms phase one of the company’s broader Witwatersrand Basin project (WBP), which hosts a 5.025-million-ounce resource at 4.66 grams per tonne (g/t) gold.
Key projected metrics for the mine include an initial 17-year mine life, based on steady-state production of 70,000 ounces of gold per year over a 12-year production sweet spot.
In the final five years, production is expected to taper off as higher-grade or easier-access ore runs out, with annual output likely dropping to about 40,000–50,000 ounces until the reserve is fully mined.
West Wit says the operation is expected to contribute more than US$1.15 (A$1.74 billion) to the South African economy and generate more than 1000 direct jobs during phase one, with a strong emphasis on local hiring, procurement and enterprise development.
For years, many believed the Central Rand had reached the end of its mining life, but Qala Shallows shows that with rigorous geological work, clear planning and disciplined execution – and strong cooperation between government and business – new underground gold mines can still be developed in this district.
West Wits CEO and Managing Director Rudi Deysel
The mine’s opening marks the transformation of West Wits Mining from developer to producer and lays the foundation for multi-decade growth.
Future phases, including the company’s planned Bird Reef Central expansion and other areas within the project's area of tenure, will feed the company’s long-term “Project 200” ambition of attaining 200,000 ounces of annual gold production through disciplined, staged evolution.
With the first US$12.5 million (A$18.9M) drawn from a US$35 million (A$52.9M) facility provided by US-based Nebari Capital, West Wits says mine development is now fully funded and the underground fleet and workforce are growing quickly.
Site employment has already surpassed 100 personnel and is on track to reach about 150 by first gold and more than 1000 at full production.
With Qala Shallows now in operation, the Witwatersrand is proving it still has the legs to sustain significant untapped potential.
When this project hits full stride, it will be one of the biggest positive stories the region has seen in decades – a genuine reinvigoration of a legendary South African gold-mining story built on modern standards, local benefit and long-term vision.
At full tilt – around 200,000 ounces per year - the resource could potentially support a 20 to 25-year mine life, depending on the conversion rate from resource estimates to reserves, gold prices and overall execution.
The company’s broader vision for its Witwatersrand Basin project could restore the region’s status as a multi-decade gold powerhouse and if the yellow metal’s price stays hot, its 200,000-ounce-per-year dream could stretch the project out over generations.
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