West Wits Mining has announced that it has successfully produced the first ore a the Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP), a major South African gold deposit
The project is ultimately targeting production of up to 95,000 oz per annum and this announcement is the first step on the project’s journey to become a large mine in the country.
Jac van Heerden, managing director at West Wits Mining, remarked, “This is a historic moment for West Wits as we deliver our first ore from our Witwatersrand Basin Project. I must compliment the team, whom were able to establish the site, rehabilitate the box cut and the declines and access the ore in a safe manner, all in a space of four months. This has created the benchmark and an example of how the remainder of the larger project will be executed.
“I also wish to thank our shareholders for their continuing support. We look forward to keeping the market up to date with activities on the ground as we step into our new phase as a gold producer.”
Surface works commenced in September 2021, following the granting of the mining right. The underground mining contractor established site in October and commenced rehabilitation work on the box cut, the existing decline and a previously constructed ventilation shaft. The surface and rehabilitation works has created the platform for the early mining initiative, as well as advancing the execution of the larger mining project. The early works are expected to produce 5,000t to 8,000t of ore while stage 1 of the larger project, Qala Shallows, will be building up to 53,000oz per annum whilst production from the overall WBP (once in full production) is targeting 95,000oz per annum.
