Production has begun at West Wits Mining’s (ASX:WWI) Qala Shallows Underground Gold Project, 15km west of Johannesburg in South Africa.
On 17 March 2026 West Wits completed its inaugural gold pour at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Ezulwini Processing Plant, which lies within the broader Witwatersrand Basin Project.
The pour was attended by Chairman Michael Quinert, CEO and Managing Director Rudi Deysel and representatives from Sibanye-Stillwater. The ceremony celebrated the Rainbow Nation’s first new operational underground gold mine in more than 15 years.
“We set a clear objective to deliver the first gold in quarter one [of] 2026 and the team has delivered on that commitment. With production now underway our focus turns to ramping up operations and demonstrating the long-term value of this asset,” Deysel says.
“Seeing Qala Shallows reach this milestone reflects years of disciplined work to secure the mining right, finance the project, and build the mine. It is immensely satisfying to see West Wits now producing gold from one of the world’s great gold basins,” Quinert adds.
The company stockpiled ore before processing began under the toll-treatment agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater. It next plans to continue developing the operation, ramp up production, increase ore deliveries, and pursue growth opportunities across the Witwatersrand Basin Project.
Steady-state is estimated to be achieved in 2028.
Qala Shallows boasts a global Joint Ore Reserves Committee mineral resource estimate of 7.24 million ounces at 4 grams per tonne of gold.
West Wits Mining is a precious and base metals producer with assets predominantly in South Africa and Western Australia.
Write to Richard Szabo at Mining.com.au
Images: West Wits Mining
