West Wits Mining (ASX:WWI) has completed development at the 1 West Decline, breaking into the 2 Level mining horizon at the Qala Shallows Gold Project in South Africa.
The company describes this update as a “major operational milestone”, as it offers first access to unmined, in-situ ore within the historical underground workings. 2 Level also opens accelerated access to previously developed stoping areas.
The completed decline leverages existing underground infrastructure established through historical mining operations. It will also require only minor modifications to accommodate modern trackless mining vehicles.
According to West Wits, the historical work completed in this area saves the company approximately a year of development, which would have been required to establish equivalent access to new stopes.
The 1 West Decline was part of a planned optimisation of the original mine plan, which was designed to accelerate payback, improve capital efficiency, and strengthen the project business case.
“The completion of the 1 West Decline into this area of historic 2 Level unmined stopes marks a major operational milestone for Qala Shallows, transitioning the project from development ore into higher-grade production areas with established underground infrastructure already in place,” CEO and Managing Director Rudi Deysel says.
“Importantly, access to a significant stope inventory with limited additional development required is expected to support a capital-efficient production ramp-up and improved mining flexibility.”
West Wits is conducting an underground fleet expansion at the project, with a new 10-tonne load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicle delivered to the site. A jumbo drill rig is also expected shortly to enhance productivity and mining flexibility.
The company has expanded its Scoping Study to assess numerous development and processing pathways across the greater Witwatersrand Basin Project.
The Scoping Study is targeted for completion by the end of July 2026.
Qala Shallows is located within the greater Witwatersrand Basin Project in South Africa and holds an expected gold production of 944,000 ounces over a 16.8-year life of mine.
West Wits recently executed a binding term sheet with two South African investment banks, Absa Bank and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, for up to R875 million ($74.79 million).
As reported by Mining.com.au last week, the facility replaces the previously existing funding arrangement with Absa Bank and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to support production ramp up and development at Qala Shallows.
West Wits will repay the facility over 36 months following the period of facility drawdown availability, with a final maturity date of 30 June 2031.
West Wits Mining is an explorer, developer, and producer focused primarily on precious and base metals.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: West Wits Mining
