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- West Wits Mining (WWI) begins its early mining initiative at the Qala Shallows area within the Witwatersrand Basin project (WBP) in South Africa
- The initiative is utilising leftover ore from the old mine to add to the WBP’s production profile which aims to produce 30,000 tonnes of ore per month within 30 months
- Over the next six months, WWI will conduct various activities with initial production aimed at delivering 5000 to 8000 tonnes of ore per month from February 2022
- To assist with early works, West Wits has contracted Modi Mining and has also engaged gold recovery services company, Goldplat, to provide toll treating services
- Company shares are up 3.57 per cent to trade at 4.4 cents at 11:45 am AEDT
West Wits Mining (WWI) has begun its early mining initiative at the Qala Shallows area which lies within the Witwatersrand Basin project (WBP) in South Africa.
The Early Mining Initiative will utilise residue material left in the shallow areas of the project and which was ready for extraction when the old mine closed roughly 20 years ago.
This remnant material isn’t part of the recent WBP mining plan so it is in addition to the tonnes outlined in the definitive feasibility study (DFS). The DFS outlined a monthly production rate of 30,000 tonnes within 30 months from commencement. WWI hopes to reach 50,000 to 55,000 ounces per annum within four years.
Over the next six months or so, WWI will conduct various works over four phases with initial production aimed at delivering 5000 to 8000 tonnes of ore per month from February 2022. This rate is expected to ramp up to between 8500 and 10,000 tonnes of ore per month from July next year.
Managing Director Jac van Heerden commented on the early mining initiative.
“The purpose of the early mining initiative is to establish a small mining footprint at the previously existing developed stopes of Qala Shallows, aiming to produce first ore in February next year,” he said.
West Wits has contracted Modi Mining to help bring the WBP into production. The mining contract includes, but isn’t limited to, site establishment, box cut and decline rehabilitation, and underground ore and waste mining.
“We are very happy to be announcing that Modi Mining and Goldplat will join us as our project development partners,” Mr van Heerden said.
Additionally, the company has completed negotiations with gold recovery services company, Goldplat, to provide toll treating services.
Ground operations commenced at the Qala Shallows last month and first ore is expected to be delivered to Goldplat in the first quarter of 2022.
Company shares were up 3.57 per cent to trade at 4.4 cents at 11:45 am AEDT.
