West Wits Mining Ltd (ASX:WWI, OTCQB:WMWWF) has achieved a “major operational milestone” at its Qala Shallows Gold Project in South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin, producing and stockpiling its first underground ore — marking the company’s formal transition from development to production.
The move follows the successful commissioning of critical underground infrastructure, including a full-length engineered concrete haul road, water management systems, and the site’s first double boom drill rig, now operating underground.
Drill rig operational underground.
Transition to production
The start of underground ore extraction signals a new phase for West Wits, positioning Qala Shallows as a developing long-life gold operation within one of the world’s most historically productive gold regions.
LHD drops first ore as production activity begins to ramp up on site.
CEO Rudi Deysel said the first ore delivery was the culmination of months of disciplined work and preparation since mobilisation began in July.
“This marks a transformational step for West Wits — the beginning of true underground mining at Qala Shallows,” Deysel said. “With our first ore delivered to surface and on-reef development now underway, we’ve crossed the threshold into production, demonstrating the strength of our execution and the commitment of our team.”
He added that the company’s “exceptional progress” was supported by robust funding and infrastructure, with a clear path towards establishing a “long-life gold operation within the renowned Witwatersrand Basin”.
Safety and infrastructure milestones
West Wits has completed several critical infrastructure upgrades to enable safe and continuous ore movement. These include a concrete haul road extending through the decline portal, upgraded underground lighting, and a formal water drainage system.
Underground infrastructure and roadway development prepared by the production team laying the foundation for safe access and ore transport.
The new underground drill rig, equipped with proximity detection and fire suppression systems, has also been commissioned to meet South African safety standards.
Drill rig delivered to Qala Shallows.
Full staffing across production, engineering, and safety functions — including night-shift operations — has begun to accelerate development and mining activities.
Ramp-up and production outlook
Drilling and development have now progressed across multiple decline areas, with support and face drilling active at the 1 West, Main, and 1 East declines. The company aims to build a 30,000-tonne ore stockpile by the end of Q1 2026, with first gold processing to follow soon after through Sibanye-Stillwater’s Ezulwini Processing Plant under an existing toll-treatment agreement.
Initial production is expected to reach 15,000–20,000 tonnes of ore per month from early 2026, ramping up to steady-state output of 65,000 tonnes per month within three years.
The Qala Shallows definitive feasibility study (DFS) outlines an ore reserve of 4.6 million tonnes at 2.6 grams per tonne (g/t) gold for 383,934 ounces, supporting a 17-year mine life and total production of around 944,000 ounces.
LHD exiting Qala Shallows concreted box-cut roadway with he first load of ore.
Strengthened funding base
The operational transition is underpinned by a strong balance sheet following a $17.7 million capital raise in September and the recent execution of a US$12.5 million loan facility from US-based Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II LP.
Read more: West Wits executes US$12.5 million Nebari loan facility to advance Qala Shallows
West Wits also has a separate US$50 million syndicated facility in place, subject to standard conditions precedent, providing ample liquidity to fund its ramp-up and early production phases.
The Qala Shallows project forms the first stage of the broader Witwatersrand Basin Project, which hosts a total resource of 5.025 million ounces at 4.66 g/t gold.
The Basin — long regarded as the cradle of South African gold mining — has produced more than 1.5 billion ounces to date, or around 22% of the world’s above-ground gold.