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Highlights:
West Wits Mining initiates project-wide review of its Witwatersrand Basin Project in South Africa.
Qala Shallows development remains the primary focus with funding efforts underway.
Broader reef systems including Main Reef and Bird Reef Central to be reassessed for expanded development.
West Wits Mining Ltd (ASX:WWI, OTCQB:WMWWF), operating within the gold exploration and development sector, has commenced a detailed strategic review of its flagship Witwatersrand Basin Project in South Africa. This move follows sustained strength in gold prices, prompting a reassessment of the broader project's economic framework.
The company's primary attention remains on the Qala Shallows area, identified as the near-term production focus. Arrangements have been made to secure interim working capital, with operations expected to mobilise once full project financing is achieved.
Reevaluation of Life-of-Mine Planning
The ongoing review will include a comprehensive update to the Qala Shallows Life-of-Mine plan. The most recent version, completed previously by consulting firm Bara Consulting, will be reexamined in light of the favourable gold market environment. Special emphasis will be placed on revisiting cut-off grades and zones that had previously been considered uneconomical.
This initiative aims to determine whether reclassified zones within the project area could support expanded production capacity. Enhanced gold economics may also accelerate development schedules for parts of the deposit previously set aside.
Assessment of Wider Reef Systems
In addition to Qala Shallows, the review extends across the wider Witwatersrand Basin Project, covering other reef systems such as the Main Reef and Bird Reef Central. The Main Reef is noted for containing high-grade remnants that are accessible via existing mining infrastructure, which could reduce timeframes associated with early-stage development.
The Bird Reef Central segment includes both gold and uranium mineralisation. A revised economic assessment is underway to explore development as a dual-resource operation. The gold resource estimate has been previously outlined, while the uranium element remains an exploration focus.
Refurbishment and Infrastructure Optimisation
West Wits Mining is also evaluating the feasibility of refurbishing Shaft 6, a previously mined incline shaft within the basin. Reintegrating this infrastructure forms part of a broader approach to streamline development, reduce operational hurdles, and enhance early-stage access to ore bodies.
This review is expected to contribute to the company's long-term production initiatives and support capacity increases through more efficient infrastructure use.
Expansion Planning Through Project 200
A conceptual initiative, named Project 200, is also under consideration. This program is centred on scaling up the project’s output through development optimisation and resource conversion efforts. The recent grant of a new prospecting right has expanded the overall Mineral Resource Estimate across the Witwatersrand Basin Project, reinforcing its long-term development scope.
With increased focus on Mining Stocks, ASX 200, West Wits Mining continues to position its Witwatersrand Basin assets for future output expansion. As conditions evolve across the gold sector, the company is assessing how current assets can be restructured to align with favourable market dynamics.
