Cornerstone Witwatersrand
Basin Project (WBP)
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Witwatersrand Basin Project, South Africa
West Wits holds a mining right for the WBP located approximately 15 kilometres to the west of the Johannesburg CBD in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The WBP is made up of three reef mining targets which will be developed sequentialIy: Kimberley Reef; Main Reef and Bird Reef.
In July 2023, the Company completed an updated DFS for Qala Shallows (Stage 1 on the Kimberley Reef), which was prompted by infrastructure installation, underground survey data, contractor agreements and market-based cost escalations. An Early Works program successfully renovated the decline shaft, ensuring access to the ore body and a toll processing agreement is secured with Sibanye-Stillwater.
The WBP is set to transform West Wits into a long-term gold producer, with average steady state annual ROM production of 65,000oz for 25-years, over a 27-year LOM for 1.6Moz of gold.
Significant global Mineral Resources of 5.025 Moz gold resource @ 4.66 g/t Au
Approx. 65% in Measured & Indicated Categories
3 distinct Reef horizons: Kimberley Reef; Bird Reef; Main Reef
Trade-off studies completed for Project 200 indicated the potential to ramp-up production to 200,000oz pa with additional infrastructure and underground shafts, process facility and tails deposition facility.
Revision of the 2020 Scoping Study is planned to evaluate the WBP development aimed at increased production rates of 200,000oz per annum.
Flagship Qala Shallows Project
Robust Definitive Feasibility Study:
– Gold Production: ~924,000 ounces over an 18-year Life-of-Mine
– Steady-State production: ~70,000oz pa for 9 years
The DFS and any production target under the DFS contain inferred mineral resources. The directors confirm that it is reasonable to include these inferred mineral resources in the well-understood and researched structure of the Witwatersrand Basin and the views provided to WWI by independent geological expert consultants, given the project’s location and geology.
Financial Position – DFS Results based on US$1,850/oz Gold Price:
– Steady-State All-In-Sustaining-Cost: US$871/oz
– Free Cashflow: US$522M
– Pre-tax NPV7.5:US$367M
– Post-tax NPV7.5:US$255M
– Peak Funding: US$54M with payback period of 13-months from end of construction
– Current Ore Reserve: 4.03 million tonnes at 2.71g/t for 351,400 oz gold
Qala Shallows ready for rapid production ramp-up
Qala Shallows is strategically designed to leverage its urban location, ensuring easy access with minimal disruption. An optimised the mine plan incorporates mechanised equipment, including electrohydraulic and hydropower tools to establish an environmentally responsible project. Future advancements will explore sustainable technologies, such as battery-powered vehicles and solar power, while the infrastructure will feature wheeled mechanised equipment like drill rigs and loading machinery. Expected to generate 1,000 direct jobs, the project will significantly benefit local employment.
The West Wits team continues to maintain the Qala Shallows mine site which is poised for commencement of operations upon securing project finance with critical infrastructure projects completed and key contracts prepared for execution.
To date, operational activities at Qala Shallows have successfully:
– Delivered first ore (estimated stockpile of 3 000t) during an Early Works Program
– Completed all critical infrastructure, including substations and water infrastructure
– Completed the decline and box cut rehabilitation
– Completed on-reef underground access
West Wits has prepared all operational procedures and health and safety standards across all disciplines to ensure safe, productive, and efficient mining operations. Robust planning and budgeting processes have been developed to execute planned production at an AISC below US$1,000/oz and project stage gates within the planned capital expenditure. A quantity surveying company has been engaged to ensure adherence to agreements and sufficient cost controls. All operational permits are approved.
South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Absa Bank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking Division) have granted credit approval, enabling the Company to secure a credit-approved term sheet for a senior debt syndicated loan facility of up to ZAR 902.5 million (~USD 50 million at an exchange rate of ZAR18.0/USD). The facility remains subject to finalising loan documentation and fulfilling conditions precedent.
Uranium Exploration
West Wits’ uranium exploration is centred around the Bird Reef Package within its Mining Right area, presenting the potential for a standalone uranium and gold project. The project is well positioned to benefit from the resurgence in uranium prices and a growing emphasis on uranium’s role in the decarbonised energy mix.
| URANIUM EXPLORATION TARGET | ||
| Range | Low | High |
| Tonnes (M) | 10 | 22 |
| Grade (ppm) U3O8 | 300 | 550 |
| Content (Mlb) U3O8 | 12 | 16 |
In October 2022, West Wits announced the results of the first phase of the Company’s Uranium Drilling Program with the objective to confirm historical information on the Uranium Exploration Target.
The three diamond-hole assay results are:
1.59m @ 835ppm U and 1.46g/t Au from 85.11m (PH1B – Middle Reef), including
0.96m @ 1,321ppm U and 2.30g/t Au from 85.74m
1.20m @ 108ppm U and 5.45g/t Au from 104.61m (PH1B – White Reef), including
0.49m @ 226ppm U and 12.15g/t Au from 105.32m
1.26m @ 221ppm U and 0.38g/t Au from 77m (PH1C – Middle Reef), including
0.5m @ 456pm U and 0.80g/t Au from 77.76m
The development of Qala Shallows is currently a priority, but the Company continues to explore opportunities to further advance this promising project within the existing Mining Right area.
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