PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Witwatersrand Basin gold project, in South Africa, has produced its first ore, ASX-listed West Wits Mining reported.
The ASX-listed company told shareholders on Monday that the delivery of ore signalled a major milestone as the company progressed the development of the mine.
“This is an historic moment for West Wits as we deliver our first ore from our Witwatersrand Basin project. I must compliment the team, who were able to establish the site, rehabilitate the box cut and the declines and access the ore in a safe manner, all in a space of four months. This has created the benchmark and an example of how the remainder of the larger project will be executed,” said MD Jac van Heerden.
The early works are expected to produce 5 000 t to 8 000 t of ore while Stage 1 of the larger project, Qala Shallows, will be building up to 53 000 oz/y while production from the overall WBP once in full production is targeting 95 000 oz/y.
The Stage 1 operation is expected to have a mine life of 17 years.