West Wits confirms Qala Shallows fully funded to steady-state production
The South African gold project is advancing underground development and surface infrastructure, with stoping scheduled to begin in February 2027 and commercial production targeted for Q4 2027
Qala Shallows Gold Project, operated by West Wits Mining Limited, has confirmed that it is fully funded through to steady-state production following receipt of the second drawdown under its senior debt facility.
In its latest project update, the company reported progress across underground development, access to stoping areas, surface infrastructure and funding, as it advances towards commercial production at the South African gold project.
Primary production from stoping is scheduled to commence in February 2027, with commercial production targeted for the fourth quarter of that year. Gold produced to date has come from ore generated through on-reef development, rather than from established stoping operations.
West Wits said its September quarterly results were being finalised and would be published alongside its quarterly activities report.
Underground development and infrastructure advance
Commenting on the project’s progress, West Wits CEO and Managing Director Rudi Deysel said underground access, surface infrastructure and funding remained central to the production ramp-up.
“We have advanced the three things that will drive production at Qala Shallows: underground access, surface infrastructure and funding. The second senior debt drawdown received, the project is fully funded to steady-state production, and our development rates are building month on month,” said Deysel.
Surface infrastructure construction is progressing towards completion in the third quarter of 2027. The infrastructure is intended to support the project as it ramps up to peak production rates.
“We look forward to commencing stoping from February 2027 as we build towards steady-state production of 70,000 ounces per annum in Q1 2029,” Deysel added.
The project is targeting steady-state production of 70,000 ounces of gold annually from the first quarter of 2029, marking a further milestone in West Wits’ plan to establish Qala Shallows as a producing gold operation.
