West Wits Targets 200,000oz Gold Leap with Project 200 Scoping Study
West Wits Mining has launched a new Scoping Study aiming to scale its Witwatersrand Basin Project toward an ambitious 200,000 ounces of gold production annually, backed by a strengthened balance sheet and a dual growth strategy.
- Project 200 Scoping Study initiated to explore scaling gold output to ~200,000oz per annum
- Bara Consulting appointed to lead independent study building on prior trade-off analysis
- Witwatersrand Basin Project holds a substantial 7.24 million ounce Mineral Resource
- Dual growth strategy balances near-term production at Qala Shallows with long-term expansion
- Scoping Study completion targeted for June 2026
Project 200, Aiming for Scale
West Wits Mining Limited has taken a significant step toward expanding its footprint in the gold mining sector with the launch of the Project 200 Scoping Study. This initiative is designed to explore the feasibility of scaling the Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP) to an aspirational production target of approximately 200,000 ounces of gold per year. The WBP already boasts a robust Mineral Resource base of 7.24 million ounces, providing a solid foundation for potential growth.
The study, commissioned to Bara Consulting, an independent mining engineering firm, will evaluate multiple mining targets within West Wits’ existing Mining Right and two Prospecting Rights. This follows a successful Phase 1 trade-off analysis completed in 2022, which identified sufficient technical and operational scope to justify advancing to this more detailed assessment.
Balancing Near-Term Production with Long-Term Ambitions
West Wits is pursuing a dual growth strategy that balances immediate production goals with longer-term expansion plans. The company is on track to achieve its first gold pour at the Qala Shallows site by March 2026, marking a critical milestone in transitioning from developer to producer and generating initial cash flow.
Simultaneously, Project 200 aims to unlock the broader value inherent in the WBP’s extensive resource base by assessing the technical and economic viability of a significant scale-up. While the 200,000-ounce annual production target remains aspirational, the Scoping Study will provide clarity on whether such an expansion is achievable.
Strengthened Balance Sheet Enables Growth
The timing of the Project 200 Scoping Study aligns with West Wits’ recent successful institutional placement, which has bolstered the company’s financial position. This strengthened balance sheet underpins the company’s ability to pursue its dual-track growth strategy without compromising near-term operational goals.
Managing Director Rudi Deysel emphasised the strategic importance of this approach, highlighting the company’s commitment to delivering both near-term production milestones and longer-term transformational growth potential for shareholders.
Looking Ahead
The Scoping Study is expected to be completed by June 2026, at which point investors and analysts will gain a clearer picture of the technical and economic feasibility of scaling the WBP to the aspirational 200,000 ounces per annum. This study will be a critical determinant of West Wits’ future trajectory and its potential emergence as a mid-tier gold producer.
Bottom Line?
West Wits’ Project 200 could redefine its production scale, but the June study results will be the true test.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Scoping Study confirm the technical and economic viability of reaching 200,000oz per annum?
- How will near-term production at Qala Shallows impact the company’s cash flow and funding for expansion?
- What are the key risks or challenges identified in scaling the Witwatersrand Basin Project?
