• OPERATIONS
The conventional stoping does, however, create more employment opportunities, which is a positive outcome.”
Rather than pursuing untested technologies, the company has deliberately prioritised proven methods to reduce execution risk. Flexibility has also been built into the mine plan to accommodate unexpected ground conditions, an unavoidable reality in underground mining.
Defining ramp-up success For the company, success in the early production phase is defined by hitting clear, practical milestones. The most immediate is achieving the first gold pour within the targeted quarter, which signals the start of revenue generation and validates the operating model.
Beyond first gold, attention shifts to maintaining production targets and meeting lender milestones, including drawdowns linked to operational performance.“ Once we reach monthly revenue, the project starts to carry itself financially,” Deysel notes.
Contract mining and cost control A key operational decision at Qala Shallows is the use of contract mining, supported by original equipment manufacturers( OEMs) responsible for equipment supply and maintenance. This approach was selected to accelerate mine establishment and provide cost certainty.
“ Contractors already have systems in place, which allows us to move faster,” says Deysel.“ We also agree on unit rates upfront, which gives investors certainty.” Internally, West Wits maintains a lean owner team focused on oversight and governance rather than operational scale. This flat structure is intended to keep overheads low and ensure the mine remains resilient during commodity price downturns.
Toll treatment strategy Rather than building a processing plant, Qala Shallows will rely on toll treatment agreements with existing regional plants that have spare capacity. This significantly reduces upfront capital requirements and project complexity.
“ The trade-off is control, processing costs and plant efficiency are not entirely in our hands,” he explains. However, the lower capital intensity of the model improves the project’ s financial flexibility and supports faster progression to production.
Safety and operational readiness Safety has been embedded into the project from the earliest stages through an extensive operational readiness programme. Before mining commenced, West Wits developed mandatory codes of practice, standard operating procedures and engineering standards.
“ Having procedures on paper is one thing. Making sure people understand and live them is another,” says Deysel. Training begins from the moment employees arrive on site, supported by ongoing coaching and visible leadership.
The company also aligned itself with the Minerals Council South Africa before production, allowing the operation to adopt industrywide learnings on critical safety risks from the outset.
Early challenges While most major risks were anticipated, commissioning and skills availability have presented challenges. Equipment lead times and the competition for experienced personnel, intensified by improved commodity market conditions, have required accelerated training and continuous adjustment.“ These are not unexpected challenges, but they demand daily attention,” Deysel says.
The South African mining industry witnessed a new underground gold mine come into production last year.
Despite acknowledging that gold prices may soften over time, West Wits remains confident that Qala Shallows is robust enough to remain profitable across cycles. For now, operational focus remains firmly on disciplined execution.
“ Our job is to build a mine that works on conservative assumptions,” Deysel concludes.“ If we do that properly, the project can sustain itself well beyond the current market. •
Deysel described the transition from definitive feasibility study( DFS) to execution as one of the most demanding phases of the project.
We are in an area that ' s in dire need of financial support and economic upliftment, which to us is important, along with South Africa’ s rich and proud mining history.
26 • African Mining • April 2026 www. africanmining. co. za