Home / Business and Economy / Gold Fever Rekindled: First New Mine in 15+ Years
Gold Fever Rekindled: First New Mine in 15+ Years
18 Mar
Summary
- First gold pour completed at Qala Shallows underground mine.
- This marks South Africa's first new operational underground gold mine.
- West Wits Mining met its Q1 2026 first-gold target on schedule.
West Wits Mining has successfully poured its inaugural gold from the Qala Shallows underground mine in Gauteng, near Johannesburg. This achievement signifies the emergence of South Africa's first new operational underground gold mine in more than 15 years, a notable event in the Witwatersrand's rich mining history.
The company poured the first gold yesterday, completing the process at Sibanye-Stillwater's nearby Ezulwini processing plant. This milestone is a testament to West Wits Mining's perseverance through South Africa's complex regulatory landscape.
It took several years to secure mining rights, raise project financing, and establish underground operations. Notably, West Wits Mining delivered on its Q1 2026 first-gold target precisely as planned.
