Archive · 27 Jan 2026
Gold Boom Revives South African Mining
A company called West Wits Mining is opening a new gold mine near Johannesburg, South Africa.
This is the first new underground gold mine in the country in over 15 years.
The mine used to be a place where people dug for gold illegally, but now it's a big, modern operation with lots of new equipment.
Gold prices have been going up a lot, so companies are investing more money in finding and digging up gold.
This new mine is expected to produce a lot of gold and create jobs for many people.
It's a good sign for South Africa's gold mining industry, which has been struggling for a long time.
South Africa's first new underground gold mine in over 15 years, Qala Shallows, has started production.
The mine is being developed by West Wits Mining, an Australian company, with an investment of $100 million.
Record-high gold prices have spurred a global rush to boost gold production, leading to increased investment in mining projects.
The Qala Shallows mine is expected to produce over $4.5 billion worth of gold at current market prices and create jobs for 400 miners.
The mine's modern technology and shallower depth make it more cost-effective than many other South African gold mines.
- Who
- West Wits Mining, an Australian company, is developing the Qala Shallows mine.
- What
- The Qala Shallows mine is South Africa's first new underground gold mine in over 15 years.
- When
- The mine recovered its first gold in October and is expected to produce gold until 2043.
- Where
- The mine is located on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Why
- The mine is being developed due to record-high gold prices and a global rush to boost gold production.
- Mine Name
- Qala Shallows
- Location
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Investment
- $100 million
- Current Depth
- 200 feet
- Planned Depth
- 2,800 feet
- Break-even Point
- $1,291 per ounce
- Projected Gold Output (2029)
- 70,000 ounces per year
- Mine Life
- 17 years