West Wits Mining Ltd. has provided an update on fuel security and power strategy at its Qala Shallows project in Johannesburg, implementing a multi-layered fuel security strategy to ensure operational continuity at the project.
The company confirmed it has secured access to approximately 163,000 litres of diesel through a combination of increased on-site storage and diversified supply chains.
This provides the gold project, located in the Witwatersrand Basin, with up to four months of operational fuel coverage, a move West Wits describes as a meaningful buffer against current international market instability.
As part of the roll-out, a new 23,000-litre mobile storage unit is being mobilised to the site, with installation expected to be completed in April. Once installed, total on-site capacity will jump to 63,000 litres.
West Wits has bypassed traditional Gulf-route dependencies by securing 100,000 litres from alternative supplier networks and local channels. An initial delivery of approximately 23,000 litres will occur with the commissioning of the additional storage capacity.
West Wits CEO Rudi Deysel said: “We are very aware of the heightened concern among investors regarding fuel security and global fuel supply volatility.
“Our approach has been to secure both physical on-site storage and diversified fuel supply arrangements to ensure operational continuity at Qala Shallows.
“Operations at Qala Shallows remain on track and fully supported from a fuel and power perspective.”
While the project currently relies on diesel-powered generators and trackless mobile machinery (TMM), the company is preparing for a major structural shift in its cost base. A permanent grid power connection is currently on schedule for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The transition to grid power connection is expected to be a game-changer for the project’s economics. Diesel currently accounts for roughly 8 per cent of total operating costs but once the grid connection is live, this is forecast to plummet to just 3 per cent.
“Importantly, this is a transitional phase,” Deysel said.
“Our planned connection to grid power later this year is expected to significantly reduce our reliance on diesel, lower operating costs and further strengthen the project’s operating and cost profile.”
The company confirmed that production plans remain unaffected, with fuel supply arrangement sufficient to support planned mining and development activities at Qala Shallows.
