West Wits Mining

Financials:

Primary ticker: ASX:WWI, OTCQB:WMWWF
Stage of development: Development, Production
Primary minerals: Gold
Project to promote: Witwatersrand Basin Project
Project location: South Africa
Website: westwitsmining.com
Corporate presentation: Click here

West Wits Mining Limited (ASX: WWI; OTCQB:WMWWF ) is focused on the exploration, development and production of high value precious and base metals for the benefit of shareholders, communities and environments in which it operates. Witwatersrand Basin Project, located in the proven gold region of Central Rand Goldfield of South Africa boasts a 4.28Moz gold project at 4.58g/t. The Witwatersrand Basin is a largely underground geological formation which surfaces in the Witwatersrand. It holds the world’s largest known gold reserves and has produced over 1.5 billion ounces (over 40,000 metric tons), which represents about 22% of all the gold accounted for above the surface. In the Paterson Provence, Western Australia, a maiden drilling program at West Wits’ 100% owned Mt Cecelia Project is scheduled to commence in September 2022. Targeting gold, nickel and copper, the exploration program is managed by Rio Tinto (RIO) under a A$10M Farm-In/JV Agreement for RIO to earn up to 80% interest in the project. The district supports several world-class projects including RIO’s WINU copper/gold-, Nifty’s copper- and Newcrest’s Tefler & Haverion gold mines.

Cash: AUD$3.3M
Debt: NIL

Major Shareholders: 
WINGFIELD DURBAN DEEP LP – 10.05%
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED – 5.12%
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD <DRP> – 5.07%
DRD GOLD LIMITED – 2.38%
REALSTAR FINANCE PTY LTD – 4.59%
Management Ownership – 3.80%

Management Profile

Jac van Heerden – Chief Executive Officer
Mr van Heerden holds an MBA and Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) and has over 20 years of mining experience. He is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Prior to joining West Wits, Mr van Heerden presided over a Cobalt (5,000t pa) and Copper (50,000t pa) operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), overseeing the mining operation and two processing facilities, also including a medical centre and schooling program. A key achievement associated with the DRC role was the introduction of stricter capital controls, improved CAPEX and OPEX budget forecasting, KPI measurement and enhanced direct reporting lines to improve accountability and cash flow.

Relevant to current project requirements, Jac’s division at South African miner Aquarius Platinum was tasked with identifying and developing business cases for new mining opportunities through to feasibility. He was also the transition project manager that oversaw the switch from a contractor mining model to an owner miner model.

Michael Quinert – Chairman
Mr Quinert is a founding partner of QR Lawyers which was established in 2009. He has over 30-years’ experience as a commercial and corporate lawyer, including three years with ASX and over 25 years as a partner in a Melbourne law firm. Mr Quinert has extensive experience assisting and advising companies on IPOs, capital raising, cross border transactions, regulatory compliance and has regularly advised publicly listed mining companies. Michael is a Non-Executive Director of First Au Limited (ASX:FAU), First Graphene Limited (ASX:FGR), Electriq Global Limited and Victorian Livestock Exchange Pty Ltd.

What is your rationale for taking part 121 Mining Investment?

Our flagship project, the Witwatersrand Basin Project (“WBP”) in South Africa is positioned to facilitate tremendous growth for the Company and a significant uplift in value for loyal shareholders. It is a prolific asset surrounded by the essential infrastructure in a well-established province, Johannesburg. The WBP is set to deliver an encouraging 27-year Life-of-Mine with an estimated 16.1M tonnes. Our average gold production will see us producing 65 000oz per annum, taking us up to 92 500oz per annum by the sixth year. We are developing a large resource which offers magnificent potential for investors. The Company aims to raise the profile of the project and is also in the process of securing the peak funding requirement identified in the Stage 1 DFS.

What recent news would you like to highlight to investors attending?

15 September – Project 200 Trade-Off Studies Positive for the WBP
5 August 2022 – Commencement of Uranium exploration drilling
4 August 2022 – Revised Qala Shallows DFS provides improved results for
Witwatersrand Basin Project
9 March 2022 – Sustainable Profitability for WBP Development Confirmed Through
Financial Analysis (4-Stage Scoping Study)
2 September 2021 – DFS Delivers Strong Results on 1st Stage of WBP Development
21 February 2022 – First Ore Produced at Witwatersrand Basin Project, South Africa
10 December 2021 – Up to $10M Farm-In & JV Agreement with RIO TINTO for Mt Cecelia Project, Western Australia
8 October 2021 – West Wits Appoints Africa Focused Debt Advisor
20 September 2021 – West Wits Reviews Exploration Prospects for Uranium at Witwatersrand Basin Project, South Africa

What are your key goals in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months?

3 Months:

Secure debt funding for full-scale underground mine development in South Africa

6 Months:

Increase development & production rates at the Witwatersrand Basin Project

12 Months:

Exploration – convert uranium Exploration Target to JORC Resource (South Africa) and complete maiden drilling by RIO at JV Mt Cecelia Project (Australia)

What do you see as the key risks and challenges facing your company at the moment and how are you overcoming these?

1) Obtaining optimal funding options to project finance, the Company appointed highly experienced African focused debt advisors, Taurum International, to coordinate the Company’s funding process.

2) Project execution of mine development, the Company has made multiple appointments of high caliber personnel in key roles to support the growth of Company and oversee project execution.

What do you think makes your company such a compelling investment?

 Ownership of two projects in stable jurisdictions with experienced board & management team

 Production Ready: Mining Right granted and infrastructure established for rapid growth

 Significant JORC Mineral Resource: 4.28Moz @ 4.58g/t Au;
o 69% Measured and Indicated; includes 290 000oz Ore Reserve

 Stage 1 Definitive Feasibility Study:
o 16yr Life of Mine for 668 000oz @ AISC US$ 1,093/oz (steady state US$962/oz)
o Pre-tax NPV7.5 of US$180M (A$260M) at US$1,750/oz gold price

 WBP Scoping Study – Substantial Extension to Life of Project:
o 4-Stage, 27yr LOM for 1.61Moz Gold
o Free-cash flow of US$ 511M (A$740M) at US$ 1,750/oz gold price
o Average over 75,000 oz pa for 11 years with 65 000oz pa over 27 years

 Project 200 initiative: objective to increase to 200 000 ounces per annum

 WBP Uranium Potential – JORC Exploration Target of 12m to 16m pounds.

 Mt Cecelia RTX JV & Farm-In up to $10M for 80% interest; 800m drilling scheduled Sep-22

 Growth Potential: advanced negotiations for a long-term toll processing agreement which is anticipated to unlock project financing initiatives and immediate production

What are the top 3 key investor takeaways?

  • Project has significant resource 4.28Moz with upside.
  • Has been de-risked by feasibility study, entering development and opportune time to enter at low market capitalisation compared to peers.
  • RIO Tinto progressing 1st stage of Mt Cecelia farm-in with maiden drilling program commencement in September 2022