West Wits Mining welcomes uranium revival with renewed...

West Wits Mining welcomes uranium revival with renewed exploration target at Witwatersrand Basin Project
2021-10-25 12:16:00
The Witwatersrand asset is more than just a precious metals play, with West Wits on course to advance uranium exploration over its iconic gold property.
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A circular shaft at the Bird Reef Central Uranium Project.

West Wits Mining Ltd (ASX:WWI) is jumping on board uranium’s revival as it advances radioactive exploration over its flagship Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP) in South Africa.

The gold explorer and project developer has restated its uranium exploration target to align with JORC 2012 standards as it looks to resurrect the hunt for uranium.

WWI last explored for the nuclear energy source in 2008, training its eye on Witwatersrand Bird Reef Central Uranium Project.

That program uncovered consistent uranium mineralisation over around 3.3 kilometres, with more than 7 kilometres of strike identified along the targeted Bird Reef section within the WBP’s existing mining right area.

Uranium in spotlight
Uranium is in the global crosshairs as the United Nation’s COP26 climate conference approaches, with multiple countries accelerating towards net-zero emission targets.

To get there, nuclear energy sources like uranium will be key, meaning explorers like West Wits could be well-positioned to one day supply the radioactive element.

Already, the ASX-lister is advancing its gold prospects in the prolific Witwatersrand region, but it could one day use the same infrastructure to bring uranium to the world.

Resurrecting key exploration target
Speaking to the move, West Wits Mining managing director Jac van Heerden said: “Uranium’s revival as part of the decarbonised energy mix and rebound in uranium prices gave cause for West Wits to review results from our 2008 uranium exploration program, which was focused on the Bird Reef Sequence.

“The review supports the conclusion that there is a significant exploration target with possible extensions to the east, justifying further uranium exploration within the company’s current mining right footprint.

“The opportunity is significant as it may allow for uranium to be mined concurrently with the gold-bearing reefs within the Bird Reef Sequence, therefore potentially claiming gold and uranium credits from the same mining activities using the same infrastructure.”

Phase one: Pinpointing uranium target
As part of its evaluation program, West Wits conducted a comprehensive review over the conceptual uranium target it unsurfaced in 2008.

At the time, detailed diamond and reverse circulation drilling took place over the uranium target, covering nearly 6,700 metres.

Fast forward to today, and the company has weighed up historical mining survey maps, mine forecast plans, surface reef outcrop and historical production records to inform its decision.

From there, data was used to create 3D models that took into account the thickness, grade and extent of the Bird Reef Sequence.

While analysis was limited to the part of the prospect that lies within the mining right footprint, the review ultimately supports a renewed exploration target within the Bird Reef Sequence.

The review has firmed up an exploration target with the following parameters:



Importantly, the Bird Reef region is already an established gold deposit, with a JORC-compliant mineral resource comprising 4.67 million tonnes of ore at 3.13 g/t for 469,400 gold ounces at the WBP.

Phase two: Exploration program
With the target’s footprint now defined, West Wits is gearing up to further test its prospectivity.

Importantly, this program will also seek to extend the exploration target to the east of the Bird Reef Sequence, which did not form part of the 2008 exploration program and remains unexplored to date.

All in all, incorporating uranium as a potential co-product of gold could enhance the viability of the Bird Reef Central portion of the WBP.

The map below outlines where the exploration target lies in light blue, as well as the extended exploration area to the east in green.



WWI will kick off exploration with a wide-spaced diamond core and reverse circulation drilling program, which aims to confirm and prove up more mineralisation within the target area.

Overall, this program will investigate the remaining untested 3.75 kilometres of strike to the east of the exploration target.

From here, the information will highlight areas for a future infill drilling campaign that will assess the target’s geology.

Once both drilling programs are complete, West Wits can start to model a mineral resource that aligns with the JORC 2012 code.

It’s expected this exploration activity will take place over 2022.