A New Dawn for Gold: Mining’s Comeback Kid Arrives in Gauteng

For the first time in a generation, a new underground gold mine has opened its shafts in South Africa. Qala Shallows, nestled between Soweto and Roodepoort in the historic Witwatersrand Basin, marks the end of a 15-year drought for new gold projects and promises to create over 1,000 new jobs in a sector often associated with decline.

The mine’s CEO, Rudi Deysel, told Kaya Biz the project is the culmination of nearly a decade of perseverance through permitting, funding, and pandemic delays. “The timing was excellent,” Deysel noted, with operations beginning just as gold prices surge.

Mining a “Virgin” Deposit Others Overlooked

What makes Qala Shallows unique is its target: a so-called “virgin block” of the Kimberley Reef, a lower-grade ore body largely ignored by historical miners who chased richer seams. “It’s a little jewel that nobody actually looked at,” Deysel said. Advances in technology and favourable gold prices have now made this deposit economically viable, with the company planning to mine from surface level down to 850 metres.

The financials are compelling. Deysel revealed a projected net present value of half a billion US dollars and an internal rate of return of 81%, based on a conservative gold price estimate far below current highs.

Tech-Driven, But People-Centred

The mine aims to blend modern mechanisation with job creation. Development tunnels are mechanised, and the company is employing hydropower-assisted extractiona safer, cleaner method that reduces the operation’s carbon footprint. “We won’t go the old-fashioned, conventional way,” Deysel stated, emphasising that this approach allows for a strong workforce alongside technological efficiency.

Transforming a Troubled Area

The mine’s location in an area historically plagued by illegal mining adds a social dimension to its story. Deysel credits recent housing development, community engagement, and area rejuvenation with making illegal mining “non-existent” on their site. “It’s a very positive story of how this area is improving,” he said, highlighting close work with local partners.

With the first ore already extracted in October, Qala Shallows isn’t just a mining project; it’s a symbol of potential renewal for South Africa’s iconic gold sector. It proves that with the right deposit, modern methods, and community integration, there can still be golden chapters to write in the story of the Witwatersrand. For over a thousand soon-to-be employees and the surrounding community, this new mine represents a rare and shiny opportunity.