Wia Gold Limited has reported steady progress on the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its 2.93-million-ounce Kokoseb Gold Project, with completion targeted for the second half of 2026.
The update was provided in the company’s Quarterly Activities Report for the period ended 31 December 2025.
The Namibia-focused gold developer said the DFS remains on schedule following completion of the Kokoseb Scoping Study in September 2025. During the quarter, work focused on technical studies and exploration aimed at supporting a potential future underground mining operation.
“The Kokoseb Scoping Study, completed on 30 September 2025, confirmed Kokoseb as an outstanding gold project, with an initial 11.3-year life of mine,” the company said.
The scoping study forecasts average gold production of approximately 180,000 ounces per annum from an open-pit operation over the first five years, at an all-in sustaining cost of US$1,265 per ounce. Average life-of-mine production is estimated at around 146,000 ounces per year, at an all-in sustaining cost of US$1,448 per ounce.
Key DFS workstreams progressed across mining, metallurgy, infrastructure, and water and power supply. Geotechnical drilling is well advanced and is expected to be completed in February 2026, with samples to be sent to South Africa for laboratory testing.
Expressions of interest for contract mining pricing were issued during the quarter and received strong industry interest, while metallurgical test work is largely complete and undergoing validation.
Process plant design and cost estimation have been awarded to Senet, a subsidiary of DRA, with site geotechnical investigations already completed. Designs for non-process infrastructure, including buildings and earthworks, have been finalised.
On water supply, exploratory drilling and pump testing at the Okombahe Water Supply Scheme have been completed, with hydrogeological modelling expected to commence shortly. Drilling at the Ozondati Water Supply Scheme is scheduled to begin towards the end of January 2026.
NamPower has also completed its internal power supply studies, with results expected to be provided to Wia in the first quarter of 2026.
Exploration drilling at Kokoseb continued to deliver strong results, confirming the continuity of high-grade mineralisation and demonstrating that the orebody remains open at depth.
Significant intercepts reported during the quarter included 22.0 metres at 14.87 grams per tonne gold and 23.7 metres at 6.59 grams per tonne gold, alongside several other high-grade intersections.
Six drilling rigs are currently active on site, focusing on resource conversion and expansion to further de-risk the project ahead of DFS completion.
The project is underpinned by a mineral resource of 2.93 million ounces of gold, including 1.81 million ounces in the indicated category at a 0.5 grams per tonne cut-off.
This supports a production target of 58.9 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.97 grams per tonne gold, containing 1.83 million ounces.
Permitting activities also advanced during the quarter. The Mining Licence Application was submitted to the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy on 10 October 2025.
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is nearing completion, with final stakeholder consultations scheduled for early 2026 and regulatory submission expected in the first quarter.
Wia also announced the appointment of Henk Diederichs as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2026, as the company prepares to move into the next phase of development at Kokoseb.
