Wia Gold has announced plans to complete the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its Kokoseb Gold Project by mid-2026, with the goal of securing a mining licence in the second half of the same year.
According to the company’s 2025 investor presentation, key milestones include the delivery of a comprehensive scoping study and an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by the third quarter of 2025.
“Geotechnical drilling, metallurgical work, and hydrology and environmental studies, including an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), are part of the plan,” the company stated.
As part of its development strategy, Wia Gold is working to finalise pit optimisation and infrastructure designs, utilising satellite imagery for surface water management and planning.
To support these efforts, the company expanded its drilling fleet last month with the addition of two reverse circulation (RC) rigs.
“Increased number of drilling rigs, to three diamond and three RC rigs, for exploration and infill drilling,” Wia Gold stated.
The diamond rigs will continue exploring high-grade mineralised shoots at depth, with an additional diamond rig expected to begin operations in late January 2025.
The announcement follows an updated Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate in April 2024, which reported a 63% increase, bringing the estimate to 2.12 million ounces at 1.0 g/t gold, including a higher-grade component of 1.53 million ounces at 1.4 g/t gold.
Exploration will continue throughout 2025 with six rigs, focusing on resource growth and classification upgrades.
“RC drilling will focus on shallow-depth resource conversion, while diamond drilling will explore high-grade shoots at depth,” the company explained.
In addition to its drilling activities, Wia Gold is conducting regional reconnaissance, including stream sediment sampling and rock chipping, to identify additional exploration targets.
The company plans a significant ramp-up of activities in 2025, including appointing mine scheduling consultants, conducting metallurgical tests, and assessing environmental, energy, and infrastructure requirements.
The Kokoseb Gold Project, located 320km from Windhoek in northwest Namibia, is part of the Okombahe Exploration Licence.
It is held under a joint venture between Wia Gold (80%) and Namibia’s state-owned mining company, Epangelo. Established in 2009, Epangelo focuses on sustainable mineral resource exploitation and local beneficiation.
