The South African gold sector has received an unexpected boost with the opening of the Qala Shallows mine in Roodepoort. It is the country’s first new underground gold operation in 15 years, arriving just as global gold prices hit historic highs. The mining project, located about 15 minutes west of central Johannesburg, marks a fresh start for a sector that has more recently been defined by closures and dwindling output. Developed by Australia-listed West Wits Mining, Qala Shallows brings fresh optimism to a sector that has shrunk by more than 70% over the past two decades as many of South Africa’s deep, aging mines ... (full story)