Australian-listed WIA Gold has appointed mining executive Henk Diederichs as its new managing director and executive director, tasking him with leading the development of the company’s flagship Kokoseb gold project in Namibia.
The appointment will take effect on February 1, 2026, the company said on Thursday, as it moves toward key milestones including a definitive feasibility study and the permitting process ahead of a potential construction decision.
Diederichs brings more than two decades of experience in mine development and operations across Africa. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer at Predictive Discovery, where he played a central role in advancing the Bankan gold project in Guinea, one of West Africa’s largest undeveloped gold deposits.
Earlier in his career, he was involved in the development of Barrick Mining’s Lumwana copper mine in Zambia and Perseus Mining’s Nyanzaga gold project in Tanzania, both large-scale operations that moved from development into production.
WIA Gold said Diederichs’ appointment reflects the company’s transition from exploration to project development, as Kokoseb advances toward construction readiness.
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Leadership transition
As part of the management changes, Josef El-Raghy, who currently serves as executive chairman, will move into a non-executive chairman role once Diederichs assumes his position. The company said the leadership restructure is intended to strengthen governance and operational oversight as the project enters a more capital-intensive phase.
“The board believes this appointment marks a significant milestone for WIA Gold,” the company said, noting that Kokoseb is approaching decisions that will shape its long-term development.
WIA Gold expects to complete a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for Kokoseb in the second half of 2026. The study will be used to update key project metrics, including capital costs, production profiles and economic returns.
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A scoping study released in September 2025 estimated initial capital expenditure at about $358.8 million, with annual production capacity of up to 177,000 ounces of gold over the life of the mine.
Focus on permits and financing
Beyond the feasibility work, Diederichs is expected to prioritise securing construction and environmental permits from Namibian authorities, a prerequisite for any final investment decision.
Once the DFS is completed and permits are in place, WIA Gold plans to pursue project financing, which could include a mix of debt, equity and strategic partnerships, the company has said previously.
Namibia is regarded as one of Africa’s more stable and mining-friendly jurisdictions, but large-scale mining projects still require careful navigation of regulatory approvals, environmental assessments and community engagement.
WIA Gold has said Kokoseb could deliver significant economic benefits, including employment opportunities and infrastructure development, if it moves into production.
Namibia’s growing gold sector
Kokoseb is among several advanced gold projects under development in Namibia, highlighting renewed investor interest in the country’s mineral sector.
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Osino Resources, backed by Canadian investors, is progressing the Twin Hills gold project, which is currently estimated to require capital investment of around $365 million. Twin Hills is widely seen as a potential cornerstone development for Namibia’s gold industry.
While Namibia has a long history of uranium and diamond mining, large-scale gold production has been more limited, making the success of projects such as Kokoseb and Twin Hills closely watched by industry participants.
Analysts say the ability of developers to advance feasibility studies, secure financing and manage costs will be critical, particularly amid volatile gold prices and rising capital costs for mine construction globally.
Executive outlook
In a statement, Diederichs said he was looking forward to leading the Kokoseb project through its next phase.
“I am excited to lead the development and construction of Kokoseb, one of Africa’s most promising and robust gold mining projects,” he said. “With significant progress achieved to date and key milestones ahead, including completion of the DFS and securing the necessary permits, I look forward to building a strong development and operations team in Namibia.”
WIA Gold said it remains focused on delivering a “value-accretive” project while maintaining close engagement with Namibian stakeholders as development progresses.
The company’s next updates are expected to centre on feasibility work, permitting progress and exploration results as it moves closer to a construction decision.
