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The total area measures 14 965 hectares (149.65km2) and includes the De Bron-Merriespruit, Bloemhoek, Robijn and Hakkies Project areas.

The granting of the Mining Right is expected over the next 12 months once the company complies with requirements in terms of the Minerals Act, such as obligations in terms of feasibility studies, environmental compliance as well as Social and Labour Plan commitments.

The Company's DBM Project area, where mining will start at 480m below surface, will be the focal point for the first phase of mining activity. A pre-feasibility study is currently being fast-tracked at the DBM Project for completion by May 2012, which will also provide a more detailed timeline for the new mine's development.

On 10 January 2012 Wits Gold reported a revised Indicated gold and uranium Mineral Resource* of 7.5Moz Au and 8.2Mlbs U3O8 at the DBM Project, the bulk of which is situated at depths of between 480 and 1 000m below surface. This Mineral Resource includes a high-grade zone containing 3.6Moz gold at an average grade of 8.1g/t. This shallow mineralisation in multiple reefs at the DBM Project may also allow for safer and more efficient mechanised mining methods.

Commenting on the acceptance of the Mining Right application, Wits Gold CEO, Philip Kotze said: "This application demonstrates Wits Gold commitment to growth and creating value for shareholders by taking our projects up the value chain. Our teams have done excellent work in compiling the Mining Right application in such a short time frame. Wits Gold has been making good progress in delivering into its new three-tiered strategy with the recent announcement of the Evander acquisition and now taking our flagship DBM project to the next stage. This project has the potential to create a significant number of new job opportunities and enhance economic growth in the southern Free State and we are looking forward to working with the DMR to expedite the granting of the Mining Right for the benefit of all stakeholders."

At the end of January 2012, the company delivered into the first leg of its new strategy when it announced the acquisition of Evander Gold Mines Limited (Evander) from Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony), in a 50-50 JV with Pan African Resources. The transaction will become effective on 2 April 2012.

In the quarter ended December 2011, Harmony reported that the Evander operations produced 27 039 ounces of gold at a cash operating cost of R214,379/kg (US$824/oz), and an operating profit of R183,7 million (US$22.7 million).

The Evander acquisition includes a pipeline of advanced development projects in the form of Poplar, Rolspruit and Evander South, as well as surface tailings resources. These Evander development projects, together with Wits Gold's own projects, will be advanced as part of the exploration leg of the Company's three-tier strategy in order to move these projects up the value curve.