Australian-listed WIA Gold Limited has appointed mining executive Henk Diederichs as managing director and chief executive officer, effective 1 February 2026, as the company advances its flagship Kokoseb Gold Project in Namibia toward development.
Following the appointment, Josef El-Raghy, who currently serves as executive chairman, will transition to the role of non-executive chairman, reflecting the company’s shift from exploration into a more development-focused phase.
Diederichs is a qualified engineer with more than 20 years of experience in mine development and operations across Africa.
He joins WIA from Predictive Discovery Limited, where he is currently chief operating officer and played a central role in advancing the Bankan Gold Project in Guinea through its definitive feasibility study.
Predictive Discovery is in the process of a merger of equals with Robex Resources Inc., which is listed on both the ASX and TSX.
Prior to his role at Predictive Discovery, Diederichs served as managing director and chief executive officer of OreCorp Limited, overseeing the advancement of the Nyanzaga Gold Project in Tanzania until its acquisition by Perseus Mining in April 2024.
His earlier career includes a senior leadership role in the development and operation of Equinox Minerals’ Lumwana Copper Mine in Zambia, one of Africa’s largest open-pit copper operations, which was constructed at a capital cost exceeding US$800 million and later acquired by Barrick Gold Corporation for US$7 billion.
WIA Gold said the leadership transition marks an important step as the company moves Kokoseb toward a definitive feasibility study, which is targeted for completion in the second half of 2026.
The project is being positioned as a development-ready gold asset following completion of a scoping study in September 2025.
El-Raghy said the board viewed the appointment as a key milestone for the company’s strategy.
“Henk brings extensive leadership experience and a strong track record in advancing resource projects through feasibility, development and into production, particularly across Africa,” he said. “His appointment strengthens WIA’s ability to transition Kokoseb from exploration into the development phase.”
Diederichs said he was looking forward to leading the next stage of the project.
“The focus now is on completing the definitive feasibility study, securing the necessary permits and building a capable development and operations team in Namibia to move Kokoseb toward production,” he said.
The Kokoseb project is one of several advanced gold developments emerging in Namibia, reflecting renewed investment interest in the country’s gold sector as projects move from exploration toward construction readiness.
