West African Resources (ASX: WAF) has announced a scoping study and a maiden underground Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the M5 South open pit within its Sanbrado Gold Operations in Burkina Faso. The company says the MRE comprises 2.4 million tonnes (Mt) @ 3.8 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) for 289,000 ounces of Au and remains open at depth.
The M5 South open pit is part of the larger Sanbrado Gold Operation, which became West Africa’s newest unhedged gold producer in March 2020. The operation has a total mineral resource of 12.6 million ounces and an ore reserve of 6.4 million ounces of gold, according to the company’s latest quarterly report.
The scoping study outlines the potential for an initial 5-year underground mine life at M5 South, producing about 35,000 ounces of gold per annum. The study also supports further work on the proposed underground development, including geotechnical studies, mine planning, and drilling.
West African Executive Chairman Richard Hyde says the company aims to complete this work next year and, subject to a positive outcome, begin portal establishment and underground development in the second half of 2025, leading to full underground production by mid-2026.
Hyde adds: “All deposits in the Sanbrado project area show strong continuity in the vertical extent, therefore an exploration target has been estimated for M5 South beneath the resource area between 500m and 1km below surface ranging from a lower case of approximately 2Mt @ 3g/t Au for 225,000 ounces, to an upper case of approximately 3Mt @ 4.5g/t Au for 425,000 ounces Au.”
The company also plans to complete a geotechnical study to confirm ground conditions, as well as assess the exploration drive from M1 South to enable infill drilling of the M5 South underground resource and exploration target area at depth.
West African Resources is not the only company pursuing underground mining in Burkina Faso. In February 2023, Roxgold (TSX: ROXG) announced a feasibility study for its Séguéla Gold Project, which includes four open-pit deposits and one underground deposit. The study estimates an average annual gold production of 133,000 ounces over a 10-year mine life.
Burkina Faso is one of the fastest-growing gold producers in Africa, with 14 commercial gold mines operating in the country as of 2023, according to the World Bank. The country’s gold output increased from 51 tonnes in 2019 to 60 tonnes in 2020, making it the fifth-largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, and Mali.
However, the country also faces security and social challenges, such as terrorist attacks, inter-communal violence, and human rights violations. The mining sector, which accounts for about 10% of the country’s GDP and 70% of its exports, has been targeted by armed groups and affected by local protests.
Despite these difficulties, West African Resources says it is committed to operating in Burkina Faso and contributing to its economic and social development. The company says it has implemented strict health and safety protocols, engaged with local communities, and supported various social initiatives, such as building schools, health centers, and water wells.
The company also says it is optimistic about the future of its Sanbrado Gold Operation and the potential of the M5 South underground mine to add value to its shareholders and stakeholders.
Source: Mining
