Miner progresses Burkina Faso mine deepening plans

High-grade gold mineralisation from recent resource definition diamond drilling has been reported by unhedged gold mining company West African Resources within the M1 South (M1S) Deeps resource, which forms part of the miner’s Sanbrado Gold operations, in Burkina Faso.

The drilling confirms geometry and continuity of high-grade mineralisation at M1S underground, with the most notable results being gold mineralisation over 45 m at 7.3 g/t, 16 m at 8.3 g/t, 23 m at 5.5 g/t and 20.5 m at 5.5 g/t.

Resource definition diamond drilling is in progress at the M1S underground, targeting the conversion of the inferred mineral resources to the indicated category between 1 600 mRL and 1 350 mRL (700 m to 950 m below surface), beneath existing ore reserves at M1S.

A total of 14 holes, for 5 554 m, have been drilled to date, with these latest results being from the first seven holes.

An updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) and ore reserves are expected in the first quarter of 2025, while the current drilling campaign is scheduled to be completed before year-end.

Results from this infill drilling have performed in line with the MRE and have confirmed the continuation of consistent high-grade mineralisation below the 1 600 mRL.

The results to date support future underground gold production from M1S with the upcoming MRE update expected to deliver an indicated and measured resource in excess of one-million ounces of gold.

“Recent resource definition drilling at the M1S main zone has intercepted high-grade mineralisation . . . The infill drilling has confirmed the high grade and tenor of the resource model and supports our plans to extend mining beneath existing M1S ore reserves,” says West African executive chairperson Richard Hyde.

West African anticipates that the increase in the ore reserve estimate for M1S from the incorporation of these drilling results will compensate for the depletion of the ore reserves from ounces mined to date.

West African’s Sanbrado Gold operations are located about 90 km east-southeast of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.

The company – which first poured gold at the project in March 2020, six months ahead of schedule and $20-million under budget – has a 90% interest in Sanbrado, with the government of Burkina Faso holding a free carried 10% interest.

Sanbrado comprises several openpits, all within one to two kilometres of the plant site, and an underground mine accessed through a box-cut and portal immediately south-west of the M1S openpit.

Mine Expansion

Meanwhile, the miner also reports that technical work on the ventilation upgrade at the M1S underground, which will allow mining to progress below the current ore reserve at 1 600 mRL (700 m below surface), is progressing well.

A ventilation study was completed earlier in the year and the preferred supplier to construct the bulk air cooling solution has been selected.

Development of a 500 m fresh air raise from the M5 exploration drive up to the surface is expected to be completed by late 2025, while the ventilation upgrade is expected to be operational by mid-2026.

Production at M1S continues to perform above expectations with a year-to-date mined grade of 8.4 g/t gold exceeding the reserve grade of 7.5 g/t.

“West African is on track to produce four-million ounces over the next decade, with annual production set to peak in 2029 at 473 000 oz of gold. Our unhedged resources now stand at 12.8-million ounces and ore reserves at 6.1-million ounces of gold.”