West African Resources achieved record gold production for the December quarter of 2021 as its flagship Sanbrado gold project in Burkina Faso continues to be a shining light for the company.
West African enjoyed a 7 per cent increase in gold production quarter on quarter with its 87,320 ounces eclipsing the 81,960 ounces the company produced in the September quarter of last year.
Year-end production amounted to 288,720 ounces, topping West African’s 2021 guidance of between 250,000 to 280,000 ounces of gold. West African also recorded 295,220 ounces of gold sales for 2021.
The company’s successes can be attributed in part to the underground production at Sanbrado’s M1 South deposit.
M1 South enjoyed a 29 per cent increase in output for the December quarter, with approximately 119,000 tonnes mined at 9.5 grams per tonne (g/t) for 36,256 ounces of gold.
This came as open pit production at Sanbrado decreased by 15 per cent in the December quarter with approximately 979,000 tonnes mined at 1.9 g/t for 58,404 ounces of gold.
West African executive chairman and chief executive officer Richard Hyde said 2021 was a landmark year for his company.
“To have exceeded 2021 production guidance in what was a very challenging year is a credit to our dedicated team of staff and contractors. I extend my thanks to team members that have spent extended periods away from their families either on site or in quarantine while working for our company during 2021,” he said.
“We look forward to releasing production and cost guidance for 2022, and updated resources and reserves for Sanbrado and Toega (gold project) later in Q1 2022. Work on the Kiaka (gold project) feasibility study is underway and is on track for completion by the end of Q2 2022.”
West African acquired a 90 per cent stake in the Kiaka gold project from B2Gold and GAMS‐Mining F&I in October 2021.
Located 45 kilometres south of Sanbrado, Kiaka is a development project containing approximately 6.8 million ounces of gold.