Burkina Faso: Sanbrado gold mine maintains momentum with 50,033 ounces of gold

Australian mining company West African Resources has issued an encouraging update on the performance of its Sanbrado gold mine in Burkina Faso. With production of 50,033 ounces of gold recorded in the first quarter of 2025, the project is well positioned to meet its annual target of between 190,000 and 210,000 ounces. These results confirm the operational stability of this key operation, which had already delivered 206,622 ounces in 2024.

The figures for the first quarter testify to the robustness of operations at Sanbrado. The open-pit mine maintained a stable level of production compared with the final quarter of 2024, with 1.545 million tonnes of ore extracted, generating 40,788 ounces of gold. At the same time, production at the underground mine rose by 7%, driven by a 17% increase in the volume of ore extracted. This improvement reflects the optimisation efforts made by West African Resources to maximise the efficiency of its facilities.

"The performance at Sanbrado demonstrates the strength of our operating model, both on surface and underground," said a company spokesperson. These results put the mine on track to meet its annual forecasts, which are similar to those for 2024, a year that saw total production of 206,622 ounces.

Sanbrado, one of West African Resources' flagship assets in Burkina Faso, continues to show remarkable consistency. With a target range of 190,000 to 210,000 ounces for 2025, the company anticipates a year in line with its previous performance. This stability provides a solid base for the company, which is preparing to expand its footprint in the country with a major project: the Kiaka mine.

Scheduled to come on stream in the third quarter of 2025, Kiaka is expected to produce an average of 234,000 ounces of gold per year over an estimated 20-year mine life. This development promises to significantly strengthen West African Resources' gold capacity in Burkina Faso, a country where gold remains a key economic driver.

Since its launch, Sanbrado has established itself as a strategic operation for West African Resources and for Burkina Faso, where the mining sector plays a central role in exports and job creation. The combination of stable production at Sanbrado and the forthcoming arrival of Kiaka positions the Australian company as a major contributor to the country's gold industry.

As the first quarter of 2025 draws to a close on a positive note, eyes are already turning to the months ahead. With Kiaka in its sights, West African Resources could well redefine the ambitions of Burkina Faso's mining sector, while consolidating its reputation as a reliable and visionary operator.