Name of the Project
Sanbrado underground gold project.

Location
Burkina Faso.

Project Owner/s
Emerging midtier gold producerWest African Resources.

Project Description
A scoping study has proposed the development of an underground development beneath the M5 South openpit at the Sanbrado gold mine.

The study envisages average underground production of 35 000 oz/y of gold over a five-year life-of-mine (LoM). 

Three key growth areas: M1 South, M5 South and Toega, are expected to significantly extend Sanbrado’s mine life and future gold production levels.

The addition of the M5 South underground to the production plan is expected to displace almost two-million tonnes of lower-grade openpit material over the LoM, resulting in an increase in production by up to 25 000 oz/y over the current ten-year plan from 2026. Consequently, Sanbrado will maintain production above 200 000 oz of gold.

The project’s ten-year production target is set to average more than 210 000 oz/y from 2024 to 2033, with production increasing to more than 230 000 oz/y from 2026 to 2031 including Toega and the M5 South underground.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital expenditure is estimated at $20-millon.

Planned Start/End Date
West African Resources is working on the proposed underground development of M5 South, which includes further drilling, geotechnical studies and mine planning. Subject to a positive outcome being achieved from the studies, West African Resources aims to start portal establishment and underground development in the second half of 2025, leading to full underground production by mid-2026.

Latest Developments
Sanbrado’s 2025 annual guidance has been set from 190 000 oz to 210 000 oz, with an average site-sustaining cost of less than $1 350/oz.

Expected growth projects in 2025 are budgeted from $60-million to $70-million, and include the development of Toega and the M5 South underground, the M1 South underground cooling upgrades and investment in grid power for Sanbrado. 

Development of the Toega openpit in the first half of the year will focus on perimeter fencing, workshops, offices, a 13 km haul road to the Sanbrado mill and the relocation of project-affected people.

Prestrip mining operations are expected to start in the second half of 2025, alongside an initial surface grade control programme.

Meanwhile, the maiden ore reserve statement for the M5 South underground is expected to be delivered late in the second quarter of 2025. Growth capital allocated to M5 South underground works in the second half of 2025 includes portal development, power upgrades, and the acquisition of water pumps and ventilation fans.

The M1 South underground ventilation upgrade is progressing as planned. Procurement and manufacturing of the temporary portal cooling solution have been completed, with installation and commissioning scheduled for early in the second quarter of 2025. The long-term cooling and ventilation upgrade, which includes a 500 m raise bore and a bulk air-cooling unit, will continue throughout 2025, with the raise bore set to start in the second half of the year. Procurement and manufacturing of the bulk air cooler are expected to be finalised in 2026, with installation and commissioning planned for late 2026.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
West African Resources, tel + 61 8 9481 7344 or email info@westafricanresources.com.