By: Mining.com.au

During Q4 2024, gold production increased 7% compared to the previous quarter. This is largely due to 5% higher mill throughput in the quarter after the planned shutdown was completed in Q3 for a mill reline. 

West African, which has a market capitalisation of $1.69 billion, says Sanbrado’s production brought the full year production to 206,622 ounces. 

In Q4, open pit mined ounces increased by 32% compared to the previous quarter. This increase reflects 39% more ore tonnes mined in the quarter, with 1.55 million tonnes of ore mined at 0.8 grams per tonne for 41,108 ounces of gold. 

During the full year of 2024, open pit mining recorded 3.935 million tonnes of ore mined at 0.9g/t for 112,830 ounces of gold.

Meanwhile, underground mined ounces increased 8% in Q4 versus the Q3 2024. This increase reflects a 7% higher underground grade mined in the quarter, recording 127,000 tonnes of ore mined from M1 South at 7.7g/t for 31,492 ounces of gold. 

During the full year, underground mining recorded 478,000 tonnes of ore mined at 7.9g/t for 122,161 ounces of gold. 

Gold sales in Q4 was 47,953 ounces at an average price of US$2,690 ($4,317.59) per ounce, bringing the full year gold sales to 199,550 ounces at an average price of US$2,391 per ounce. 

The Sanbrado operations is located 90km east-southeast of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The company holds a 90% interest in the project, while the Government of Burkina Faso holds the remaining 10%. 

West African Resources is an emerging mid-tier gold producer focused on targeting more than 420,000 tonnes per year of gold production by 2025.