West African Resources has commenced mining and crushing at its Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso, maintaining its schedule and budget for first gold production in the third quarter of 2025. The project’s progress signals a significant boost to the company’s annual gold output.
- All major mining equipment operational with ramp-up underway
- ROM pad and crushing circuit construction completed
- Wet plant commissioning progressing well
- Tailings storage facility fully lined and nearing completion
- On track to double annual gold production to over 420,000 ounces in 2025
Kiaka Project Milestones Achieved
West African Resources Limited (ASX: WAF) has announced significant progress at its Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso, with mining and crushing operations now underway. The company reports that all major mining equipment, including three 200-ton excavators and ten 140-ton haul trucks, are operational and mining volumes are ramping up ahead of schedule. This marks a critical phase as the project moves closer to its targeted first gold production in Q3 2025.
Construction milestones have been met with the completion of the run-of-mine (ROM) pad and the commissioning of the primary crushing circuit. An initial batch of 20,000 tonnes of ore has already been processed through the crusher, demonstrating operational readiness. Additionally, the wet plant construction is complete, with commissioning activities progressing smoothly, further underpinning the project’s readiness for full-scale production.
Infrastructure and Environmental Readiness
The tailings storage facility (TSF), a vital environmental safeguard, has been fully lined with the installation of the flownet geotextile layer nearing completion. This ensures that waste materials will be managed responsibly, aligning with environmental compliance standards. Meanwhile, the project is preparing for grid power connection scheduled for Q3 2025, although backup generator power is currently supporting commissioning activities.
Strategic Impact on West African Resources
Executive Chairman and CEO Richard Hyde highlighted the strategic importance of Kiaka’s development, noting that the project will complement the company’s existing Sanbrado operations. Together, these two long-life, unhedged, low-cost gold production centres are expected to more than double West African Resources’ annual gold output to over 420,000 ounces in 2025. This expansion positions the company strongly within the gold mining sector, enhancing its production profile and potential revenue streams.
Mining activities have already moved beyond waste stripping to ore stockpiling, with 184,000 tonnes of ore accumulated on the ROM pad by the end of April 2025. The transition to drill and blast operations is imminent, signaling an intensification of mining efforts. The company remains confident in its ability to maintain the project’s schedule and budget, critical factors for investor confidence and market positioning.
Looking Ahead
As Kiaka advances towards full production, West African Resources is poised to deliver on its forecasted growth trajectory. The successful commissioning of key infrastructure and the ramp-up of mining volumes underscore the company’s operational capabilities. However, as with all mining ventures, ongoing risks such as commodity price fluctuations, operational challenges, and regulatory factors remain considerations for stakeholders.
Bottom Line?
Kiaka’s progress sets the stage for West African Resources to reshape its production landscape, but the coming months will test its ability to sustain momentum.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Kiaka maintain its production schedule amid increasing operational complexity?
- How will the integration of Kiaka and Sanbrado operations impact overall cost efficiencies?
- What are the potential risks related to environmental compliance and local regulatory approvals?