16m at 11.2 g/t Gold Found Beneath M5 North Open-Pit at Sanbrado
West African Resources reports significant diamond drilling results beneath the M5 North open-pit at Sanbrado, revealing high-grade gold mineralisation and potential to extend mine life beyond current reserves.
- 16m at 11.2 g/t gold intersected below M5 North open-pit
- Gold mineralisation confirmed over 300m below current reserves
- Drilling program ongoing, extending into early 2026
- Open-pit cutback study planned for Q1 2026
- 10-year production outlook targets 4.8 million ounces of gold
Significant Gold Discoveries Below M5 North
West African Resources Limited (ASX – WAF) has unveiled promising diamond drilling results from beneath the M5 North open-pit ore reserve at its Sanbrado Gold Operations in Burkina Faso. The company reported thick zones of gold mineralisation extending more than 300 metres below the current ore reserves, highlighted by a standout intercept of 16 metres grading 11.2 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, including an exceptional 1 metre at 167.7 g/t.
These results confirm the potential for extending the mine life of the M5 North open-pit, a key component of Sanbrado’s production profile. The drilling program, which is approximately halfway complete, is scheduled to continue into the first quarter of 2026, with a focus on infill drilling to increase resource confidence.
Implications for Production and Resource Updates
West African Resources plans to undertake an open-pit cutback study at M5 North in early 2026, aiming to assess the feasibility of expanding the pit to access these newly confirmed mineralised zones. The company anticipates that such a cutback could materially extend the open-pit mine life and provide a steady feed to the Sanbrado processing plant beyond the current 10-year production plan.
The existing 10-year outlook forecasts production of 4.8 million ounces of gold, peaking at 569,000 ounces in 2029. With unhedged resources standing at 12.2 million ounces and ore reserves at 6.5 million ounces, the addition of M5 North extensions could bolster these figures. West African aims to incorporate the M5 open-pit extension into its upcoming Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve update, scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2026.
Ongoing Exploration and Strategic Outlook
Beyond M5 North, West African continues aggressive exploration programs at M5 South Underground and Toega Underground, focusing on resource infill and extensions. The company’s Executive Chairman Richard Hyde emphasised the strategic importance of these drilling results, noting their role in underpinning a robust and sustainable future for the Sanbrado operations and its stakeholders in Burkina Faso.
Technically, the mineralisation remains consistent with previous geological models, hosted within mylonitic units associated with quartz veining and sheared sulphides. The drilling results have been rigorously verified and comply with industry standards, including the JORC Code 2012.
Looking Ahead
As West African Resources advances its drilling and cutback studies, the market will be watching closely for the impact on production forecasts and reserve upgrades. The company’s ability to extend mine life at Sanbrado could significantly enhance its long-term value proposition in the competitive gold mining sector.
Bottom Line?
West African’s deep drilling success at M5 North sets the stage for a potential mine-life extension that could reshape Sanbrado’s production future.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming M5 North cutback study influence the timing and scale of production?
- What impact will the new drilling results have on the company’s reserve and resource classifications?
- How might ongoing exploration at M5 South and Toega Underground complement the M5 North extension?
