West African Resources breaks production record as Kiaka powers ahead

• Record Q3 group production of 127,950 ounces
• 135,245 ounces sold at US$4,240 per ounce
• Year-to-date production reaches 360,857 ounces
• M5 South underground development begins at Sanbrado
• Kiaka explosives facility permit remains unapproved

Q3 Production Reaches Record Level

West African Resources Limited (ASX:WAF) produced 127,950 ounces of gold in the September quarter, its strongest quarterly result to date, according to the company. Gold sales reached 135,245 ounces at a realised price of US$4,240 per ounce, while year-to-date production stood at 360,857 ounces and sales at 350,127 ounces at US$4,550 per ounce.

The result extends the production momentum reported in the company’s

Kiaka Drives Growth as Sanbrado Slips

Kiaka supplied 76,030 ounces in Q3, up 13% from the previous quarter as mill throughput increased 15%. The operation processed 2.871 million tonnes of ore at an average head grade of 0.9 grams per tonne and achieved a 93.1% recovery rate.

Sanbrado produced 51,920 ounces, down 10% quarter-on-quarter after mill throughput fell 9%. Its M1 South underground operation delivered 35,898 mined ounces from 171,000 tonnes at 6.5 grams per tonne, but mined ounces were 18% below Q2 as grade declined 20%, partly offset by a 2% increase in tonnes.

2026 Guidance Remains Within Reach

West African Resources remains on track for its 2026 production guidance of 430,000 to 490,000 ounces. Based on the reported year-to-date total, the company needs to produce between 69,143 and 129,143 ounces in the December quarter to land within that range. The calculation is straightforward; the operating conditions behind it are less so, particularly with explosives supply still affecting the Burkina Faso operations.

M5 South Development Moves Ahead

Burkina Faso’s Government approved the updated Sanbrado life-of-mine plan to include the M5 South underground during the quarter. Development has begun, with stoping scheduled to start in early H2 2027. The company said flexibility in the broader Sanbrado mine plan means the delayed start is expected to have minimal impact on 2027 gold production.

The project follows

Kiaka Explosives Permit Remains Outstanding

Kiaka’s application to operate an explosives manufacturing and storage facility has still not been approved. Access to explosives improved during Q3 after better performance from the existing supplier and the engagement of a second supplier, allowing greater focus on waste stripping at Kiaka and the Toega open pit at Sanbrado.

West African Resources nevertheless described explosives supply as an ongoing operational bottleneck. That unresolved permit is the clearest execution issue in an otherwise strong production update, and the forthcoming full quarterly activities report should provide the next detailed look at costs, cash generation and mine-plan progress.

Bottom Line?

Production is running ahead of the pace needed for the lower end of 2026 guidance, but Kiaka’s explosives constraints remain the key operational variable into the December quarter.

Questions in the middle?

• Will Kiaka secure approval for its explosives facility before supply constraints affect waste stripping or production planning?
• Can Sanbrado recover from the Q3 decline in underground grade and mill throughput?
• What costs, cash generation and sustaining capital figures will accompany the full quarterly activities report?