West African Resources (ASX: WAF) has intersected high-grade gold mineralisation from recent resource definition diamond drilling within the M1 South (M1S) Deeps Resource from our Sanbrado Gold Operations in Burkina Faso.
Recent diamond drilling has confirmed geometry and continuity of high-grade mineralisation at M1 South underground with significant results from infill diamond drilling including 45m at 7.3 g/t gold; 16m at 8.3 g/t gold; 23m at 5.5g/t gold; and 20.5m at 5.5g/t gold.
Drilling at M1S is ongoing with updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserves expected in Q1 2025.
“Recent resource definition drilling at the M1 South main zone has intercepted high grade mineralisation of 45m at 7.3 g/t gold including 1.5m at 55.1 g/t gold, and 16m at 8.3 g/t gold including 1m at 108.4 g/t gold,” Executive Chairman, Richard Hyde, said.
“The infill drilling has confirmed the high-grade and tenor of the resource model and supports our plans to extend mining beneath existing M1 South Ore Reserves.
“WAF is on track to produce 4 million ounces over the next decade, with annual production set to peak in 2029 at 473,000 ounces of gold. Our unhedged resources now stand at 12.8 million ounces and Ore Reserves at 6.1Moz of gold.”
Results from this infill drilling have performed in-line with the current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and have confirmed the continuation of consistent high-grade mineralisation below the 1600mRL. The high-grade mineralisation at M1 South continues to display predictable tenor and geometry with mineralisation aligning exceptionally well with the current interpretation.
The results to date support future underground gold production from M1 South with the upcoming MRE update expected to deliver an indicated and measured resource in excess of one million ounces gold. The current drilling campaign is scheduled to be completed in late 2024. WAF anticipates that the increase in the Ore Reserve estimate for M1 South from the incorporation of these drilling results will compensate for the depletion of the Ore Reserves from ounces mined to date. Reporting of updated resources, reserves and 10-year production outlook is planned for Q1 2025.
Additionally, technical work on the ventilation upgrade at the M1S underground which will allow mining to progress below the current Ore Reserve at 1600mRL (700m below surface) is progressing well. A ventilation study was completed earlier in the year and the preferred supplier to construct the bulk air cooling solution has been selected. Development of a 500m fresh air raise from the M5 exploration drive up to the surface is expected to be completed by late 2025. The ventilation upgrade is expected to be operational by mid-2026.
Production at M1 South continues to perform above expectations with a year-to-date mined grade of 8.4 g/t Au exceeding the reserve grade of 7.5 g/t Au.