West African Resources, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), has commenced mining and crushing operations at its Kiaka gold project in Burkina Faso, with construction progressing on schedule and within budget. The company is on track to pour its first gold in the third quarter of 2025.
All critical mining equipment has now been delivered to the site. This includes three Caterpillar 6020 excavators, each with a 200-tonne capacity, and an initial fleet of ten Caterpillar 785 haul trucks, each with a 140-tonne capacity. The fleet is now fully operational, with mining volumes already surpassing 18,000 bank cubic metres (bcm) per shift. Mining activity is expected to increase further once night shift operations commence later this month and the remaining equipment is commissioned.
To date, 800,000 bcm of material have been excavated from the Kiaka Main pit as part of the mining fleet’s commissioning. Early efforts were concentrated on removing waste to construct the run-of-mine (RoM) pad, which has now been completed. Ore extraction is ramping up in anticipation of the start of processing activities.
By the end of April, approximately 184,000 tonnes of ore had been stockpiled on the RoM pad. So far, all material has been free-dig, though drill and blast operations are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Executive Chair and CEO Richard Hyde confirmed that the crushing circuit is now fully operational, and commissioning of the wet plant is well underway. “Mining activities are ramping up ahead of the scheduled commencement of process plant operations and our first gold pour in the third quarter of this year,” he said.
With construction at Kiaka approaching completion, Hyde said West African Resources is poised to operate two long-life, unhedged, low-cost gold production hubs by the end of the year. This milestone will see the company more than double its annual gold output to over 420,000 ounces.
The company expects to produce between 290,000 and 360,000 ounces of gold in 2025 from its Sanbrado and Kiaka operations in Burkina Faso. Sanbrado is projected to contribute the majority, with 190,000 to 210,000 ounces, while Kiaka is expected to produce between 100,000 and 150,000 ounces after its first gold pour later this year.
Meanwhile, progress on the processing plant remains on track. The primary crushing circuit has been completed, and an initial 20,000 tonnes of ore have been processed through the crusher and conveyed to the coarse ore stockpile. Construction of the wet plant is finished, and commissioning is progressing smoothly.
The tailings storage facility has also been fully lined, with installation of the flownet geotextile layer nearing completion. Additionally, the connection of 225 kV grid power to the site is well advanced and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter. In the interim, generator power is being used for commissioning.
