West African Resources is set to achieve a significant milestone in 2026, with projections of annual gold production between 430,000 and 490,000 ounces, primarily driven by its operations in Burkina Faso.
This anticipated growth stems from the first full year of output from the Kiaka mine, the largest in the country, alongside the ongoing strong performance at the original Sanbrado mine.
The company aims for an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of under $1,900 per ounce, indicating healthy profit margins despite fluctuations in global gold prices.
CEO and Chairman Richard Hyde labeled 2026 as a “landmark year” for the company, emphasizing the combined output from Kiaka, expected to yield 240,000–280,000 ounces, and Sanbrado, contributing 190,000–210,000 ounces.
Following this announcement, West African Resources saw a nearly 5% rise in shares on the Australian Securities Exchange.
The company also indicated plans for initial shareholder returns through dividends and a share buy-back in the latter half of the year, reflecting confidence in its cash flow and operational stability.
In 2026, West African Resources has earmarked $20 million for exploration, with over 100,000 meters of drilling planned across Sanbrado, Kiaka, and nearby areas. This program aims to uncover both near-surface anomalies and depth extensions to prolong mine life and foster future growth.
Last year, West African Resources celebrated a significant achievement at its Kiaka gold project, producing its first gold bar weighing 5.7 kilograms, or approximately 183.3 ounces, during an on-site smelting process.
The Australian-listed company reported that this development occurred ahead of schedule and under budget, signaling a strong commencement for what is anticipated to be one of the region’s most important gold operations.
Executive Chairman Richard Hyde characterized the first gold pour from the Kiaka mine as “a major milestone” in the company’s goal to exceed 500,000 ounces of gold production annually by 2030.
The first gold production occurred just three and a half years after acquiring Kiaka, demonstrating the rapid advancement of the project.
Hyde stated, “Planned production increases from Sanbrado and Kiaka support WAF’s objective of becoming a sustainable producer of over 500,000 ounces of gold,” reinforcing Burkina Faso’s position as a vital growth hub in West Africa’s mining sector.
