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COVER

Explorer,

to Digger,

to Miner: WAF

completes

the set

Four years after being crowned GMJ
Explorer of the Year, West African
Resources Ltd (WAF) has emerged as
the critics’ choice as Miner of the Year,
becoming the first company in the awards’
20-year history to lay claim to both titles.

by Dominic Piper

hat WAF did so having negotiated pandemics, lockdowns With mining now occurring in the M1 and M5 open pits as well
Tand security concerns during the first full year of operation on as the high-grade (plus-10 g/t) M1 South underground, WAF
its Sanbrado gold mine in Burkina Faso makes the achievement has both optionality and quality when it comes to mining and
all the more remarkable. processing options.
Sanbrado has been a constant success story since the discovery The operating environment has also played its part in keeping
of the M1 South deposit in 2016. First gold was poured in March margins strong. Burkina Faso offers plenty of obstacles; the
2020 and despite the logistical and security challenges, it hasn’t relative immaturity of its mining sector means although labour
missed a beat since. The September quarter saw WAF post costs are low, specific skills are in short supply. This leaves
record quarterly production of 81,962oz gold, a 29% improvement international miners with two options; pay higher wages to
on the June period. AISC was $US690/oz for the quarter, down experienced expats or train a local workforce. WAF’s decision to
from $US928/oz in June and $US992/oz in December 2020. choose the latter wherever it could is beginning to reap benefits.
Speaking to GMJ, executive chairman Richard Hyde said full- “It is a much more experienced workforce now, particularly our
year production had already exceeded the revised guidance local workforce,” Hyde explained. “They are skilled up and now
of 280,000oz and would fall within AISC guidance of $US720- have 18 months experience in mining and pretty specific roles
800/oz. at that.”
“All the operational plans in place are working and the orebody is And, although there is an unquestionable Australian core to the
reconciliating well, we are in a very comfortable position,” Hyde operation, WAF’s ability to source from across the globe gives it
said. a unique advantage.

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