By: Mining.com.au

West African Resources (ASX:WAF) has returned ‘high-grade’ gold intercepts 200m below current underground reserves at its M5 South deposit in Burkina Faso.

Diamond drilling at M5 South returned 27m @ 6.70 grams per tonne gold (Au) from 448m, including 9m @ 15.10g/t Au from 466m.

Additional results from below the reserve include 19m @ 4.90g/t Au from 526m, 11m @ 3.00g/t Au from 472m, and 11m @ 2.80g/t Au from 550m.

Resource conversion drilling between the 1800 and 1600 levels returned 29m @ 16.40g/t Au from 76m, 39m @ 5.00g/t Au from 62m, and 17m @ 6.20g/t Au from 158m.

“Drilling to 700m below surface continues to intercept strong mineralisation, including 27m @ 6.7g/t Au,” Executive Chairman Richard Hyde says.

“Resource conversion drilling 500m below surface has returned up to 29m @ 16.4g/t Au and derisks the start-up of the M5 South underground mine.”

The company has completed 24 holes for 16,500m as part of the resource extension and conversion program below the current M5 South underground ore reserve.

Two diamond drill rigs continue to operate, with an additional rig to be mobilised once underground development commences later in 2026.

Drilling at M5 North has also delivered consistent results, with infill drilling of the ore reserve now complete.

Significant intercepts include 67m @ 0.90g/t Au from 335m and 54m @ 1.00g/t Au from 239m.

“Drilling beneath the M5 North open-pit reserve has continued to deliver thick zones of gold mineralisation, including 67m @ 0.9g/t Au and 54m @ 1g/t Au, supporting plans for an open-pit cut-back at M5 whilst mining occurs at Toega,” Hyde adds.

WAF will incorporate extensions to both M5 South underground and M5 North open pit in its upcoming mineral resource and ore reserve update.

The company plans to release a 10-year production outlook in Q1 2027.

West African Resources is a gold producer and developer advancing the Sanbrado mine in Burkina Faso, with a focus on resource growth and mine life extension.