By; Creamer media

A maiden underground mineral resource estimate for Toega has delivered 4.9-million tonnes at 3.5 g/t for 560 000 oz of gold.

The Toega underground scoping study results show underground gold production averaging 81 000 oz/y in years two to six. About 515 000 oz of gold has been added to Toega production over a seven-year mine life and pre-production capital expenditure is estimated at $42-million.

The Toega resource remains open at depth.

West African has planned infill and extensional drilling with the increase in resource category and endowment.

A secondary crushing study also aims to increase Sanbrado’s fresh ore throughput.

The combination of Toega underground and secondary crushing at Sanbrado has the potential to increase the operation’s gold production by about 50% to 300 000 oz/y, the company avers.

“West African’s projects are long-life, with Sanbrado plus ten years and Kiaka 20 years. We are actively looking at opportunities to reduce costs and increase gold production through targeted drilling and capital works programmes; including connecting to grid power and secondary crushing at our projects as we aim to be a sustainable plus-500 000 oz/y gold producer within five years,” executive chairperson Richard Hyde says.