Burkina Faso: $42 million invested for 500,000 ounces of gold at Sanbrado

West African Resources (WAF), operator of the Sanbrado gold mine, has released a promising scoping study for development of the underground Toega deposit beneath its open-pit site in Burkina Faso. With an initial investment of $42 million, this project could add 515,000 ounces of gold to Sanbrado’s production over seven years, increasing its annual capacity by nearly 50%.

Sanbrado, which began production in 2020, delivered 206,622 ounces of gold in 2024 from its open-pit operation. WAF’s study shows that the high-grade underground Toega deposit will gradually replace lower-grade resources mined at the surface. Work is expected to begin in 2028, with production planned for 2030. The company anticipates peak production between the second and sixth years, averaging 81,000 ounces annually and bringing Sanbrado to around 300,000 ounces per year over the first five years of underground mining.

By integrating Toega into its ten-year plan, WAF is optimizing existing infrastructure to maximize profitability. “This project illustrates our strategy of developing assets for sustainable growth,” a company spokesperson said. With this increase, Sanbrado would strengthen its position among Burkina Faso’s leading gold mines, in a country central to West African gold production.

Beyond Sanbrado, WAF is preparing to open a second gold mine in Burkina Faso in the third quarter of 2025. The goal is clear: exceed 500,000 ounces annually within the next five years, placing the Australian company among regional leaders. This expansion comes as Burkina Faso seeks to use its mineral resources to stimulate its economy despite persistent security challenges.

With an initial cost of $42 million, the Toega project takes a phased approach, combining underground mining with current operations. This strategy enables WAF to limit financial risks while benefiting from sustained global demand for gold, a safe-haven metal during economic uncertainty.

By investing in Toega, West African Resources is doing more than increasing Sanbrado’s production: it is laying the foundations for a lasting and competitive presence in Burkina Faso, consolidating its role in Africa’s mining industry.