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West African Resources Ltd., an Australian-listed gold producer, has announced that the first gold pour at its flagship Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso was completed ahead of schedule and under budget — a notable achievement that signals both operational excellence and a strong start to what is anticipated to become one of the region’s most significant gold mining operations.
According to Miningmx, Executive Chairman Richard Hyde described the milestone as a pivotal moment in the company’s ambitious plan to produce over 500,000 ounces of gold annually by 2030. “First gold comes just three and a half years after the acquisition of Kiaka, which is a remarkable achievement,” Hyde stated, expressing deep appreciation for the efforts of the construction team, financial partners Sprott and Coris Bank, and a host of contractors and local stakeholders.
West African Resources acquired a 90% stake in the Kiaka Gold Project from B2Gold Corp and its partner GAMS-Mining F&I in November 2021. The remaining 10% ownership of the project is retained by the Government of Burkina Faso. Despite challenging geopolitical conditions and a tight construction schedule, the company completed the project’s construction phase in Q2 of 2025, reinforcing its ability to deliver in complex environments.
The early-stage success of Kiaka not only demonstrates operational readiness but also reflects investor confidence in West African Resources’ long-term vision and capacity to manage large-scale developments in emerging markets.
The inaugural gold pour comes at a time of sweeping transformation within Burkina Faso’s mining sector. The West African nation — where gold accounts for nearly 80% of export earnings and 14% of GDP — is pushing forward reforms aimed at increasing state control over natural resources, capturing more value locally, and reducing illicit outflows.
In July 2024, Burkina Faso revised its mining code to:
- Increase the state’s free equity in new projects from 10% to 15%, with the option to acquire an additional 15%.
- Mandate increased Burkinabè ownership.
- Shorten permit durations to allow tighter oversight.
- Require companies to process part of their output domestically and contribute to national gold and mining development funds.
The government has also suspended small-scale export permits to reduce illegal trade and is constructing a national gold refinery in Ouagadougou to curb dependence on foreign processing facilities. In a more assertive move, the state recently took over several key mining assets through SOPAMIB, a new state-owned enterprise focused on consolidating national control over strategic resources.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/burkina-faso-acquires-200-kilos-of-gold-from-mana-mines/
Burkina Faso’s reforms signal a decisive shift toward economic sovereignty, aiming to convert its mineral wealth into sustainable development outcomes. If effectively implemented, the country’s model could inspire similar approaches across resource-rich African nations seeking greater control and value retention from their natural assets.
As West African Resources celebrates this major operational milestone, the success of Kiaka will now be closely watched as a case study in delivering investor returns while navigating — and potentially benefiting from — a reshaped mining policy landscape.