Why is this top ASX 200 gold stock crashing 15% on Wednesday?

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) is taking a dive on Wednesday.

West African shares just emerged from a lengthy trading halt this morning.

The ASX 200 gold stock last traded on 27 August, when shares closed the day at $3.04.

In early morning trade today, West African shares are changing hands for $2.58 apiece, down 15.1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 1% at this same time, while the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 1.1%.

Why did West African Resources pause trading in August?

Before market open on 28 August, West African notified the market that it was temporarily pausing trading. A temporary pause that since drew out to almost three months.

The ASX 200 gold stock, whose shares were up 106.8% year to date at the time, said it was entering the trading halt as it prepared to announce a request from the Burkina Faso government to acquire, “for valuable paid consideration”, an additional 35% of the miner’s subsidiary Kiaka SA, which owns the recently constructed Kiaka gold project.

Today, investors received that announcement.

Here’s what we know.

ASX 200 gold stock tumbles on sovereign risk

Following lengthy negotiations, investors look to be selling down West African shares today as few concrete results appear to have been achieved, leaving more negotiations and uncertainties on the horizon.

The ASX 200 gold stock said that following the Burkina Faso government’s request to acquire a larger equity interest in Kiaka SA, it has held discussions with the government aimed at promoting the long-term growth of the nation’s gold mining industry.

While no new deals look to have been reached, West African Resources said the government has affirmed its commitment to reaching an outcome that respects the legitimate interests of all parties.

Management noted that West African’s Sanbrado and Toega gold projects, both located in Burkina Faso, have not been part of the discussions.

As an alternate to the government acquiring more equity in new and previously closed gold projects, like the Kiaka project, West African Resources said it has proposed that the government increase both national participation and its revenue from these projects.

What did management say?

West African Resources Chairman and CEO Richard Hyde recently returned from discussions in Burkina Faso.

Commenting on the ongoing negotiations that look to be pressuring the ASX 200 gold stock today, Hyde said, “We appreciate the constructive engagement and continued support of the government of Burkina Faso.”

According to Hyde:

Our discussions regarding the ownership structure of our recently constructed Kiaka Project have reflected a shared vision to develop a strong and sustainable mining industry that benefits the Burkinabe people and delivers long-term value for all stakeholders. Sanbrado and Toega have not been part of these discussions.

Hyde added:

Operations at Sanbrado and Kiaka have remained unaffected throughout this engagement with the Government. We remain on track to achieve group production guidance of 290,000 to 360,000 ounces gold in calendar year 2025.

The post Why is this top ASX 200 gold stock crashing 15% on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.