West African Resources unearths thick gold zones below reserves in M5 North drilling update

The West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) share price is in focus today after the company reported standout high-grade gold hits from its M5 North drilling campaign, including 16 metres at 11.2 grams per tonne gold and confirmation of mineralisation well below current ore reserves.

What did West African Resources report?

• Diamond drilling at M5 North, Sanbrado delivered 16m at 11.2g/t Au and 45m at 1.9g/t Au
• Gold mineralisation extends 300m+ below current ore reserves, remaining open at depth
• The M5 North drilling program is only half complete, with further drilling scheduled into 2026
• A cutback study of the M5 North open pit is planned for Q1 2026
• Current open pit reserves at the M5 deposit last estimated using US$1,400/oz gold
• Ongoing exploration underway at both M5 South Underground and Toega Underground targets

What else do investors need to know?

Diamond drilling results confirm strong potential to extend mine life at Sanbrado, with thick, high-grade gold intercepts found significantly below the current pit design. The mineralisation remains open at depth, suggesting further upside as the program continues.

A review of the M5 open pit reserves is pegged for next year, and the company highlights peak gold production of 569,000 ounces is expected in 2029 as part of its 10-year plan. West African Resources holds unhedged resources of 12.2 million gold ounces and ore reserves of 6.5 million ounces.

Exploration momentum remains high, with drilling underway at other key prospects, and further studies—such as geotechnical and metallurgical—progressing in parallel.

What’s next for West African Resources?

Investors can look forward to ongoing drilling results from M5 North into 2026, with a focus on infill work to support reserve and resource updates. The company is also preparing an open-pit cutback assessment, flagging the potential to extend Sanbrado’s mine life materially.

A refreshed 10-year production plan and updated resource and reserve statement are slated for release in the June 2026 quarter, which could further shape the company’s growth outlook.

West African Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, West African Resources shares have risen 71%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen around 2% over the same period.

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The post West African Resources unearths thick gold zones below reserves in M5 North drilling update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.