• WAF expects gold output to rise to 430,000–490,000 ounces in 2026

• Growth driven by first full year of production at Kiaka mine

• Long-term plan points to sustained output above 500,000 ounces

Australia’s West African Resources (WAF) said on March 31 it expects to produce between 430,000 and 490,000 ounces of gold in Burkina Faso in 2026, up from 300,383 ounces delivered last year. If achieved, the forecast would mark a record year for the company, driven by the ramp-up of its new Kiaka gold mine.

Until June 2025, WAF’s gold production came solely from its Sanbrado mine in Burkina Faso. The launch of Kiaka marked a turning point, with 2026 set to be its first full year of operations. The company expects Kiaka to produce up to 280,000 ounces this year, compared with 95,155 ounces in 2025, while Sanbrado is projected to contribute up to 210,000 ounces.

Richard Hyde, WAF’s executive chairman, said 2026 is expected to be a record production year, driven by the first full year of operations at Kiaka and continued strong output from Sanbrado. He added that the company forecasts gold production between 430,000 and 490,000 ounces in 2026.

The outlook reflects a broader long-term strategy centered on scaling up operations in Burkina Faso. Between 2027 and 2035, WAF expects annual production to remain consistently above 500,000 ounces. These projections also support Burkina Faso’s national gold output, which already rose in 2025 to 94 tons, or about 3 million ounces.

Still, meeting these targets will require the company to maintain efficient operations and manage potential disruptions. The outlook also comes as Burkina Faso’s government seeks to increase its stake in the Kiaka mine to 50%, up from the current 15%. Discussions between the two sides are ongoing, with no clear outcome yet.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou