West African Resources (ASX:WAF) said that it expects gold production for the year to reach between 430,000 ounces and 490,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of less than $1,900 per ounce, according to a Tuesday ASX filing.

The Kiaka project in Burkina Faso is expected to contribute over half of the group's gold production in its first year of full production. The all-in sustaining cost guidance assumes an average gold price of $4,000 per ounce in 2026. Fuel comprises around 25% of the group's total operating costs. The guidance does not account for potential fuel price escalations in Burkina Faso.

Its drilling activities will focus on extending the mine life of the underground and open-pit operations at the Sanbrado project in Burkina Faso and its nearby deposits. Over 100,000 meters of drilling is scheduled across the Sanbrado and Kiaka production centers and their surrounding exploration areas.

Its unhedged mineral resources stand at 13.7 million ounces of gold as of Tuesday, while its ore reserves total 7 million ounces, according to a separate filing. Its 10-year production outlook forecasts the production of 5.3 million ounces of gold over the next 10 years, with production peaking in 2030 at 596,000 ounces.