West African Resources Limited
ACN 121 539 375
Principal Office:
Unit 14, 531 Hay Street
For personal use only
Subiaco WA 6008
Western Australia
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web:
+ 61 8 9481 7344
+ 61 8 9481 7355
[email protected]
www.westafricanresources.com
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
Thursday 16
t h
May 2013
Excellent preliminary metallurgical results
from Sartenga Discovery

Primary copper-gold-molybdenum mineralisation amenable to
processing by conventional grinding and flotation methods

Flotation test work underway on primary ore types with the aim of
creating a high-grade copper-gold and molybdenum concentrate

+90% indicative gold recoveries for oxide, transitional and primary
ore types in cyanide bottle roll leach test work

+90% indicative copper recoveries for transitional ore types in acid
bottle roll leach test work

Deep RC and diamond drilling ongoing

Maiden Resource in June 2013
Managing Director Richard Hyde said:
“Results from initial mineralogical studies confirm Sartenga primary mineralisation will be amenable
to treatment via conventional grinding and flotation methods. Importantly, bornite represents more
than 95% of the copper metal in the samples analysed, indicating potential to create a high-grade
copper-gold concentrate. Preliminary metallurgical test work also indicates potential for excellent
gold recoveries in oxide, transitional and primary ore types. Based on these positive developments
further metallurgical test work is underway with the aim of creating a high-grade copper-gold and
molybdenum concentrate by conventional grinding and flotation methods.”
West African Resources Limited (ASX: WAF) is pleased to report preliminary metallurgical results and
mineralogical studies for oxide, transitional and primary diamond core at its 100%-owned Sartenga
copper-gold discovery, part of the Boulsa Project, in Burkina Faso.
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West African Resources Limited
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Mineralogical Studies
Mineralogical studies on drill core samples from Sartenga have determined that the dominant sulphide
mineral in the primary material is bornite (Cu5FeS4) representing more than 95% of copper metal in the
samples studied (Figure 1). Molybdenite (MoS2) is the second most dominant sulphide mineral (Figure
2). Free gold was also noted in the study and is generally located along sulphide mineral boundaries
(Figures 1 and 2).
Based on the preliminary mineralogical work completed, Sartenga copper-gold-molybdenum primary
mineralisation will be amenable to processing by conventional grinding and flotation methods. Bornite
has a higher copper content compared to other sulphide copper minerals, therefore Sartenga has
potential to produce a high-grade copper-gold concentrate. No gangue minerals were identified during
the mineralogical assessment that would cause deleterious effects to the flotation of economic
sulphides. Very rare amounts of pyrite were noted in the drill core samples studied, which will also be a
benefit to the flotation of payable sulphides.
Preliminary Cyanide Leach Tests
Preliminary bottle roll cyanide leach test work has recently been completed on a suite of diamond core
samples drilled at Sartenga in late 2012. The samples included oxide, transitional and primary ore types.
High average indicative recoveries for gold of greater than 90% were returned for all ore types, with
better than 95% recorded for oxide and transitional mineralisation.
Preliminary Acid Leach Tests
Preliminary bottle roll acid leach test work was also carried out. High average indicative recoveries for
copper of greater than 90% for transitional mineralisation were recorded. Less than 15% of copper
was extracted into solution for the oxide sample. The oxide result is based on a single sample at the
time of reporting, and further oxide test work is ongoing and will be reported as results are received.
Based on these very positive preliminary mineralogical and metallurgical results, flotation test work is
underway on primary ore types with the aim of creating a high-grade copper-gold and molybdenum
sulphide concentrate.
Deep drilling targeting mineralised extensions and shallow drilling targeting high grade extensions is
ongoing at Sartenga. Results for further deep diamond core are imminent and will be reported as soon
as they are received and interpreted by the Company. The Company looks forward to reporting a
maiden resource for Sartenga in June 2013.
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West African Resources Limited
Figure 1: Magnified polished thin section of Sartenga primary mineralisation showing
relationship with bornite, molybdenite and gold. (Image width 200 microns)
(Au=Gold Bn=Bornite Mo=Molybdenite Qz=Quartz Cl=Chlorite)
Figure 2: Magnified polished thin section of Sartenga primary mineralisation showing
relationship with bornite, molybdenite and gold. (Image width 200 microns)
(Au=Gold Bn=Bornite Mo=Molybdenite Qz=Quartz Cl=Chlorite Co=Carbonate)
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West African Resources Limited
For personal use only
About West African Resources and the Boulsa Gold Project
The Boulsa Project in Burkina Faso covers 6,370km² and 200km of strike length of early Proterozoic Birimian greenstone belts
which are highly prospective for gold mineralisation. Significant results have already been returned from the project, which is
located immediately along strike from Orezone Gold Corp’s 5.2Moz Au Bomboré Deposit. West African has made a major AuCu-Mo discovery at the Sartenga Discovery in 2012.
West African Resources Ltd is focused on cost-effective copper-gold exploration, by keeping our administration and corporate
costs to a minimum and exploring as expeditiously as possible. We own and operate a fleet of six drill rigs which are working
continuously on the Boulsa Gold Project. Our drill fleet includes three auger rigs, one RAB rig and two multi-purpose RCdiamond rigs. In Burkina Faso we have a local exploration, drilling and support team of more than 50 people. West African
Resources is committed to the training and development of our local workforce.
West African will keep the market informed as results are received.
Further information is available at www.westafricanresources.com
For further information contact:
Richard Hyde
Nathan Ryan
Managing Director
Investor Relations
Ph: 0413 874 740
Ph: 0420 582 887
Email: [email protected]
Competent Person’s Statement
Information in this announcement that relates to exploration results or mineral resources is based on information compiled by
Mr Richard Hyde, a Director, who is a Member of The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Hyde has sufficient
experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he
is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of
Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code). Mr Hyde consents to the inclusion in this
announcement of the statements based on his information in the form and context in which they appear. Statements regarding
West African Resources’ plans with respect to its mineral properties are forward-looking statements. There can be no
assurance that West African Resources’ plans for development of its mineral properties will proceed as currently expected.
There can also be no assurance that West African Resources’ will be able to confirm the presence of additional mineral
deposits, that any mineralisation will prove to be economic or that a mine will successfully be developed on any of West African
Resources’ mineral properties.
Notes on assaying and compositing
Drill holes from SDH007 and SAC0390 onwards have been assayed using the Fire Assay method (40g) for Au with ICP OES finish,
and by ‘Mixed Acid Digest’ ICP OES method for Cu, and ICP MS for Mo, Ag and Re at Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Perth. Holes
from SAC001 to SAC0389, SDH001 to SDH006 and SRC001 to SRC015 have been analysed by 50g Fire Assay at BIGS Laboratory
in Ouagadougou for gold, copper and molybdenum by XRF using an Innov-x DP4000 on pulverised sample 90%p 75um. All
results for aircore drilling are based on 4m riffle-split composites, and RC and diamond results are based on representative 1m
samples, at 0.3% Cueq*, 0.5% Cueq*,0.7% Cueq* and 1.0% Cueq* lower cut offs, and not more than 8m of internal dilution,
unless otherwise stated. For oxide intercepts, Cueq* has only been used as a guide for compositing results. All results are
reported as down hole intercepts, true widths are yet to be determined. WAF employs strict QAQC protocols, including
regularly inserting blank, field duplicate and reference material into the sample sequence. For the data contained in this
release, all QAQC results have reported within acceptable limits for the assay methods used.
Copper/Gold Equivalent Calculations (Cu eq* and Au eq*)
The copper or gold equivalent calculation represents total metal value for each metal, summed and expressed in equivalent
percent copper or grams per tonne gold. These results are exploration results only. No assumptions have been made for
potential metal recoveries, however it is the Company’s opinion that metals considered here have a reasonable potential to be
recovered as evidenced in similar Au-Cu-Mo related mineralisation elsewhere in the World. As Sartenga is still at an early stage
of development, ratios between gold and copper are variable in different parts of the system, therefore the Company considers
it appropriate to report exploration results in both copper and/or gold equivalents depending on the dominant metal. At the
time of reporting copper and gold equivalent results have only been reported for primary material. The Company is
investigating the potential to recover metals from oxide material, and for the moment will continue to report individual metal
results for oxide intercepts until preliminary test work has been completed.
Copper equivalent conversion factors and long-term price assumptions used are as follows:
Copper Equivalent Formula= Cu % + Au g/t x 0.58 + Mo g/t x 0.0005 + Ag x0.015
Gold equivalent conversion factors and long-term price assumptions used are as follows:
Gold Equivalent Formula= Au g/t + Cu % x 1.71 + Mo g/t x 0.0009 + Ag x0.025
Price Assumptions- Au (US$1200/oz) Cu (US$3/lb) Mo (US$15/lb) Ag (US$30/oz)
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West African Resources Limited
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Technical Terms
Ag
Aircore Drilling
Au
Auger Drilling
Cu
Diamond Drilling (DD)
g/t
ICP
Induced Polarisation
MAD
Mo
MS
OES
ppb
ppm
RAB Drilling
RC Drilling
Re
Rhenium
XRF
Chemical symbol for silver.
Reverse Circulation drilling method, using a blade bit. A drilling method in which the sample is
brought to the surface inside the drill rods using compressed air, reducing contamination.
Chemical symbol for gold.
A drilling method in which the sample is brought to the surface via a helical or spiral rods.
Chemical symbol for copper.
A rotary drilling method with diamond impregnated bits to produce a solid, continuous core
sample of the rock.
grams per tonne.
Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
Induced polarization (IP) is a geophysical imaging technique used to identify subsurface materials,
such as ore. An electric current is induced into the subsurface through two electrodes, and
voltage is monitored through two or more other electrodes.
Mixed acid digest including Hydrofluoric, Nitric, Hydrochloric and Perchloric Acids. This extended
digest approaches a total digest for many elements however some refractory minerals are not
completely attacked.
Chemical symbol for molybdenum.
Mass Spectrometry
Optical Emission Spectrometry
parts per billion, e.g. 1000 ppb Au equals 1 ppm Au, or 1 g/t Au.
parts per million, equivalent to g/t.
Rotary Air Blast drilling. A drilling method in which the sample is brought to the surface outside of
the drill rods using compressed air.
Reverse Circulation drilling. A drilling method in which the sample is brought to the surface inside
the drill rods using compressed air, reducing contamination.
Chemical symbol for Rhenium.
Rhenium is a rare metal that is highly resistant to heat and wear. Rhenium resembles manganese
chemically and is obtained as a by-product of molybdenum and copper ore.
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is the emission of characteristic "secondary" (or fluorescent) X-rays from
a material that has been excited by bombarding with high-energy X-rays or gamma rays. The
phenomenon is widely used for chemical analysis.
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