PRECIOUS METALS

Big three quarters ahead for West African

Expects to be net cash by end of 2021 with dividends, share buy-back on cards in 2022

This article is 4 years old. Images might not display.

Production in the March quarter totalled 55,823 ounces at all-in sustaining costs of US$957 per ounce, with the company maintaining guidance for the full year of 250,000-280,000oz at AISC of $720-800/oz.

Assuming guidance is met and the gold price doesn't collapse, that's anticipated to see the company in a net cash position by late this year, and the $200 million debt provided by Taurus extinguished in the first quarter of 2022.

The Taurus debt was reduced to $137 million earlier this month when a $25 million repayment was made.

At the end of March, WAF had A$94 million cash on hand, with $39 million generated from operating activities and $31.4 million in unsold bullion.

In a slow start to the ASX session for gold miners, shares in WAF were down 3% to 95.5c, capitalising the company at $843 million.

The flagging of a possible share buy-back initiative next year comes with analysts at Sprott recently claiming WAF's shares were being very undervalued by investors - at a then price of 87.5c.

The Sprott team said "the Australian market stubbornly refuses to price WAF in line with peers", and suggested "M&A must surely be on the cards in our view, not the least given the scarcity value of plus-200,000oz producers and as WAF's fundamentals rise while price falls".

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence: Investor Sentiment Report 2025

Exclusive insights into the plans, priorities and preferences of 130+ mining investors and top factors influencing investment decisions in 2025.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2024 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 117 jurisdictions globally, assessed across six risk categories and an industrywide survey.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.