A drill intercept recording 9m grading 93.55 grams per tonne from 183m was made up-dip of a previous hit of 16m at 69.11gpt from 209m at M1 South.

The new hit was described as “critical in ensuing continuity” of the high grade shoot, with West African looking to install twin gravity concentrators at its planned Tanlouka plant to process  the disseminated, fine grained gold found at this target.

Meanwhile the company said drilling had also hit gold down dip of the resource area.

Four rigs are currently in action.

West African’s Tanlouka project comprises a mix of deposits, with M1 South the clear standout in terms of grade – currently 96,000 ounces indicated in dirt grading 10.3gpt, and 83,000oz inferred at 6.4gpt.

Overall at Tanlouka there is 9.8 million tonnes grading 2.1gpt for 700,000oz in the indicated category, and 10.7Mt at 2gpt for 700,000oz in the inferred category.

A processing plant with capacity of 2-3Mt per annum is under consideration.

West African currently has about $A19 million cash.

Shares in the West African closed Friday at 23c, capitalising the company at $111 million.

The stock hit 43c back in August and raised $21 million at about the same time by issuing new shares at 30c.

The gold price back then was at levels around $US1350/oz versus more recent pricing below $1200/oz.