1Based on public disclosure by WAF. Please see the Company’s 2019 Feasibility Study. WEST AFRICAN RESOURCES AND OREZONE TO UNLOCK OPERATIONAL SYNERGIES
OREZONE GOLD CORPORATION
450-505 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, V7X 1M3
T: 778-945-8977
1Based on public disclosure by WAF. Please see the Company’s 2019 Feasibility Study.
WEST AFRICAN RESOURCES AND OREZONE TO UNLOCK OPERATIONAL SYNERGIES
October 2, 2023 – Vancouver, BC - Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone”)
and West African Resources (ASX:WAF) (“WAF”) are pleased to announce that the two companies intend
to enter into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) to investigate synergies on their respective three
mining projects that could unlock significant value for all stakeholders. Orezone’s Bombor é and WAF’s
Sanbrado operating centers are located within 14km of each other, and host a M&I Mineral Resource of
5.1Moz and 3.0Moz, respectively1. WAF is also constructing the 5.9Moz M&I and 1.8Moz Inferred Kiaka
project located 45km south of Sanbrado with gold production planned to commence in 2025 1. The two
operating mines, development pr ojects, and exploration tenure cover a contiguous area over 1,800km2
and 100 strike km of highly prospective greenstone belts and structures1. (Figure 1)
The MOU between the two gold mining companies, which operate independently in Burkina Faso , is
expected to deliver significant savings over the life of mine to their respective operations with specific
emphasis in the following areas:
• Grid Power: Orezone is in the final stages of connecting the Bomboré mine to the national power
grid and the Kiaka process plant will also source its power from the grid. Both companies have
agreed to investigate the opportunity to extend the Bombor é grid power spur line to Sanbrado
which would materially reduce the processing costs at Sanbrado. (Figure 2)
• Thermal Back-up Power: Connecting both mines would allow Bomboré to access Sanbrado’s
24MW HFO and LFO power plant for back-up power when required to maintain operations.
• Renewable Energy: Both companies will investigate the potential to install a centralized solar
power plant to further reduce power costs at their operations and capture the economies of scale
of a larger jointly funded project.
• Procurement and Supply Chain: The companies will look to use their combined purchasing power
to reduce consumable, storage, and transport costs.
• Common Spares: Both companies will review which critical spares can be jointly shared between
the operations to optimize inventory levels.
• Community and CSR : The companies will liaise in the areas of CSR, training, employment and
Livelihood Restoration Programs to ensure maximum benefit s to local communities. Youth
employment programs and training centres will be established , and skills training will be
emphasised together with health care , agriculture management and restoration of the local
environment.
• Security: Both companies will look at opportunities to cooperate and optimize security costs.
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Richard Hyde, Executive Chairman and CEO of WAF, commented: “The ongoing discussions between WAF
and Orezone reflect a commonsense approach to reduce costs and optimise invested capital. We expect
this cooperative approach will enable both companies to enhance returns to shareholders, as well as
deliver on the long-term future of gold mining in this region of Burkina Faso”.
Patrick Downey, President and CEO of Orezone, commented: “This MOU represents an effective way to
generate long-term value from each of our assets in Burkina Faso with the active participation of our
neighboring communities. With the broader industry continuing to face cost inflation, this MOU represents
an important opportunity to further improve our cost structure and create further value for our
shareholders. As Orezone and WAF look to advance these initiatives, we will continue to pursue the highest
standards in safety, along with responsible and meaningful engagement with our employees,
communities, and other stakeholders”.
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Figure 1: Orezone and WAF Burkina Faso Project Locations
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Figure 2: Current and proposed high voltage infrastructure in the vicinity of Orezone and WAF Projects
About Orezone Gold Corporation
Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a Canadian mining company operating the open
pit Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso.
Orezone is focusing on mining and processing the Phase I near surface free-dig oxides at a planned annual
throughput of 5.7 million tonnes. The Company believes that Bomboré has a significant underlying hard
rock resource to support a substantially larger Phase II expansion. The Company has recently completed
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a resource definition drill program, and plans to issue an updated mineral resource, reserve and life of
mine plan, as part of this Phase II expansion.
Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven
track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.
The technical report for the 2019 Feasibility Study on Bomboré entitled NI 43 -101 Technical Repor t
(Amended) Feasibility Study of the Bomboré Gold Project is available on SEDAR + under the Company’s
profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Patrick Downey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Vanessa Pickering
Manager, Investor Relations
Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
[email protected] / www.orezone.com
For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at
www.orezone.com.
The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news
release.
Qualified Person
Rob Henderson, P. Eng. VP Technical Services, is the Qualified Person who has approved the Company’s
scientific and technical information in this news release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward -looking information” within the
meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable
U.S. securities laws (together, “forward -looking statements”). Forward -looking statements are frequently
characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential",
"possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should"
occur. Forward -looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to
entering into the MOU and any synergies that may be achieved if the MOU is entered into ; the Sanbrado Mineral
Resource; the Kiaka project; and the contiguous area and the highly prospective greenstone belts and structures.
All such forward-looking statements are based on certai n assumptions and analyses made by management in light
of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well
as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in th e circumstances.
All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not
limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure
of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their
enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest;
changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of unanticipated
costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management
personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling
programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and
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costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company's most recent annual information
form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR + on . Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
Although the forward-looking statements con tained in this press release are based upon what management of the
Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be
consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this
press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities
laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward -looking statements contained
herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.