Mayer Brown Assisted Coris Bank International Ignite Kiaka Gold Project With $265 Million Deal

Mayer Brown Assisted Coris Bank International Ignite Kiaka Gold Project With $265 Million Deal

Mayer Brown's legal expertise has powered a crucial partnership between Coris Bank International (CBI) and gold mining company West African Resources Limited (WAF). The $265 million financing deal unlocks the development of the Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso, paving the way for a significant boost to the region's economy.

Nestled in the heart of Burkina Faso, the Kiaka Project is among the largest undeveloped gold resources in West Africa. It holds the promise of a brighter future. This vast gold resource will not only generate wealth for the nation, but also empower communities in the Manga region through job creation, improved infrastructure, and a significant boost to GDP.

The $265 million loan facility for the Kiaka Gold Project comes from a partnership between Coris Bank International and a fund managed by Sprott Resource Lending Corp., with West African Resources Limited (WAF) already receiving its first $100 million.

Based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Coris Bank International fuels economic development across diverse sectors like construction, agriculture, and trade.

Mayer Brown's expertise extended beyond the Kiaka Gold Project, having previously advised Coris Bank International on the English Law inter-creditor agreement for its $96 million financing of the Burkina Faso-based Bombore Gold Mine, owned by the leading Canadian gold exploration and development company Orezone Gold Corporation in 2021.

The Mayer Brown team driving this deal was led by seasoned Finance partners Rachel Speight (London) and Alban Dorin (Paris), with valuable support from associate Elise Baha (Paris).