Aurum Plans 100,000m Drilling After 1m at 150.50 g/t Gold Hit at Boundiali

• Exceptional high-grade intercepts including 1m @ 150.50 g/t Au at Boundiali
• 100,000m diamond drilling program planned for 2025 targeting resource growth
• Two Mineral Resource Estimate updates scheduled for Boundiali in 2025
• Aurum advancing compulsory acquisition of Mako Gold, combining resources to 2.47Moz
• Strong financial position with approximately A$23 million cash for exploration

Exceptional High-Grade Gold Intercepts at Boundiali

Aurum Resources (ASX: AUE) has unveiled a series of impressive drilling results from its Boundiali Gold Project in northern Côte d'Ivoire. Among the highlights is a remarkable 1 metre intercept grading 150.50 grams per tonne (g/t) gold within a broader 3 metre zone averaging 50.56 g/t Au. Other notable intercepts include 2 metres at 63.55 g/t Au, featuring a 1 metre section at 110.95 g/t Au, and multiple additional high-grade hits across 17 diamond drill holes totaling 4,550 metres.

These results underscore the emerging potential of the Boundiali project, particularly at the BM Target 3 zone, which already boasts a project-best intercept of 1.19m at 277.54 g/t Au. Aurum’s Managing Director, Dr. Caigen Wang, expressed confidence that similar high-grade intercepts are likely to continue as drilling progresses.

Aggressive Drilling Program to Drive Resource Growth

Building on these promising results, Aurum is launching an extensive 100,000 metre diamond drilling campaign throughout 2025 at Boundiali. The program aims to expand and upgrade the current 1.59 million ounce (Moz) Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by targeting known deposits, BST, BD, and BM, as well as exploring new prospects identified through soil anomalies and geological mapping.

The company plans two MRE updates during the year to incorporate ongoing drilling results, with a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for Boundiali anticipated by year-end. This aggressive exploration strategy reflects Aurum’s commitment to unlocking significant resource growth and advancing the project towards development.

Strategic Acquisition and Consolidation of Gold Resources

Complementing its exploration efforts, Aurum is progressing the compulsory acquisition of Mako Gold Limited (ASX: MXG), which will consolidate the combined gold resources to approximately 2.47 Moz across the Boundiali and Napié projects. The Napié project itself holds an inferred resource of 0.87 Moz, with a 30,000 metre drilling program planned in 2025 to expand this resource and an updated MRE expected by year-end.

This merger positions Aurum as a significant gold resource holder in Côte d'Ivoire, with a diversified portfolio and multiple growth avenues. The combined entity benefits from operational synergies, including ownership of eight diamond drill rigs, enabling faster and more cost-effective exploration than many peers.

Financial Strength and Future Outlook

Aurum enters 2025 with a robust balance sheet, holding approximately A$23 million in cash following a recent A$10 million placement. This financial strength underpins the company’s ambitious exploration and development plans, allowing it to maintain momentum without immediate capital constraints.

With mineralisation remaining open along strike and at depth, and multiple high-grade intercepts confirming the quality of the Boundiali deposit, Aurum is well positioned to deliver substantial resource growth. The market will be watching closely as the company releases further drilling results and resource updates throughout the year.

Bottom Line?

Aurum’s 2025 drilling campaign and Mako acquisition set the stage for a transformative year in resource growth and project advancement.

Questions in the middle?

• How will the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate updates impact Aurum’s valuation and project economics?
• What are the timelines and key milestones for the Pre-Feasibility Study at Boundiali?
• How will Aurum integrate Mako Gold’s assets operationally and financially post-acquisition?