Can Aurum Sustain Its Momentum Amid Ambitious Drilling and Resource Targets?

Strong Drill Results Highlight Boundiali's Potential

Aurum Resources Limited (ASX: AUE) has announced compelling new assay results from its flagship Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, revealing shallow, wide, and high-grade gold mineralisation. Among the standout intercepts is a 34-metre section grading 2.32 grams per tonne (g/t) gold starting at 56 metres depth, including a richer 9-metre interval at 5.44 g/t gold. These results come from 14 diamond drill holes totaling nearly 5,000 metres at the BD Target 1 deposit, part of a broader 100,000-metre drilling campaign underway in 2025.

The drilling program aims to upgrade inferred resources to indicated status, test the limits of known mineralisation, and incorporate previously unclassified zones into upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) updates. The BD Target 1 deposit lies within a 13-kilometre by 3-kilometre mineralised corridor, with gold hosted in thick sandstone units associated with regional shear zones. The mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth, suggesting significant upside potential.

Ambitious Exploration and Development Agenda

Aurum is advancing aggressively, with plans for two MRE updates for Boundiali scheduled for July and late 2025. These updates will integrate ongoing drilling results from multiple deposits within the project area, including BD, BM, and BST. Concurrently, the company is preparing a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for Boundiali, targeted for completion by year-end 2025, which will provide a detailed economic and technical evaluation of the project.

In parallel, Aurum is gearing up for a 30,000-metre diamond drilling program at its recently acquired Napié Gold Project, which currently hosts an estimated 0.87 million ounces of gold. This program is set to commence in mid-June 2025, with an updated MRE expected by the end of the year. Combined, the Boundiali and Napié projects represent a substantial 2.5 million ounces of gold resources, positioning Aurum as a significant player in West African gold exploration.

Operational Strength and Financial Backing

Aurum’s operational capability is bolstered by ownership of eight diamond drill rigs, soon expanding to ten, enabling cost-effective and accelerated exploration. This in-house drilling fleet supports the company’s objective of rapid resource growth and efficient project advancement. Financially, Aurum is well-positioned following a $35.6 million private placement completed in May 2025, providing ample capital to execute its exploration and development plans without immediate funding concerns.

Managing Director Dr. Caigen Wang emphasized the strategic importance of the recent drill results and the company’s commitment to resource expansion and project advancement. The ongoing drilling and forthcoming MRE updates are expected to enhance the confidence and scale of Aurum’s gold resources, underpinning future value creation for shareholders.

Regional Context and Strategic Positioning

The Boundiali Gold Project is situated within a prolific greenstone belt in Côte d'Ivoire, near major gold mines such as Resolute’s Syama and Perseus’ Sissingué, as well as Montage Gold’s Koné project. Aurum holds significant interests in multiple tenements within this belt, including an 80% stake in the BD and BM tenements and 100% ownership of the BST tenement, with mining exploitation licenses underway. The company’s exploration approach leverages detailed geological understanding, advanced sampling techniques including photon assay, and rigorous quality controls to ensure robust data underpinning resource estimates.

With a combined resource base and active drilling programs, Aurum is strategically positioned to capitalize on the region’s gold endowment. The company’s focus on systematic exploration, resource upgrades, and feasibility studies reflects a clear pathway toward potential development and production.