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Aurum’s Boundiali Drilling Hits 6m at 30.68 g/t Gold, Targets 100,000m in 2025

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Aurum Resources has reported impressive high-grade gold assay results from its extensive diamond drilling at the Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, reinforcing the project's potential and underpinning ambitious exploration and development targets for 2025.

  • High-grade gold intercepts confirmed at BD and BST deposits
  • 100,000m diamond drilling program underway with eight rigs
  • Two Mineral Resource Estimate updates planned in 2025
  • Pre-Feasibility Study for Boundiali targeted for year-end
  • Concurrent 30,000m drilling at Napié Gold Project to expand resources
Image source middle. ©

Strong Drill Results Bolster Boundiali's Promise

Aurum Resources Limited (ASX, AUE) has released a detailed update on its diamond drilling campaign at the Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, revealing a series of high-grade gold intercepts that highlight the project's growing potential. Notably, drill hole DSDD0203 at the BDT1 deposit returned an exceptional 6 meters at 30.68 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 410 meters depth, including a standout 1 meter at 181.20 g/t. These results confirm extensions to high-grade shoots that remain open for further expansion.

The company’s exploration efforts span multiple deposits within the Boundiali project, including BDT1, BDT2, BDT3, and BST1, with assay results consistently demonstrating encouraging grades and widths. The BD tenement alone saw 57 holes drilled for nearly 14,000 meters, while the BST tenement added 14 holes for 2,500 meters. These extensive drilling activities underpin Aurum’s confidence in the project's upside.

Ambitious 2025 Drilling and Resource Growth Strategy

Aurum is aggressively pursuing a 100,000-meter diamond drilling program at Boundiali throughout 2025, deploying eight of its own diamond rigs to maintain cost-effective and accelerated exploration. The results from this campaign will feed into two planned Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) updates scheduled for this year, aiming to build upon the maiden 1.59 million ounce resource announced in late 2024.

Complementing the drilling, Aurum has initiated a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for Boundiali, targeting completion by the end of 2025. This study will evaluate the project's economic and technical viability, a critical step towards potential development and production.

Parallel Growth at Napié and Strong Financial Position

Alongside Boundiali, Aurum is advancing its 0.87 million ounce Napié Gold Project with a 30,000-meter diamond drilling program underway. The objective is to expand the existing resource base, with an updated MRE expected by year-end. Together, the two projects represent a combined gold resource of approximately 2.5 million ounces, positioning Aurum as a significant player in Côte d'Ivoire’s gold sector.

Financially, Aurum is well-supported with an estimated $46.9 million in cash and Montage shares, ensuring the company can sustain its exploration momentum and development initiatives. The company’s ownership of eight diamond rigs provides a strategic advantage in exploration efficiency and cost control.

Geological Context and Exploration Outlook

The Boundiali deposits are situated within a 13-kilometer by 3-kilometer mineralized corridor characterized by thick sandstone units hosting free-milling gold associated with disseminated pyrite and alteration minerals. The gold mineralization remains open along strike and at depth, offering significant potential for resource growth. Aurum’s ongoing drilling and exploration programs are designed to test these extensions and new targets identified through soil anomalies and geological mapping.

With a robust exploration pipeline, including the Encore JV project and other tenements, Aurum is strategically positioned to continue expanding its resource footprint in Côte d'Ivoire. The company’s methodical approach, combining high-quality drilling data with rigorous resource estimation and feasibility studies, reflects a clear pathway towards unlocking value for shareholders.

Bottom Line?

Aurum’s strong assay results and aggressive drilling schedule set the stage for significant resource growth and project advancement in 2025, but investors should watch closely for upcoming MRE updates and the Pre-Feasibility Study outcomes.

Questions in the middle?

  • How will the upcoming MRE updates impact Aurum’s valuation and project economics?
  • What are the timelines and risks associated with mining licence approvals for the BST tenement?
  • Can Aurum sustain its drilling momentum and resource growth beyond 2025 to support a potential mine development?