How Aurum’s 49% Resource Boost Transforms Boundiali Gold Project

Resource Growth and Strategic Significance

Aurum Resources Limited (ASX: AUE) has delivered a major boost to its flagship Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, reporting a 49% increase in Indicated Mineral Resources to 1.37 million ounces of gold. This substantial upgrade pushes the total Boundiali Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to 3.03 million ounces, reinforcing the project’s status as a significant West African gold asset.

The company’s consolidated Group Resource now stands at 3.90 million ounces, inclusive of the 0.87 million ounces from the Napié Gold Project, with an updated MRE for Napié anticipated later this quarter. Aurum’s aggressive exploration strategy, underpinned by ownership and operation of 12 diamond drill rigs, has been instrumental in this rapid resource expansion since taking control of the project in late 2023.

Exploration and Development Outlook

The 2026 exploration program is ambitious, with a 100,000-metre diamond drilling campaign already underway at Boundiali. Aurum is targeting multiple high-priority prospects that remain untested, alongside extensions at depth and along strike where mineralisation remains open. This ongoing drilling is expected to feed into the next major resource update planned for early Q3 2026.

Crucially, the company is advancing its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for Boundiali, due by the end of Q1 2026. The PFS will assess the project’s economic and technical viability, leveraging the increased Indicated Resources to design a large-scale, integrated open-pit mining operation. Aurum’s Managing Director, Dr Caigen Wang, emphasised that the resource upgrade provides a robust foundation for these studies and reflects the company’s operational efficiency and exploration success.

Geological and Metallurgical Confidence

The resource growth is supported by detailed geological modelling and rigorous sampling protocols, with independent validation by SLR (RPMGlobal Mining Advisory). The Boundiali deposits are situated within a prolific greenstone belt, sharing geological characteristics with nearby major mines such as Resolute’s Syama and Perseus’ Sissingué.

Metallurgical testwork indicates the ore is amenable to a standard free milling process with high gold recoveries (95-99%) and favourable grinding characteristics, suggesting efficient processing potential. These findings underpin the technical assumptions for the PFS and support Aurum’s confidence in the project’s economic prospects.

Financial Strength and Regional Context

Aurum enters this pivotal phase with a strong cash position of $40.2 million, ensuring the company is well-funded to sustain its exploration and development momentum. The Boundiali Project benefits from good infrastructure, including access to power and transport, and is strategically located near established mining operations in northern Côte d'Ivoire.

Environmental considerations are acknowledged, particularly as part of the resource lies within a classified forest area. Aurum has secured agreements to allow exploration and anticipates further approvals will be required for mining, which the company intends to manage responsibly.