Aurum Resources has unveiled new high-grade gold intercepts from 36 diamond drill holes at its Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, confirming mineralisation beyond current resource boundaries and underpinning further growth.
- 0.72m at 367 g/t gold intercept at BMT3 deposit
- 9,452m drilled across BMT1, BMT2, and BMT3 deposits
- Resource growth potential confirmed outside current Mineral Resource Estimate
- 130,000m drilling campaign underway with 16 rigs
- Next Boundiali resource update targeted for end Q3 2026
Exceptional High-Grade Intercepts at Depth
Aurum Resources (ASX:AUE) has reported a standout gold intercept of 0.72 metres grading an extraordinary 367 grams per tonne (g/t) from 485.94 metres downhole at its BMT3 deposit within the Boundiali Gold Project, Côte d'Ivoire. This intercept is part of a broader 1.76m interval averaging 150.87 g/t gold, underscoring the presence of high-grade mineralisation at depth well beyond current resource boundaries.
The 36 diamond drill holes, totalling 9,452 metres, also delivered other notable hits including 15.5m at 3.88 g/t and 10m at 3.46 g/t at BMT3, 15m at 1.05 g/t at BMT2, a deposit with no current resource, and 6.8m at 28.76 g/t at BMT1, which already hosts 320,000 ounces. These results collectively reinforce the potential to expand the existing 3.22 million ounce (Moz) resource at Boundiali.
Drilling Campaign Accelerates Resource Growth
Aurum is executing an aggressive 130,000-metre diamond drilling program across its Côte d'Ivoire portfolio, with 16 company-owned rigs currently operating. Of this, 100,000 metres target Boundiali, focusing on infill, step-out, and extensional drilling to convert and grow resources at BMT1, BMT2, and BMT3. The remaining 30,000 metres are earmarked for the Napié Gold Project.
Managing Director Dr Caigen Wang emphasised the strategic importance of these results: "Our latest results from BM continue to build the case for further resource growth at Boundiali. At BMT3, new holes extend high-grade mineralisation at depth, adding to the strong grades already returned along its 2.3km strike." He highlighted that BMT2 and BMT1 remain open for expansion, with ongoing drilling aimed at bringing previously unclassified mineralisation into inferred resource categories.
Project Development Milestones on Track
The new drilling data will feed into Aurum’s next major Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) update, targeted for the end of Q3 2026. This update follows a series of recent milestones, including environmental approvals secured in May and the delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and maiden Ore Reserve in June, which confirmed a 42.1 million tonne reserve at 0.9 g/t gold for 1.21 Moz.
The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for Boundiali is expected to be completed by late 2026, advancing the project closer to a mining licence and first production, targeted for early 2028. Aurum’s strong balance sheet, with A$54.7 million cash as of June 30, 2026, underpins its capacity to sustain exploration and development activities in parallel.
Regional Exploration and Portfolio Growth
Beyond Boundiali, Aurum is progressing resource expansion at its 1.16 Moz Napié Gold Project with a 30,000-metre drilling program and is actively exploring new targets through regional scout drilling and strategic joint ventures, including the Encore JV and Major Star Plus partnership. The company’s extensive landholding in Côte d'Ivoire situates it near established operations such as Resolute’s Syama mine and Montage Gold’s Koné project, offering promising exploration upside.
Gold mineralisation at Boundiali is hosted predominantly in diorite and sandstone with typical West African shear zone characteristics, including disseminated pyrite and quartz veining with visible gold. The mineralised zones remain open along strike and at depth, suggesting Aurum’s drilling campaign could uncover further significant extensions.
Bottom Line?
Aurum’s latest drilling confirms high-grade gold extensions at Boundiali, setting the stage for a pivotal resource update and DFS in the coming months.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming resource update reshape Aurum’s valuation and development plans?
- What are the implications of pending assay results for the BMT2 deposit’s resource classification?
- Can Aurum sustain its aggressive drilling pace while advancing permitting and feasibility studies?