Aurum’s strongest Boundiali gold intercept points to further BST1 growth
Aurum Resources has reported its best-ever grade-thickness intercept at the Boundiali Gold Project, led by 28.8 metres at 22.92 g/t gold from the BST1 deposit. The results are intended to support an early fourth-quarter resource update and a definitive feasibility study due late in 2026.
- 28.8m at 22.92 g/t gold, including 17.95m at 36.57 g/t
- Highest grade-thickness intercept reported at Boundiali to date
- Mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth
- Early Q4 2026 resource update targeted
- Late 2026 DFS and early 2027 construction target remain subject to approvals and funding
Project-best intercept lifts BST1 resource case
Aurum Resources (ASX:AUE) has found its strongest drill intersection yet at the 3.22Moz Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, returning 28.80 metres at 22.92 g/t gold from 204 metres at the BST1 deposit. The interval includes 17.95 metres at 36.57 g/t and carries a reported grade-thickness of 660.2 gram-metres, which Aurum says is the highest recorded at Boundiali.
The result came from one of eight diamond holes totalling 2,564.35 metres. Other notable intersections included 57 metres at 2.87 g/t gold from BSDD0150, including 5 metres at 12.31 g/t, and 22 metres at 4.70 g/t from BSDD0142, including 2 metres at 45.86 g/t. The company also reported narrower high-grade hits, including 1 metre at 32.53 g/t and 2 metres at 10.20 g/t.
These are downhole lengths rather than true widths, which Aurum estimates at roughly 60% to 85% of the reported intervals. The distinction matters: the headline numbers are striking, but the geometry of the mineralisation will determine how much of the intercept can ultimately be reflected in a mineable resource.
BST1 remains open ahead of resource update
Aurum said the drilling intersected mineralisation outside the current BST1 resource and confirmed that the system remains open along strike and at depth. The current BST1 resource is stated at 22 million tonnes grading 0.8 g/t gold for 570,000 ounces, including an Indicated component of 6.9 million tonnes at 0.9 g/t for 190,000 ounces.
The latest assays will be assessed alongside geological data from drilling completed by 30 September for inclusion in the next Boundiali Mineral Resource Estimate, targeted for early in the fourth quarter. More than 120,000 metres of diamond core had been drilled at Boundiali during 2026 based on drill logs, with more than 36,000 metres completed on the BST tenement. Aurum plans 150,000 metres at Boundiali during the year, supported by 16 company-owned diamond rigs.
Drilling feeds into late-year feasibility work
The resource update is intended to feed into a Boundiali Definitive Feasibility Study expected late in 2026. Aurum said it is targeting mining licence approvals, final funding and construction commencement in early 2027, with first gold targeted for the first half of 2028. Those milestones remain forward-looking and depend on permitting, study outcomes, funding and project execution.
The company reported an unaudited cash balance of more than A$95 million following a recent placement. It is also planning 30,000 metres of drilling at the 1.16Moz Napié Gold Project from the fourth quarter, extending a development programme that now has to convert a growing exploration story into a defined mine plan.
Bottom Line?
The next Boundiali resource estimate is the key test: it should show whether BST1’s standout intercept expands the resource meaningfully or remains an isolated high-grade result.
Questions in the middle?
- How much of the new BST1 mineralisation will be added to the Indicated and Inferred resource categories?
- Will the updated resource materially alter the economics or mine plan in the Boundiali DFS?
- When will Aurum secure the required mining licences and development funding?
