Aurum Resources Advances 4.2Moz Gold Projects in Côte d’Ivoire with PFS and Strategic Growth

Aurum’s Rapid Rise to Mid-Tier Gold Producer

In just over two years, Aurum Resources (ASX:AUE) has transformed from a junior explorer to a burgeoning gold developer in Côte d’Ivoire, boasting a consolidated 4.2 million ounce gold resource across two key projects. The Boundiali Gold Project holds 3.03Moz while the Napié Gold Project adds another 1.16Moz, positioning Aurum well within reach of mid-tier producer status in a highly prospective West African jurisdiction.

This leap forward is underpinned by a strategic acquisition spree, including the purchase of Mako Gold Limited which brought Napié into Aurum’s fold, and a relentless drilling campaign powered by Aurum’s own fleet of 14 diamond drill rigs. This operational edge slashes discovery costs to around US$45 per meter, a fraction of the industry average, enabling extensive, high-velocity exploration that many juniors simply cannot afford.

Central Processing Hub at Boundiali Takes Shape

Aurum is now focused on advancing a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for a central processing facility at Boundiali, expected in Q2 2026. The plan is to build a high-capacity Carbon-in-Pulp/Carbon-in-Leach (CIP/CIL) plant to serve as the operational heart of the district, unlocking value from the 3.03Moz resource. Preliminary metallurgical testwork supports conventional milling and gravity recovery methods with gold recoveries between 95% and 99%, and promising reductions in reagent consumption.

The company has made solid progress on environmental and social impact studies, aiming for approvals by Q3 2026 alongside mining license grants. These milestones are critical to de-risking the project for financing and eventual construction decisions, targeted for the second half of 2026.

Resource Growth Continues Across Multiple Deposits

Drilling results highlight the scale and quality of Aurum’s gold corridors. At Boundiali’s BD tenement, 1.38Moz has been delineated from multiple deposits, with significant intercepts such as 83m at 4.87 g/t Au and 89m at 2.42 g/t Au. The BM tenement adds another 1.07Moz from high-grade shoots, including standout hits like 4.2m at 80.64 g/t Au and 1.19m at 277.54 g/t Au.

The BST project hosts a shallow 0.57Moz resource with ongoing drilling targeting growth along a 5.5km strike. Meanwhile, the Napié project remains open for expansion along a 26km gold-bearing shear zone, with over 93% of its 1.16Moz resource within 150m of surface. Recent drilling at Napié has delivered high-grade intercepts such as 13m at 20.82 g/t Au and 9m at 22.73 g/t Au, supporting a 34% resource increase reported earlier this month.

This recent upgrade at Napié, which lifted the group’s total resource to 4.2Moz, reflects the ongoing success of Aurum’s extensive 30,000m diamond drilling program planned for 2026, as well as strong metallurgical recoveries averaging over 94% Napié Gold Resource by 34%.

Capital and Corporate Strength Bolster Growth

Backing this aggressive growth strategy is a robust balance sheet, fortified by a recent $28.8 million strategic placement led by Perseus Mining, which now holds a 9.9% stake. Aurum’s cash reserves exceed A$60 million, supporting a 130,000m drilling campaign and feasibility studies across its gold assets. The company’s market capitalisation stands around A$270 million, with enterprise value near A$210 million.

Leadership continuity and expertise remain strong with Managing Director Dr Caigen Wang, Executive Director Mark Strizek, and recently appointed Non-Executive Chairman Richard Simpson steering the company’s rapid development trajectory.

Local Engagement and Jurisdictional Advantages

Aurum’s success is also rooted in its commitment to local partnerships and sustainable operations in Côte d’Ivoire, a stable and underexplored gold jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure. The company prioritises local employment and community projects, such as sponsoring health initiatives and building infrastructure like bridges near its projects.

West Africa remains the world’s largest gold-producing region, with Côte d’Ivoire offering a transparent mining code and efficient permitting processes that reduce time from discovery to production. Aurum’s consolidated landholding of over 2,500km2 in this Birimian greenstone belt provides a strong platform for further discoveries and resource growth.