Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX:AUE) has commenced a 30,000-metre diamond drilling program at its Napié Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, as the company targets substantial growth in its existing resource base.
The drilling, which started in June, forms part of Aurum’s broader strategy to expand its current 870,000-ounce gold resource and to test several promising untested targets across the project area.
Resource growth and untested targets
The 30,000-metre drill program, powered by two Aurum-owned rigs, aims to grow the current mineral resource estimate (MRE) at Napié and further define new gold resources. The drilling will focus on the shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation found near the surface, as 93% of the existing MRE lies within 150 metres of surface.
Napié Project – Previous results with detailed mapping area on Komboro Prospect shown in black rectangle.
This provides significant upside for further resource expansion in the near term.
Recent drilling at Napié has already returned several high-grade intercepts, including:
- 41m @ 4.51g/t Au from 17m
- 13m @ 20.82g/t Au from 32m
- 9m @ 22.73g/t Au from 36m
- 32m @ 7.10g/t Au from 13m
- 10m @ 18.98g/t Au from 7m
In addition, a series of promising untested targets are included in the current program, such as artisanal workings and rock chip samples returning gold grades of up to 79.50g/t Au. Aurum is confident that the exploration campaign will yield valuable new resources to add to Napié’s overall resource base.
Location map of high-grade rock chip samples (yellow) as well as high-grade drill results (white) from previous scout drilling program.
“We’re pleased to report diamond drilling has started at the Napié Gold Project,” said Aurum’s managing director, Caigen Wang. “We have two diamond drill rigs spinning rods, with a plan to increase to four diamond rigs, and we aim to complete 30,000 metres at Napié before the end of this year.
“We are working on a multi-pronged approach, drilling to grow the 0.87-Moz MRE and drilling to define new gold resources from the portfolio of encouraging prospects that have never been followed up. The new drilling data will be used to update the Napié gold resource later this year.”
Parallel developments at Boundiali Gold Project
In addition to Napié, Aurum is also actively progressing at its flagship 1.6-million-ounce (Moz) Boundiali Gold Project. The company is conducting ongoing drilling at Boundiali with plans to complete 100,000 metres of drilling in 2025. Two MRE updates are also planned for Boundiali by the end of the year.
The company is currently working towards completing a pre-feasibility study (PFS) at Boundiali, which is also due for completion by the end of 2025.
“These programs are designed to deliver growth in our combined 2.5Moz gold resource base across Boundiali and Napié, and with substantial drilling programs under way, Aurum is well positioned for significant resource growth and value creation in 2025,” Wang said.
Location of Aurum’s projects in Côte d'Ivoire.
With a strong financial position bolstered by a $35.6 million private placement in May 2025, the company is well-funded to continue its drilling program through 2025. As part of its broader exploration campaign, Aurum remains committed to adding significant value through resource growth at both Napié and Boundiali, with both projects expected to contribute to a multi-million-ounce gold resource base.
Aurum’s exploration activities in Côte d'Ivoire are expected to position the company for substantial growth in the coming years, leveraging the district’s untapped potential and strong mineralisation to deliver significant returns for shareholders.