Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX:AUE) has reported multiple high-grade gold intercepts from its first two diamond holes at the Tchaga deposit, part of the 0.87-million-ounce (Moz) Napié Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
The standout hit of 17 metres at 9.38 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 236 metres included 3 metres at 49.46 g/t and 1 metre at 143.58 g/t. These results extend known mineralisation at depth to 340 metres — previously limited to 120 metres — indicating strong potential for further growth.
Location of Aurum’s projects in Côte d'Ivoire.
With 30,000 metres of drilling underway at Napié and 100,000 metres planned for Boundiali, Aurum is targeting significant resource upgrades across its 3.28Moz portfolio. Updated mineral resource estimates (MREs) for both projects and a pre-feasibility study (PFS) at Boundiali are slated for late 2025.
"It is my pleasure to announce the first results from our diamond drilling at the Napié Project’s Tchaga deposit. Strong multiple intercepts down NADD053 with hits including 17m @ 9.38 g/t Au from 236m inc. 3m @ 49.46 g/t Au inc. 1m @ 143.58 g/t Au have extended gold mineralisation down to 340m below surface, where previously on this section it was 120m. This great result confirms extensions to high-grade shoots at Tchaga, where mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth,” managing director Dr Caigen Wang said.
“Aurum's use of its own drill rigs, with our fleet of 10 rigs, provides for cost-effective and accelerated exploration, underpinning our objective of significant resource growth at Napié and Boundiali in 2025 and beyond, ultimately contributing to a Pre-Feasibility Study for Boundiali expected by year-end.
“With a combined 3.28Moz of gold across Boundiali and Napié, and substantial drilling programs ongoing for both projects, Aurum is well-positioned for significant resource growth and further value creation in 2025."
Tchaga results confirm depth potential
Diamond drill holes NADD051 and NADD053 at Tchaga, which contains 545,000 ounces at 1.16 g/t Au, have returned wide and high-grade intercepts. Highlights include:
- 17 metres at 9.38 g/t gold from 236 metres including 3 metres at 49.46 g/t and 1 metre at 143.58 g/t (NADD053)
- 4 metres at 11.82 g/t from 362 metres including 1 metre at 46.16 g/t (NADD053)
- 17 metres at 1.49 g/t from 387 metres including 4 metres at 4.16 g/t (NADD053)
- 10.45 metres at 0.65 g/t from 90.55 metres including 2 metres at 2.26 g/t (NADD051)
These are the first diamond holes drilled since Aurum started its 30,000-metre program at Napié. The results demonstrate both depth continuity and high-grade mineralisation at Tchaga, which remains open along strike and at depth — critical for the upcoming resource update.
Strong historical dataset underpins confidence
The latest results add to an extensive reverse circulation (RC) drilling database acquired from Mako Gold, now a wholly owned Aurum subsidiary. Historic hits include:
- 13 metres at 20.82 g/t from 32 metres (NARC145)
- 9 metres at 22.73 g/t from 36 metres (NARC184)
- 10 metres at 18.98 g/t from 7 metres (NARC486)
- 28 metres at 4.86 g/t from 83 metres (NARC057)
- 25 metres at 3.43 g/t from 53 metres (NARC017)
These results confirm the high-grade nature of mineralisation and support the strategy to focus on deeper diamond drilling below the existing resource envelope.
Mineralisation is hosted in a major +30 kilometre shear zone and associated alteration haloes with quartz veining — a structurally controlled orogenic system common to the West African Birimian belt.
Expanding Napié and Boundiali through 2025
Aurum is running parallel drill campaigns: 30,000 metres at Napié and 100,000 metres at Boundiali, using its fleet of 10 company-owned rigs. These efforts aim to significantly grow the company’s resource base and feed into new MREs and a PFS by year-end.
At Boundiali, Aurum plans to:
- Increase confidence in existing deposits (BD, BM, BST)
- Target new anomalies via soil sampling and scout drilling
- Deliver a second MRE and complete the Boundiali open-pit PFS
With exploration accelerating, Aurum is well capitalised, holding approximately A$40 million (unaudited, including Montage shares) to execute on its strategy.
Strategic positioning and ownership
Aurum’s Napié Project is 90% owned, with African American Investment Fund (AAIF) holding the remaining 10% interest free-carried to feasibility.
Boundiali comprises four exploration licences and multiple joint venture arrangements, enabling Aurum to earn up to 95% interest in key permits through staged expenditure and drilling.
Combined, Aurum controls 3.28Moz across both projects: 2.41Moz at Boundiali and 0.87Moz at Napié. With aggressive exploration in motion, the company remains focused on building a pipeline of discoveries to drive long-term shareholder value.