Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX:AUE) has delivered further high-grade gold results from infill and step-back drilling at the BMT3 deposit within its flagship Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, bolstering confidence ahead of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) due in the current quarter.
The latest results form part of Aurum’s 100,000-metre drilling program completed during 2025 and are aimed at increasing both the size and confidence of resources across the 2.41-million-ounce (Moz) Boundiali project. New assays from 20 diamond drill holes for just over 5,000 metres have confirmed multiple high-grade intersections at depth, reinforcing the continuity and upside potential of the BMT3 system.
Aurum’s Boundiali Gold Project.
High-grade intercepts confirm depth extensions
Key intercepts from the latest drilling include 6.89 metres at 7.22 grams per tonne gold from 233.79 metres, including 5 metres at 9.67 g/t, and 17.30 metres at 2.64 g/t gold from 295.70 metres, including 9 metres at 4.75 g/t.
Additional highlights returned 5 metres at 5.76 g/t gold from 206 metres, including 1.14 metres at 23.30 g/t, as well as 3.15 metres at 6.92 g/t gold from 82 metres and 12 metres at 1.68 g/t gold from 293 metres, including a one-metre interval grading 11.12 g/t.
Aurum said the drilling has successfully extended high-grade mineralisation beyond 250 metres’ depth at BMT3, providing important inputs for the upcoming Boundiali resource update. The BMT3 deposit is located on the BM tenement, where Aurum holds an 80% interest, and remains open along strike and at depth.
Oblique Cross Section looking northeast (+/-25m) showing new drill results (yellow) for BMT3.
Results feed directly into resource update and PFS
Managing director Dr Caigen Wang said the latest results were a strong outcome as the company finalises MRE update inputs.
“These new results at BMT3 deliver exactly what we need for our upcoming resource update: increased confidence and clear evidence of depth extension,” Wang said. “We have successfully hit high-grade intercepts deeper than 250 metres, proving the system remains wide open.”
He noted that this batch of assays would be the final results included in the Q1 Boundiali resource update and would also feed directly into the project’s Pre-Feasibility Study, which is due for completion in the same quarter.
The new drilling builds on a series of previously reported high-grade intersections at BMT3, with headline results such as 4.2 metres at 80.64 g/t gold, 3.8 metres at 73.82 g/t gold and multiple 1-metre intervals grading above 150 g/t gold. Collectively, the results point to a robust high-grade system with strong vertical continuity.
Plan view showing new drill results (yellow) for BMT3.
Geology and mineralisation remain open
Gold mineralisation at BMT3 is hosted within a diorite intrusive emplaced between volcanic and sedimentary rocks and is characterised by disseminated pyrite, quartz veinlets and occasional visible gold, with associated silica, carbonate and chlorite alteration.
True widths of the reported intercepts are estimated at about 60% to 80% of downhole lengths. Aurum said mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth across all deposits, with drilling ongoing.
Aggressive growth plans for 2026
Looking ahead, Aurum is preparing for an aggressive growth and development phase in 2026. The company is planning a further 100,000 metres of diamond drilling at Boundiali this year, supported by its self-owned fleet of 12 diamond drill rigs, with two additional MRE updates targeted for mid and late 2026.
At the Napié Gold Project, which hosts an existing 0.87Moz resource, a 30,000-metre diamond drilling program is under way, with an updated resource estimate also scheduled for release in Q1.
Aurum ended December with an unaudited cash balance of about $40.1 million, providing funding to support drilling, studies and regional exploration as it works towards a Definitive Feasibility Study at Boundiali in late 2026.
Location of Aurum’s Boundiali and Napié gold projects in Côte d'Ivoire.