Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX:AUE) has extended high-grade gold mineralisation at its 2.41-million-ounce (Moz) Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, with drilling pushing the BDT3 deposit 600 metres north of the current resource model and confirming a 130-metre vertical depth extension at BST1.
The latest assays form part of a 100,000-metre diamond drilling program aimed at expanding and upgrading resources ahead of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) due this quarter.
Aurum’s Boundiali Gold Project.
High-grade step-out at BDT3
At BDT3, 11 diamond holes for 2,715.9 metres targeted strike extensions beyond the limits of the existing resource model.
Standout intercepts included:
- 9 metres at 8.15 g/t gold from 207 metres, including 2 metres at 35.83 g/t (DSDD0361)
- 9 metres at 8.00 g/t gold from 223 metres, including 1 metre at 70.37 g/t (DSDD0355)
Hole DSDD0361 was drilled about 800 metres north of a previous high-grade intercept and confirms multiple plunging high-grade shoots within the system. The company said the new results demonstrate that mineralisation extends more than 600 metres north of the current resource boundary, providing a clear pathway for resource growth in the upcoming update.
Cross Section looking north (+/-25m) showing new drill results (yellow) for BDT3.
The BDT3 deposit sits within a largely underexplored 13-by-3-kilometre mineralised corridor, where gold is hosted in a north–south trending sandstone unit between volcano-sedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is free milling and associated with disseminated pyrite and alteration including silica, chlorite and tourmaline. True widths are estimated at 60–80% of reported downhole intercepts.
Plan view showing new drill results (yellow) for BDT3.
Depth growth confirmed at BST1
At BST1, 13 diamond holes for 4,492.3 metres focused on extending mineralisation below the current MRE.
Better results included:
- 10 metres at 2.51 g/t gold from 170 metres, including 5 metres at 4.74 g/t (BSDD0036)
- 18.4 metres at 1.04 g/t gold from 240 metres, including 4 metres at 2.00 g/t (BSDD0043)
Drilling has extended gold mineralisation by an average of around 130 metres vertically beneath the existing resource model on the sections tested, confirming the system remains open at depth and along strike.
Cross Section looking north (+/-25m) showing new drill results (yellow) for BST1.
BST1, located 19 kilometres south of BDT1 on the Nyangboue shear zone, hosts gold within folded sedimentary rocks. Higher-grade zones are associated with structurally controlled quartz veining and visible gold, enveloped by broader lower-grade disseminated mineralisation. True widths are estimated at 65–85% of downhole lengths.
Plan view showing new drill results (yellow) for BST1.
Resource and development catalysts ahead
Managing director Dr Caigen Wang said the results highlight the scale of the Boundiali system beyond the current resource base and will be incorporated into the imminent MRE update.
“With our 12 company-owned rigs active and $40 million in the bank, we are perfectly positioned to deliver our Boundiali PFS towards the end of this quarter and move rapidly toward a DFS in late 2026,” he said.
Aurum reported an unaudited cash balance of about $40.2 million as of December 31, 2025, supporting an expanded 130,000-metre drill program across Boundiali and the nearby Napié project this year.
At Boundiali, the company plans to continue aggressive step-out and infill drilling across the BD, BM and BST tenements, with a further resource update targeted for mid-2026 following the Q1 update. A Definitive Feasibility Study is slated for late 2026.
At Napié, a 30,000-metre drilling program is under way to grow the existing 0.87Moz resource, with an updated MRE also due this quarter.
With all Boundiali deposits remaining open along strike and at depth — and scout drilling planned across multiple targets — Aurum is positioning 2026 as a year of rapid resource conversion and project de-risking across its Côte d’Ivoire portfolio.
Location of Aurum’s projects in Côte d'Ivoire.