Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX:AUE) has pushed gold mineralisation significantly deeper at its flagship Boundiali project in Côte d’Ivoire, with new drilling confirming the system extends at least 220 metres below the current resource model.
The latest diamond drilling results from the BST1 and BDT3 deposits point to a system that remains open at depth and along strike, reinforcing the broader growth trajectory of a project that has already expanded rapidly to more than three million ounces.
The results come from 17 diamond drill holes totalling 6,610 metres, part of a wider 100,000-metre program designed to grow resources and lift confidence ahead of upcoming development studies.
Aurum’s Boundiali Gold Project.
Depth extension strengthens BST1
The standout update comes from BST1, where follow-up drilling has confirmed mineralisation well below the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), extending the system by around 220 vertical metres.
Plan view showing new drill results (yellow) for BST1.
Key intercepts included:
- 29 metres at 1.00 g/t gold from 444 metres, including 1 metre at 18.14 g/t
- 8 metres at 3.38 g/t from 279 metres, including 1 metre at 22.80 g/t
These deeper hits suggest the deposit retains strong continuity into fresh rock, with higher-grade zones sitting within broader envelopes of lower-grade mineralisation.
Importantly, the system remains open, leaving room for further extensions as drilling continues.
Cross Section looking north (+/-30m) showing new drill results (yellow) for BST1.
BDT3 continues to grow along depth and corridor
At the nearby BDT3 deposit, step-out and infill drilling has also confirmed the mineralised system remains open, with multiple zones intersected across a large, underexplored corridor.
Plan view showing new drill results (yellow) for BDT3.
Better results included:
- 7 metres at 1.23 g/t gold from 352 metres
- 7.09 metres at 1.09 g/t from 291 metres
- broader intercepts such as 20.6 metres at 0.48 g/t from 353 metres
BDT3 sits within a 13-kilometre-long mineralised corridor, where gold is hosted in a thick sandstone unit and associated with sulphide alteration and quartz veining.
The company noted that drilling to date has largely focused on obvious surface anomalies, suggesting additional upside from both extensions and potential blind discoveries.
Cross Section looking north (+/-25m) showing new drill results (yellow) for BDT3.
Rapid growth story still unfolding
The Boundiali project has quickly emerged as the centrepiece of Aurum’s West African portfolio, now hosting a 3.03Moz gold resource, while the broader group total stands at 4.2Moz when including the Napié project.
The company has recently highlighted rapid resource growth at both assets, including a lift in the Napié resource to 1.16Moz and ongoing high-grade intercepts across the portfolio.
Managing director Dr Caigen Wang said the latest results continue to point to a larger gold endowment than currently defined.
“These new results continue to demonstrate the Boundiali system has a potential gold endowment well above our current Mineral Resources,” he said, adding that they “demonstrate the scale potential on offer at Boundiali”.
Drilling ramp-up and studies ahead
Aurum is accelerating work across its portfolio, with 14 diamond rigs currently operating at Boundiali as part of a broader 130,000-metre group drilling program for 2026.
The next key milestones include:
- An updated resource estimate expected in the September quarter
- A pre-feasibility study (PFS) due in the June quarter
- A definitive feasibility study (DFS) targeted for late 2026
The company is also advancing a 30,000-metre drilling program at Napié and progressing regional exploration across its Côte d’Ivoire ground.
With around $61 million in cash at the end of March, Aurum says it is well funded to maintain an aggressive drilling pace while moving Boundiali towards development.
Location of Aurum’s projects in Côte d'Ivoire.