Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX:AUE) has strengthened its development team with three senior appointments as it advances the 3.22-million-ounce Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire toward definitive feasibility and a targeted first gold pour in the first half of 2028.
The company has appointed Richard Edginton as general manager mining, Luke Stacey as project director and Ting Xu as chief financial officer.
The appointments follow the delivery of a positive pre-feasibility study (PFS) for Boundiali and are intended to support the company as it moves into the definitive feasibility study (DFS) phase, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
Aurum managing director Dr Caigen Wang said the appointments would help build the capability needed to take Boundiali through feasibility, construction and into production.
“We are excited to have Richard, Luke and Ting joining our team as we continue to advance our Boundiali Gold Project towards development, on track for first gold in the first half of 2028,” Wang said.
“Each of these appointments brings a wealth of experience in their field and across gold projects both in Australia and internationally.
“We look forward to them playing a key role as we build the capability required to take Boundiali through feasibility, construction and into production, and as we continue strengthening the team that will deliver first gold at Boundiali in H1 2028.”
Mining leadership for West African development
New general manager mining Richard Edginton brings more than 25 years of operational and technical leadership experience across Australia and West Africa.
As a founder and director of Junction Contract Mining & Consultancy, Edginton has led mine planning, fleet selection, contract mining tenders, project development and operational support for mining projects, with a particular focus on gold operations in West Africa.
His previous senior roles include mining manager at Mineral Resources’ Wodgina and Mt Marion operations, mine superintendent at Capricorn Metals, technical services superintendent at Downer EDI Mining, mining manager at Consolidated Minerals, mine technical services superintendent at Glencore, project manager at Iluka Resources and senior engineering roles at Sons of Gwalia.
Edginton’s experience in contract mining, mine development, tender evaluation, operational management and project delivery is expected to support the company as it prepares Boundiali for development.
Project delivery experience across gold sector
Luke Stacey joins as project director with more than 20 years of experience in the gold sector.
His background spans scoping studies, definitive feasibility studies, detailed design, construction and field engineering, commissioning and optimisation.
Stacey has delivered more than 15 projects from feasibility through to execution, with a large portion of that work focused on West Africa.
His project experience covers Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Senegal, South-East Asia, South America and Australia.
More recently, Stacey served as design manager for the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali, Northern Star’s 28.5-million-tonne-per-annum KCGM upgrade in Kalgoorlie and the Kobada Gold Project in Mali.
He has also held senior technical, study, project management, engineering management, site and commissioning roles with Lycopodium (ASX:LYL) Minerals, Primero and Ausenco.
Finance expertise from gold project development
Ting Xu has been appointed chief financial officer, bringing nearly 20 years of mining and resources sector experience with a strong focus on gold operations and international project development.
Her experience covers the mining lifecycle from exploration and feasibility studies through construction, production and corporate ownership transitions.
Xu was previously CFO of Tietto Minerals, where she supported the development of the Abujar Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire and worked on financial modelling for project financing and optimisation.
Before Tietto, she held senior finance roles with Consolidated Minerals, IGO Limited (ASX:IGO) and Grant Thornton.
What comes next
Aurum is advancing Boundiali after releasing a positive PFS and maiden ore reserve for the project.
The company is now targeting completion of a DFS by the end of 2026, followed by a final investment decision.
Subject to development progress, Aurum is aiming for first gold from Boundiali in the first half of 2028.