Aurum snags more high-grade gold in West Africa

Aurum Resources has continued to build momentum at its rapidly advancing Boundiali gold project in Côte d’Ivoire, delivering another strong batch of high-grade drill results, further strengthening the case for a large-scale development.

The latest assays came from infill and step-back diamond drilling at its BMT3 deposit and represent the final dataset to be included in the company’s upcoming mineral resource update. 

Standout intercepts featured 6.89 metres grading a stellar 7.22 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 233.79m, including 5m at an eye-catching 9.67 g/t. Another hole returned an impressive 9-metre section grading 4.75 g/t within a hefty 17.30-metre intersection running at 2.64 g/t from 295.70m. 

Additional high-grade hits came in at 5m running 5.76 g/t from 206m, including 1.14m at a blistering 23.30 g/t and 3.15m grading a very respectable 6.92 g/t from 82m, featuring a 1.43-metre slice in that interval assaying a punchy 14.89 g/t gold.

Notably, the drilling has confirmed gold mineralisation at BMT3 extends well beyond 250 metres below surface and remains open both along strike and at depth. 

Mineralisation is hosted within a diorite unit and is characterised by disseminated sulphides, quartz veinlets and localised visible gold - a geological setting that continues to deliver thick, high-grade intercepts across multiple zones.

The BMT3 deposit forms a core part of Aurum’s broader Boundiali project, which currently hosts a 2.41-million-ounce gold resource. The company has been drilling aggressively across the project, combining infill drilling to upgrade confidence with step-back drilling aimed at testing depth extensions and identifying new mineralised positions.

Aurum Resources managing director Dr Caigen Wang said: “These new results at BMT3 deliver exactly what we need for our upcoming resource update: increased confidence and clear evidence of depth extension. We have successfully hit high-grade intercepts deeper than 250m, proving the system remains wide open.”

The Boundiali mineral resource update is slated for release in the March quarter, alongside a pre-feasibility study that will outline the project’s development parameters. Aurum has already flagged plans for two additional resource updates later in 2026 as drilling continues to push the system’s boundaries.

Aurum is also progressing its Napié gold project, which hosts an existing 870,000-ounce resource and is currently the subject of a separate 30,000-metre diamond drilling program. Results from Napié are expected to provide additional growth opportunities and support the company’s broader strategy of building a multi-million-ounce gold portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire.

With more than $40 million in cash at the end of December and an owned fleet of 12 drill rigs, Aurum is superbly positioned to maintain an aggressive exploration and development program. The company’s ability to self-perform drilling gives it a significant cost and scheduling advantage, allowing it to respond quickly to results and maintain a steady flow of news.

As the company moves towards its next major milestones, including the Boundiali resource update and pre-feasibility study, these latest results reinforce the project’s scale, continuity and development potential. 

With mineralisation still open at depth and multiple catalysts lined up for the year ahead, Boundiali is shaping as a cornerstone asset in Aurum’s growing West African gold portfolio. 

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au