Mineral resources at the Boundiali gold project in Côte d’Ivoire have reached 3.03 million ounces, nearly doubling the previous estimate a year ago, Australian mining company Aurum Resources said Monday as it prepares to begin mine development.
The company reported that the resource base stood at 1.59 million ounces in January 2025. Aurum revised the estimate upward in July 2025 and then increased it by a further 26 percent, surpassing the three-million-ounce mark. The firm plans additional upgrades later this year through a 100,000-meter diamond drilling program aimed at better defining existing deposits and nearby prospects.
“The year ahead marks a crucial transition for Aurum, with our ambitious 100,000-meter diamond drilling program for 2026 already under way at Boundiali,” Chief Executive Caigen Wang said. “We remain focused on testing priority targets that have yet to be drilled and on assessing the depth and strike extensions of deposits that remain open.”
The company intends to publish a pre-feasibility study before the end of the current quarter, outlining key technical and economic parameters. A definitive feasibility study is scheduled by year-end to finalize the mine plan and define operational frameworks.
The Boundiali project is seen as a major contributor to Côte d’Ivoire’s ambition to sustain growth in national gold production. The country, already one of West Africa’s leading gold producers, has several other mining projects under development. Rising global gold prices have further boosted the sector’s attractiveness to international investors.
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Located in northern Côte d’Ivoire, the Boundiali project forms part of Aurum’s broader strategy to expand gold production and modernize mining operations through extensive exploration, advanced drilling, and data-driven assessments.
The project is expected to generate significant local economic benefits, including employment opportunities, infrastructure development, and increased regional activity, while supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s broader economic objectives of export diversification and foreign exchange generation.
Industry analysts note that Aurum’s rapid resource expansion at Boundiali underscores the country’s underexplored mineral potential, particularly in the northern regions where gold-bearing deposits remain largely untapped.
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With pre-feasibility and definitive feasibility studies pending, the Boundiali gold project will be closely monitored by investors, government authorities, and the mining sector, given its potential impact on both national output and Côte d’Ivoire’s standing in the global gold market.
The company’s planned development schedule signals a shift from exploration to production, marking a new phase in the country’s growing mining sector and reinforcing its position as a key player in West Africa’s gold industry.
Côte d’Ivoire is one of West Africa’s leading gold producers, with mining playing a key role in its economic growth and export revenues. Gold contributes significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, alongside cocoa and oil, and mining investment has been a focus of government policy aimed at attracting both local and international operators.
The Boundiali gold project, operated by Aurum Resources, is located in northern Côte d’Ivoire and has emerged as a flagship development within the country’s expanding gold sector. The project has attracted attention for its rapidly growing resource base, which reached 3.03 million ounces of gold in early 2026, nearly double the estimate from January 2025. This growth underscores the potential of Côte d’Ivoire’s mineral belt, which remains underexplored in several regions.
Aurum Resources’ approach at Boundiali includes extensive diamond drilling, with 100,000 meters planned for 2026 to better define mineralized zones, assess depth extensions, and explore nearby prospects. Such programs are typical in modern mining development, providing data essential for pre-feasibility and definitive feasibility studies that inform mine design, investment decisions, and operational planning.
The Ivorian government has supported gold sector growth through regulatory frameworks that encourage foreign investment while ensuring adherence to environmental and social standards. Rising global gold prices have further incentivized exploration and development, providing strong economic signals for continued sector expansion.
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The Boundiali project also contributes to local development objectives, including employment generation, infrastructure improvements, and regional economic activity. Côte d’Ivoire’s broader mining strategy aims to increase gold production, diversify exports, and strengthen the country’s position in global precious metals markets, while leveraging modern technology and international expertise.
As Aurum moves toward pre-feasibility and definitive feasibility studies, the project’s progress will be closely monitored by investors, the Ivorian government, and industry stakeholders, given its potential impact on national gold output and regional mining development.
