Aurum Resources to accelerate Boundiali gold project with new metallurgical studies

Aurum Resources (ASX: AUE) is set to back up its aggressive Boundiali gold exploration work in Côte d’Ivoire with an acceleration of metallurgical studies.

The step-up in metallurgical activities is a component of the work Aurum is undertaking to progress a Boundiali scoping study.

To support the metallurgical program, Aurum has appointed MACA Interquip Mintrex (MIM) and ALS (Perth) to develop and progress a quality testing regime in the lead-up to pre-feasibility studies (PFS).

‘Exciting phase’

“We are at the beginning of a very exciting phase of preliminary studies for our Boundiali gold project’s development,” managing director Dr Caigen Wang said.

“Metallurgical studies are scheduled in line with our overall gold resources definition [and] the outcome of this preliminary study will form a critical part of the Boundiali gold project’s scoping study and PFS.”

The new metallurgical work follows preliminary bottle roll gold recovery on 50 samples from Boundiali target BDT1 confirming gold mineralisation is free milling, with cyanide leach recoveries consistently exceeding 93% for samples grading 0.25 grams per tonne gold or higher.

Initial test work

MIM’s appointment involves both an initial metallurgical test work scope and possible ongoing works to PFS and definitive feasibility study levels.

MIM will initially focus on the design of a test work program suitable for a scoping study and will manage and monitor the progress of the test work at ALS in Perth and evaluate the final scoping test work results.

As part of the program, ALS Perth will undertake comminution tests and cyanide leach test work on selected Boundiali ore.

Drilling activities

Aurum continues to accelerate drilling activities at its 80%-owned Boundiali gold project with six rigs set to be active in the field this month.

The addition of a new rig will see the company increase its drilling rate to approximately 10,000 metres per month in August.

The accelerated drilling is aimed at Aurum producing an initial Boundiali mineral resource estimate in late 2024.

Funded for growth

Dr Wang said Aurum is well-funded with approximately $23 million in cash available after shareholders recently approved the company’s Tranche 2 of a $17m share placement and $3m share purchase plan.

The company has declared the funds will be used to fully support its exploration drilling and metallurgical activities at Boundiali.