Aurum Resources has submitted applications for mining exploitation licences that encompass the entire 572.67km² area of its Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire. 

Out of the three applications, two were submitted in December last year. 

This signals a move away from purely exploration activities towards the possible development of a large-scale open-pit mining operation. 

These applications are under consideration by the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy of Côte d’Ivoire.  

The three pending exploitation applications cover the Boundiali South (BST), Boundiali DS (BD) and Boundiali Minex (BM) tenements. 

The BD and BM mining licence applications, covering 130.38km² and 274.93km², respectively, were lodged in December 2025.  

The earlier BST application, covering 167.36km², was submitted in March 2025. 

Updated mineral resource estimates (MREs) for Boundiali, currently at 2.41 million ounces (moz), and Napié (0.87moz), together with the Boundiali pre-feasibility study (PFS), are scheduled for release in the first quarter of calendar year 2026.

The company is also planning an exploration programme, including 100,000m of diamond drilling, at Boundiali and two additional MRE updates in mid and late 2026.  

An additional 30,000m of diamond drilling is planned for the Napié project. 

Aurum managing director Caigen Wang said: “The rapid transition from exploration to mining licence applications across our entire Boundiali footprint is a testament to the quality of our assets and the efficiency of our team.  

“In 2025, we grew our resource from 1.59moz to 2.41moz and completed over 108,000m of drilling at Boundiali. With $40m in the bank and a clear pathway to a definitive feasibility study in late 2026, we are perfectly positioned to deliver significant value this year." 

In September 2025, Aurum, via its subsidiary Plusor Global, signed an agreement to acquire 35% of the registered share capital of Ivorian company Major Star Plus.