• Aurum Resources plans to launch construction of its Boundiali gold project in 2026.
• The project currently hosts 2.41 million ounces of identified gold resources.
• The company aims to complete prefeasibility and definitive feasibility studies and secure key permits before a final investment decision.

Australia’s Aurum Resources plans to launch the construction phase of its Boundiali gold project in Côte d’Ivoire in 2026, the company said on February 18, as it outlined a development timetable.

Boundiali represents the main asset in Aurum’s gold portfolio and currently hosts 2.41 million ounces of identified resources across its deposits. The company intends to update this resource base in the first quarter through the publication of a prefeasibility study that will define initial economic parameters, including production profile and cost estimates.

At the same time, Aurum plans to advance regulatory procedures to secure both the environmental permit and the mining license for the future mine by the third quarter.

The company will then update the project’s gold potential as part of a definitive feasibility study. This stage should pave the way for mobilizing construction financing and ultimately reaching a final investment decision to launch works. However, the timetable does not specify a production start date.

The roadmap reflects Aurum Resources’ intention to accelerate the development of Boundiali, which the company positions as its first gold mine. Nevertheless, the schedule remains contingent on actual site progress and on the company’s ability to complete critical steps on time, particularly securing mining permits and arranging project financing.

Gold prices have rallied and analysts expect new highs this year. In that context, the execution of Aurum’s timetable will matter for Côte d’Ivoire, which seeks to sustain growth in its gold output. Beyond Boundiali, Assafou, another Ivorian project led by Endeavour Mining, is also scheduled to begin construction in 2026.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou