(Ecofin Agency) - Aurum Resources confirmed the discovery of 1.59 million ounces of gold at its Boundiali project in Ivory Coast in January. The company plans to continue exploration until 2025 while preparing technical studies for potential production.

Aurum Resources is ramping up efforts to advance its Boundiali gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire. On March 31, the Australian junior mining company revealed it had hired Envitech’s Ivorian subsidiary to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the project, starting in April.

The ESIA will assess six gold deposits and prospects, along with a processing facility across three of the four exploration concessions that form the project. This study is part of the pre-feasibility work for Boundiali and is crucial for securing the mining license required for development.

An ESIA evaluates a project’s environmental and social impacts, identifying problems and proposing solutions or mitigation measures. It plays a key role in obtaining approval for mining operations.

While the ESIA’s completion date is currently unknown, Aurum said it expects to finalize its pre-feasibility study by late 2025. In the meantime, the firm will keep looking for new resources at Boundiali.

Last January, Aurum published an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) identifying 1.59 million ounces of gold (45 tonnes). The company plans to drill 100,000 meters this year, aiming to release two updated MREs.

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou (Intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho