Aurumin Limited, an emerging gold exploration company, is preparing to resume drilling at its flagship Central Sandstone Project in Western Australia, following a highly encouraging 18-meter drill intercept that graded 25.8 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold. The company is aiming to replicate the success of this exceptional result by targeting both extensional and infill drilling at its key deposits: Shillington and Plum Pudding. This aggressive drilling campaign is part of the company’s strategy to push its total gold resource toward the coveted one-million-ounce milestone.
Sandstone Project: A High-Grade Gold Frontier
The Central Sandstone project, located approximately 520 kilometers northeast of Perth, remains one of Aurumin’s most promising assets. With an existing gold resource of 946,000 ounces spread across the company’s Central Sandstone and Johnson Range projects, the company is positioning itself for significant growth in the gold sector. The project has already demonstrated substantial potential, with gold resources in both open-pit and underground zones, making it a prime target for future exploration and development.
Aurumin’s flagship Central Sandstone deposit alone contains 881,000 ounces of gold, with a combination of open-pittable and underground resources. The open-pit resource comprises 7.622 million tonnes grading 1.3g/t, equating to 307,400 ounces. Meanwhile, the underground resource at the project holds 573,900 ounces, derived from 10.8 million tonnes grading 1.6g/t gold. Combined with the 64,700-ounce gold resource at the Johnson Range, Aurumin’s total resource across the two projects now stands at nearly 946,000 ounces of gold.
Drilling Focus: Shillington and Plum Pudding
Aurumin’s immediate focus will be the Shillington and Plum Pudding deposits, both of which are located within the Central Sandstone project area. These deposits span three granted mining leases, adding to the project’s strategic value. At the heart of the project is a 500,000-tonne per annum (tpa) carbon-in-leach processing plant, which, although mothballed, provides the company with a significant asset that will require refurbishment before it can be brought back online.
For its upcoming drilling program, Aurumin is prioritizing high-grade mineralization within a north-trending corridor at Shillington, where the company plans to test the interpreted controls on mineralization. The team will also focus on an untested banded-iron-formation (BIF)-hosted structural target, which is expected to yield valuable insights into the geological framework of the deposit.
At the Plum Pudding deposit, the company will follow up on an eye-catching drill result that caught the market’s attention. A previous intercept of 18 meters at 25.8g/t gold from 30 meters downhole marked a significant milestone for Aurumin. The mineralization at Plum Pudding is associated with a sub-vertical zone of quartz veining within a corridor of sheared ultramafic rocks, offering further exploration potential. Aurumin plans to drill several holes in the area to test for potential strike extensions to both the north and south of the known mineralized zone.
Exploration Across a Vast Project Area
The company’s exploration efforts are not confined solely to Shillington and Plum Pudding. Aurumin is actively conducting regional exploration across its 520-kilometer project area, with ongoing mapping and sampling work. This comprehensive approach is aimed at identifying additional areas of interest for drilling and expanding the overall resource base at Central Sandstone.
The company is also laying the groundwork for further exploration at the Gwendolyn deposit, with a reverse-circulation drilling program expected to begin next year. The program of works for Gwendolyn has already been submitted, and the company has confirmed that all necessary approvals are in place to commence drilling at this exciting target.
Corporate Leadership and Strategic Direction
Aurumin’s recent leadership transition has also positioned the company for continued growth. Daniel Raihani, a seasoned businessman with significant experience in the finance and property sectors, has recently been appointed as the company’s Managing Director. Raihani was previously a non-executive director at Aurumin for a year before stepping into the leadership role. His appointment comes at a critical time for the company, as it continues to advance its exploration projects and push for the coveted million-ounce resource milestone.
In addition to Raihani, Aurumin’s board has been bolstered by the addition of John Ingram, a geologist with 25 years of experience, and Ben Broom, who brings 20 years of expertise across both the mining and finance sectors. Broom is also a founder and current director of Mineral Mining Services, a mining services contracting firm, which further strengthens Aurumin’s operational capabilities.
Path to the Million-Ounce Club
Aurumin is now within striking distance of joining the “million-ounce club”—a significant milestone in the world of gold exploration and mining. The upcoming drill campaign at Central Sandstone represents the next crucial step in the company’s journey to expand its gold resources. By successfully following up on previous high-grade drill results, particularly at Plum Pudding, the company hopes to unlock even more potential from its existing project.
The fact that Aurumin already has a mothballed processing plant at the site, as well as a strong resource base, positions it well to develop the project into a substantial gold operation once the necessary refurbishments and upgrades are made to the plant. With gold prices hovering near historic highs, Aurumin is well-placed to benefit from strong market conditions as it advances its exploration and development efforts.
Drilling Campaign to Wrap Up Before Christmas
Aurumin has confirmed that it plans to complete its drilling campaign before the Christmas break, with results expected to be released early next year. The company’s current drilling program will focus on increasing the overall resource base at Central Sandstone, particularly in the Shillington and Plum Pudding areas, where high-grade gold mineralization has already been identified.
In addition to the ongoing exploration work at Gwendolyn, Aurumin’s strategic direction will continue to focus on resource expansion, mineralization extension, and target identification across its Sandstone and Johnson Range projects. With ongoing exploration and a series of high-priority drill targets, the company is poised to make further strides toward increasing its total gold resources and advancing its position in the highly competitive gold sector.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Aurumin
Aurumin’s growth trajectory is one to watch, with its Central Sandstone project offering substantial exploration potential. With plans for continued drilling at Shillington and Plum Pudding, as well as the addition of new targets at Gwendolyn, the company is on track to significantly increase its gold resources. The potential for Aurumin to join the million-ounce club is closer than ever, and with experienced leadership at the helm, the company is well-positioned for success.
The company’s ongoing efforts to bring its mothballed processing plant back online, combined with its strategic exploration approach and a robust resource base, are expected to pay dividends in the near future. As gold prices remain strong and exploration results continue to impress, Aurumin’s path to becoming a significant player in Western Australia’s gold sector looks increasingly promising.
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