• Perseus Mining, Australia's largest African-focused gold miner, is cornerstone investor with $23.7M investment
• Placement fully funds Aurum's 130,000m drilling program and Boundiali Feasibility Study in 2026
• Placement gives Aurum over $60M cash to advance its dual-project growth strategy in Côte d'Ivoire

Aurum Resources (ASX: AUE) has received firm commitments for a $28.8 million placement, including a cornerstone investment of $23.7 million from African-focused gold producer Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX: PRU). The placement will see Perseus acquire a 9.9% stake in Aurum, making it the company's largest shareholder. The funds will be used to advance Aurum's dual-project growth strategy in Côte d'Ivoire, including a 130,000m drilling program across the Boundiali and Napié gold projects in 2026, as well as the delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study for Boundiali in April 2026 and a Definitive Feasibility Study in Q4 2026. Aurum will also use the funds to purchase additional drilling rigs to grow its owner-operator fleet to 14 diamond drill rigs. Perseus's SissinguÉ gold mine is located approximately 60km north of Aurum's Boundiali project, within the same Birimian greenstone belt, and its Bagoe mining lease adjoins Aurum's BM exploration permit, creating potential for strategic synergies as both companies advance their respective projects. Aurum's Managing Director, Dr. Caigen Wang, said the placement, backed by one of the region's foremost gold producers, gives the company's broader shareholder base further confidence in its path to production.

Aurum plans to use the $28.8 million placement proceeds, along with its existing cash, to fund a 130,000m drilling program across its Boundiali and Napié gold projects in Côte d'Ivoire in 2026, as well as the delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study for Boundiali in April 2026 and a Definitive Feasibility Study in Q4 2026.

With over $60 million in cash post-placement, Aurum is well-funded to execute its dual-project growth strategy in Côte d'Ivoire, including aggressive exploration and resource definition drilling, feasibility studies, and project development activities. The strategic investment from Perseus Mining, a leading African gold producer, provides further validation of Aurum's asset base and development trajectory.