Ivanhoe Mines Doubles Makoko Copper Resources in DRC Western Forelands

Ivanhoe Mines has nearly doubled the copper resource estimate for its Makoko District in the Democratic Republic of Congo within 18 months, with current indicated resources at 27.7 million tonnes grading 2.79% copper and inferred resources at 493.7 million tonnes grading 1.7% copper. This makes the Makoko District the highest-grade and fifth-largest new copper discovery globally in the past decade, situated within the company’s Western Forelands project adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. The Western Forelands shelf, including Kamoa and Kakula, now contains 38.9 million tonnes of contained copper in measured and indicated resources and an additional 13.6 million tonnes in inferred resources, ranking it as the world's largest copper district discovered in at least 20 years. Ivanhoe is advancing drilling at a record pace supported by a $50 million 2025 exploration budget, with mineralization remaining open in multiple directions, signaling potential for further expansion. The proximity of the Makoko District to existing infrastructure at Kamoa-Kakula is expected to reduce risks for future development, while the company continues to deliver efficient exploration with low costs per pound of copper. Despite strong operational performance and positive analyst outlooks, investors are advised to consider financial and regional risks associated with the project.