Summary:Geological map of Makoko copper district in DRC Western Forelands showing mineralized zones and drill hole locationsIvanhoe Mines has delivered a landmark resource upgrade for its Makoko copper discovery in the Democratic Republic of Congo, expanding the giant deposit by 30% in its latest mine...
Geological map of Makoko copper district in DRC Western Forelands showing mineralized zones and drill hole locations
Ivanhoe Mines has delivered a landmark resource upgrade for its Makoko copper discovery in the Democratic Republic of Congo, expanding the giant deposit by 30% in its latest mineral resource estimate. Situated within the Western Forelands exploration licence, adjacent to the high-producing Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, Makoko now stands among the most significant high-grade copper discoveries of the past decade. This expansion reinforces the DRC Copper Belt’s central role in meeting rising global copper demand driven by renewable energy and electrification.
The revised resource statement includes 42 million tonnes of indicated resources at 2.66% copper, alongside 612 million tonnes of inferred resources grading 1.80% copper. A substantial portion of the 2026 drilling results was not incorporated into this current assessment, meaning further resource growth is highly probable as additional assay data is compiled. The mineralized zone stretches for more than 13 kilometres and remains open along strike, giving geologists confidence that the deposit can continue to expand through ongoing diamond drilling campaigns.
| Resource Category | Ore Tonnage | Copper Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indicated Resource | 42 Mt | 2.66% Cu | Makoko district, updated 2026 estimate |
| Inferred Resource | 612 Mt | 1.80% Cu | Includes wide strike extensions, open for further expansion |
| Project Type | Shallow open pit potential | High-grade sediment-hosted copper | Near existing Kamoa-Kakula infrastructure |
Ivanhoe’s development strategy targets multiple shallow open pits at Makoko. The shallow nature of the mineralization supports lower capital expenditure and faster development timelines compared to deep underground copper mines. The project will leverage roads, power, processing expertise and logistics built for the nearby Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, significantly cutting development risk and time to first production. A formal scoping study for Makoko is scheduled to start in Q1 2027, which will outline mine design, capital requirements and production forecasts.
Even with this major resource upgrade, investors should recognise exploration and development risks. Resource classification differentiates indicated and inferred material; inferred resources carry higher geological uncertainty and cannot be directly included in mine feasibility plans. Community engagement, permitting, infrastructure build and logistical constraints in the DRC will continue to shape project schedules and capital budgets.
For global copper markets, Makoko’s 30% expansion is timely. Energy transition infrastructure, power grids and battery manufacturing all require large volumes of copper, and new high-grade discoveries are relatively rare. As Ivanhoe continues drilling and advances technical studies, Makoko will be closely tracked by miners, offtake buyers and mining investors. If successfully developed, this giant copper find will deliver a major new source of high-grade copper supply for decades to come.
