# Ivanhoe Mines Increases the Size of Massive Western Forelands' Copper Discovery by 30% Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615 Original source: https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/313303/Ivanhoe-Mines-Increases-the-Size-of-Massive-Western-Forelands-Copper-Discovery-by-30 Publisher: newsfile Original announcement: 2026-09-08T10:39:00.000Z Analysis by Minestarters Atlas Atlas analysis published: Unknown date Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date - Company: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. - Ticker: IVN - Exchange: Unavailable - Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Primary commodity: Copper - Secondary commodities: None reported - Document categories: Resource update - Extracted: 2026-09-08 10:48:37 UTC Narrative sentiment: 0.80 · Bullish ## Minestarters Atlas summary Ivanhoe Mines has released an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Makoko District within the Western Forelands project, reporting a total Indicated resource of 42 Mt at 2.66% Cu and an Inferred resource of 612 Mt at 1.80% Cu. The update reflects a 30% increase in contained copper for the Makoko District due to approximately 64,000 metres of recent diamond drilling. Reasoning: The update shows substantial growth in contained copper \(30%\) and significant tonnage, driven by recent drilling, though a large portion is still Inferred. - Positive factor: Significant contained copper growth \(30%\) - Positive factor: Strong Indicated resource grade \(2.66%\) - Positive factor: Large scale discovery \(612 Mt Inferred\) - Positive factor: QA/QC disclosed with certified labs and QP sign-off - Negative factor: Large portion of resource remains in Inferred category Facts used in scoring: 8 ## Classification and evidence **Resource Update** Polarity: neutral Definition: Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress. Why it applies: The document provides an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Makoko District compared to the May 14, 2025 update. Evidence · text > provides an update from the last Mineral Resource, announced on May 14, 2025 **QA/QC Disclosed** Polarity: positive Story-specific tag Definition: Release includes QA/QC disclosure — certified lab, QP sign-off, or stated methods \(blanks, standards, duplicates\). Why it applies: The release explicitly mentions the use of certified reference standards, blanks, and duplicates, and names ISO17025-accredited laboratories. Evidence · text > Analytical data has been verified using industry-standard QA/QC programs, including the insertion of certified reference standards, blanks, and duplicates **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: Simon Bottoms is named as the Qualified Person for the estimate. Evidence · text > Mr. Bottoms is the Qualified Person for the estimate **Cut-off Disclosed** Polarity: positive Definition: Cut-off grade used for resource reporting is clearly stated, enabling like-for-like comparison. Why it applies: The resource is reported at a 1.0% copper cut-off. Evidence · text > optimized at a 1.0% cut off **Mill Route** Polarity: neutral Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\). Why it applies: the document describes a mill\_cil route \("CIL"\) ## Extracted facts Stored fact records: 8. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record. ## Resource Estimates (8) ### indicated [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-0) Makoko · copper #### Identity - Project: Makoko - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: indicated - Tonnes: 20000000 - Grade: 2.87 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 574000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Strong grade of 2.87% Cu in the Indicated category. - Positive factor: High grade for Indicated category Evidence · table > 2.87% Context: 20 #### Tags used in scoring **Indicated Resource** Polarity: positive Definition: Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. Why it applies: category is "indicated" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-1) Makoko · copper #### Identity - Project: Makoko - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 335000000 - Grade: 1.57 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 5260000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Very large tonnage, but limited by Inferred classification. - Positive factor: Massive tonnage - Negative factor: Inferred confidence Evidence · table > 1.57% Context: 335 #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### indicated [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-2) Makoko West · copper #### Identity - Project: Makoko West - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: indicated - Tonnes: 14000000 - Grade: 2.36 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 330000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Good Indicated resource for Makoko West. - Positive factor: Solid Indicated grade Evidence · table > 2.36% Context: 14 #### Tags used in scoring **Indicated Resource** Polarity: positive Definition: Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. Why it applies: category is "indicated" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-3) Makoko West · copper #### Identity - Project: Makoko West - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 136000000 - Grade: 1.9 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 2584000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Large Inferred resource. - Positive factor: Significant tonnage - Negative factor: Inferred confidence Evidence · table > 1.90% Context: 136 #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-4) Kitoko · copper #### Identity - Project: Kitoko - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 141000000 - Grade: 2.25 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 3173000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High grade for an Inferred resource at Kitoko. - Positive factor: High grade for Inferred - Negative factor: Inferred confidence Evidence · table > 2.25% Context: 141 #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### indicated [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-5) Kiala · copper #### Identity - Project: Kiala - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: indicated - Tonnes: 8000000 - Grade: 2.67 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 212000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Strong Indicated grade at Kiala. - Positive factor: High grade Evidence · table > 2.67 Context: 8 #### Tags used in scoring **Indicated Resource** Polarity: positive Definition: Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. Why it applies: category is "indicated" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### indicated [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-6) Total Western Forelands · copper #### Identity - Project: Total Western Forelands - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: indicated - Tonnes: 42000000 - Grade: 2.66 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 1116000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Total Indicated resource for Western Forelands is substantial and high grade. - Positive factor: Significant Indicated resource Evidence · table > 2.66% Context: 42 #### Tags used in scoring **Indicated Resource** Polarity: positive Definition: Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. Why it applies: category is "indicated" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/ivanhoe-mines-increases-the-size-of-massive-western-forelands-copper-discovery-b--e6d55e7b-3704-4958-aaab-183621f07615#fact-resource-facts-7) Total Western Forelands · copper #### Identity - Project: Total Western Forelands - Commodity: copper - Region: drc - Reported Region: Democratic Republic of Congo - Ticker: IVN #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 612000000 - Grade: 1.8 - Grade Unit: % - Contained Metal: 11016000 - Contained Unit: k tonnes - Cutoff Grade: 1 #### Lab - Laboratory: Bureau Veritas Minerals \(BVM\), Australian Laboratory Services \(ALS\) #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Massive Inferred resource scale. - Positive factor: Massive scale - Negative factor: Inferred confidence Evidence · table > 1.80% Context: 612 #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **PEA-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **PFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports **DFS-Supporting** Polarity: neutral Definition: Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports ## How Atlas produces this analysis Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.