(Ecofin Agency) - Last Monday, Ivanhoe Mines announced that it discovered a high-grade copper field on its Western Foreland permit, located in the west of its Kamoa-Kakula exploitation license in DRC.  

The field, Makoko, is the third main copper mine discovery made by Ivanhoe in that country after Kamoa and Kakula which, combined, represents the fourth largest copper project in the world.

The Toronto-listed company explained that it started drilling explorations on its fully-owned Western Foreland permit during Q3, 2017.

To date, more than 50 pits have been drilled mainly in Makoko which is, “the first of multiple high-potential target areas identified by Ivanhoe’s exploration team to be tested by drilling”.

“This latest discovery at Makoko validates our exploration model for the geologic features controlling the high-grade copper mineralization in the region”,  Robert Friedland (photo), Ivanhoe Mines’ co-chairperson commented.

He also indicated that due to the success of the Makoko drillings, Ivanhoe is confident it has the "Secret blueprint" for further success in the Western Foreland in 2019 and beyond.

A first estimate of independent resources of Makoko discovery is awaited for this quarter.

Louis-Nino Kansoun