Irka Sur Discovery Shows 200m of Copper Mineralization at Venatica West

A New Chapter in Venatica Exploration

Altair Minerals Limited (ASX: ALR) has announced a significant breakthrough at its Venatica West copper project in Peru with the discovery of a fourth major copper porphyry system, named Irka Sur. This discovery adds to the growing portfolio of copper targets within the project and underscores Venatica West’s potential to evolve into a regional-scale copper porphyry district.

Irka Sur stands out due to the remarkable presence of copper mineralization visible over a 200-meter strike length on outcrop and float, featuring a suite of copper-bearing minerals such as Chalcopyrite, Malachite, Azurite, and Tenorite. The system remains open in all directions, suggesting that the mineralized zone could extend well beyond the currently observed footprint.

Geological Significance and Regional Context

The discovery of Irka Sur is particularly compelling given its location within an underexplored terrain of the Venatica Project, situated along the Andahuaylas-Yauri porphyry belt. This belt hosts several world-class copper deposits, including Las Bambas and Haquira, both of which are multi-billion tonne operations with significant copper grades. Altair’s findings suggest that Venatica West may be part of a larger, previously unrecognized copper porphyry cluster, linked by structural controls that could indicate a substantial feeder system at depth.

Visual observations of brecciated porphyry stockwork and the presence of secondary copper sulphides such as Chalcocite provide strong evidence of a robust mineralizing system. The scale and intensity of copper mineralization at Irka Sur surpass any previously observed at Venatica, highlighting the prospectivity of this new target.

Strategic Next Steps and Exploration Outlook

Altair is prioritizing detailed mapping and geochemical sampling at Irka Sur to better understand the system’s orientation, grade distribution, and lateral extent. This will be followed by a broader regional sampling program across Venatica West, including the other three known porphyry systems: Irka NE, Irka SW, and Irka Central. The company also plans to initiate maiden exploration activities at Venatica East, which remains largely untested despite showing promising anomalous copper levels.

CEO Faheem Ahmed emphasized the strategic importance of this discovery, noting that Irka Sur could be a key to unlocking a globally significant copper system. The company’s systematic approach aims to de-risk these targets and deliver substantial value to shareholders as exploration advances.

Caution and Forward-Looking Considerations

While the visual identification of copper minerals is encouraging, Altair cautions that these observations are not a substitute for laboratory assays, which are necessary to confirm grades and economic viability. Further drilling and sampling will be essential to validate the extent and quality of mineralization at Irka Sur.

Nonetheless, the discovery marks a pivotal moment for Altair Minerals, positioning Venatica West as a highly prospective copper district with multiple targets that could rival some of Peru’s most significant copper deposits.