Altair Minerals Extends South Oko Gold Anomaly by 1km, Eyes Major IOCG Breakthrough
Altair Minerals has confirmed a 1km southward extension of its South Oko gold soil anomaly, unveiling three open targets and setting the stage for maiden drilling. Meanwhile, its Olympic Domain copper-gold project remains a strategic focus amid ongoing commercial talks with BHP.
- South Oko soil anomaly extends 1km south with three open gold targets
- W1 target shows robust >100ppb gold anomaly over 2km strike with confirmed shearing
- Maiden diamond drilling planned for Q1 2026 following extensive soil and trenching work
- Olympic Domain Project delivers significant copper-gold intercepts; commercial negotiations with BHP ongoing
- Venatica Project option extended to May 2026 as exploration activities ramp up in Guyana
South Oko Anomaly Grows, Unlocking New Gold Potential
Altair Minerals Limited (ASX – ALR) has announced a significant advancement in its South Oko (SOKO) gold exploration campaign in Guyana, confirming that the soil anomaly extends an additional 1km south along the prolific Oko Shear Zone. This extension brings the total anomaly to three distinct, open-ended targets, W1, W3, and E1, each showing compelling gold anomalism.
The standout W1 target now boasts a 2km strike length with a robust >100 parts per billion (ppb) gold soil anomaly, structurally aligned with the Oko Shear Zone. Trenching has visually confirmed shearing and the presence of quartz-limonite with minor pyrite, geological hallmarks often associated with significant gold mineralisation. This sets the stage for Altair’s maiden diamond drilling program, anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, which aims to test the true extent and depth of these anomalies.
Strategic Positioning in a Premier Gold Jurisdiction
Guyana’s Greater Oko Project, where South Oko is situated, lies within the Guiana Shield, a region geologically analogous to West Africa’s Birimian Greenstone belts known for world-class gold deposits. Despite this, Guyana remains relatively underexplored, offering Altair a rare opportunity to stake a significant claim in a rapidly emerging gold province. The company’s 590km contiguous landholding places it near major discoveries by peers such as G2 Goldfields and Reunion Gold, validating the region’s potential.
Olympic Domain Project – Copper-Gold IOCG Potential
Alongside its gold focus, Altair continues to advance its Olympic Domain Project in South Australia, a high-potential iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) target. Previous drilling has yielded encouraging intercepts, including 115 metres at 0.68% copper equivalent from over 1,000 metres depth. These results underpin the project’s strategic value amid a strong copper market.
However, the project’s future hinges on ongoing commercial negotiations with mining giant BHP, with a Wardens Court hearing scheduled for 19 February 2026. Altair has expressed openness to a mutually beneficial resolution, highlighting the importance of securing exploration rights to unlock the asset’s full value.
Expanding Exploration and Shareholder Value
Altair is rapidly scaling its technical and logistical teams in Guyana to support an intensified exploration push, including geophysics, soil sampling, trenching, and auger programs running in parallel. The company’s CEO, Faheem Ahmed, emphasised the momentum building towards a major step-change in activities, with multiple high-impact updates expected in the coming weeks.
Additionally, Altair has extended the exclusive option on the Venatica Project’s Irka Permit to May 2026, reflecting a strategic approach to maximise shareholder value across its portfolio.
Looking Ahead
With the South Oko anomaly expanding and the Olympic Domain Project poised for resolution, Altair Minerals is positioning itself at the forefront of gold and copper exploration in two highly prospective jurisdictions. The coming months will be critical as drilling results and commercial outcomes unfold, potentially reshaping the company’s growth trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Altair’s expanding gold footprint and strategic copper assets set the stage for a pivotal 2026 exploration year.
Questions in the middle?
- Will maiden diamond drilling at South Oko confirm a significant gold deposit akin to neighbouring world-class projects?
- What outcome will the upcoming Wardens Court hearing have on Altair’s Olympic Domain Project rights and commercial negotiations with BHP?
- How will Altair’s expanded technical team and exploration programs in Guyana accelerate discovery and resource definition?
