Aeris Resources Reports 70% Mineral Resource Growth at Tritton

Resource and Reserve Surge at Tritton Operations

Aeris Resources (ASX:AIS) has delivered a striking upgrade to its Tritton copper operation in central New South Wales, reporting a 70% increase in Mineral Resources to 33 million tonnes containing 540,000 tonnes of copper, alongside a fourfold jump in Ore Reserves to 10 million tonnes with 180,000 tonnes of copper. This leap is underpinned by the recent acquisition of Peel Mining Limited, which contributed the high-quality Mallee Bull and Wirlong deposits, and bolstered by targeted exploration success at Avoca Tank and Budgerygar.

Peel Acquisition Accelerates Growth Pipeline

The Peel Mining deal, completed in July 2026, has been a game-changer for Aeris, adding approximately 200,000 tonnes of contained copper to the Mineral Resource inventory, including 160,000 tonnes classified as Indicated. The maiden Ore Reserves declared at the Mallee Bull underground project, totalling 2.7 million tonnes at 2.4% copper, provide a fresh and significant ore source for the Tritton hub, with further growth potential expected as feasibility studies and mine planning advance.

Constellation Project Emerges as Long-Life Mine

Equally noteworthy is the maiden underground Ore Reserve at the Constellation deposit, comprising 3.8 million tonnes at 1.6% copper, complementing the existing open pit reserve. This dual mining approach is set to extend the life of the Tritton processing plant beyond five years at current throughput, reinforcing Aeris’ hub-and-spoke strategy centred on leveraging existing infrastructure. The Constellation project is backed by comprehensive Pre-Feasibility Study level technical work, highlighting its economic viability and planned staged development from open pit to underground mining.

Organic Resource Growth Through Exploration

Beyond acquisitions, Aeris has intensified underground diamond drilling at Tritton, tripling efforts in FY26 with a focus on Avoca Tank and Budgerygar. These programs yielded over 2 million tonnes of additional Mineral Resources, with Budgerygar’s Ore Reserves increasing by 317% post-mining depletion. Avoca Tank’s high-grade deposit saw a 180% Mineral Resource increase, setting the stage for further conversion to Ore Reserves in FY27. This organic growth validates Aeris’ exploration-led approach to resource extension across its portfolio.

Robust Technical and Economic Foundations

The updated Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources are supported by rigorous JORC-compliant technical studies, including detailed mine design, metallurgical test work, and economic modelling. Aeris applies net smelter return cut-offs reflective of site-specific costs and metal recoveries, with mining methods ranging from longhole open stoping underground to conventional open pit operations. The company benefits from decades of operational experience at Tritton, with mine-to-mill reconciliation confirming model accuracy within tight tolerances.

Processing is anchored at the Tritton plant, which has treated over 26 million tonnes of ore over 20 years, delivering copper recoveries around 94.7% for key deposits. The integration of new ore sources like Mallee Bull and Constellation is facilitated by existing infrastructure, minimising capital expenditure and execution risk.

Regulatory and Community Engagement

Aeris has secured or expects to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals for its projects, including Development Consents, Mining Leases, and Environmental Impact Statements. The Constellation project holds State Significant Development status with approvals for initial operations and pending modifications for expansion. The Mallee Bull project is advancing through permitting with reasonable expectations of approval. Community consultation remains active, with strong local support evidenced in the Bogan Shire and surrounding regions.

Outlook and Next Steps

The company plans to release an updated Life of Mine plan and production targets for Tritton in the first half of FY27, incorporating the expanded resource base. Exploration drilling will continue, with approximately 85,000 metres planned across the operation to test down-dip extensions and upgrade resource classifications. At Constellation, efforts will focus on infill drilling to convert inferred resources to indicated status and metallurgical trials on oxide material to enhance recoveries and potentially accelerate production.

This resource and reserve upgrade positions Aeris Resources to sustain and potentially grow its copper output from a diversified portfolio of deposits feeding a central processing hub, balancing organic exploration success with strategic acquisitions.