Ian Harris, President & CEO of Copper Giant | Rule Symposium 2026: Rick Rule interviews

Summary

Copper Giant's Makoa project passed 1 billion tonnes at 0.51% CuEq near surface, hitting a scale threshold the CEO says majors look for.

Management targets a Q4 2026 PEA and 43-101 resource update, intentionally timed to align with Colombia's incoming presidential term.

The CEO frames Makoa as the northern continuation of the Jurassic belt that already hosts Ecuador's Mirador copper mine.

The team has drilled 18 consecutive months in Putumayo and removed forestry reserve overlap from its concession package.

Rick Rule's takeaways

Top takeaway Argues Putumayo's sociological and political risks are largely behind Makoa now that the forestry reserve overlap is resolved and a strong local presence has been built

Frames Copper Giant as a 'gigantic early stage' copper opportunity and personally vouches for the company by holding a position for two to three years

Distinguishes value from valuation, pressing management to articulate the delta as the project advances from PEA toward PFS

Has been a long-time backer of Corriente (Mirador) and draws a parallel with how the Ecuador project was taken from new mining law through to construction

Ian Harris's takeaways

Top takeaway Mining engineer who previously led the Mirador project for Corriente through Ecuador's new mining law and constitution to first industrial-scale production

Argues Makoa's location in the same Jurassic belt as Mirador and its >1 billion ton scale fit what 'the big boys' look for in a future mine

Has spent years building local credibility in Putumayo, including living in Colombia and sitting in Makoa's plaza for a month early on to understand the community

Targets a Q4 2026 PEA and is already running PFS-grade inputs (hydrogeology, geotech, acid characterization) to stay ahead of the PEA release

Invites investors to reach him directly via WhatsApp at +1 303-956-2944, saying questions help him sharpen his thinking