Australian-listed Core Energy Minerals has mobilised its geological team and drilling contractor to the Barking Gecko uranium prospect in Namibia’s Erongo Region ahead of a maiden drilling campaign targeting high-grade uranium mineralisation.
The company said mobilisation commenced on 2 November 2026, with diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling expected to begin shortly at the prospect, which forms part of the Nova Joint Venture Project under Exploration Licence EPL3669.
The planned exploration programme comprises 24 drillholes totalling approximately 5,280 metres, aimed at testing extensions of previously identified high-grade uranium mineralisation and improving understanding of the prospect’s geological structure.
The first phase will consist of 12 drillholes covering approximately 2,640 metres, including four priority holes totalling 880 metres.
A further 12 drillholes, also covering approximately 2,640 metres, are scheduled for 2027.
Core Energy Minerals Managing Director Tony Greenaway said the mobilisation marked a significant step in the company’s exploration activities in Namibia.
“Engaging a drilling contractor and locking in mobilisation for the first week of November is a major step for Core Energy. Within weeks of executing the Nova earn-in agreement, we are about to put drill rigs on the ground at Barking Gecko,” Greenaway said.
He said the company had identified priority drilling targets in areas where historical exploration intersected thick, high-grade uranium mineralisation that remains open at depth and along strike.
Barking Gecko is located adjacent to Bannerman Energy’s Etango Uranium Project and has previously been explored through 82 RC and diamond drillholes.
Historical drilling identified several uranium-bearing zones, including an intersection of 21 metres grading 886 parts per million equivalent uranium oxide (eU₃O₈).
Core Energy said the new drilling programme would focus on extending known mineralisation, testing previously unexplored areas and refining geological models to assess the prospect’s resource potential.
Under the Nova Joint Venture agreement, Core Energy can earn an initial 25% interest in the project by spending N$23 million (A$2 million) on exploration within 18 months.
The company can subsequently earn a further 26% interest by investing an additional A$3 million over the following 24 months, potentially increasing its total interest to 51%.
The joint venture comprises Exploration Licences EPL3669 and EPL3670.
Core Energy said its technical team was undertaking site preparations, safety inductions and drill rig setup ahead of the drilling programme.
The exploration work will include geological logging, downhole surveys and sampling, with samples to be submitted to ALS Laboratories for analysis.
The company said exploration results would be released as drilling progresses.
