ASX-listed copper and uranium explorer Noronex Limited has confirmed the discovery of a widespread uranium-bearing system at its Etango North Project (EPL 6776) in Namibia following the release of final laboratory assay results from its maiden reverse circulation (RC) scout drilling programme.
The company said the initial drilling programme intersected uranium-bearing alaskite intrusions over downhole widths of approximately 10 to 30 metres, confirming its geological exploration model.
Laboratory assays also identified several higher-grade intervals exceeding 100 parts per million (ppm) triuranium octoxide (U₃O₈).
Noronex Chief Geologist Tony Chisnall said the results represent an important milestone for the project.
“The receipt of laboratory assay results from our maiden RC drilling programme is an important milestone because it confirms that Etango North hosts a broad uranium-bearing system within the same style of alaskite intrusions that host several of Namibia’s major uranium deposits. The assay results validate our exploration model and provide a strong foundation for further geological evaluation and follow-up,” he said.
At the Oasis Dome prospect, drill hole ODC008 returned 4 metres grading 270 ppm U₃O₈ from 78 metres, as well as 7 metres at 130 ppm U₃O₈ from 61 metres.
Another hole, ODC009, intersected 5 metres at 183 ppm U₃O₈ from 205 metres and 2 metres at 189 ppm U₃O₈ from 215 metres.
Chisnall said the drilling programme was designed as an early-stage scout programme to test priority geological and radiometric targets rather than define an economic resource, making the results particularly encouraging.
“While this was deliberately designed as a first-pass scout drilling programme to test priority geological and radiometric targets rather than delineate economic mineralisation, the results are very encouraging and show that our geological model is working. Importantly, only a small portion of the prospective corridor has been tested, leaving numerous priority alaskite bodies and structural targets to evaluate,” he said.
Noronex recently exercised its option to increase its interest in the project to 51% through its joint venture with its Namibian partner.
The company plans to integrate the new geochemical and geophysical data to refine exploration targets ahead of further drilling.
The next phase of work will include detailed geological mapping, ground spectrometry and surface reconnaissance to support follow-up exploration and targeted drilling.
The Etango North Project lies within Namibia’s premier hard-rock uranium district in the Rössing–Husab uranium corridor, immediately north of Bannerman Energy’s Etango Project, which hosts a Mineral Resource of 416 million tonnes grading 225 ppm U₃O₈.
