A frontier of new opportunity

Noronex’s Chief Geologist, Bruce Hooper, is returning to one of his geological heartlands in Namibia, Southern Africa, where he eagerly anticipates starting drilling on prospective sections of the more than 300 kilometres of strike they hold, exploring for the sleeping copper giant under a shallow layer of sand. 

Botswana is currently increasing its mining production of copper and silver from the Kalahari Copper Belt, just over the border. There has been a significant rise in output, with Sandfire Resources, a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, leading the way. They are aiming to reach an output of 30,000 tonnes of copper, with plans for future expansion. Cupric Canyon is another prominent player in the industry, with their Khomecau mine currently producing 60,000 tonnes of copper per year with plans to soon increase their production to 130,000 tonnes. 

Hooper and his exploration team have received full funding to complete the 4000-metre drilling program at the Humpback project. There is a sense of exciting new opportunities ahead as the Kalahari Belt veteran outlines plans for drilling to get underway at the site by the end of the month. 

“This region is unlocking its secrets, more so every day,” Hooper says. “We’re excited to begin investigating previous intercepts and testing various targets to understand the scale of the mineralisation in the Fiesta project. 

“We’ll also be conducting the first-ever drill program at Blowhole, focusing on targets identified on a sheared fold closure — Blowhole is near the Botswana border and has huge potential for a new copper discovery.” 

Hooper believes that the project presents a significant opportunity for growth, as it can build on the existing JORC Resource of 10mt @ 1.3%.  

“Our first stop will be at an old project called Fiesta, where they’ve had some impressive intercepts before, and we’re following up some of those and then looking for the big picture story in extensions,” Hooper says. 

“We are planning to test various numbers of targets with up to twelve holes. Additionally, we will be doing some infilling in areas where previous good hits have been made. There is a large 250-metre zone where a follow-up hole has not been put yet, which we also plan to explore.” 

What is the reason for people’s excitement regarding this specific drilling package? 

Exploration for copper is expanding to underexplored regions like the Kalahari Copper Belt due to the depletion of global copper mines. With modern technology, the opportunity to make discoveries in this known copper belt is now more compelling than ever. High-quality jurisdictions such as the Kalahari Desert are covered by a shallow cover layer that has deterred previous explorers from seeking simple outcropping structures.  

Why is moving east such an exciting opportunity for Noronex? 

We have recently been granted a large new 100% owned package in Namibia covering over 100kms of the key NPF-D’Kar contact points where most of the major copper deposits on the Kalahari Belt are located. Some of our ground has high grade historical copper drilling that we are planning to follow up along strike and at depth. It’s exciting to note that some newly discovered geological features are dome-shaped structures that serve as ideal traps for copper. These structures are located on the same mineralised horizons as some of the major recent discoveries.   

What’s the plan of attack? 

We anticipate the arrival of the rig by the end of July. We will start drilling shallow targets along the strike from known mineralisation at Fiesta. Once completed, we will move east into our Blowhole project. Our primary focus will be in areas of shallow cover and will target areas with solid indications of copper known on the prospective contact.  

Can you update me on your neighbours and the area?  

Botswana has emerged as a significant producer of copper, with the Motheo mine set to officially open soon. The Zone 5 project and Khoemacau, owned by Cupric Canyon Capital, the majority shareholders, are currently looking for potential buyers for the mine’s expected annual output of up to 130,000 tonnes. 

Have you noticed that people are becoming more aware of the significance of copper as a crucial critical mineral?  

It’s fascinating how copper remains the most sought-after metal during the lithium, nickel, cobalt boom, and the increased awareness of their importance for EV change and electrification. It seems to have gained even more attention due to the boom in these electrification metals.  

Have you got other acquisitions in mind? 

The current program is on 100% owned ground Noronex applied for as it became available after a moratorium. We carefully selected this land and have worked through all the necessary environmental clearances and permissions for drilling but remain open to new opportunities. 

Noronex’s KCB projects

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