Noronex Limited is poised to commence its maiden drilling campaign at the highly prospective Etango North uranium project in Namibia, marking a significant milestone for the explorer. The company has appointed a drilling contractor to undertake reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the site, located approximately 32 kilometres east-northeast of Swakopmund.
A Strategic Location in Uranium-Rich Terrain
Etango North occupies a prime geological position within one of the world's premier uranium districts. The project sits on a common inferred line of strike that connects Bannerman Energy's substantial Etango uranium development, which hosts an estimated 207 million pounds of contained uranium oxide, to the producing Rössing and Husab uranium mines about 36 kilometres to the northeast.
Positioned just 10 kilometres northeast of Etango and approximately 28 kilometres southwest of the Rössing and Husab operations, Noronex's tenure represents a rare and valuable opportunity in a region where such ground is seldom available. The neighbouring Rössing uranium project stands as one of the largest open-pit uranium mines globally, having produced over 140,000 tonnes of yellowcake from 1976 to 2022.
Meanwhile, the Husab mine resource contains more than 300,000 tons of uranium oxide and is projected to continue operations until 2044. This operation ranks as the world's second biggest uranium mine by output, accounting for six per cent of global production in 2019 alone.
Modern Exploration Techniques Pave the Way
Noronex has spent the past year meticulously building its geological case using advanced exploration methodologies before committing to the drilling program. A ground spectrometry survey conducted last year identified multiple uranium-thorium anomalies and indicated alaskite-hosted mineralisation extending into the company's tenure.
More recently, the company implemented a remotely sensed geological interpretation that refined understanding of the geological framework, enabling targeting of favourable structures known to host uranium-bearing alaskites. Subsequent field examination has confirmed these interpretations, highlighting promising contacts between the Khan, Chuos and Arandis formations.
Testing the Third Dimension
The upcoming reverse circulation drilling represents Noronex's first opportunity to test the three-dimensional aspects of its mineralisation model. Until now, the company's understanding has been built from surface and near-surface datasets. This drilling campaign marks the critical juncture where geological theory meets practical reality.
The initial program will target multiple priority areas, including the strongest uranium and thorium anomalies identified in the 2025 survey. Field traverses have mapped alaskite bodies and zones of shallow cover, suggesting mineralisation may extend more broadly than surface expressions initially indicated.
Exploring Historical Anomalies and Joint Venture Structure
Noronex will also investigate the potential extension of anomalous historical drilling results adjacent to the company's licence boundary into its ground. These previous findings reported uranium values exceeding 100 parts per million uranium oxide, serving as a compelling reminder that geological systems do not respect tenement boundaries.
Etango North operates as a joint venture with a local vendor, with Noronex able to earn up to an 80 per cent interest in the project. This structure provides the company with significant leverage should drilling deliver positive results.
Beyond Uranium: A Diversified Portfolio
While uranium represents the current focus at Etango North, Noronex maintains a diversified exploration portfolio. The company continues to advance its copper projects across Namibia and Botswana, providing multiple opportunities across commodities that are gaining increasing global attention.
Victor Rajasooriar, Noronex managing director and CEO, commented on the upcoming campaign: "The appointment of the drilling contractor marks an important milestone as we advance Etango North toward its first drill testing. The targets defined from the spectrometry survey and AI-assisted modelling represent a compelling opportunity for a greenfields uranium discovery in one of the world's premier uranium districts."
With drilling expected to commence shortly, Noronex will soon determine whether its AI-assisted modelling and geophysical interpretation have successfully identified the district's next commercial uranium deposit. In a region that has already yielded multiple world-class uranium discoveries, the company is preparing to discover if its ground conceals another significant chapter just beneath the surface.
