Noronex Limited has acquired two prospecting licenses in Botswana, adjacent to its Namibian copper project. Spanning nearly 1500 square kilometers, the licenses are part of the Kalahari Copper Belt, potentially increasing Noronex’s exploration capacity. The company plans a geochemical sampling program and continues to drill at its Fiesta target in Namibia, anticipating significant results.
Noronex Limited has successfully obtained two strategic prospecting licenses in Botswana, which are adjacent to its existing Damara copper project in Namibia. These licenses cover nearly 1500 square kilometers of unexplored land within the Kalahari Copper Belt and are believed to include the important D’Kar Formation, suggesting significant developmental potential along the basin margin.
The new licenses, which encompass areas of 721.87 square kilometers and 745.40 square kilometers respectively, will be transitioned to Noronex’s new fully-owned subsidiary, Tilodi Metals Botswana P/L. Noronex expressed enthusiasm regarding the new licenses, which were applied for in January, and highlights the Kalahari Copper Belt’s potential, recently affirmed by an earn-in agreement between BHP Group and Cobre Ltd.
Noronex has previously drilled seven holes at the nearby Otjiuapehuri prospect and is presently awaiting laboratory testing results. Geophysical data reveals a significant continuity of structural trends beyond the border, though the geological understanding of the area remains limited, as it has yet to be drilled.
Moving forward, Noronex aims to initiate an orientation geochemical sampling program after securing environmental approvals for the new licenses. It is anticipated that the newly explored region is largely composed of Kalahari sands, varying between 10 and 80 meters in thickness, with some areas in proximity to Cobre’s Thul prospect.
Cobre has recently finalized an earn-in deal with BHP, allowing BHP to acquire a 75 percent stake in its Kitlanya projects through an investment of up to $25 million over eight years, focusing on the northern basin margin of the Kalahari Copper Belt. This collaboration is highlighted by BHP’s funding of a seismic survey at Kitlanya West.
Despite the increasing international interest in the Kalahari Copper Belt, decoding the complex geology of the vast area will require substantial effort and ongoing research. Noronex remains committed to enhancing its geological understanding, with excitement around the potential results from their new geochemical sampling, while continuing drilling activities at the Fiesta target in Namibia’s Humpback project.
Positive outputs from earlier drilling at Fiesta yielded results such as 1.0 percent copper and 33 grams per tonne of silver over 16 meters, igniting optimism for future explorations.
Noronex Limited’s strategic expansion into Botswana through the acquisition of new prospecting licenses marks a significant step in exploring the Kalahari Copper Belt. With a focus on continuous geological research and development, the company aims to uncover major copper deposits, thereby enhancing its operational foothold in the region. The collaborative efforts with established players such as BHP and Cobre further underline the potential of the area, though extensive work remains to be done to fully understand its geological complexities.
Original Source: thewest.com.au
