Connected Minerals has begun Phase 2 reverse-circulation drilling at its Etango North-East uranium project in Namibia, mobilising Hammerstein Drilling on 18 August to focus on the Ondapanda prospect.
The programme comprises up to 18 holes, totalling approximately 2,800 metres, designed as extensional and infill work following a strong maiden campaign in May.
Management says mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike.
Phase 1 returned economic uranium grades in 14 of 15 holes.
Reported highlights included 5 metres at 358 ppm eU3O8 from 88 metres in hole OPRC0008, with 2 metres at 643 ppm and 1 metre at 814 ppm from 89 metres; 4 metres at 230 ppm from 47 metres in OPRC0010, including 2 metres at 283 ppm and 1 metre at 345 ppm; 3 metres at 237 ppm from 122 metres in OPRC0003, including 1 metre at 302 ppm; 3 metres at 312 ppm from 68 metres in OPRC0006, including 1 metre at 340 ppm; and 3 metres at 249 ppm from 129 metres in OPRC0015, including 1 metre at 319 ppm. The company interprets multiple, stacked mineralised alaskites (leucogranites) across Ondapanda.
Geological work to date suggests the Etango North-East mineral system follows the same alaskite model seen at Bannerman Energy’s nearby Etango project, which is underpinned by a definitive feasibility study citing 429 million tonnes at 225 ppm U3O8. Ondapanda’s Phase 2 programme aims to build on Phase 1 intercepts, test depth extensions, and refine drill spacing to inform follow-up targeting.
Managing director Warrick Clent said the team is “eager to see the results from Phase 2 given our initial success in Phase 1,” adding that the second-round programme is structured to grow the footprint of mineralisation while improving confidence around the better-graded zones.
The Etango North-East work is the company’s Namibian focus as it advances towards defining scale and continuity at Ondapanda.
