Connected Minerals is pushing to have Phase 2 drilling results from its Etango North-East uranium project in Namibia available during the second half of September 2025.
The program could mark a decisive step toward outlining a maiden resource at the exploration play, which lies close to Bannerman Energy’s advanced Etango project in the Erongo region.
Managing Director Warrick Clent told Mining.com.au that if Phase 2 begins to show the wider intersections the company is targeting, it would provide the confidence to expand drilling and accelerate resource definition.
“The importance of multiple stacked alaskites will come when it is time to mine this style of deposit,” he said. “Given that the stacked alaskites at Etango North-East outcrop at the surface and dip at a moderate angle, you can easily mine across multiple alaskites at once, allowing access to more mineralisation per vertical metre than with steeply dipping orebodies.”
The 18-hole, 2,800-metre reverse circulation program is focused on the Ondapanda prospect and follows up on highly encouraging Phase 1 results, where 14 of 15 holes intersected economic uranium grades.
Highlights included 5m at 358ppm uranium equivalent from 88m, including 2m at 643ppm and 1m at 814ppm.
The results confirmed the presence of multiple, stacked, mineralised alaskites, with geological characteristics similar to those at Bannerman’s nearby Etango deposit.
Clent emphasised that the geology could make the project attractive from both a mining and investment perspective.
“Open-pit mining is far less expensive than underground operations. And when you have the ability to mine an orebody from the surface, as opposed to having to pre-strip waste, it allows for the processing of ore from day one,” he noted.
The exploration comes against the backdrop of a strengthening uranium market.
Global nuclear demand is expected to rise as the drive to net zero lifts uranium consumption from 95 kilotonnes in 2024 to 99 kilotonnes by 2030.
Developers like Connected are positioning themselves to meet that demand.
Connected Minerals owns 100% of the Etango North-East and Swakopmund uranium projects through granted Exclusive Prospecting Licences.
The company has been funding exploration through recent capital raisings, which have brought in approximately A$4.7 million year-to-date. As of June 2025, Connected reported cash of A$3.9 million and no net debt.
It has also appointed 708 Capital Pty Ltd as a corporate advisor to support future financing.
Beyond Namibia, Connected expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of three exploration licences in Western Australia, including the Pallingup Project northeast of Albany.
This project is prospective for carbonatite-hosted rare earth elements and heavy mineral sands.
Under its 2026 work program, Connected plans to begin maiden drilling at Pallingup while continuing follow-up campaigns at Etango North-East later this year.
