Noronex Limited has reported standout results from its maiden diamond drilling at the Fiesta Copper Project in Namibia, including 3 metres at 2.1% copper and 97 grams per tonne silver from a depth of 408 metres in hole 25FIEDD027.
Within this zone, a 1 metre interval assayed 4.6% copper and 120 g/t silver, confirming the presence of higher-grade mineralisation at depth.
The intercept lies some 200 metres beneath a previously reported 30 metre interval grading 0.56% copper and 62 g/t silver from 158 metres in hole 24FIERC010, demonstrating continuity of mineralisation down-dip. Other RC holes at Fiesta also returned encouraging zones, including 7 metres at 0.35% copper and 23 g/t silver from 139 metres.
Managing Director and CEO Victor Rajasooriar said the results highlight the project’s potential.
“These initial results from diamond drilling have confirmed that copper mineralisation continues at depth and is of a higher-grade tenor than previously seen through the RC drilling programs.
“The vertical structural interpretation has given meaningful information to the geological team and will be used to plan future drilling programs in the region.
“Our immediate focus is to commence the 7,000m RC program in the recently granted tenements to test numerous targets, and we look forward to working with South32 to unlock the full potential on the earn-in tenements through FY26.”
The maiden diamond drill program, funded under South32’s earn-in agreement, comprised three holes at Fiesta.
Hole 25FIEDD027 was drilled to a depth of 497.7 metres to test beneath the Western Lens.
Results from hole 25FIEDD028 are pending. Drilling at the nearby Oosterwald target has also been completed, with assay results pending.
Fiesta lies on the western closure of a domal structure at the NPF–D’Kar contact, a geological setting analogous to world-class deposits across the border in Botswana, such as MMG’s Khoemacau copper project (450 Mt at 1.4% Cu, 14 g/t Ag).
Mineralisation is hosted in shales and siltstones of the D’Kar Formation, with copper occurring as disseminated chalcocite, bornite and chalcopyrite.
With diamond drilling now complete, Noronex is preparing for a 7,000 metre Reverse Circulation program at the Powerline Prospect.
The campaign will target large anticlinal hinge zones where the prospective NPF–D’Kar contact is predicted, a position known to host major copper mines in Botswana.
Sixteen regional targets have already been identified, many with anomalous copper and silver intercepts from historical drilling.
Examples include 45 metres at 0.8% copper and 23 g/t silver from 144 metres at the Qembo Dome, and 23 metres at 0.29% copper and 28 g/t silver from 212 metres at the Zambindo Dome.
Silver values in particular have shown favourable ratios compared with many other Kalahari Copper Belt deposits.
The mineralised horizon extends for more than 180 kilometres across Noronex’s recently granted licences. Planned RC drilling will test dome structures at two-kilometre spacing, targeting discoveries on the scale of Botswana’s Banana Zone (150 Mt at 0.93% Cu, 12 g/t Ag) and Zone 5 (168 Mt at 2.1% Cu, 11 g/t Ag).
With assays confirming higher-grade zones at depth and a major RC campaign about to commence, Noronex is intensifying its efforts to unlock the full copper potential of its Namibian Humpback tenements in partnership with South32.
