Connected Minerals has completed Phase 2 drilling at its Etango North-East Uranium Project in Namibia.
The latest programme targeted the Ondapanda Prospect and comprised 23 reverse circulation holes for a total of 3,134 metres. Results from this second phase are expected within three weeks, following the completion of downhole probe work now underway.
The programme builds on the strong foundations laid during Phase 1 drilling, where 14 out of 15 holes returned economic uranium grades.
Those results included 5 metres at 358 ppm eU₃O₈ from 88 metres, with a standout metre at 814 ppm; 4 metres at 230 ppm from 47 metres, peaking at 345 ppm; and further intersections such as 3 metres at 312 ppm and 3 metres at 249 ppm at varying depths.
The consistency of these grades confirmed the potential of Ondapanda.
It strengthened comparisons with Bannerman Energy’s nearby Etango Project, one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits, which contains 429 million tonnes at 225 ppm U₃O₈.
Phase 2 drilling was designed to further test this geological model, particularly by targeting stacked alaskite intrusions in infill and extensional settings. Connected Minerals managing director and CEO Warrick Clent said the company was encouraged by initial observations.
“We are pleased to have now completed the Phase 2 drilling programme at Etango North-East, the latest milestone of our rapidly advancing exploration campaign in Namibia.
“The Phase 2 programme has expanded in size from our initial plans, with 23 holes and 3,134 metres of drilling. We are optimistic about the upcoming results, expected in approximately three weeks.
“Initial signs indicate that drilling has continued to intersect alaskites; however, we have yet to complete downhole probe work on all holes. We look forward to completing this work and announcing results during October.”
Etango North-East is situated within the prolific Erongo uranium province, which is home to multiple world-class deposits and Namibia’s long-standing uranium mining industry.
Its location and geological similarities to Bannerman’s Etango reinforce the belief that Ondapanda could add new depth to the region’s uranium pipeline.
For Connected Minerals, the drilling is not only about validating the mineralisation model but also about securing its position in the global uranium supply chain at a time when demand projections are rising sharply.
The Australian-headquartered company has refocused its strategy on uranium exploration and development, complementing its Namibian projects with three granted exploration licences in Western Australia that demonstrate multi-commodity potential.
