South32 has endorsed the next phase of copper exploration across Noronex Limited’s Namibian portfolio after a comprehensive review of drilling and geophysical data identified a series of priority targets for follow-up drilling, reinforcing confidence in the country’s section of the Kalahari Copper Belt.
The decision clears the way for a new exploration campaign across the Fortuna, Rosy Copper and Humpback South prospects within the Humpback-Damara Project, following encouraging technical results from the Powerline Copper Project and regional work completed at the Damara North Project.
Planning is now underway for the 2026/27 exploration programme, which includes a proposed 2,500-metre reverse-circulation drilling campaign scheduled to begin in the December quarter across the Fortuna, Rosy Copper and Humpback South prospects in Namibia.
The programme follows the completion of 7,112 metres of reverse circulation drilling at the Powerline Copper Project in eastern Namibia and extensive regional gravity surveys across both the Humpback-Damara and Damara North project areas.
Together, the work has refined Noronex’s geological model and identified the highest-priority targets for the next phase of exploration under the company’s earn-in agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of South32.
Noronex Chief Geologist Tony Chisnall said the company had reached an important milestone as it progressed from regional reconnaissance to systematic target testing.
“The receipt of these final assay results from our recent drilling programs marks an important milestone for Noronex as we transition from the initial regional evaluation phase into the next stage of systematic exploration under our Earn-In Agreements with a wholly owned subsidiary of South32.”
He said South32’s decision to continue with the earn-in agreements reflected confidence in the technical work completed across Namibia and the opportunities that had emerged.
“Following a comprehensive review of the drilling and regional geophysical programmes completed across Namibia and Botswana, we are pleased to be progressing detailed planning with South32 for the next phase of exploration, including a planned 3,000m drill program commencing later this year.
The continuation of the Humpback-Damara and Cgae Cgae Earn-In Agreements reflects confidence in both the technical work completed to date and the exploration opportunities that have emerged.”
At the Powerline Copper Project in eastern Namibia, the final drilling results confirmed that copper-silver mineralisation is preferentially developed along the D’Kar-NPF contact.
Among the better intersections were 28 metres grading 0.30% copper and 26 grams per tonne silver from 169 metres at Zambinda South and 6 metres grading 0.36% copper and 38 grams per tonne silver from 147 metres at Qembo North.
Although drilling aimed at thicker, higher-grade mineralisation associated with structural zones at the western fold closure of Zambinda proved less successful, the programme significantly improved the company’s understanding of the structural and stratigraphic controls on copper-silver mineralisation, providing a stronger basis for future drill targeting.
Regional gravity surveys completed across the Damara North Project in eastern Namibia have also strengthened the exploration model by refining the interpretation of basement architecture and structural corridors concealed beneath Kalahari cover.
The surveys identified several discrete gravity anomalies associated with major basement structures, interpreted structural intersections and potential hydrothermal fluid pathways, all of which have now been ranked as priority targets for detailed geophysical modelling before drill testing.
The company said the integration of drilling, geological mapping, geochemistry and regional geophysics has substantially reduced geological uncertainty across its Namibian portfolio and allowed exploration teams to focus future expenditure on the highest-ranked targets.
The completed work forms the technical foundation for the next exploration phase under the South32 earn-in agreement, with current efforts centred on optimising drill targeting across the Humpback-Damara Project, including the Fortuna, Rosy Copper and Humpback South prospects.
For Namibia, the announcement highlights the continued flow of international exploration investment into the Kalahari Copper Belt, where companies are intensifying efforts to discover the next generation of sediment-hosted copper deposits.
While the latest programme was aimed primarily at improving geological understanding rather than delivering a major discovery, South32’s decision to proceed with another round of drilling demonstrates continued confidence in the prospectivity of Noronex’s Namibian assets and the long-term potential of the country’s emerging copper district.
