Core Energy Minerals has commenced a 2 650-metre drilling programme at the Barking Gecko uranium prospect in Namibia, targeting extensions of high-grade mineralisation identified during previous exploration.
The programme, comprising 12 diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drill holes, marks the start of drilling at the Nova Joint Venture Project, where Core Energy is seeking to earn an interest of up to 51% through an agreement with Deep Yellow and former Australian-listed Toro Energy.
Barking Gecko, located on exclusive prospecting licence EPL3669, is the first prospect being tested under the joint venture.
Core Energy said drilling contractor Torque Drilling had completed mobilisation and safety procedures before establishing its rig at the first drilling site, where diamond coring has commenced.
The initial drilling phase will test the company’s revised geological interpretation of uranium mineralisation identified in historical drilling.
Subsequent holes will be positioned beyond previously drilled areas to determine whether the mineralisation extends further than currently understood.
The programme will specifically target uranium mineralisation hosted in alaskite, a granitic rock associated with uranium deposits in Namibia.
Core Energy managing director Tony Greenaway said the commencement of drilling followed extensive work reviewing earlier exploration results.
“Getting the rig turning at Barking Gecko on schedule is an exciting and important milestone for Core Energy. Our team has done a lot of work reinterpreting the historic drilling, and this program is designed to test that interpretation directly before stepping out to see how far the mineralisation extends. I’d like to thank the Torque Drilling crew and our Namibian team for a safe and efficient mobilisation, and we look forward to updating shareholders as results come through”.
Joint venture with Deep Yellow
The drilling programme follows Core Energy’s announcement on 2 September 2026 of a binding earn-in agreement with Deep Yellow and Toro Energy covering the Nova tenement package.
Under the arrangement, Core Energy can earn up to 51% of the project by meeting the conditions of the agreement.
The agreement provides Core Energy with an opportunity to advance uranium exploration in Namibia while working alongside companies with established experience in the uranium sector.
The current drilling programme represents an important stage in evaluating the mineralisation at Barking Gecko and determining the potential for further exploration across the joint venture licences.
Testing historical uranium results
Core Energy’s immediate objective is to confirm its interpretation of the high-grade uranium mineralisation identified by earlier drilling.
The company will use the initial holes to test the geological structures and mineralised zones before extending drilling into areas that could increase the known mineralisation footprint.
The programme combines diamond drilling, which provides continuous rock core for geological examination, with reverse circulation drilling to collect samples from targeted zones.
Core Energy said it would release further exploration updates as drilling progresses.
Downhole gamma measurements, used to assess natural radioactivity associated with uranium mineralisation, and laboratory assay results will be reported once received and interpreted.
The results will help determine whether the mineralised zones extend beyond historical drilling and identify areas requiring additional exploration.
The company has not announced a mineral resource estimate or a timetable for mine development at Barking Gecko.
Core Energy, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the code CR3, also holds mineral exploration interests in Brazil and Australia.
The Barking Gecko programme forms part of its strategy to advance uranium and critical minerals projects through targeted exploration and geological evaluation.
