Noronex Expands Copper Exploration into Botswana with New Licenses

Noronex Limited has acquired two prospecting licenses in Botswana, expanding its exploration efforts from Namibia into the Kalahari Copper Belt, known for its mineral potential. The licenses cover 1,500 square kilometers and are situated near the promising D’Kar Formation. Noronex plans follow-up drilling and geochemical sampling to uncover copper resources, with rising international interest in the region.

Noronex Limited has received approval for two critical prospecting licenses in Botswana, positioned along the Namibia-Botswana border near its Damara copper project in Namibia. These licenses encompass nearly 1,500 square kilometers of unexplored land within the famed Kalahari Copper Belt, including the promising D’Kar Formation on the basin margin. The licenses, acquired through Noronex’s subsidiary Senyetse Resources, cover 721.87 square kilometers and 745.40 square kilometers respectively; they will soon be transferred to a new entity, Tilodi Metals Botswana P/L.

The continuity of magnetic signatures from the Damara project into the newly acquired licenses suggests significant mineral potential. Noronex’s strategy is to augment exploration efforts following BHP’s recently announced earn-in deal with Cobre Ltd, which underscores the Kalahari Copper Belt’s potential. The company aims to identify a major copper discovery along the basin margin, similar to their efforts at the Damara project.

Noronex has deployed drilling at the Otjiuapehuri prospect, situated less than three kilometers from the border, having drilled seven holes this year. The results from laboratory testing are anticipated. Notably, while the structural data indicates continuity across the border, the magnetic trends become complex in the northeast, complicating geological assessments.

The poorly understood geology of the area has not been previously drilled; thus, Noronex is preparing a geochemical sampling initiative for exploration, pending environmental approvals. Given the geological extrapolation, the region is expected to feature Kalahari sand coverage ranging from 10 meters to 80 meters.

Part of the new licenses adjoin Cobre Limited’s Thul prospect, which is integrated with the Kitlanya West copper project in Botswana. Recently, Cobre formalized an earn-in agreement allowing BHP to earn a 75 percent interest in the Kitlanya projects through accessible investments, emphasizing the ongoing focus on the northern basin margin of the Kalahari Copper Belt.

International attention towards the Kalahari Copper Belt is growing, as the region holds significant mineral advantages. Noronex is committed to deepening geological understanding, with future geochemical analyses possibly shaping its exploration trajectory. The company also intends to increase drilling efforts at its Fiesta target, a site within the Namibian Humpback project, following promising drilling results reported earlier in the year.

In summary, Noronex Limited’s strategic expansion into Botswana with new prospecting licenses signals a promising exploration initiative aimed at capitalizing on the mineral potential of the Kalahari Copper Belt. The continuity of magnetic signatures alongside recent successful drilling points to significant opportunities for discovery. As Noronex embarks on its exploration endeavors, heightened international interest in the region is expected to catalyze further advancements and partnerships in copper mining.

Original Source: thewest.com.au