South32 backs Noronex copper push

South32 has backed the next phase of copper exploration across Noronex Limited's Namibian portfolio, after a review of drilling and geophysical data identified priority targets for follow-up work.

The decision clears the way for a new campaign across the Fortuna, Rosy Copper and Humpback South prospects within the Humpback-Damara Project. It follows encouraging results from the Powerline Copper Project and regional work at the Damara North Project.

Planning is under way for the 2026/27 exploration programme. It 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.

The programme follows the completion of 7,112 metres of reverse-circulation drilling at Powerline in eastern Namibia, alongside gravity surveys across both the Humpback-Damara and Damara North project areas.

The work has refined Noronex's geological model and identified 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, moving from regional reconnaissance to systematic target testing.

"The receipt of these final assay results 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.

He said South32's decision to continue the earn-in agreements reflected confidence in the technical work completed across Namibia, and in 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," he said. "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 Powerline, final drilling results confirmed copper-silver mineralisation is preferentially developed along the D'Kar-NPF contact. Better intersections included 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.

Drilling aimed at thicker, higher-grade mineralisation near the western fold closure of Zambinda was less successful. But the programme improved the company's understanding of the structural and stratigraphic controls on mineralisation, giving a stronger basis for future targeting.

Regional gravity surveys at Damara North have also sharpened the exploration model, refining the interpretation of basement architecture and structural corridors hidden beneath Kalahari cover. The surveys identified several gravity anomalies linked to major basement structures and potential hydrothermal fluid pathways, now ranked as priority targets for detailed modelling before drill testing.

Noronex said the integration of drilling, mapping, geochemistry and regional geophysics had reduced geological uncertainty across its Namibian portfolio, allowing exploration teams to focus spending on the highest-ranked targets.

Current efforts are centred on optimising drill targeting across the Humpback-Damara Project, including the Fortuna, Rosy Copper and Humpback South prospects.

For Namibia, the announcement highlights continued exploration investment into the Kalahari Copper Belt, where companies are racing to find the next generation of sediment-hosted copper deposits.

The latest programme was aimed mainly at improving geological understanding rather than delivering a major discovery. But South32's decision to proceed with further drilling signals confidence in Noronex's Namibian assets, and in the long-term potential of the country's emerging copper district.