Noronex Extends High-Grade Copper-Silver Zone at Fiesta Project, Namibia
Noronex Limited reports robust copper-silver assay results from its Fiesta Project drilling in Namibia, revealing extensive mineralisation over 4.5 kilometres and promising new step-out intercepts. The company advances towards a potentially transformative copper discovery in the Kalahari Copper Belt.
- 16m @ 1.3% copper equivalent intersected at Fiesta Project
- Mineralisation extended 500m west of previous drill holes
- 19 RC drill holes completed totaling 4,854m at Fiesta
- Drilling funded by South32 under earn-in agreement
- Drill rig to move to Damara Project for new target testing
Fiesta Project Delivers Consistent High-Grade Copper-Silver Intercepts
Noronex Limited (ASX: NRX) has announced encouraging assay results from its ongoing Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program at the Fiesta Project, located in Namibia's prolific Kalahari Copper Belt. The latest highlight includes a significant intercept of 16 metres grading 1.3% copper equivalent (CuEq) from 158 metres depth, underscoring the project's potential to host a large-scale copper deposit.
The Fiesta Project's mineralisation now extends over 4.5 kilometres, with recent drilling confirming continuity and high grades within the western lens of the deposit. Notably, hole 24FIERC21, a major step-out drilled 500 metres west of previous intersections, intersected mineralisation near the end of the hole, suggesting further extensions remain to be delineated.
Strategic Drilling and Technical Advances
To better understand the geometry and orientation of the mineralised zones, Noronex has employed down-hole geophysical and optical televiewer (OPTV) logging techniques. These advanced tools are critical in interpreting the complex structural controls on mineralisation, which appears hosted in steeply-dipping shear zones within the D'Kar sedimentary sequence.
With 19 RC drill holes completed for a total of 4,854 metres, the program has systematically targeted new zones within the extensive mineralised system. The company is awaiting assay results from two additional drill holes completed in early 2025, which aim to test further extensions to the west.
Backing from South32 and Broader Exploration Plans
The Fiesta drilling campaign is funded by a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32 Limited under a previously announced earn-in agreement, providing Noronex with robust financial and technical support. This partnership underscores the strategic interest in the Kalahari Copper Belt's emerging copper-silver deposits.
Looking ahead, the drill rig is scheduled to move to the Damara Project, located near the Botswana border, to test new prospective targets. This expansion reflects Noronex's broader strategy to leverage modern exploration technologies and capitalize on the region's underexplored potential.
Economic Significance of Silver and Regional Context
Alongside copper, the silver grades encountered are particularly noteworthy, with some intercepts exceeding 80 grams per tonne. Silver is expected to recover well into copper concentrates, enhancing the economic attractiveness of the deposit, similar to other successful projects in the region such as Khoemacau and Motheo in Botswana.
The geological setting at Fiesta shares many characteristics with these established deposits, including mineralisation hosted as disseminated chalcocite within sedimentary sequences and controlled by major shear zones. This regional analogy adds confidence to Noronex's exploration model and the potential scale of the resource.
Outlook and Next Steps
Noronex's Chief Geologist Bruce Hooper expressed optimism about the project's trajectory, highlighting the impressive intercepts and the expanding footprint of mineralisation. As assay results from the latest drill holes are awaited, the company is poised to refine its geological model and advance towards a resource upgrade.
With drilling continuing and new targets being tested, 2025 is shaping up as a pivotal year for Noronex as it seeks to make a company-changing copper discovery in one of the world's most prospective copper belts.
Bottom Line?
Noronex’s expanding copper-silver footprint at Fiesta signals a promising 2025, but upcoming assay results will be critical to confirming the deposit’s scale and economic potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending assays from the recent step-out holes confirm further extensions of high-grade mineralisation?
- How will the optical televiewer data refine the geological model and impact resource estimation?
- What are the exploration plans and timelines for the Damara Project following the Fiesta campaign?
