Phase 2 Drilling Begins at Etango NE with 14 of 15 Holes Yielding Economic Uranium Grades
Connected Minerals has kicked off its Phase 2 reverse circulation drilling at the Ondapanda Prospect within Namibia’s Etango North-East Uranium Project, building on promising Phase 1 results that revealed multiple economic-grade uranium intersections.
- Phase 2 drilling commenced targeting Ondapanda Prospect with ~18 holes for 2,800m
- Phase 1 delivered economic uranium grades in 14 of 15 holes
- Notable uranium grades include up to 814 ppm eU3O8 over 1m
- Mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike
- Downhole gamma probing and ALS Global assays used for grade verification
Phase 2 Drilling Underway at Etango North-East
Connected Minerals Limited (ASX – CML) has commenced its second phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Etango North-East Uranium Project in Namibia, focusing on the Ondapanda Prospect. The program, which started on 18 August 2025, plans approximately 18 holes totaling 2,800 metres, aiming to extend and infill the promising uranium mineralisation identified in the initial phase.
Building on Strong Maiden Results
The Phase 1 drilling campaign, completed earlier this year, delivered exceptional results with 14 out of 15 holes intersecting economic uranium grades. Highlights included intercepts such as 5 metres at 358 ppm equivalent U3O8, including higher-grade intervals up to 814 ppm over 1 metre. These results confirm the presence of multiple stacked uranium-bearing leucogranite (alaskite) units, reinforcing geological models that align with the nearby world-class Etango Uranium Project operated by Bannerman Energy.
Technical Approach and Verification
Connected Minerals employs downhole gamma probing to rapidly assess uranium grades during drilling, complemented by laboratory assays conducted by ALS Global in South Africa for validation. This dual approach ensures robust verification of mineralisation. The drilling is conducted by Hammerstein Drilling, with holes drilled at angles of 60° or vertical to capture the complex structural geology of the area.
Strategic Significance and Next Steps
The Etango North-East Project sits in Namibia’s prolific uranium province, with Connected Minerals holding an 80% interest in the key exploration licence. The ongoing Phase 2 drilling aims to delineate the extent of mineralisation, which remains open both at depth and along strike, potentially expanding the resource base. The company has indicated plans for further exploration programs beyond this phase, signaling a sustained commitment to advancing the project.
Managing Director Warrick Clent expressed optimism about the drilling progress and results, highlighting the strategic alignment with the geology of the nearby Etango deposit and the potential for significant uranium discoveries.
Bottom Line?
As Phase 2 drilling unfolds, investors will watch closely for assay results that could reshape Connected Minerals’ uranium prospects in Namibia.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 2 drilling confirm and extend the high-grade uranium zones identified in Phase 1?
- How might these results influence Connected Minerals’ resource estimates and project valuation?
- What are the timelines and plans for advancing towards a resource update or feasibility study?
