Noronex Starts 7,000m RC Drilling Funded by South32 at Powerline Project

Exploration Momentum Builds in Namibia

Noronex Limited has initiated a major exploration phase at its Powerline Copper Project, situated on the northern edge of the prolific Kalahari Copper Belt in Namibia. The 7,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign targets recently granted tenements featuring large domal geological structures, which aeromagnetic data suggest could host significant copper mineralization.

This drilling program is a key milestone for Noronex, reflecting both the company’s growing confidence in the region’s potential and the strategic partnership with mining giant South32. Under a previously announced earn-in agreement, South32 is funding the exploration, underscoring the project’s appeal to established industry players.

Targeting the Copper-Rich Horizon

The drilling focuses on the contact zone between the Ngwako Pan Formation and the D’Kar Formation, a geological horizon known to host major copper deposits within the Kalahari Copper Belt. Historical drilling by companies such as Antofagasta and Sandfire has already identified anomalous copper and silver mineralization in the area, providing a promising foundation for Noronex’s current efforts.

By refining drill targets through detailed analysis of past drilling data and magnetic profiles, Noronex aims to test structural and stratigraphic features that could reveal new mineralized zones. The campaign begins at the Steenbok target and will systematically explore multiple domal structures spaced approximately two kilometres apart, including the Qembo and Zambindo domes, which have yielded encouraging copper and silver intercepts in the past.

Strategic Partnership and Future Prospects

Noronex’s Managing Director and CEO, Victor Rajasooriar, highlighted the dual objectives of the drilling – to resolve key geological uncertainties and to potentially discover new copper deposits that could enhance the company’s resource base. The collaboration with South32 not only provides financial backing but also validates the project’s strategic importance within the broader copper exploration landscape.

Looking beyond the current campaign, Noronex’s portfolio includes other advanced projects in Namibia, Botswana, and Canada, with a combined historical drilling record exceeding 180,000 metres. The company’s Witvlei Project in Namibia already hosts a JORC 2012 Resource of 10 million tonnes at 1.3% copper, underscoring its growing footprint in copper exploration.

As the drilling progresses through FY26, the market will be watching closely for assay results that could confirm the presence of economically viable copper-silver mineralization and potentially reshape the outlook for the Powerline Project.