Core Energy Minerals (ASX:CR3) will start diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling imminently at the Barking Gecko uranium prospect in Namibia.
The company began mobilising its geological team and drilling contractor on 2 November, marking its maiden drilling campaign at the Nova Joint Venture (JV) Project in the Erongo Region.
Drilling permits are in place, and the program targets extensions to mineralisation on Exploration Licence EPL3669.
The proposed program totals 24 holes for about 5,280m. Phase one covers 12 holes for about 2,640m, including four priority holes for 880m that combine about 290m of RC pre-collars with about 590m of diamond tails. A further 12 holes are scheduled for 2027.
Historical drilling at Barking Gecko comprises 82 holes, with intersections including 45m @ 222 parts per million (ppm) equivalent uranium oxide (eU3O8) from 120m and 21m @ 886ppm eU3O8 from 199m.
Mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike. The company stresses its mineralisation outline is an interpretation, not a JORC (2012) mineral resource.
The program follows the company’s earn-in agreement over Nova, under which it can secure 25% for $2 million of exploration within 18 months, and 51% with a further $3 million within the following 24 months.
Managing Director Tony Greenaway says the company has moved quickly from signing to mobilising.
“Within weeks of executing the Nova earn-in agreement, we are about to put drill rigs on the ground at Barking Gecko,” Greenaway adds.
Downhole gamma results will guide early reporting, with assays from ALS Laboratories to follow after quality assurance and interpretation.
Core Energy Minerals is an Australian critical minerals explorer advancing a portfolio of rare earth and uranium assets across Brazil, Namibia, and South Australia.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Core Energy Minerals
