By:Mining

Connected Minerals (ASX:CML) is preparing to begin drilling at its Swakopmund Project after completing a maiden reverse circulation drilling program at Etango North-East Project in Namibia.

The company plans to investigate targets at the Swakopmund Project identified in a recent horizontal-loop electromagnetic survey.

Geophysics results in the survey confirmed potential paleochannels with a widest response of 600m and 18m depth. This program will consist of 23 drillholes and 450m of drilling.

Drilling at the Etango North-East Project was originally designed to comprise 2,600m across 13 holes. However, Connected expanded the program to 15 drillholes, covering a total of 2,678m, as a result of geological and alteration indicators in several holes.

The two additional drillholes provided Connected with “positive” findings including stacked Alaskites lenses. Connected plans to assess these Alaskites lenses, which exhibit geological similarities to Bannerman Energy’s (ASX:BMN) Etango Uranium Project, at a later date.

Following the rock-chip sampling program completed in December 2024, this drilling program focused on the high-priority targets identified following “high-grade” results, as reported by Mining.com.au in April.

The rock-chip sampling program returned results including 46m at 506 parts per million (ppm) uranium, including 1m @ 5,413ppm uranium.

A geophysical team contracted by Connected is currently on site at the project to measure downhole mineralisation with a downhole gamma probe.

Results from the maiden drilling program are expected in the coming weeks.

CEO Warrick Clent says the completion of the maiden drilling program is another achievement, illustrating the company’s rapid progress over the past six months in Namibia.

“The similarities we have identified with Bannerman Energy’s Etango Uranium Project are particularly encouraging and will warrant further investigation as we plan the next program at our Etango North-East Project,” Clent says.

“With the drill rig now mobilising to our Swakopmund Project, Connected’s push to quickly advance its exploration assets in Namibia will continue.”

The company recently terminated an agreement with SAA Investments to purchase EPL9576 following further assessment of the project area. The board agreed the landholding would be dilutionary to shareholders and it did not meet the company’s criteria for exploration.

Connected Minerals is an Australian exploration company, with a portfolio of three projects in Namibia targeting the exploration of uranium.