Noronex’s Botswana Expansion Hinges on Licence Approvals Amid Thick Kalahari Sands

Strategic Expansion into Botswana

Noronex Limited (ASX: NRX) has taken a decisive step to expand its footprint in the prolific Kalahari Copper Belt by lodging applications for two Prospecting Licences in Botswana. These licences, covering a combined area of nearly 1,500 square kilometres, sit directly adjacent to the company’s Damara Copper Project in Namibia, where drilling has recently commenced. This move underscores Noronex’s ambition to leverage geological models from the Central African Copper Belt, known for its rich basement-hosted copper deposits, across the Kalahari region.

The applications, submitted under a newly formed 100%-owned subsidiary, Tilodi Metals Botswana Proprietary Limited, have been accepted and are currently under assessment by Botswana’s Department of Mines. The licences, PL000030/2025-APP and PL000032/2025-APP, cover largely unexplored terrain characterized by shallow Kalahari sands ranging from 10 to 80 metres thick, a factor that has historically limited drilling activity in the area.

Drilling and Geological Context

At the Damara Copper Project in Namibia, Noronex has mobilised a reverse circulation (RC) drill rig to test multiple basement targets identified through geophysical surveys. The project area exhibits complex magnetic signatures and gravity anomalies indicative of potential mineralisation, though the basement geology remains largely untested by drilling. Noronex’s Chief Geologist Bruce Hooper highlighted the significance of applying Central African Copper Belt deposit models to both Namibia and Botswana, suggesting this could represent a major breakthrough for copper exploration in the Kalahari Copper Belt.

The Otjiuapehuri Prospect on the Namibia-Botswana border has already seen drilling intersecting expected thicknesses of Kalahari sands, with ongoing interpretation of magnetic and gravity data revealing a mix of stratigraphic units and intrusive complexes. Hydrothermal alteration signatures point to possible mineralisation zones, further justifying the company’s exploration focus in this region.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

Noronex’s expansion into Botswana represents a strategic diversification of its copper exploration portfolio, potentially unlocking new resources in a region that has seen limited modern exploration. The establishment of a local subsidiary facilitates in-country operations and regulatory engagement, positioning Noronex to advance exploration efficiently once licences are granted.

While the licence applications remain under assessment, the company’s ongoing drilling results at Damara will be critical in validating the geological models and guiding further exploration efforts. The combination of historical data, modern geophysical techniques, and new drilling campaigns could significantly enhance Noronex’s resource base and market position in the copper sector.

Investors and analysts will be watching closely for assay results from the current drilling program and updates on licence approvals in Botswana, which together will shape the next phase of Noronex’s growth story in the Kalahari Copper Belt.