Connected Minerals Ignites Uranium Drilling in Namibia with High-Grade Hits

Namibian Uranium Exploration Accelerates

Connected Minerals Ltd (ASX: CML) has reported significant progress in its uranium exploration activities across its Namibian portfolio during the first quarter of 2025. The company completed an expanded maiden trenching and sampling programme at the Etango North-East Project, delivering high-grade uranium results that underscore the prospectivity of the area. Notably, Trench 1 returned a remarkable 46 metres at 506 ppm U3O8, including standout intervals such as 1 metre at 5,413 ppm and 2 metres at 2,084 ppm U3O8.

These results are particularly encouraging given the project’s location within the same geological units as Bannerman Energy’s world-class Etango uranium deposit, reinforcing the potential for a substantial discovery. The host geology, dominated by folded and faulted metasediments intruded by alaskite rocks, appears to be a fertile environment for uranium mineralisation, with the highest grades associated with alaskite intrusions near surface.

Swakopmund Project and Drilling Commencement

In January 2025, Connected Minerals secured its second Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) in Namibia for the Swakopmund Project, a strategic addition covering 125 square kilometres along trend from Orano’s Trekkopje uranium deposits. Following this, a horizontal-loop electromagnetic (HLEM) survey identified potential paleochannels, priority targets for drilling. The most significant paleochannel detected measured 600 metres wide and approximately 18 metres deep, highlighting a compelling target for further investigation.

Responding swiftly, the company appointed Hammerstein Drilling, a reputable Namibian contractor, to undertake a maiden Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling programme. This ~3,050-metre reconnaissance drilling campaign commenced in early April 2025, with 13 holes planned at Etango North-East to follow up on high-priority trenching results, followed by 20 holes at Swakopmund to test the paleochannel targets.

Expanding Exploration Horizons in Western Australia

Parallel to its Namibian uranium efforts, Connected Minerals has initiated its maiden exploration programme across its 100% owned Pilbara portfolio in Western Australia. This programme aims to validate historical base metal results and conduct detailed geological mapping. Key projects include the Civilisation Bore and Mt Genoa tenements, prospective for copper, lead, silver, and gold mineralisation.

Historical data at Civilisation Bore revealed significant copper anomalies, including rock chip samples with up to 33.5% copper, while Mt Genoa showed promising copper and lead values from previous surface sampling. The company’s approach is methodical, focusing initially on confirming these historic results before advancing to more detailed exploration phases.

Financial Position and Outlook

Connected Minerals closed the quarter with a healthy cash balance of approximately $4.41 million and no debt, having spent $211,000 on exploration activities. The company also received a modest royalty payment of $5,248 from Focus Minerals related to the Coolgardie Project. There were no substantive mining production or development activities during the quarter, reflecting the early-stage nature of the exploration programmes.

Looking ahead, the market will be watching closely for assay results from the ongoing drilling campaigns in Namibia, which could materially enhance the company’s resource base and valuation. The dual focus on uranium in Namibia and base metals in Western Australia positions Connected Minerals to capitalize on diverse commodity demand drivers.