Arkle Resources plc plans to start exploring soon on its recently acquired uranium project in the Erongo Region of Nambia.
ALASKITE
The four 85%-owned exclusive prospective licences, covering 540 km² and located adjacent to major projects, last year underwent sampling programmes.
Arkle said it was fully funded to carry out phased exploration work during 2026, beginning with four lines of horizontal loop electromagnetic survey on EPL 8995.
Work will also include an airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of EPLs 8995, 8290 and 8298, as well as mapping and downhole logging of historical drill holes on the licences.
The company signed a contract with Xcalibur Smart Mapping, for an airborne survey of more than 12,000 line-km at 50 m-line-spacing to generate “extensive” targets.
Arkle has also applied for aviation permits for the survey.
Phase II, expected to begin during the second half of the year, will identify targets and include detailed mapping, additional sampling, and up to 4,000m reverse circulation drilling.
The company added that initial work on EPL 7986, which is contiguous to the Rössing uranium mine, would focus on mapping and developing a model of the alaskite outcrop.
A successful drilling programme will be followed by detailed infill drilling ahead of an inaugural mineral resource estimate during the first half of 2027.
The company said its technical team had experience at Rössing and Langer Heinrich mines, as well as Forsys Metals Corp and Cameco Corp.
“With a fully funded uranium exploration programme due to commence imminently, Arkle now provides unique and near-term exposure to discoveries in a prolific uranium region,” adde interim chief executive officer Rory Harding.
“Indeed, the company is now one of the few London-listed uranium explorers and our vision is to become a pre-eminent uranium exploration and development vehicle across Africa’s key uranium belts.“
Elsewhere on its portfolio, Arkle aims to complete an environment impact assessment for its three lithium licences in the Makgadikgadiin salt pans in Botswana.
The company will then drill test brine aquifers across priority targets, with further work subject to funding.
At its zinc joint venture in Stonepark, County Limerick in Ireland, operator Group Eleven Resources Corp plans step-out drilling around the known resource, and follow-up drilling on the Carrickittle West prospect.
Glencore, owner of the adjacent Pallas Green zinc-lead project, holds a 14% stake in Group Eleven, which in turn also owns the Pallas Green West licence, containing the Ballywire zinc-lead-silver deposit, southeast of Stonepark.
Arkle retains a 22.36% interest in the project’s seven licences.
The company additionally holds non-core projects of four prospecting lithium licences, with potential for tungsten, in Aughrim in Co. Wicklow, and a gold exploration licence in Inishowen, Co. Donegal.