Arkle Resources (AIM:ARK) confirmed a uranium discovery at the primary uraniferous leucogranite (ULG) target on its Erongo project in Namibia, after maiden drilling intersected uranium oxide (U₃O₈) above 100 parts per million (ppm) in eight of nine holes.
The London-listed energy metals explorer, focused on uranium exploration in Namibia's Erongo region, said the mineralisation spans roughly 1.4km by 0.6km, matching the footprint already mapped at surface through trenching.
The target sits roughly 12km west-southwest of the company's Paleo East paleochannel, where Arkle released separate drilling results on Monday; the two results together confirm both of the region's principal uranium deposit styles, surficial calcrete and primary leucogranite, on the company's licences.
The best hole, R069, was mineralised from surface to the end of the hole, including 41m at 141 ppm U₃O₈ from 59m, with individual one-metre samples grading as high as 421 ppm U₃O₈.
Higher-grade sheets above 200 ppm U₃O₈ within the thicker intercepts, including 4m at 240 ppm U₃O₈ from 64m in R069, could lift the system's overall grade if they prove continuous along strike and at depth.
Three holes, R068, R069 and R070, ended in mineralisation, leaving the system open at depth; R070 returned 3m at 133 ppm U₃O₈ from 97m to the end of the hole.
"This is a pivotal moment for Arkle. We have found a uranium system with a footprint of 1.4 km by 600 m, and mineralisation extends to almost 200 m downhole. This is a discovery. It is a project worthy of substantial drilling, and our aim is to take it through to a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in 2027," said John Teeling, Arkle's chairman.
Chief executive Rory Harding added that the drilling marked the first time anyone had tested beneath the leucogranite sheets exposed in trenching, noting the mineralised holes "are spread across much the same area as the footprint we mapped at surface."
Chief geologist Chris Healey drew a comparison to his own experience on Cameco's McArthur River discovery in Saskatchewan in 1988, which came on the 198th hole drilled; Arkle's discovery came on its third.
The reconnaissance programme comprised 1,154m across six angled and three vertical RC holes, drilled to downhole depths of between 70m and 200m, with granitic rocks logged over roughly 69% of metres drilled.
Arkle drew comparisons to regional alaskite-hosted resources reported at similar cut-off grades, including Asarian Energy's Norasa project and Bannerman Energy's Etango project, though it stressed these comparisons relate to deposit style and grade only, and that no Mineral Resource has been estimated on any of its licences.
The company has earmarked a fully funded follow-up drilling programme for November, subject to contractor availability, to test the system at depth, at closer spacing and laterally, with the stated objective of progressing the target towards a maiden Mineral Resource estimate; diamond drilling is also under consideration to resolve the internal architecture of the stacked leucogranite sheets.
Arkle said it has identified at least four further ULG targets with similar characteristics across its licence package, including several on EPL 8290 at Trekkopje North, which will be mapped, sampled and trenched in turn.