South32 has advanced its copper exploration strategy by extending its strategic alliance with Noronex to include two newly granted tenements in Botswana. The move reinforces the South32 Noronex alliance and strengthens their combined footprint across the Kalahari Copper Belt, a globally significant zone for new copper discoveries. With growing demand for copper driven by electric vehicles, renewable power and clean technology, this alliance is well-positioned for long-term growth and resource expansion.
Targeting New Ground in Botswana
The two new tenements, PL0074/2025 and PL0075/2025, are adjacent to existing Noronex assets and lie within the prolific Kalahari Copper Belt. Under the updated South32 Noronex alliance terms, South32 will have the right to earn a 60 per cent interest in these Botswana licences by spending $5 million on exploration over five years. The initial $1 million in funding will commence in the first quarter of FY26, following the formal execution of the earn-in agreement. This commitment deepens South32’s investment in the region and demonstrates confidence in the geological potential of this underexplored copper frontier.
Figure 1: Kalahari Copper Belt with Noronex tenement holding showing the Humpback-Damara licences subject to the new South32 Joint Venture. (Source: https://s2.listcorp.com/asx/nrx/noronex-limited/news/earn-in-and-amp-strategic-alliance-with-south-32-on-namibia-copper-3057119.pdf)
Strong Foundation from the Damara Copper Project
This expansion into Botswana follows encouraging results at Noronex’s Damara copper project in Namibia, where South32 is already in year one of a $15 million, five-year earn-in. The Damara copper project is proving to be a valuable piece in the South32 Noronex alliance, with recent drilling intersecting anomalous copper grades. Seven reverse circulation holes totalling 1610m have been completed, returning copper values of up to 800ppm in hole 25DARC03 and 740ppm in a follow-up hole. These results have supported geological interpretations and boosted confidence in the potential of basement-hosted copper systems similar to those found in the Central African Copperbelt.
Unlocking the Potential of the Kalahari Copper Belt
The Kalahari Copper Belt is rapidly gaining recognition as a globally significant exploration zone. It spans across Namibia and Botswana and hosts copper mineralisation with geological similarities to world-class Central African deposits. The South32 Noronex alliance now controls over 8500km² of tenements within this belt, including more than 300km of strike. This scale gives them a commanding position and the first-mover advantage across a highly prospective and underexplored terrain. The addition of new Botswana tenements further consolidates their position and reinforces their commitment to unlocking large-scale discoveries in the region.
Regional aeromagnetic image of the Kalahari Copper Belt in Namibia with the current Noronex licences subject to the earn-in arrangement. (Source: https://s2.listcorp.com/asx/nrx/noronex-limited/news/earn-in-and-amp-strategic-alliance-with-south-32-on-namibia-copper-3057119.pdf)
Technical Progress at Damara
Recent drilling at the Damara copper project has significantly enhanced understanding of the basement complex and its potential to host major copper deposits. According to Noronex, the geology team applied Central African deposit models to interpret drill results, leading to the identification of several new high-priority targets. The work completed at the Damara copper project has de-risked the broader area and played a key role in expanding the South32 Noronex alliance into neighbouring Botswana. The success of the Damara copper project is a direct driver of this latest expansion and illustrates the strength of technical collaboration between the two companies.
Noronex Welcomes South32’s Commitment
Noronex chief executive officer Victor Rajasooriar said the company was thrilled to include the Botswana licences in the strategic alliance with South32. He said the decision followed site visits, technical reviews and strong results that de-risked the area. According to Rajasooriar, the exceptional geology and copper values observed at the Damara copper project suggest the new Botswana ground is highly leveraged to a potential major discovery. He emphasised that the South32 Noronex alliance provides both the funding and technical expertise needed to systematically test these targets.
Strategic Positioning in the Copper Sector
South32 is strategically positioning itself to benefit from the global surge in copper demand. With its expanding role in Southern Africa, it aims to be a leading explorer in the emerging Kalahari Copper Belt. The South32 Noronex alliance allows both companies to share risk while aggressively advancing new targets across one of the most promising copper districts in the world. The Damara copper project remains central to this strategy, providing the technical base and early exploration success needed to support broader expansion. The move into Botswana strengthens this strategy and aligns with South32’s long-term critical minerals ambitions.
Drill locations and intercepts from the previous drill programs at the Fiesta Prospect on interpreted geology. (Source: https://s2.listcorp.com/asx/nrx/noronex-limited/news/earn-in-and-amp-strategic-alliance-with-south-32-on-namibia-copper-3057119.pdf)
Exploration Program and Next Steps
With the inclusion of the new Botswana tenements, South32 and Noronex will begin designing exploration programs to test defined targets. Early exploration will include geophysical surveys, soil sampling, and follow-up drilling aimed at confirming mineralisation trends identified from Damara. The South32 Noronex alliance is expected to maintain a strong pace of exploration activity, with results from both Namibia and Botswana feeding into ongoing target refinement. This coordinated approach is aimed at rapidly identifying scalable copper discoveries within the Kalahari Copper Belt.
Strengthening Australia-Africa Ties
This partnership not only reflects strong technical collaboration but also showcases the growing role of Australian companies in Africa’s resource development. The South32 Noronex alliance highlights how Australian expertise can unlock new value from underexplored regions like the Kalahari Copper Belt. As exploration continues across the Damara copper project and the new Botswana licences, both companies are contributing to a broader narrative of sustainable and responsible resource development. These efforts support shared economic growth and resource security across both continents.
Conclusion: Building Copper Discovery Momentum
The expansion of the South32 Noronex alliance marks a significant step in the exploration of the Kalahari Copper Belt. The addition of the Botswana licences adds strategic depth to a partnership already producing encouraging results at the Damara copper project. With a strong pipeline of targets, supportive geology, and a clear path to earn-in, South32 is reinforcing its commitment to long-term copper discovery. As global demand for copper continues to rise, this alliance is well-positioned to deliver value, drive discovery, and shape the next generation of Botswana copper drilling and exploration in Southern Africa.
