MASSIVE MAIDEN RESOURCE DEMONSTRATES WORLD-CLASS POTENTIAL
Aldoro Resources (ASX: ARN) has delivered an impressive maiden mineral resource estimate at its 85%-owned Kameelburg Rare Earth Element-Niobium project in Namibia, unveiling 279.9 million tonnes at 2.45% TREO Equivalent at a 0.5% TREO cut-off grade.
The resource includes a high-grade zone of 136.5 million tonnes at 2.93% TREO Equivalent at a 1.0% TREO cut-off, highlighting the deposit's exceptional grade profile. Additionally, the resource contains 143.3 million tonnes at 0.23% Nbâ‚‚Oâ‚… within the lower unit at a 0.1% Nbâ‚‚Oâ‚… cut-off grade.
What makes this announcement particularly significant is that this maiden resource incorporates only about 60% of the Phase I drilling program, with an updated resource incorporating the full ~9,500 meter program expected later this month. The Aldoro Resources rare earth discovery at Kameelburg continues to demonstrate high-grade REE niobium results that position it as a potentially world-class deposit.
Resource Category | Quantity (Mt) | TREO Eq (%) | TREO (%) | Nbâ‚‚Oâ‚… (%) | Mo (ppm) | NdPr (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inferred (0.5% cut-off) | 279.9 | 2.45 | 1.16 | 0.20 | 177 | 0.17 |
Inferred (1.0% cut-off) | 136.5 | 2.93 | 1.58 | 0.19 | 295 | 0.21 |
STRATEGIC LOCATION WITH EXCEPTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Kameelburg project benefits from a strategic location in Namibia, Africa's premier mining jurisdiction, with exceptional infrastructure already in place:
- Located only 60km southwest of Otjiwarongo town
- Just 300km north of Windhoek, Namibia's capital
- 355km from the Industrial Port of Walvis Bay
- Connected by the TransNamib heavy haul freight railway which passes within 2km of the project
- Adjacent to the C33 bitumen highway (within 300m)
- Near a 220kV hydropower transmission line (within 7km)
This infrastructure advantage significantly enhances the project's commercialisation potential, as it removes many of the barriers that typically challenge resource development in remote locations. Similar infrastructure advantages have been key success factors for companies exploring promising systems in African regions.
UNDERSTANDING RARE EARTH ELEMENTS: WHY THEY MATTER
Rare earth elements (REEs) comprise 17 metallic elements that, despite their name, are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust. However, they rarely occur in concentrated, economically viable deposits. These elements are critical components in many high-tech applications, including:
- Permanent magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines
- Advanced electronics and communications equipment
- Defence technologies
- Medical equipment
- Catalysts and specialised glass
The importance of REEs has grown exponentially as the world transitions to green energy and advanced technologies. Currently, China dominates global REE production and processing, controlling approximately 85% of the global supply chain. This concentration has created strategic concerns for Western nations, driving the search for alternative, secure supplies—exactly what Aldoro Resources' rare earth discovery at Kameelburg is positioned to provide.
The Kameelburg deposit's neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) content is particularly significant. These elements are essential for manufacturing the powerful permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, representing the fastest-growing segment of the rare earth market.
MINERALOGY AND DEPOSIT CHARACTERISTICS
The Kameelburg deposit is a carbonatite-hosted rare earth element system, with mineralisation controlled by:
- Semi-massive to massive magnetite zones
- Crustal contaminations where mafic fragments/xenoliths are incorporated in the Beforsite carbonatite
- Primary rare earth minerals including Bastnaesite and Ancylite
The deposit's geology features an initial precursor phase of nepheline syenite/syenite followed by two sovite and three beforsite phases. The REE-Nb-Mo mineralisation remains open along strike and down dip, suggesting significant potential for resource growth.
The deposit's large tonnage and thick zone of mineralisation (>200m) should allow for efficient bulk mining methods, potentially via open-pit mining. This characteristic, combined with its location in semi-arid pastoral land, enhances its economic viability. This type of efficiency is increasingly important in mining operations, as demonstrated by projects achieving high extraction efficiency in other critical minerals.
"The delivery of the maiden JORC-Compliant Inferred Mineral Resource in 11 months is a significant achievement by our team and represents an important value outcome for Aldoro shareholders with over 279Mt at 2,450 TREO Eq highlighting the enormous initial potential being proved at Kameelburg," commented Aldoro Chairperson Quinn Li.
FUTURE PLANS: AGGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
Aldoro Resources is advancing the Kameelburg rare earth discovery with a clear commercialisation strategy:
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Resource Expansion: Complete the final Phase I resource update in August, incorporating the entire ~9,500 meter drilling results
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Metallurgical Testing: Results expected in early September, focusing on recovery processes
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Extended Drilling Campaign: Additional rigs arriving for deeper drilling in Q4 2025
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Exploration of Adjacent Tenement: Magnetic survey at the Omurango Carbonatite starting in August, with maiden drilling to follow in September
Furthermore, the company is investigating various options for expansion funding, similar to other critical metals US expansion initiatives that have successfully secured capital for development of strategic mineral resources.
WHY INVESTORS SHOULD FOLLOW ALDORO RESOURCES
Aldoro Resources presents a compelling investment case for several key reasons:
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Tier-One Scale Resource: The maiden resource already demonstrates world-class scale, with significant expansion potential
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Strategic Commodity: Rare earth elements are critical for green energy transition and technology advancement, with supply concerns driving strategic interest
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Infrastructure Advantage: Unlike many resource projects, Kameelburg benefits from existing rail, road, power, and port access
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Top-Tier Jurisdiction: Namibia is recognised as Africa's premier mining jurisdiction, providing regulatory stability
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Clear Development Path: With metallurgical testing underway and resource expansion drilling planned, Aldoro has a defined pathway to advance the project
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Global Significance: As nations seek alternatives to Chinese rare earth supply, Aldoro Resources' rare earth discovery at Kameelburg represents a potential strategic asset
Additionally, the deposit may contain other critical minerals, similar to projects that have identified antimony critical mineral potential alongside their primary resources, further enhancing the project's strategic value.
For investors seeking exposure to the critical minerals sector with a focus on rare earth elements, Aldoro Resources offers a ground-floor opportunity in a project that has rapidly demonstrated its tier-one potential. With multiple catalysts on the horizon, including an expanded resource estimate and metallurgical results, the coming months should provide significant news flow and potential value creation for shareholders.
The Aldoro Resources rare earth discovery at Kameelburg stands out not only for its impressive size and grade but also for its rapid advancement from exploration to resource definition. In just 11 months, the company has defined a substantial resource that positions it as a significant player in the global rare earth market, with further growth potential as additional drilling results are incorporated into the resource model.
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