Aldoro Expands Kameelburg Footprint to 1.35km with High-Grade REE and Niobium Results
Aldoro Resources (ASX: ARN) has delivered impressive assay results from its ongoing drilling programme at the Kameelburg Niobium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) deposit in Namibia, extending the known mineralisation footprint to 1,350 metres across the East-West direction.
Diamond Drilling Confirms Major Polymetallic System
The latest assay results from diamond drill holes DD002B, DD002C, and DD005A have significantly expanded the scale of the Kameelburg deposit, demonstrating substantial mineralisation throughout the entire drill cores. Two of the holes (DD002B and DD005A) ended in mineralisation, indicating the system remains open at depth.
Kameelburg drilling results Aldoro Resources Ltd now confirm the deposit extends 1.35km long by 550m wide and 510m deep, with mineralisation remaining open at depth. Assays for south-east step-out holes are still pending.
Key intercepts from the three new diamond drill holes include:
DD002B – 414m
- Upper Layer (REE dominant): Combined 195m at 2.1% TREO, 0.19% Nb₂O₅ and 325ppm Mo
- Lower Layer (Nb dominant): Combined 105m at 1.0% TREO, 0.30% Nb₂O₅ and 137ppm Mo
DD002C – 303m
- Upper Layer (REE dominant): Combined 54m at 1.82% TREO, 0.23% Nb₂O₅ and 172ppm Mo
- Lower Layer (Nb dominant): Combined 79m at 0.69% TREO & 0.4% Nb₂O₅
DD005A – 377m
- Upper Layer (REE dominant): Combined 152m at 1.76% TREO, 0.22% Nb₂O₅ and 413ppm Mo
- Lower Layer (Nb dominant): Combined 66m at 0.84% TREO & 0.21% Nb₂O₅ and 229ppm Mo
Notably, DD002B delivered the best REE results drilled at Kameelburg to date, with exceptionally high-grade rare earth intersections.
"These latest Kameelburg drilling results have significantly increased our confidence in both the scale and quality of this discovery," states Mark Mitchell, Competent Person for Aldoro Resources Ltd. "The consistent high-grade mineralisation across such substantial widths supports our view that this is a globally significant deposit."
Phase I Drilling Nearing Completion
Aldoro's Phase I drilling programme is approaching completion with 8,777 metres of diamond drilling completed across 23 holes. Additional assays have arrived in-country and are expected to be processed by late-July, which should further define the scale and grade of this significant discovery.
The drilling results and geological understanding suggest Kameelburg hosts a substantial carbonatite-style deposit with distinct zonation – an upper REE-dominant layer and a lower niobium-dominant layer. In a similar vein, Hammer Metals has unveiled major gold-copper discoveries in North Queensland, further highlighting the potential for significant mineral discoveries in the region.
Understanding Carbonatite Deposits
Carbonatites are rare igneous rocks that contain more than 50% carbonate minerals. These geological formations are among the world's primary sources of niobium and rare earth elements. What makes carbonatites particularly valuable is their ability to concentrate high levels of critical minerals essential for modern technology.
At Kameelburg, the mineralogy shows a predominance of bastnaesite and ancylite (rare earth minerals) with significant niobium values. This mineral assemblage is similar to what's found at the world-class Niobec Saint-Honoré mine in Canada, which has been producing niobium for over 40 years.
The distinct zonation observed at Kameelburg (REE-dominant upper zones and Nb-dominant lower zones) is characteristic of larger carbonatite systems and provides Aldoro with multiple potential product streams from a single deposit. Furthermore, EcoGraf has completed environmental and social planning for its Epanko Graphite Project, demonstrating the growing focus on sustainable mining practices in the critical minerals sector.
Future Plans and Development Timeline
With the Phase I drilling programme near completion, Aldoro Resources Ltd is positioning for several key developments:
- Completion of the remaining planned drill holes (approximately 2-3 more holes)
- Processing of pending assays by late July
- Integration of all drilling data into a geological model
- Preparation of a Maiden Resource Estimate incorporating the three holes reported in this announcement
The company has not yet announced a specific timeline for the Maiden Resource Estimate, but the rapid pace of drilling suggests this milestone could be reached in the coming months.
"The Kameelburg drilling results continue to exceed our expectations," notes Sarah Smith, Company Secretary for Aldoro Resources Ltd. "We're particularly encouraged by the consistency of high-grade mineralisation across such a large footprint, which bodes well for our upcoming resource estimation work."
Investment Thesis: Critical Minerals in a Tier-1 Jurisdiction
Aldoro's Kameelburg project represents a compelling investment opportunity in the critical minerals space for several reasons:
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Scale and Grade: The 1.35km by 550m footprint with consistent high-grade mineralisation positions Kameelburg as a potentially significant deposit on a global scale.
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Strategic Minerals: Both rare earth elements and niobium are classified as critical minerals by most developed nations, with supply chains dominated by China. New sources in stable jurisdictions like Namibia have strategic importance.
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Namibian Advantage: Namibia ranks among Africa's most stable mining jurisdictions with established mining laws, infrastructure, and export facilities.
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Dual Commodity Exposure: The project's REE and niobium mineralisation provides exposure to both the electrification trend (REEs for magnets) and industrial/infrastructure development (niobium for steel strengthening).
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Open System: With mineralisation remaining open at depth and to the southeast, there is significant potential for resource growth beyond the forthcoming Maiden Resource Estimate.
In the gold sector, Matsa Resources has hit high-grade gold at its Fortitude North Project, while Austin Metals has identified new gold targets near recent discoveries, showing the broader mineral exploration momentum in Australia.
Why Investors Should Follow Aldoro Resources
Aldoro represents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to critical minerals essential for the green energy transition and advanced manufacturing. The company's Kameelburg project has rapidly progressed from discovery to extensive drilling, with a Maiden Resource Estimate on the horizon.
With each new round of assays, the scale of the Kameelburg system has grown, now extending across 1.35km with consistent high-grade mineralisation. The distinct zonation pattern of REE-dominant upper zones and niobium-dominant lower zones suggests a well-developed carbonatite system with potential for long-term production of multiple critical minerals.
As global competition for secure supplies of rare earths and niobium intensifies, projects like Kameelburg in stable, mining-friendly jurisdictions are likely to command premium valuations. Aldoro Resources Ltd is positioned at the intersection of critical mineral supply security and the growing demand for materials essential to modern technology and clean energy transitions.
The coming months should provide significant news flow as pending assays are processed and the Maiden Resource Estimate takes shape, potentially offering multiple catalysts for market reappraisal of Aldoro's value proposition. In related news, Auric Mining has reported record profit as its gold production soars, demonstrating the potential for successful mining operations in the current market environment.
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