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Skeleton Coast Uranium has submitted a renewal application for EPL 8208 with a fully funded two-year exploration programme. The application for the first renewal of EPL 8208, contiguous with the Langer Heinrich mine, has been lodged with the Namibian Mining Commissioner for a further two years over the full licence area of 7,840.7 hectares.
Supported by a planned exploration work programme of N$13.75 million, the application’s first year proposes a helicopter borne radiometric and magnetic survey at 100 metre line spacing, geological mapping with ground radiometrics, a ground geophysical survey to map the buried palaeodrainage, licence wide geochemical sampling, and pitting and trenching of selected anomalies.
On the other hand, the second year provides for reverse circulation, rotary air blast and diamond drilling of the targets defined in the first year.
“The renewal application for EPL 8208, which shares approximately 15 kilometres of boundary with the Langer Heinrich uranium mine licences, sets out an aggressive, fully funded field exploration programme that prioritises methodical, high-reward methods for identifying and defining uranium targets.
“The first year, set to commence immediately upon renewal, is designed to identify those targets that warrant exploration drilling; the second year drills them,” said Dr. Nathan Chutas, Chief Executive Officer of Skeleton Coast Uranium.
Skeleton Coast Uranium’s proposed exploration work programme is set to move the licence from compiled data and conceptual targets to a field tested and drill evaluated property in two phases separated by a formal decision gate, with a planned expenditure of N$13.75 million including a 10 percent contingency, which the Company has undertaken to fund in full.
The EPL 8208 exploration programme forms part of the company’s portfolio sequence: ground exploration set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 on EPL 8617, where the licence overlies freehold farmland, and EPL 8208 and the other licences within the Namib-Naukluft National Park once park entry permits are issued.
The EPL 8208 lies within the Park, a standard park entry permit from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is required for every field campaign and the park authority’s conditions on routes, ‘no go’ areas, and rehabilitation apply.
Skeleton Coast Uranium’s planned exploration programme provides for the renewal of the Environmental Clearance Certificate with the environmental management plan updated to cover the second year drilling, appointment of an environmental control officer, a radiological baseline across the licence, appointment of a Radiation Protection Officer and authorisation from the National Radiation Protection Authority for the handling, storage and transport of uranium bearing samples, and consultation with the registered interested and affected parties and the Erongo Regional Council.
