TSX-V-listed Namibia Critical Metals has begun a significant drill programme at its Lofdal heavy rare earths project, in Namibia.

The drill programme, which began on June 3, is aimed at compiling at a maiden resource for the 1.5-km-long xenotime-mineralised system at Area 5 between the currently planned Area 4 and Area 2B pits.

The company says a first deep hole is to be drilled in potentially extending deposit Area 4 to 800 m depth for studies on a future underground mining option.

The programme also aims to increase resources of measured category at Area 4 and to increase indicated and measured resources at Area 2B.

“We are excited about the potential impact of this drilling campaign of not only expanding resources in our deposits with already existing mine plans but also stepping into potential additional satellite resources at Area 5,” says Namibia Critical Metals president Darrin Campbell.

He adds that testing the extension of the Area 4 deposit to a depth of about 800 m has the biggest potential impact for further mine life or increased throughput. “Our experts in underground mining design are on standby to potentially guide the project to a significant expansion of the mine.”

Reverse circulation (RC) drilling of 83 drillholes is planned with two rigs over the next five months for a total drill production in the range of 13 000 m.

The 2026 drill programme comprises of mainly resource infill and expansion drilling at Area 2B and Area 4 as well as systematic drilling of a total of 5 670 m along the Area 5 mineralised system.

Core drilling will be used to test the depth extension of the Area 4 deposit with an expected intercept at about 800 m vertical depth.

Meanwhile, the company says it was also pleased to host senior executives from its partners, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and Toyota-Tsusho to a site visit at Lofdal and hold stakeholder update meetings with senior Namibian government representatives and the communities.