Arkle repositions uranium at centre of strategy
By Josh White
Date: Monday 23 Feb 2026
(Sharecast News) - Arkle Resources said on Monday that it has repositioned uranium at the centre of its strategy following the completion in January of four uranium exploration licences in Namibia's Erongo Region, with a funded exploration programme set to begin imminently.
The AIM-traded energy metals explorer said it now holds 85% interests in four exclusive prospecting licences covering 540 square kilometres in one of Africa's key uranium belts, adjacent to major projects including the Trekkopje, Marenica and Rössing deposits.
It said Namibia is the world's third largest uranium producer and had produced more than 350 million pounds of triuranium octoxide over the past 45 years, with the broader region hosting approximately 1.2 billion pounds of triuranium octoxide in measured and indicated resources and a further 235 million pounds inferred.
Arkle said 2025 exploration identified significant geochemical and radiometric anomalies across all four licences, with grab samples returning assays of up to 3,855 parts per million triuranium octoxide.
At EPL 8995 and 8290, uranium in calcrete values reached 2,782 ppm triuranium octoxide, while alaskite-hosted mineralisation returned up to 3,855 ppm triuranium octoxide.
At EPL 7986, contiguous to the long-running Rössing mine, samples returned up to 2,923 ppm triuranium octoxide.
The first phase of exploration, commencing imminently, would include horizontal loop electromagnetic surveys across potential paleochannels and an airborne radiometric and magnetic survey over more than 12,000 line kilometres at 50 metre spacing, to be conducted by Xcalibur Smart Mapping.
A second phase in the second half of 2026 was expected to include detailed mapping, further sampling and up to 4,000 metres of reverse circulation drilling, with a successful campaign potentially leading to a maiden mineral resource estimate in the first half of 2027.
Beyond uranium, Arkle said it retained a diversified portfolio of energy transition metals.
In Botswana, the company holds 100% of three lithium prospecting licences covering 1,612 square kilometres in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
Geophysical surveys in 2024 and 2025 identified continuous brine-bearing conducting layers, with lithium detected in all samples tested and brines indicated to depths of around 25 metres.
An environmental impact assessment was underway, targeted for completion by June, ahead of planned shallow drilling to test lithium brine concentrations and assess the suitability of direct lithium extraction technologies.
In Ireland, Arkle holds a 22.36% joint venture interest in the Stonepark zinc project in County Limerick alongside Group Eleven Resources, where an inferred mineral resource of 5.1 million tonnes grading 11.3% combined zinc and lead has been defined.
The deposit lies adjacent to Glencore's Pallas Green project and remains open along and across strike, with further drilling planned.
"Arkle's strategic shift in emphasis to uranium in Namibia is complete, supported by highly prospective and complementary energy metals projects in Botswana and Ireland," said Rory Harding, Arkle's interim chief executive.
"Our Namibian uranium licences, which now take centre stage, feature shallow, easy-to-explore targets near the Trekkopje, Marenica, and Rössing deposits, while our Botswana lithium projects show extensive brine systems and our Irish zinc project offers significant upside potential to an existing resource.
"With a fully funded uranium exploration programme due to commence imminently, Arkle now provides unique and near-term exposure to discoveries in a prolific uranium region.
"Indeed, the company is now one of the few London-listed uranium explorers and our vision is to become a pre-eminent uranium exploration and development vehicle across Africa's key uranium belts.
"I believe Arkle's portfolio represents a compelling energy metals exploration investment case, with existing resources underpinning the company's valuation and considerable exploration upside - this is an extremely exciting time to be an Arkle shareholder."
Arkle added that it continued to assess non-core assets, including lithium and tungsten licences in County Wicklow and a gold exploration licence in County Donegal, which could be subject to joint venture, partnership or divestment.
At 1219 GMT, shares in Arkle Resources were down 1.92% at 0.49p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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