Recent events at Rukwa28 Apr 2024 19:25
Latest from Rukwa! Unfortunately the latest images from our part of Rukwa, 25-4-24 although generally cloud free did have cloud covering much of the Itumbula locations, so unfortunately there was no confirmation that much equipment has now been removed from the Itumbula W and SE pads, although from the images on 20-4-2024 I suspect that is the case.
Of more interest is goings on in Nobles neck of the woods - they said some time ago that they were fully funded for a couple of shallow wells at Mbelele-1 area perhaps down to 100M+ and a pilot production plant. so far as I am aware they haven't mentioned a deep drill campaign but have recently been in funding (begging bowl) mode - for what exactly? Do they still have access to their rig? And to what end? Well whilst mooching around Rukwa I have noticed that someone has put onto Google Earth a locator marked "location 2". No idea of who or why but it has piqued my interest over the last couple of months. Now close by that location is this, images from Maxar 1-23, Sentinel 2-24 and 4-24
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53684366930/in/dateposted-public/
Now that looks to me much like a roadway and hints of a pad area. Further inspections and comparison with Maxar from 30-1-2023 reveals that these new roadways are actually new and have been constructed in recent months
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53684936944/in/dateposted-public/
Construction actually appears to have begun with the initial roadway as long ago as October 2023 and then continued at a slow pace until interrupted by flooding around December 2023. construction again started around February 2024 and this is the position a few days ago on 23-4-2024
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53685056655/in/dateposted-public/
There are hints of 3 pads under construction, with the central part of the roadway not yet built, this area was underwater for all of January, so they're possibly waiting for it to dry out. Do we know for sure that this is Noble? Well, no BUT - this shows the possible new drill locations with Noble new licence applications, and the new locations fall slap bang in the middle of one of the new applications.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53685080680/in/dateposted-public/
The Tz Cadastre Mining Portal shows these licences having been applied for by Noble but not yet approved or granted, so quite why Noble would jump the gun I'm not sure, unless the mining portal was out of date and the licences have actually been granted.
But if drilling is to take place it this location it is significant as it is within around 1km of He1's licence area here,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53683857337/in/dateposted-public/
Overall view showing the fault indicating that noble would be drilling a BMFC again
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53683755667/in/dateposted-public/