Gold, Lithium discovered in western Botswana: A new frontier for mining

NCHIDZI MASENDU1 month ago4834 min

The Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) has announced promising results from its aeromagnetic survey studies in the western regions of Botswana, particularly in the Nossop-Ncojane area. These studies have identified the presence of critical minerals, including lithium and gold, significantly boosting the prospects for future mining ventures in the region’s sandy terrains.

Initiated in April 2024, the project is slated for completion by December. It aims to conduct a high-resolution aeromagnetic survey over the remaining areas of Botswana, covering an extensive 320,000-line kilometers. Speaking at a community engagement meeting in Tsabong, the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, emphasized that data from the airborne magnetic surveys have confirmed the presence of valuable minerals in western Botswanaβ€”a region traditionally difficult to explore due to its thick sand coverage.

The survey’s objective is to map the subsurface geology and assess mineral potential, especially in areas with Mafic and Ultramafic complexes that are known to contain precious minerals such as platinum group metals, gold, and base metals. Officials highlighted that the geophysical data coverage will incorporate both historical and new survey data, with the Nossop-Ncojane project encompassing 77,000 square kilometers. This initiative is a key component of the government’s strategic efforts to diversify Botswana’s mineral sector and reduce its reliance on diamonds.

Historically, the mineral wealth of the western region has remained largely untapped due to the complexity of its geology, including deep layers of Kalahari sand that can exceed 1,000 meters in thickness. Past exploration efforts were hindered by capital constraints and the lack of essential infrastructure, such as electricity and railways, leaving the western region underexplored while the eastern part of the country garnered more attention. Although initial explorations over 60 years ago identified quartz veins rich in copper, silver, and lead, the area has not been significantly developed.

The current project aims to unlock the mineral potential buried beneath the Kalahari sands and attract investor interest to the region. Despite notable mineral discoveries in certain areas, more than 70% of Botswana’s potential mineral resources remain unexplored. The BGI has been allocated P298 million under the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) to support various ongoing projects. These initiatives include developing geoscience data management systems, promoting mineral resource development and exploration, and implementing mineral beneficiation strategies, all with the goal of enhancing Botswana’s mining sector. The Nossop-Ncojane project is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this vision.