Botswana Diamonds granted environmental authorisation planned drilling operations at Kalahari
Botswana Diamonds has achieved a key milestone with the grant of environmental authorisation from the Botswana Department of Environmental Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for its planned drilling operations in the Kalahari region. This approval allows the company to explore two gravity anomalies near its flagship KX36 kimberlite discovery.
The programme focuses on two sites covering 12 hectares and 6 hectares, respectively. These anomalies lie close to the KX36 kimberlite pipe, a 3.5-hectare deposit with significant diamond resources. Located about 60km from the dormant Ghaghoo mine, the exploration could redefine the diamond potential of the Kalahari, a region poised to emerge as Botswana’s next diamond hub.
Exploration programme
Botswana Diamonds aims to commence operations during the dry season (April to October), contingent on timely funding acquisition. The company is actively seeking financial backing to execute the exploration programme.
Chairperson John Teeling highlighted the significance of the environmental clearance, stating: “We now have the necessary approval to drill these targets. We believe the Kalahari will be the next diamond province in Botswana, and further discoveries will solidify this region’s status.”
This development underscores Botswana Diamonds’ commitment to leveraging the Kalahari’s untapped diamond potential, strengthening its position in Botswana’s renowned diamond. Botswana’s mining industry is a primary sector that has been a major part of the country’s economy since the 1970s. Botswana is a global leader in diamond production and has large reserves of other minerals as well like; copper, nickel, silver, gold, industrial minerals, semi-precious stones, soda ash, uranium, iron ore, coal-bed-methane, and platinum group metals (PGMs).
