Botswana Diamonds has received environmental approval from the Botswana Department of Environmental Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to proceed with drilling operations at two targets in the Kalahari.
The drilling will focus on two gravity anomalies, covering 12 ha and 6 ha, situated near the company’s KX36 diamond discovery, a key site of interest for the company’s exploration efforts.
These newly identified kimberlite targets hold significant potential to increase the resources in the region, including the Ghaghoo mine, which is located approximately 60 km from the KX36 discovery and is currently under care and maintenance.
The KX36 project, a 3.5 ha kimberlite pipe, has already established resources of 17.9 million tonnes at 35 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht) indicated, and 6.7 million tonnes at 36 cpht inferred, with an estimated diamond value of $65 per carat. The projected grade for the site ranges from 57 cpht to 76 cpht, with a potential diamond value of up to $107 per carat.
The company aims to begin drilling in the Kalahari dry season between April and October next year, contingent on securing the necessary funding for the project.
John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds, expressed optimism about the approval, stating, “The environmental authorisation marks a critical milestone in our exploration efforts. We believe that the Kalahari has the potential to emerge as Botswana’s next major diamond province. With our 100% ownership of the KX36 discovery, we are confident that further significant discoveries lie ahead. Our analysis has already revealed promising anomalies around KX36 and the nearby Ghaghoo mine, and we are now cleared to explore these opportunities further.”
