The Ministry of Minerals and Energy in Botswana has extended prospecting licenses 224/2007 and 169/2019 for mining firm Botswana Diamonds by an additional two years.
The renewed licenses allow the company to continue exploration and development activities until December 31, 2026.
The licenses comprise the KX36 discovery, a 3.5-hectare kimberlite deposit with an indicated resource of 17.9 metric tons (Mt) of 35 carats per hundred tones (cpht) and 6.7Mt at 36 cpht (inferred) at $65/ct identified in January 2024.
The renewal follows Botswana Diamonds securing an approval to commence drilling in the Kalahari in November 2024 and the company leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance exploration, resulting in the discovery of seven new kimberlite anomalies in December 2024.
