AI-driven exploration discovers minerals in Botswana

by ODIRILE TOTENG
GABORONE, (CAJ News) – ONE of the country’s leading miners, Botswana Minerals, has identified priority copper-silver and lead-zinc targets thanks to its ongoing artificial intelligence-driven exploration programme.

Exploration is continuing in Ngamiland, northwest Botswana.

This is part of the company’s 7 074km² landholding.

A copper anomaly stretching approximately 9.5km has been identified. A silver anomaly corridor of around 20km has been mapped. A core zone of lead-zinc mineralisation, about 2.4km long, has been identified.

Several possible deposit types have been recognised.

Botswana Minerals stated the next stage of work would include more detailed magnetic and gravity data analysis, additional geochemical testing, integration of hyperspectral satellite data and a full review of historical drilling records.

AI-assisted analysis will be used to strengthen the geological interpretation.

“These early results are good,” John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Minerals, stated to shareholders.

He said there were emerging copper, silver and lead-zinc patterns in the new data.

“The AI models we are using assist with better and quicker interpretations of the data. Our objective is simple and clear – identify drill targets.”

Botswana Minerals, listed in the country and the United Kingdom, is diversifying its operations from solely focusing on diamonds.

The Southern African country is the world’s leading diamond producer by value, with the industry contributing around 30 percent of gross domestic product and 80 percent of exports.

The government of President Duma Boko is diversifying Botswana’s economy away from diamond reliance.

– CAJ News