Mining & Resource Beneficiation
Currently, mining remains the biggest contributor to Botswana's GDP. Diamonds are the main contributor complimented by coal, gold, copper, Soda Ash and recently Iron ore. There is also the first manganese mine and another copper mine currently under development as well as major expansions to existing diamond and coal mines, with a Uranium mine to break ground in the very near future.
There are 18 large mines in total with 8 operational and 10 in various stages of development and care and maintenance pending re-investment in the anticipated markets' upturn.
New opportunities have recently emerged in Limestone and dolerite with mining licenses issued by the ministry.
Quarries play a significant part in the construction industry with 42 currently licensed and 21 operational. Accelerated growth in infrastructure development has seen the need to develop the non-operational licensed quarries and as such immense opportunity exists for investment in quarries and associated industries.
Whilst there is abundant opportunity in current mining activities (Mining and METS), this can and will only grow larger as there are 716 prospecting licenses issued for: Energy minerals (51), Metals (315), Diamonds (161), Industrial minerals (186) and petroleum (3), with over 70% requiring investment to proceed with exploration activities.
Mineral beneficiation is also highly prospective in alignment with government's goal to produce finished products for local consumption and export within Africa and other global markets under the various free trade agreements in place.