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New studies confirm platinum, critical minerals’ deposits

Coming soon: Platinum deposits have been discovered in the western half of the country PIC: HARRY TAYLOR/GETTY IMAGES
Coming soon: Platinum deposits have been discovered in the western half of the country PIC: HARRY TAYLOR/GETTY IMAGES

Geologists at the Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) have announced the discovery of platinum, as well as the valuable “critical minerals”, which are highly sought after all over the world, especially because of the global energy transition, BusinessWeek has learnt.

The platinum deposits have been spotted in the Gantsi and Chobe areas. Platinum is a rare mineral with wide industrial usages, including in the production of optical fibres and turbine blades.

One of the critical minerals, manganese, has been confirmed to occur in a vast deposit in the Kanye area. A developer in the area is close to commercial operations. The latest discoveries suggest that the mining sector will continue to reap rich rewards for the country, even as its mainstay – diamonds – reaches maturity in the next few decades.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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