London-listed Botswana Diamonds has applied for three prospecting licences to secure key anomalies identified by its recent AI-driven exploration programme.

The company’s AI analysis, which was announced in December, identified seven kimberlite anomalies. Botswana Diamonds already holds a prospecting licence over one of the targets and has now applied for licences containing three more.

The new licence application covers areas north-west of Mahalapye in the Serowe area; south-west of Jwaneng and close to the South African border; and north-east of Lerala in eastern Botswana.

One particular anomaly, located south-west of Debswana’s Jwaneng mine, is of particular significance. The anomaly signatures are ideal, and the anomaly suggests more than one potential kimberlite.

The fourth anomaly, which is close to the KX36 discovery of Botswana Diamonds and the previously identified 12 ha and 6 ha gravity anomalies, is also of particular interest to the company.

Botswana Diamonds has long believed that KX36 is one of a kimberlite cluster.

To date, no other diamondiferous kimberlites have been discovered in the surrounding area. This AI-identified anomaly may help confirm the existence of a kimberlite cluster around KX36.

If kimberlites containing diamonds are found, they should greatly enhance the commercial viability of the KX36 discovery.

Notably, larger projects justify infrastructure in remoter locations, the company states.

In tandem with this diamond exploration, the AI models continue to trawl through the databases looking for gold, copper and lead/zinc opportunities. Initial indications in this regard have been positive.

Botswana Diamonds chairperson John Teeling says kimberlites are difficult and very expensive to find. Less than 8 000 have ever been discovered worldwide. To find seven potential kimberlites in a few months is an impressive accomplishment for the company.

“We have taken the next step in exploration by applying for licences over prospective ground. One of the applications covers an anomaly with many of the characteristics that are vital for a discovery.

“This anomaly is close to our KX36 discovery and has the potential to hold a cluster of kimberlites, as theory would suggest. Another, close to Jwaneng, is the highest-ranked anomaly in the analysis. It is our belief that there are more diamond mines to be found in Botswana. We really are well positioned,” Teeling affirms.