The Botswana Ministry of Minerals and Energy has granted TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals Corp a mining licence for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project.

The mining licence is valid for 15 years and, under the Botswana Mines and Minerals Act, can be renewed multiple times for up to 25 years with each renewal.

It was granted less than nine months since Giyani filed an application in December 2023.

"I would like to thank the Ministry of Minerals and Energy, the Department of Mines and everyone involved in our mining licence application process that has enabled such an efficient and professional process. Special mention should go to country manager Elisa Kgomotso Modikwa and environmental, social and governance lead Tom Steytler, who have played crucial roles in securing this vital permit so swiftly.

"Securing mining licences can often be a lengthy process, so achieving this major milestone in such a short timeframe is testament to the diligent approach adopted by the Giyani team and the efficient and rigorous review undertaken by the Department of Mines. Our experience, to date, validates Botswana’s global ranking as a top mining investment jurisdiction," Giyani president and CEO Charles FitzRoy comments.

The company points out that the mining licence area is sufficient to accommodate K.Hill’s requirements over the extended 57-year life of operations as defined in the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) prepared in July 2023.

The next step in the company’s path forward is the production of battery-grade manganese from its demonstration plant, which is under construction in Johannesburg, South Africa, and due to be commissioned during the fourth quarter of this year.

The product from the demo plant will be used for offtaker qualification, a vital step before offtake agreements can be signed.

Giyani has already started work on a definitive feasibility study (DFS), which will build on its existing PEA and is expected to be completed in 2025.

The DFS will incorporate an updated mineral resource estimate and use data from the demo plant, ongoing optimisation testwork to minimise any environmental impact and maximise the project value. Ongoing testwork is aimed at reducing operational costs, carbon emissions and reagent use.