EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

Botswana starts drilling at Thorny River

Programme part of detailed planning for bulk sampling

Staff reporter

This article is 5 years old. Images might not display.

Botswana said it would do 40 reverse circulation boreholes to a depth of 30 metres

The company said the first four holes had intersected kimberlite at predicted thicknesses and depth but did not release actual results. 

The programme is expected to be completed within four weeks.

After Botswana has completed drilling activities and received the necessary regulatory approvals within the next three months, it will start the bulk sampling programme.

In the meantime, the company is refurbishing a nearby diamond processing plant to process the bulk sample kimberlite.

In June, Botswana completed Thorny River's technical and economic study, which indicated potentially positive economics using the top end of the 46-74 carats per hundred tonnes grade and US$120-220 per carat value ranges.

Botswana Diamonds' shares rose 5.17% Monday to 76p, with shares up 12% since the start of the year, but down 20% in the past six months.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.