4 hours agoVantage Metals launches copper drilling in Botswana

Vantage Metals has launched an ambitious diamond drilling program at its wholly owned Kalahari Copper Project in northwestern Botswana, aiming to unlock the region’s copper potential. The campaign will entail between 5,000 and 10,000 meters of drilling targeted at high-priority sediment-hosted copper deposits, reflecting growing global interest in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt. The Australian-listed explorer has dispatched a drilling rig to commence operations in the northeastern section of its license area.

Activities are projected to continue through at least October 2026. After analyzing aeromagnetic data and airborne electromagnetic surveys, the company identified three key targets to deepen its understanding of the underground geological structures. The program will employ a combination of tricone drilling through desert sand cover and diamond drilling to reach deeper formations.

Vantage said this dual approach is designed to boost efficiency while gathering detailed data on potential copper-bearing zones. Chief Executive Officer Will Dix called the start of drilling “an exciting milestone for the company,” noting that the program would accelerate the refinement of geological models and the identification of copper-hosting sequences. To maximize operational efficiency, Vantage will collaborate with Rots Drilling and its affiliate, Major Drilling, throughout the campaign.

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Initially, the company plans to locate and map the Ngwako Pan–D’Kar contact, a significant geological boundary linked to copper mineralization within the Kalahari Copper Belt. Once this boundary is identified, geophysical data will be used to trace the mineralized structure along its strike, guiding future exploration efforts. Vantage has adopted a flexible drilling strategy, allowing it to shift priorities based on results from individual drill holes.

Geological, structural, and basic geotechnical assessments will be conducted on-site, with core photography, cutting, and sampling handled away from the rig. Covering approximately 3,900 square kilometers, the Kalahari Copper Project lies strategically east and south of Maun, along the strike of MMG’s Khoemacau copper operations. Vantage’s 2026 exploration will remain focused on this promising corridor as the company seeks to establish Botswana’s next major copper discovery.

This exploration push comes amid rising global demand for critical minerals like copper, essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and modern infrastructure. Successful finds in Botswana could bolster the country’s efforts to diversify its mining sector beyond diamonds and expand its role in the global supply chain for critical minerals.

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