Botswana Advances Copper Beneficiation with Planned Khoemacau Refinery Study
Botswana to Launch Feasibility Study for Copper Refinery Anchored on MMG Khoemacau Expansion
Botswana is taking a significant step toward expanding its mineral beneficiation strategy, with Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo announcing that MMG Khoemacau, in partnership with key stakeholders and aligned with government policy, will undertake a feasibility study for the potential establishment of a copper refinery in the country.
Speaking in Parliament, Kenewendo outlined progress made in copper beneficiation to date and identified downstream processing as the next strategic priority.
The proposed refinery or smelter would be anchored around the Khoemacau Copper Mine, positioning Botswana to move further along the copper value chain.
Since commencing operations, Khoemacau has exported approximately 587,000 tonnes of copper concentrate, containing roughly 177,000 tonnes of copper. Annual copper exports have averaged about 40,000 tonnes, reflecting stable production and increasing operational maturity.
Kenewendo explained that the logical next phase of development would involve smelting or refining, enabling Botswana to produce refined copper rather than concentrate and capture greater value domestically.
However, she cautioned that refining and smelting require substantially more advanced technical capabilities and significantly higher capital investment than concentration. As such, any project must be supported by a clear and bankable business case.
To that end, Khoemacau, working with both international and local institutions, will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to assess the economic and technical viability of establishing a refinery.
The study will evaluate production scale, infrastructure requirements, energy supply, logistics and long-term market demand.
Production volume will be a decisive factor. Industry benchmarks suggest that a minimum national output of 300,000 to 500,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate per year is typically required to sustain a refinery economically. Botswana is gradually moving closer to this threshold, particularly as Khoemacau advances its expansion plans.
At peak expansion, the mine is projected to produce approximately 146,000 tonnes of concentrate annually. Combined with exploration results indicating a mine life extending beyond 2050, this strengthens the long-term case for downstream processing investment.
Khoemacau currently employs around 3,200 people, including contractors. During expansion phases, employment is expected to rise to approximately 5,500.
The establishment of a refinery would further enhance this economic impact, creating additional jobs across engineering, energy, logistics and support services, while deepening Botswana’s industrial base.
The proposed feasibility study marks an important step in Botswana’s ambition to transition from a primary mineral exporter to a value-added copper producer, reinforcing long-term economic diversification and industrial development.
