MMG Discovers Major Copper-Silver Deposit Near Khoemacau Mine in Botswana
MMG Discovers 1.4Mt Copper and 90Moz Silver Deposit Near Khoemacau Mine in Botswana
MMG has announced the discovery of a significant new copper-silver deposit at its Khoemacau operation in Botswana, strengthening the mine’s long-term growth prospects and potentially extending its operating life by several years.
The Kgwebe deposit, located approximately six kilometres from the Zone 5 mine currently being developed and mined, is estimated to contain 1.4 million tonnes of copper and 90 million ounces of silver.
The discovery is expected to significantly increase Khoemacau’s mineral resource base.
MMG said the discovery follows sustained investment in exploration and resource-to-reserve conversion drilling aimed at replacing resources depleted through mining and identifying new opportunities around the operation.
MMG CEO Ivo Zhao said the discovery demonstrates the strength of the company’s exploration strategy and its ability to generate long-term value through resource growth.
The scale of the Kgwebe discovery could have a major impact on Khoemacau’s future. MMG estimates that the additional copper resource could potentially support seven to 10 years of additional mine life, depending on future mine planning, development decisions and production rates.
The discovery adds to Khoemacau’s already substantial resource base. The operation now has approximately 185 million tonnes of copper-silver mineral resources, providing significant potential for future mining and production expansion.
Kgwebe also complements resource growth achieved through drilling associated with Khoemacau’s 130,000-tonne expansion project.
MMG is targeting increased production capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate annually, making continued exploration critical to sustaining and expanding the operation.
The discovery comes as Botswana seeks to strengthen its position as a major copper producer.
New discoveries and expansions at existing operations could increase investment, extend mine lives and support the development of the country’s broader mining industry.
MMG has also reported exploration success elsewhere in its portfolio, including a maiden polymetallic Mineral Resource at High Lake East within its Izok Corridor Project in Nunavut, Canada.
The Kgwebe discovery therefore forms part of MMG’s wider strategy to replenish resources, offset depletion from existing mines and build a stronger pipeline of future mineral projects.
