Botswana firms gets environmental authorisation

Botswana Diamonds on Friday said South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources & Energy had approved the environmental authorisation for one of its two mining permit applications tied to the Thorny River project. Mining.com reports that the company said it expected the mining permit to be granted within the next six weeks, following further community consultations. 'We are delighted to see that this authorisation has come through, and we anticipate that the mining permit will soon be granted,' said chairman John Teeling. He noted that the project was well-placed to restart and expand mining operations when prices recover. The asset, located in SA’s Limpopo Province, comprises a kimberlite blow on a kimberlite dyke system. Botswana Diamonds conducted in 2022 a comprehensive exploration programme, which included ground geophysics, drilling, bulk sampling, and a positive mine-planning assessment by an independent consultant.