Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI)’s multimillion-pula project aimed at interpreting and assessing Aeromagnetic Data in Northern Botswana, is on schedule and budget
According to BGI incoming CEO, Olefile Mashabila, this project, undertaken at a cost of P10,125,670.00 Million and funded through the Development Fund of National Development Plan 11(NDP 11) is primarily evaluating areas of mineral potential such as Base metals, Rare Earth Metals, Precious metals and platinum group metals (PGMs).
This project commenced on the 10th of July 2020 and it scheduled to complete in February 2022, now only left with two (2) months. The project is undertaken by BGI in partnership with a consortium comprising Paterson, Grant and Watson Limited (PGW), a Toronto based Canadian company and Botswana companies; Water Resources Consultants (Pty) Limited (WRC) and Sky Tract (Pty) Limited.
Mashabila explained that Due to COVID-19, Government of Botswana, rationalized the use of development budget and deferred some national projects. This project however he explains was retained because of its importance and relevance to a number of the Vision 2036 ideals, in particular, the nation’s aspiration of Sustainable Economic Development, Human and Social Development and Sustainable Environment. “The project will result in a revised National Geological Map of Botswana, understanding of mineral systems as well as providing value-added products,” Mashabila said.
He further said the project will go a long way in satisfying the requirements of BGI customers in the exploration/ mining sector in particular, academia and applied research, thereby impacting the lives of Batswana and the nation at large positively.