REG - Botswana Diamonds - Award of Eight Copper Focused Exploration Licenses

Botswana DiamondsAnnouncement

26/01/2026 07:00

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RNS Number : 2409Q  Botswana Diamonds PLC  26 January 2026

 

26(th) January 2026

 

Botswana Diamonds PLC

("Botswana Diamonds" or the "Company")

 

Award of Eight Copper Focused Exploration Licenses in Botswana

 

Highlights

·    Eight prospecting licences awarded over ground identified by
Artificial Intelligence ("AI") analysis

·    Primary focus on copper prospectivity, together with gold and other
critical minerals

 

Botswana Diamonds Plc ("BOD" or the "Company"), listed on the AIM and the
Botswana Stock Exchange (AIM: BOD, BSE: BOD), is pleased to announce the award
of eight prospecting licences covering approximately 7,000 square kilometres
in north-western Botswana.

 

The licence areas, which are valid through to 31(st) December 2028, were
selected following an extensive AI-driven assessment of the Company's 95,000
square kilometres (including 375.000 line kilometres of geophysics) Botswana
focused exploration database, which identified significant prospectivity for
copper, with additional potential for gold and other critical minerals.
Application of the same proprietary technology to diamond exploration has
previously highlighted six previously unreported kimberlite-prone areas, over
which the Company also holds licences.

 

The Company's expansion into copper reflects the current weakness in the
diamond market, combined with the strong and growing demand for copper and
other energy-transition metals. Botswana, as a country, continues to provide a
highly stable operating environment with significant geological
prospectivity.  There is already significant copper activity in Botswana,
including both MMG and Sandfire Resources operating newly discovered copper
mines, alongside active exploration by Cobre Ltd (which has a JV with BHP),
Kavango Resources, Galileo Resources and Aterian plc.

 

Initial discussions have commenced with potential partners regarding a joint
venture to advance exploration across the newly awarded copper-prospective
licences.  Meanwhile, the Company is planning to undertake close interval
geophysical and geochemical surveys designed to define drill targets. The
Company continues to monitor the diamond market and associated deployment of
capital into its diamond projects.

 

John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds, commented: "The further AI
analysis of our extensive Botswana exploration database continues to deliver
exceptional results. Following the highly successful identification of
kimberlite-prone ground, which led to the discovery of six previously unknown
anomalies, we extended our analysis to copper and related minerals. The
outcomes were outstanding. We have now secured eight prospecting licences
covering many of these areas. Copper and other energy-related minerals are
critical to the energy transition for a greener future.

 

"The mission of Botswana Diamonds was and still is diamonds. But the market
environment for diamonds is poor at present. These market conditions will
improve, and this approach allows us to continue progressing the business as a
mining company while remaining committed to diamonds over the longer term.

 

"In the meantime, interest has been shown by third parties in both our
technology and in the results and we see clear potential to progress these
licences efficiently through partnerships and structured exploration
programmes."

 

 

This release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing Director of
Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the
Geological Society of South Africa, a Fellow of the Southern African Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy, a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Metals and
Mining (UK) and with over 40-years' experience in the diamond sector,
specifically focusing on exploration, resource assessment and mining.

 

A copy of this announcement is available on the Company's website, at

www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk (http://www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk)

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law
by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

About Botswana Diamonds

Botswana Diamonds (BOD) is a multi-commodity and diamond explorer focused on
Botswana, where it holds prime exploration acreage and the KX36 diamond
discovery.  The company holds the second-largest exploration database in
Botswana, which has undergone intensive analyses using advanced Artificial
Intelligence tools to generate several high-grade polymetallic and diamond
targets.

Enquiries:

 Botswana Diamonds PLC

John Teeling, Chairman

                                   +353 1 833 2833
 James Campbell, Managing Director

                                   +27 83 457 3724
 Jim Finn, Director

                                   +353 1 833 2833

 Nominated & Financial Adviser       +44 (0) 20 7409 3494

 Strand Hanson Limited

 Ritchie Balmer

 Rory Murphy

 David Asquith

 Broker                              +44 (0) 207 374 2212

 First Equity Limited

Jason Robertson

 Public Relations                    +44 (0) 207 138 3204

 BlytheRay

Megan Ray

Said Izagaren

 Teneo

 Luke Hogg                           +353 (0) 1 661 4055

 Ciara McNamee

 Molly Mooney

 

ENDS

 

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