Botswana Portfolio – Aterian’s Mineral Projects
A Leading Destination for Copper and Lithium Exploration
Botswana is widely recognised as Africa’s top-ranked mining jurisdiction, offering a stable political environment, strong legal framework, and well-established infrastructure. Aterian’s exploration activities in-country target copper and lithium — both critical for global electrification and energy transition efforts.
Our Botswana portfolio includes two strategically located projects:
- The Kalahari Copperbelt Project, focused on copper-silver mineralisation across a major sediment-hosted belt
- The Sua Pan Project, which targets lithium brines in the Makgadikgadi basin’s designated Lithium Zone
Together, these assets position Aterian at the forefront of critical mineral exploration in southern Africa.
Why Botswana?
Botswana consistently ranks as one of the most attractive investment destinations for mining, both across Africa and globally (Fraser Institute). The country is known for:
- Transparent and efficient mineral licensing
- Political stability and low corruption risk
- Access to skilled labour and supporting services
- Active infrastructure upgrades such as the North West Transmission Grid Project, which directly benefits mining regions like the Kalahari Copperbelt
Botswana also offers year-round access via sealed roads, commercial airports, and connectivity to key export routes.
A High-Potential Copper-Silver District
Project 1 – The Kalahari Copperbelt
The Kalahari Copperbelt Project (KCB) targets sediment-hosted copper and silver mineralisation in northern Botswana, near the Namibian border. Aterian, through its 90% ownership of Atlantis Metals (Pty) Ltd, holds seven prospecting licences across 1,969 km².
Key highlights:
- Situated within a world-class copper belt comparable to Zambia’s Central African Copperbelt
- Mineralisation hosted in the D’Kar and Ngwako Pan Formations
- 2024: MMG Ltd acquired Khoemacau Copper Mine in the KCB for US$1.73 billion, highlighting regional value
- Proximity to power infrastructure and exploration activity
A Lithium Brine Opportunity
Project 2 – The Sua Pan Lithium Zone
The Sua Pan Project focuses on lithium brine potential in the Makgadikgadi basin, in northeastern Botswana. This area has been designated a Lithium Zone by the Department of Mines, based on geophysical and historical sampling data.
Key highlights:
- Three granted licences totalling 2,517 km²
- Historical brine samples reported lithium concentrations of 103–223 mg/L (1980s US TDP study)
- Ideal conditions for modern Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) methods
- Close proximity to transport routes and water infrastructure
Botswana: A Strategic Hub for Battery Metals
Botswana is emerging as a premier destination for battery metal exploration in Africa, with a strong focus on copper and lithium—two critical elements in the global energy transition.
Aterian is capitalising on this opportunity with 10 highly prospective mineral projects, including four licences spanning 4,486 km² in the Kalahari Copperbelt and the lithium-rich Sua Pan.
✅ Stable, Mining-Friendly Government – Clear mining regulations, strong legal frameworks, and full profit repatriation for investors.
✅ World-Class Workforce – An 88.2% literacy rate, fluency in English, and a long mining heritage make Botswana a centre for mining talent.
✅ Modern Infrastructure – Paved roads, rail links, and access to low-cost power enable efficient mineral development.
Fast Facts: Mining in Botswana
- Ranked #1 in Africa for mining investment (Fraser Institute)
- 10 Aterian projects across copper and lithium zones
- 4,486 km² of combined licence coverage
- US$1.73 billion – recent MMG acquisition in the Kalahari Copperbelt
- 100% foreign ownership allowed under Botswana law
- North West Grid infrastructure connects active mining zones
Botswana’s Mining Investment Landscape
Botswana consistently ranks among the world’s most attractive mining destinations, combining political stability, a thriving mineral economy, and forward-looking government policy.
- 🏆 Ranked #1 in Africa, #4 globally – Fraser Institute 2022 Investment Attractiveness Index
- 💸 85% of foreign trade and 19.9% of GDP driven by mining (Trade.gov)
- 📈 5.8% GDP growth in 2022, supported by foreign investment and mineral exports (World Bank)
- 🌍 No foreign exchange controls and full profit repatriation (Bank of Botswana)
- 🔋 Diversification push into copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earths led by the Ministry of Minerals and Energy
- 🌐 Member of EU EPA, SADC, and SACU, providing preferential global market access
Botswana’s track record, incentives, and commitment to critical minerals make it one of the most compelling exploration destinations in the world.
A Growing Hub for Critical Mineral Exploration and Investment
Botswana’s mining sector plays a vital role in the national economy, contributing around 25% of GDP and accounting for 85% of foreign exchange earnings. While renowned for its diamond production, the country is actively expanding into base metals, copper, nickel, lithium, coal, and uranium as part of a national strategy to diversify its mineral wealth.
Backed by a stable regulatory framework, pro-mining policies, and modern infrastructure, Botswana consistently ranks as one of Africa’s top destinations for mineral exploration and investment. The Kalahari Copperbelt (KCB) is attracting major international interest for its copper-silver potential, while the Makgadikgadi basin has been officially designated a Lithium Zone, underscoring Botswana’s growing role in the global battery metals supply chain.
With strong commitments to sustainable mining and a range of foreign investment incentives — including tax exemptions and full profit repatriation — Botswana offers an ideal environment for exploration companies and mining investors alike.
Explore the FAQs to learn more about Botswana’s mineral strategy, sector performance, and investment outlook.
It offers political stability, modern infrastructure, and consistent high rankings in global mining investment indexes.
Botswana is actively developing copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth projects, driven by global demand for battery metals.
The KCB spans northern Botswana and eastern Namibia, known for sediment-hosted copper-silver deposits now attracting major investment.
The Makgadikgadi basin is designated a Lithium Zone, offering saline brine exploration potential aligned with global EV supply chains.
100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, no exchange controls, and preferential trade access via EU EPA, SADC, and SACU.
Aterian: Projects in Botswana
Positioned within the world-class Kalahari Copper Belt and the lithium-rich Sua Pan, Aterian’s Botswana projects offer high-potential exploration opportunities in two of Africa’s most strategic mining regions. With growing demand for battery metals, copper, and silver, these assets are primed for development and investment.
