China Minmetals Deepens Botswana Mining Ties as $900 Million Khoemacau Copper Expansion Advances

Highlights

• China Minmetals is expanding the Khoemacau copper mine in Botswana to 130,000 tonnes of contained copper per year by 2028, with a $900 million investment.
• A new 4.5-million-tonne-per-year processing plant is planned, with first additional copper concentrate expected in the first half of 2028.
• China and Botswana elevated diplomatic relations and signed green minerals cooperation documents, broadening China's strategic foothold beyond copper.
• Botswana's rare earth potential, including Tsodilo Resources' Gcwihaba prospect, remains speculative with no confirmed commercial reserves or separation process.