27 Aug 2020

Six prospecting companies have been issued with mining licenses for base metals while three exploration companies were issued with petroleum exploration licenses, Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Phildah Kereng, has said.

Answering a question on behalf of Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Ms Kereng said Kavango Minerals and Strata were issued with prospecting licenses for base metals (cooper, nickel and iron ore), precious metals (gold), PGM’s (platinum, gold and manganese) and Rare Earth Elements (REE) minerals.

“Strata relinquished its prospecting licenses without any incremental value addition to the prospecting area since it had not carried exploration investigations. Kavango Minerals prospecting licenses are still active and as such prospecting results are not available due to confidentiality,” she said.

She indicated that Kinetiko Energy was issued with prospecting licenses for coal and coal bed methane.

Furthermore, Ms Kereng explained that the company relinquished its prospecting area as the desktop studies and initial exploration results (geophysical evaluations) warranted no further exploration.

The minister stated that Amves Enterprises, Director Fendor and Nkosinathi Investments were issued prospecting licenses for precious stones (diamonds).

Ms Kereng  said Amves Enterprises cancelled its  prospecting licenses since it was not given permission to conduct exploration activities within the park while Nkosinathi Investments returned the prospecting licenses due to commitment to other prospecting areas without any incremental value addition.

Ms Kereng further pointed out that Director Fendor prospecting licenses were still active and as such prospecting results or findings remained confidential.

Moreover, the minister said petroleum exploration licenses were issued to three companies; Equitorial Oil and Gas PLC, Meekat Energy Botswana and Tamboran Botswana.

Ms Kereng said Equitorial Oil and Gas PLC’s exploration license had expired without any incremental value addition.

“Tamboran Botswana had acquired the exploration license from Meekat Energy Botswana, and is still active and as such the results are not available,” she said.

Kgalagadi South MP, Mr Sam Brooks, had asked the minister if he was aware of prospecting licenses that were issued to different companies in the Kgalagadi Tranfrontier Park and if so, he asked the minister to list the names of companies and dates they were issued licenses and to further state the results of prospecting or findings.

He had also asked the minister whether South Africa was aware of the development since the park was a joint venture between the two countries. ENDS