Si6 Metals kicks off base and precious metals exploration in Botswana

Si6 Metals has begun base and precious metals exploration in the Limpopo Mobile Belt in Botswana – a district known for hosting major nickel and copper producing operations.

Initial work will include soil and rock sampling as well as geological mapping and will aim to define targets for follow-up ground geophysics and/or drill testing.

Exploration will commence at the Maibele East and Mashambe Prospects, which lie along strike to the northeast from the Maibele North nickel-copper-cobalt-palladium resource.

Further groundwork will also be undertaken at the Gobjango Prospect.

Building momentum in Botswana

Si6 Metals (ASX:SI6) executive chairman Patrick Holywell said the company is building momentum at its Botswana assets.

“This program will further define the key target areas across our 100%-owned tenure and prepare the company for the next phase of exploration work which may include drill testing,” he said.

“Nickel and copper prices have enjoyed strong periods and the demand outlook for both looks increasingly positive.”

Potential to host lithium, tin, and tantalum

Si6 has previously undertaken a limited review and preliminary soil sampling to test for lithium, tantalum and other LCT pegmatite hosted metals which did reveal some anomalism that was never subject to a detailed follow-up program.

The anomalies remain unexplained; however, the company’s portfolio abuts the Zimbabwe border where the same belt of Archean geology hosts one of the world’s largest lithium pegmatite mines at Bikita.

A more comprehensive desktop review has now commenced in collaboration with the University of Botswana to support a regional study of the company’s portfolio for the potential to host strategic critical minerals.

If proof of concept is confirmed the areas of interest will be followed up with more rigorous programs such as ground geophysics, trenching and ultimately drilling.

Figure 1: Si6 tenement portfolio in Eastern Botswana

Only 10pc of the company’s 2,000km2 footprint

The company’s Maibele North, Airstrip and Dibete prospects are located on joint venture tenements where several high-quality drill targets have already been generated.

And these JV licences only cover ~143km2, or less than 10%, of Si6’s ~2,000km2 tenement package in Botswana.

The company is keen to drill these targets once relevant approvals are received, with JV partner BCL Limited currently reviewing proposals.

Not to mention that Premium Nickel Resources recently announced that it has acquired the Selebi and Selebi North nickel-copper-cobalt mines and related infrastructure from BCL Limited – with Selebi adjacent to tenure controlled by the JV.

This article was developed in collaboration with Si6 Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.