The Botswana Ministry of Minerals and Energy has granted TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals Corp a 15-year mining license for its K.Hill battery-grade manganese project.
This license, issued under the Botswana Mines and Minerals Act, can be renewed multiple times, with each renewal lasting up to 25 years.
Giyani received the mining license less than nine months after submitting its application in December 2023. Giyani’s President and CEO, Charles FitzRoy, expressed gratitude to the Ministry and the Department of Mines, praising the swift and professional handling of the application process.
He also acknowledged the key contributions of Elisa Kgomotso Modikwa, the company’s country manager, and Tom Steytler, the environmental, social, and governance lead, in securing the permit.
“Obtaining mining licenses can often be a lengthy process,” FitzRoy noted. “Achieving this milestone so quickly reflects the diligent work of the Giyani team and the rigorous review by the Department of Mines. This experience reaffirms Botswana’s position as a leading mining investment destination.”
The mining license area is sufficient to meet K.Hill’s operational needs for its projected 57-year lifespan, as outlined in the July 2023 preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
Giyani’s next step is the production of battery-grade manganese from its demonstration plant in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is expected to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of this year. The plant’s output will be used for offtaker qualification, a crucial step before signing offtake agreements.
In addition, Giyani has begun work on a definitive feasibility study (DFS), expected to be completed by 2025. The DFS will build on the PEA, incorporating an updated mineral resource estimate and data from the demonstration plant.
It will also focus on optimizing operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing project value by minimizing operational costs, carbon emissions, and reagent usage.
