Kemcore’s US$140M Botswana Plant to Supply Copper and Cobalt Mines in Zambia, DRC
Kemcore has secured environmental clearance for a proposed mining chemicals manufacturing complex in central Botswana, advancing plans to establish a major regional supplier of reagents used in the processing of copper and cobalt ores.
The Switzerland-based mining chemicals company, founded by Botswana businessman Calisto Radithipa, plans to develop the facility in phases, with total investment estimated at approximately US$140 million, equivalent to around P2 billion.
The proposed complex will manufacture sodium metabisulphite, sodium hydrosulphide and sodium isobutyl xanthate, which are widely used in mineral processing and flotation, particularly in the treatment and beneficiation of copper and cobalt ores.
The facility is expected to supply mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, positioning Botswana as a potential regional manufacturing and distribution hub for mining chemicals.
Kemcore Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Calisto Radithipa said securing environmental clearance was an important milestone as the company works towards financial close and construction.
The company is targeting financial close by December 2026, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and initial production scheduled for the first half of 2028.
Once fully operational, the facility is projected to have annual production capacity of approximately 150,000 metric tonnes across its mining reagent portfolio.
The planned location is expected to provide access to key raw materials, including gas, soda ash and salt. Soda ash is expected to be sourced locally from Botash’s operations in Sowa Town.
The project is also expected to create opportunities across engineering, construction, logistics and other supporting services during development and operations.
Kemcore said the development would add downstream manufacturing capacity to Botswana’s mining and industrial sector while strengthening regional supply chains for chemicals used in the processing of critical minerals.
The company is continuing discussions with potential funders as it works towards securing financing for the project and progressing it to the construction phase.
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