Award of Eight Copper Focused Exploration Licenses

Botswana Diamonds PLC

26 January 2026

 

26^th January 2026

Botswana Diamonds PLC

("Botswana Diamonds" or the "Company")

Award of Eight Copper Focused Exploration Licenses in Botswana

Highlights

·    Eight prospecting licences awarded over ground identified by Artificial Intelligence ("AI") analysis

·    Primary focus on copper prospectivity, together with gold and other critical minerals

Botswana Diamonds Plc ("BOD" or the "Company"), listed on the AIM and the Botswana Stock Exchange (AIM: BOD, BSE: BOD), is pleased to announce the award of eight prospecting licences covering approximately 7,000 square kilometres in north-western Botswana.

The licence areas, which are valid through to 31^st December 2028, were selected following an extensive AI-driven assessment of the Company's 95,000 square kilometres (including 375.000 line kilometres of geophysics) Botswana focused exploration database, which identified significant prospectivity for copper, with additional potential for gold and other critical minerals. Application of the same proprietary technology to diamond exploration has previously highlighted six previously unreported kimberlite-prone areas, over which the Company also holds licences.

The Company's expansion into copper reflects the current weakness in the diamond market, combined with the strong and growing demand for copper and other energy-transition metals. Botswana, as a country, continues to provide a highly stable operating environment with significant geological prospectivity.  There is already significant copper activity in Botswana, including both MMG and Sandfire Resources operating newly discovered copper mines, alongside active exploration by Cobre Ltd (which has a JV with BHP), Kavango Resources, Galileo Resources and Aterian plc.

Initial discussions have commenced with potential partners regarding a joint venture to advance exploration across the newly awarded copper-prospective licences.  Meanwhile, the Company is planning to undertake close interval geophysical and geochemical surveys designed to define drill targets. The Company continues to monitor the diamond market and associated deployment of capital into its diamond projects.

John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds, commented: "The further AI analysis of our extensive Botswana exploration database continues to deliver exceptional results. Following the highly successful identification of kimberlite-prone ground, which led to the discovery of six previously unknown anomalies, we extended our analysis to copper and related minerals. The outcomes were outstanding. We have now secured eight prospecting licences covering many of these areas. Copper and other energy-related minerals are critical to the energy transition for a greener future.

"The mission of Botswana Diamonds was and still is diamonds. But the market environment for diamonds is poor at present. These market conditions will improve, and this approach allows us to continue progressing the business as a mining company while remaining committed to diamonds over the longer term.

"In the meantime, interest has been shown by third parties in both our technology and in the results and we see clear potential to progress these licences efficiently through partnerships and structured exploration programmes."

This release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa, a Fellow of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Metals and Mining (UK) and with over 40-years' experience in the diamond sector, specifically focusing on exploration, resource assessment and mining.

A copy of this announcement is available on the Company's website, at

www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

About Botswana Diamonds

Botswana Diamonds (BOD) is a multi-commodity and diamond explorer focused on Botswana, where it holds prime exploration acreage and the KX36 diamond discovery.  The company holds the second-largest exploration database in Botswana, which has undergone intensive analyses using advanced Artificial Intelligence tools to generate several high-grade polymetallic and diamond targets.

Enquiries:

Botswana Diamonds PLC John Teeling, Chairman James Campbell, Managing Director Jim Finn, Director	[phone] [phone] [phone]
Nominated & Financial Adviser Strand Hanson Limited Ritchie Balmer Rory Murphy David Asquith	[phone]
Broker  First Equity Limited Jason Robertson	[phone]
Public Relations BlytheRay Megan Ray Said Izagaren	[phone]
Teneo Luke Hogg Ciara McNamee Molly Mooney	[phone]

ENDS

 

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