# Southern Africa mining exploration expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southern-africa-mining-exploration-expansion
> Updated: 2026-08-13T00:30:53.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

In mid‑July, Arkle Resources broadened its reverse‑circulation drilling at the Erongo uranium project in Namibia, adding new paleochannel and primary ULG targets, while Vantage Metals (formerly Belararox) used airborne electromagnetic surveys to pinpoint fresh copper drill targets at its Kalahari Copper Project in Botswana and prepared to commence diamond drilling.

By early August, Australian explorer Blaze Minerals reported a significant copper‑lead‑zinc mineralised zone at its Krokodil Prospect within Botswana’s Dinokwe Project. Soil sampling revealed copper anomalies up to 288 ppm, while trench X-ray fluorescence readings reached as high as 8.59% copper, showing visible malachite and chalcopyrite. Consequently, the company is moving to acquire up to 90% of the prospecting licences covering 1,771 km². Simultaneously, Patriot Resources announced early‑stage mapping of a new Zambian copper licence located 17 km from the Fishtie/Kashime deposit. Geologists identified features comparable to the Central African Copperbelt, citing recent drilling success at its Tonic prospect as a positive indicator.

Furthering the momentum in Botswana, Leviathan Metals completed a 3,600-metre diamond drilling program at its Central Project, which adjoins MMG’s Khoemacau deposits. The drilling visually confirmed copper sulphides in eight holes and identified a domal structure that may host mineralizing fluids. Leviathan now plans a larger 10,000-metre program to target potential sediment-hosted copper mineralization.

Together, these developments illustrate a rapid escalation of exploration activity across Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, moving from expanded drilling and surveys to the identification of high-grade targets and the pursuit of significant new licences.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: Leviathan Metals confirms copper sulphides at Botswana Central Project

Leviathan Metals confirmed target stratigraphy and copper sulphides during a 3,600-metre drilling program at its Central Project in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leviathan-metals-confirms-copper-sulphides-at-botswana-central-project

### 2026-08-03: Copper discoveries boost exploration in Botswana and Zambia

Blaze Minerals found high‑grade copper‑lead‑zinc mineralisation in Botswana, while Patriot Resources mapped promising copper geology near a major Zambian deposit, both signaling expanding African copper mining.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/copper-discoveries-boost-exploration-in-botswana-and-zambia

### 2026-07-15: Mining firms expand drilling programs at uranium and copper projects in Southern Africa

Arkle Resources expands uranium drilling in Namibia while Belararox adds copper targets and prepares drilling at its Botswana Kalahari project.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mining-firms-expand-drilling-programs-at-uranium-and-copper-projects-in-southern-africa

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Cite as: Southern Africa mining exploration expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southern-africa-mining-exploration-expansion