Arc Minerals is building momentum with two high-potential assets in Botswana and Zambia. Can the junior miner unlock at least one Tier 1 copper deposit within the next few years?
raising enough to execute a meaningful exploration programme that has the potential to create real value”. Virgo Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt Arc Minerals acquired the Virgo Project in November 2021 when it purchased a 75% interest in Alvis-Crest. Discussing expanding its footprint beyond Zambia, Welschinger explains: “We saw the Kalahari Copper Belt as a relatively underexplored counterpart to the Central African Copperbelt in Zambia and the DRC. It also made sense from a jurisdictional perspective because it allowed us to diversify our country risk. Although we are comfortable in Zambia, it’s always sensible not to have all one’s eggs in one basket. When we were looking to expand our geographical footprint, we chose one that was not too far removed from the region and geological setting we already understood, and the Kalahari Copper Belt was a natural fit.” Arc Minerals highly prospective copper exploration asset is located within Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB) – one of the world’s exciting emerging copper districts. Licence PL135/2017 sits in the same structural and geological setting that hosts multiple Tier 1 copper discoveries.
The Virgo Project is positioned directly within the structural corridor of global mining company MMG’s Khoemacau operations and in regional proximity to Australian listed copper producer, Sandfire Resources’ Motheo mine hub. “The Virgo Project is strategically located just metres from and directly straddles, the mineralised contact zone associated with MMG’s Khoemacau Copper Mine. The project sits within the active Zone 5 geological corridor and from Sandfire’s Motheo Copper Mine.” So rich is the Kalahari Copperbelt that MMG’s growth strategy in Botswana centres on scaling production, expanding regional operations, and developing local workforce capabilities at the Khoemacau Copper Mine. Key elements include a US$900 million expansion project, increasing milling capacity, and launching national reskilling initiatives. The miner is targeting an increase to 130 000 tonnes of copper per annum and over 4 million ounces of silver by the first half of 2028. Meanwhile, Sandfire’s growth strategy in Botswana is focused on extending the Motheo Copper mine life, scaling regional exploration across the Kalahari Copper Belt, and integrating
OCTOBER 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 17
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