Kavango Resources PLC (LSE:KAV, OTC:KVGOF) was awarded an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) covering all of its prospecting licences in the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana, allowing it to undertake drilling work for two years.
"We would like to thank the Department of Environmental Affairs for the award of our Environmental Management Plan in the Kalahari Copper Belt,” said chief executive Ben Turney. “This is an important next step for the company.”
“As operator of 12 prospecting licences, which cover over 6,300km2 of prospective ground for possible major copper/silver deposits, Kavango is now permitted to conduct drilling operations here for the next two years.
“This is a critical period for Kavango and we eagerly anticipate the next phase of exploration."
The EMP also covers the licences held within the Kanye Resources joint venture with Power Metal Resources PLC (AIM:POW) and the joint venture with LVR GeoExplorers (Pty).
Kavango has started a ground magnetic survey of the southern limb of the Acacia target in the South Ghanzi project, part of Kanye Resources, to optimise target definition.
“Our primary focus is currently on the promising Acacia target,” said Turney.
Power Metal holds a 50% interest in the Kanye Resources joint venture which includes 10 prospecting licences in the Kalahari Copper Belt. Kavango is operator.
"Environmental Management Plan approval is a vital step forward for the JV and something we have been keen to secure, opening up the ability to move forward with planned drill programmes, said Power Metal chief executive Paul Johnson.
“The size and scale of the JV prospecting licences means we must take all necessary measures to refine exploration data, notably with regard to drill hole targeting, and so this work is being done expeditiously.”
Kavango has also started a detailed sampling exercise to confirm the geochemical anomalies identified across its licences in the Kalahari Copper Belt.
--Adds comments from Power Metals--