KAVANGO Resources is pursuing an ambitious plan to elevate Zimbabwe’s mining industry by establishing the nation’s first internationally accredited laboratory.
Such a facility could revolutionise the mining sector by providing accurate and globally benchmarked data.
This would not only attract foreign investment but also promote transparency and efficiency within the industry.
Kavango’s chief executive, Ben Turney, emphasised that this initiative aligns with the company’s broader mission to enhance Zimbabwe’s exploration supply chain.
“Long term, we’re looking to try to bring Zimbabwe’s first internationally accredited laboratory into the country. We are in quite advanced discussions with a number of potential providers,” said Turney.
Operating through its local subsidiary, Kavango Zimbabwe, established in July 2023, the London Stock Exchange-listed company is focusing on historic high-grade gold mines in the Matabeleland region, particularly those with potential for economic bulk mining.
The company has also bolstered its position in the metals exploration sector by acquiring a 45 percent stake in its drilling partner, equity drilling investment, for US$22 500.
According to Turney, drilling costs in Zimbabwe are significantly lower than in neighbouring Botswana.
“In Botswana, it’s much more challenging terrain and more difficult to drill.
Here, we are running at around US$190 per metre, which includes an orientated core,” he explained.
“We have currently drilled about 6,000 metres into the project.
Once we collect the samples, we ship them to Harare for fire assay testing before sending the pulps from those tests to ALS in Johannesburg.
We have worked closely with Johannesburg for many years and hold a specially granted licence from the Ministry of Mines to export our samples.”
In a major financial development, the company recently secured US$13 million as part of an expanded strategic financing package.
This funding positions Kavango for continued growth into 2025, with its Hillside Gold Project poised to introduce modern mining practices to Zimbabwe’s extensive goldfields.
If successful, the project could mark a pioneering step in the nation’s mining industry.