GABORONE, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Botswana is well-positioned to supply critical minerals as the world accelerates its transition toward cleaner energy, Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe said on Monday.
Speaking at the opening of the Future of Mining Summit 2026 in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Gaolathe said global demand for strategic minerals such as copper, nickel, and manganese continues to grow.
"Botswana is well-positioned not only to supply those minerals responsibly, but to become a trusted destination for value addition, industrial development, and long-term investment," he said.
Gaolathe said Botswana aims to move progressively up the global value chains, ensuring that a larger share of the prosperity generated by its mineral endowment is created within the country.
He stressed that mining must evolve from being the backbone of the economy into an engine for broader economic diversification.
At the summit, Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo outlined the government's priorities to expand citizen participation in the mining sector and promote value addition.
He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to forging stronger linkages between mining and other industries, advancing beneficiation, and strengthening local content provisions.
"Diamonds have helped to develop this country," Kenewendo said. However, she warned that the sector's future will be shaped not only by what is extracted, but by "what we create."
She added that the government targets increasing non-diamond exploration expenditure to 150 million pula (about 11 million U.S. dollars) by 2029, to uncover new mineral wealth amid the global energy transition and rising demand for critical minerals.
Held under the theme "Mining for Transformation: Economic Diversification and Shared Prosperity," the two-day summit attracted more than 1,000 industry leaders, policymakers, and investors. Discussions focused on navigating global market headwinds, increasing local value retention, and financing infrastructure beyond core mining operations. ■