Tsodilo Resources Continues Its Collaboration with Botswana International University of Science and Technology

Core Insights - Tsodilo Resources Limited is continuing its collaboration with Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) to advance the Xaudum Iron Project (XIF) [1][24] - The collaboration aims to explore the high-value utilization of Botswana's natural resources, particularly iron ore, limestone, dolomite, and coal [2][5] Project Overview - The Xaudum Iron Project has defined a CIM compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 441 million tonnes (Mt) with an average grade of 29.4% Fe [15] - An extrapolated exploration target suggests the potential for 5 to 7 billion tonnes at 15-40% Fe [15] - The project is strategically located near transport infrastructure, including the planned Trans-Zambezi Railway [16] Research and Development - BIUST received a research grant to investigate the use of a novel metallurgical coke blend in pig iron production using local resources [2][3] - Tsodilo provided BIUST with 18 meters of iron ore for testing, which has an average Fe magnetite content of 45% [4] - The project will focus on optimizing product quality through systematic changes in operational parameters [4] Environmental and Market Context - The steel industry is undergoing a shift towards lower carbon emissions, with steel production contributing approximately 11% of global CO2 emissions [7][9] - High-grade magnetite products from the XIF project are expected to be in demand due to their lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard iron ores [11][12] - The collaboration aims to produce pig iron, which can be further processed into steel, addressing the growing market for low-emission steel production [6][10] Economic Implications - The project is expected to enhance Botswana's export value and reduce its import bill by utilizing local resources [5] - The development of the XIF project could significantly impact Botswana's economy by diversifying it away from diamond revenue [17]