North Arrow Minerals Advances Gold Exploration at Botswana’s Kraaipan Gold Project. Canadian mining firm North Arrow Minerals Inc. has announced the launch of a robust exploration program at its Kraaipan Gold Project in Botswana, an expansive 1,266 km² land package situated in the underexplored Kraaipan Greenstone Belt (KGB). The initiative signals a significant investment in unlocking the region’s gold and base metal potential, leveraging innovative technologies to overcome historical exploration challenges.
The KGB, which stretches across the Botswana-South Africa border, has seen limited exploration on the Botswana side due to the presence of a thin Kalahari sand cover, which averages less than 40 meters in depth. In contrast, the South African portion of the belt has a proven mining history, hosting Harmony Gold’s Kalgold Mine, a multi-million-ounce operation located just 40 km south of the Kraaipan project area.
Ken Armstrong, President and CEO of North Arrow Minerals, expressed optimism about the project’s potential. “We believe the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt represents an excellent regional-scale exploration opportunity. Despite the challenges posed by the Kalahari sands, we are employing a systematic, technology-driven approach to uncover its gold potential,” Armstrong said.
North Arrow, in partnership with Rockman Resources, is employing advanced methodologies to assess the property’s potential, including:
- High-Resolution Magnetic Surveys: Over 905 km of magnetic data has been collected to map subsurface features.
- Portable RC Drilling: 23 drill holes have been completed to sample bedrock and the basal Kalahari sands in central and southern target areas.
- Soil Sampling and Multi-Element Analysis: Initial sampling grids and archived materials are being analyzed to identify gold-related alterations and refine exploration techniques.
- Ground Geophysical Surveys: Areas inaccessible to drone surveys due to infrastructure, such as power lines, are being studied to complete a seamless magnetic coverage of the region.
These efforts aim to overcome the challenges posed by the sand cover and accelerate the identification of high-priority drilling targets.
The ongoing exploration, set to continue through late 2024, includes testing an optimized RC drill platform to enhance drilling productivity and gather critical data on sand thickness. The results will shape a comprehensive 2025 work program, which is expected to feature expanded RC drilling, surface soil sampling, and high-resolution magnetic data collection, culminating in diamond core drilling to evaluate identified targets.
The Kraaipan Gold Project positions Botswana as a growing hub for gold exploration in the region. North Arrow’s approach aligns with the country’s investor-friendly policies, aimed at fostering mining development. By integrating advanced technologies and leveraging local partnerships, the company hopes to uncover significant deposits and add to Botswana’s growing portfolio of mining assets.
