The exploration programme is aimed at identifying copper and gold mineralization on the substantial KML landholding in the copper belt.

As part of the exploration programme, New Resolution Geophysics (NRG) will conduct airborne high resolution magnetic and electromagnetic surveys (AEM) on the prospective Okavango Project and Ngami Copper Project concessions.

Airborne high resolution magnetic and AEM surveys are scheduled to begin in July with processed results expected in September 2018.

Covering a total of 16,700 line-km of magnetics and 1,982 line-km of AEM, surveys are expected to provide data that will shed valuable information for mapping contacts.

Botswana-based environmental consultants Loci Environmental will prepare and obtain environmental permitting in anticipation of a follow-on exploration drilling programme.

Metal Tiger chief executive officer Michael McNeilly said: “We are very pleased to announce the start of what will, not doubt, be an exciting and hopefully rewarding exploration programme over the two Kalahari Metals Limited Okavango and Ngami Copper Projects in a world class copper region in Botswana.

“With the Okavango Project located directly along strike from the major Cupric Canyon Capital copper deposits and the Ngami Project located to the north of our T3 Feasibility Stage joint venture project; Metal Tiger enjoys very significant exposure to the potential discovery of new copper and silver deposits.”

KML owns interests in seven highly prospective exploration licences covering 4,063km2 in the belt.

The licences include two 100% owned exploration licences and five exploration licences, subject to a binding earn-in agreement with Triprop Holdings.

Under an investment agreement announced on 6 June, MTR holds the right to acquire up to 50% of KML.

The transaction is expected to expand MTR’s exposure to largely unexplored ground, adjacent to significant recent discoveries in the highly prospective Kalahari copper belt.