By Senior Editor,China Africa News
KHOEMACAU, Botswana, Feb. 8, 2026 — China has kicked off a process of extending the expansion of the MMG Khoemacau copper and silver mine in northwest Botswana, a development seen as an important catalyst for economic growth, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.
At a ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, said the enlarged operation led by China Minmetals Corporation (CMC) is expected to contribute about 6 percent to Botswana’s gross domestic product and create roughly 4,000 jobs for local workers.
Kenewendo emphasized that Botswana welcomes both domestic and international investors, noting that such partnerships strengthen supply chains and benefit local communities.
China’s ambassador to Botswana, Fan Yong, described the Khoemacau expansion as the biggest single Chinese investment in the country, highlighting its significance for bilateral economic ties and long-term development.
Representatives from CMC at the event reiterated commitments to environmentally-friendly mining, community engagement, skills training, and economic empowerment for Botswana’s workforce. The company’s chairman officially inaugurated the expanded phase via video link from Beijing.
Originally commissioned in June 2021 with an annual output of about 60,000 tonnes of copper and 1.6 million ounces of silver, the Khoemacau mine is expected to more than double its production to over 130,000 tonnes of copper and over 4 million ounces of silver per year once the expansion is complete tapping the full potential of the emerging Kalahari Copper Belt.
Observers say the expansion underscores Botswana’s broader efforts to diversify its economy beyond traditional reliance on diamonds and attract strategic foreign investment to bolster long-term growth.
