Tsodilo Resources has confirmed significant rare earth element (REE) and critical minerals mineralisation at its wholly owned Gcwihaba Metals Project, marking a major milestone for the early-stage exploration project.
The company said drilling at the C26 and C27 targets, first identified through ground magnetic and gravity surveys, has confirmed skarn-hosted rare earth mineralisation at depths of between 20 and 50 metres below surface. Diamond core drilling verified that the geophysical anomalies are linked to mineralised skarn systems, a rock type known for hosting valuable metal deposits.
According to Tsodilo, the skarn zones contain a broad mix of minerals, including all 15 rare earth elements, alongside critical and base metals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, vanadium and silver. The company described the mineralisation as polymetallic, meaning it holds potential value beyond rare earths alone.
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Based on drilling results, geological interpretation and integrated geophysical modelling, Tsodilo has defined a conceptual exploration target of between 81 million and 97 million tonnes, with grades ranging from 0.05% to 1.49% total rare earth oxide (TREO). The mineralised trend stretches over approximately four kilometres.
Chairperson and chief executive James Bruchs said the 1.49% TREO intercept recorded at the C27 target is the highest grade encountered so far at Gcwihaba.
“These results validate our systematic exploration approach and provide strong evidence of a polymetallic REE skarn system with both meaningful grade and vertical extent,” Bruchs said.
He explained that the exploration target was generated using integrated magnetic and gravity modelling, constrained by drilling data and geological interpretation. The modelling was carried out in-house using Paradigm GOCAD geological software.
Beyond rare earths, Tsodilo highlighted encouraging results for other metals. Drilling returned copper values of up to 0.41% in the C26 skarn, cobalt grades reaching 320 parts per million, and silver values of up to 5.1 grams per tonne in the C27 skarn.
The company plans to begin a 15,000-metre drilling programme later this year, aimed at supporting the preparation of a compliant National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate. Further drilling planned for 2026 will focus on defining higher-grade REE zones while continuing to assess the project’s broader polymetallic potential.
Tsodilo said the current results represent the first systematic assessment of rare earth element potential at the Gcwihaba Metals Project and position the asset as a promising critical minerals prospect in Botswana.
