UK-listed Power Metal Resources expects its 50%-owned Ditau rare earth elements (REEs) project to start an extensive geophysical surveying and soil sampling programme in the first half of the year, Kallanish reports.

The company unveiled on Monday that first stage orientation work at the project in Botswana has been completed and indicates the two prospective licences owned with Kavango Resources have potential to host carbonatite rocks, which are the principal source of REEs.

The partners expect sampling assay results for an initial work in early February, and plans to carry out follow up surveys in mid-January. Further planned work includes an extensive geophysical surveying and soil sampling in Q1 and Q2, and possibly an exploratory drill campaign in Q2/Q3, the firm says.

“The strategic joint venture with Kavango is surging ahead with work completed and announced from the Kalahari Copper Belt, and now from the Ditau Project,” comments Power Metal’s ceo Paul Johnson. He adds Botswana offers a “secure and stable jurisdiction” for the project.

REEs such as neodymium and praseodymium are used in the manufacture of new generation of electric vehicles, magnets and other high-tech applications.