Botswana Diamonds, listed in London and Botswana, has announced plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to analyze its extensive database of diamond exploration data in Botswana.
The company aims to enhance its search for new diamond deposits and potentially other minerals using this innovative approach.
The database, comprising 380 GB of data and 260,000 files, represents one of the largest diamond exploration datasets in the country. Botswana Diamonds sees this as a solid foundation for incorporating AI into its exploration efforts.
James Campbell, the company’s geologist with over 38 years of experience in the diamond sector, has endorsed the initiative.
The deployment of Planetary AI Ltd’s Xplore mineral prospectivity technology, developed in collaboration with the International Geoscience Service, marks a significant step forward.
Xplore utilizes semantic technology and machine learning to analyze geological data, mimicking the capabilities of a geologist but at a much faster pace.
This process is expected to uncover new insights and identify drillable targets that may have been overlooked previously.
According to John Teeling, the company’s chairman, the sheer size of the database necessitates the use of advanced AI techniques for timely analysis.
He believes that AI has immense potential in mineral exploration, especially in handling vast amounts of data efficiently.
Botswana Diamonds anticipates that AI analysis will not only reveal new diamond deposits but also identify other mineral prospects.
Recent advancements, such as the discovery of a high-grade anomaly similar to the KX36 kimberlite pipe in the Kalahari, indicate promising prospects for diamond exploration in Botswana.
Furthermore, positive developments in South Africa, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe underscore the company’s commitment to exploring new opportunities across the region.
