Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Eswatini Mining and Minerals Board has officially handed over a gold-prospecting license to Eswatini Ventures Company, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to expand its mineral exploration footprint.
The handover took place on December 3, 2025, at Ramblas Restaurant in Mbabane, following the license’s formal approval by His Majesty King Mswati III.
The license authorises Eswatini Ventures Company to begin exploration activities in Horo, Emvembili under the Hhohho Region, with operations expected to commence in March 2026. Prince Guduza attended the ceremony alongside members of the Mining and Minerals Board and the Eswatini Ventures technical team.
Board member Mabandla Manzini highlighted the scale of the prospecting area, stating:
“This area is about 4,377 hectares, and there are quite a number of properties which are affected by the lease.”
Eswatini Ventures Company Director Musa Magagula welcomed the approval, noting that work will begin after the company receives environmental clearance from the Eswatini Environmental Authority and completes community engagements. Magagula attended the ceremony with Chief Geologist William Levene and Senior Geologist Aina Randriamahaled.
Magagula confirmed that the project would bring direct job opportunities to the surrounding communities, saying:
“We can now say 15 general workers from the community will benefit from jobs, including two local geologists, and the number will grow.”
The granting of the prospecting license is seen as a notable boost to Eswatini’s broader economic development ambitions, with expectations of increased investment, employment creation, and long-term strengthening of the country’s mining sector. As preparations advance, the Horo-Emvembili Community is set to become a focal point of the Kingdom’s mineral exploration efforts.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
