AKITA (Kyodo) Akita University, known for studies on mineralogy, will help a national university in Botswana establish a department to develop human resources skilled in research and exploitation of mineral resources, the university said.
Japan has been making diplomatic efforts to secure rare metals from abroad. The two countries agreed to jointly look for rare metals in 2007, and Japan started helping Botswana with satellite-based resource exploration last year, Akita University said.
Botswana produces diamonds, nickel and other minerals, and 90 percent of its income comes from minerals, the university said Friday.
Much of Botswana's underground resources remain untapped due to its harsh terrain and technological barriers.
In January, Botswana asked the university to help to set up the department at Botswana International University of Science and Technology when it opens in 2011.