The annual RESOURCESTOCKS (Australia) World Risk Surveyof the global mineral sector has ranked Botswana number one in the world in terms of posing the least overall risk for investors. The survey ranked countries on the basis of such factors as sovereign risk, land access, social risk, infrastructure and civil unrest. Botswana came first with an overall score of 8.6, ahead of Canada (9.2) and the United States (9.3). Last year's leader Australia slipped to 5th place with a score of (9.8). The scores were determined by polling industry executives.

Botswana's score was "one of the lowest ever recorded in the annual survey", and a "dramatic improvement on the country's score last year of 13.4." The report goes on to note that:

"A regular top 10 of the RS survey since its inclusion, Botswana was 3rd (after Australia and Canada) last year and 5th in 2003. Its attractions include excellent mining laws that encourage exploration and mine development, high levels of civil order and a low level of sovereign risk.

"Australian companies, including Gallery Gold and the nickel explorer Albidon, have found the business climate in Botswana very much to their liking. If there is a question mark over Botswana it is the very high HIV-AIDS infection rate. The government is mounting a vigorous public education campaign that is the finest on the continent, but the fact remains that Botswana's workforce is starting to feel the effects of diminishing numbers caused by widespread illness