23 Jun 2014

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) general manager, Dr Adrian Gale has says Debswana has turned the hopes and dreams of many people into reality through the corporate citizenship programme.

Dr Gale said at an occasion to commemorate Debswana 45th anniversary that a number of community projects in Boteti aimed at improving livelihoods were funded through the Corporate Social Investment Programme.

He said, of recent, OLDM through the assistance of the district commissioner’s office, identified and adopted Mokobaxane Primary School and would spend about P2 million on the school through the ‘adopt a school’ initiative. 

Dr Gale said the school was doing badly in the overall performance hoping that the development will help it improve in the near future.

Dr Gale said 45 years ago on June 23, Botswana witnessed the formation of De Beers Botswana Mining Company now known as Debswana, a joint venture between the government and De Beers dedicated at unlocking the value of Botswana’s precious natural resources and in creating true value to the lives of Batswana.

He said the first diamond discoveries were made in Boteti at BK1 and AK1 in 1967, DK 1 and 2 in 1968, followed by BK 9 and 12 in 1970 and JW DK7 in 1972. As for mining, Dr Gale said it started at Orapa in 1971, Letlhakane mine in 1976 followed by Jwaneng mine in 1982 and lastly Damtshaa in 2002.

Dr Gale described Orapa as the greatest of all the Debswana mines as it is still operating after 45 years adding that production at the mine is getting even better projecting its lifespan by another 40 years. 

He said Orapa mine is the greatest producer of diamonds in the world. He further indicated that an exercise has been launched to extend the lifespan of OLDM. “Restricting carat production, then optimising both output and the cut 3 expansion brings huge capital savings and an astonishing mine life,” he said.

Dr Gale said the exercise also highlighted the need to progress the exploitation of all on-lease deposits and extend the lifespan of the mine beyond 2050. In addition to diamonds, Dr Gale said Debswana also owns Morupule Coal Mine which supplies Botswana Power Corporation with coal to generate electricity for Botswana.

He noted that diamond mining play a pivotal role in the development of Botswana’s economy and the livelihoods of the community.

Dr Gale said Debswana is the largest private sector employer in Botswana with more than 4 000 employees, most of whom are based at Orapa along with over 5 000 long term service providers.

“Our mission as OLDM is to make Orapa a great place to work and live in. In 2011, ‘Orapa today Orapa tomorrow’ vision was introduced which aims to leverage the mine to become the commercial hub for Boteti, bringing opportunities to communities within the sub district,” he said.

OLDM general manager said education standards in Orapa continue to be at a pleasing stage indicating that for the past two years, all schools in Orapa feature in the top 10 nationally.He said pupils from within Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines have received awards for the top achievers in Primary School Living Examinations (PSLE) for the past three years.

Furthermore, Dr Gale said OLDM continues to contribute immensely to Orapa CJSS adding that the school has remained the best performing government school academically in the country for the past five years in a row.

Dr Gale said OLDM is also in the process of collaborating with government officials to step into Letlhakane Senior Secondary School which is currently doing badly on the overall performance. He said almost all of the students from OLDM go to LSSS for the secondary education and as such deserve a better level of education.

Dr Gale also indicated that high regard for the safety and wellbeing of people, the environment and the equipment in use is at the core of Debswana business. 

“All our efforts in safety are geared towards our vision of Zero Harm,” he added.He further said Orapa hospital acts as a referral for the Boteti area treating over 70 000 patients per annum adding that the health service provider has been rectified by the Council of Health Service of Southern Africa (COHSASA). 

Dr Gale said the certification is an assurance to patients of the quality service provided by the hospital.A representative of Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) Mr Robert Kelaotswe said the 45th anniversary would not have been achieved without the hard work and sacrifices pledged by the employees towards the company. Mr Kelaotswe said the celebration is not just a day to enjoy but also to reflect on all the achievements that Debswana has managed to attain in 45 years.

He further appealed to Debswana employees to continue working hard towards bettering the Debswana brand. ENDS