13 Oct 2014

Khoemacau Copper mine, which expects to start operation soon, after acquiring its mining licence has promised to source certain skills from the two districts of Maun and Ghanzi.

Updating stakeholders at the district development committee (DDC) meeting in Maun recently, the mine’s human resource manager, Mr Richard Molosiwa said they would hold a series of Kgotla meetings in the settlements affected to do a job seeker registration of the required low level skills.

He said since some of the locals might not have the requisite skills, the intention was for Khoemacau mine to invest in training and also liaise with BCL and Debswana mines. The mine will be located between the two districts of Gantsi and Maun.

About 35 per cent of employees will be expatriates to compliment the locals at the initial stages of the mine, as the plan is to localise after two to three years of operation. Already the mine has 70 employees, while four contractors with 200 employees are also on site, he added. 

He said, “Employees will keep increasing but will stabilise at around 850 employees, with 200 of them being the cleaning and cooking staff,” he said.

The plan, he said was to build a camp in the bush to accommodate the employees, but he said about 300 employees are anticipated to live and commute from Maun, which he said might have an impact on the already busy Maun village.

The Khoemacau Community liaison officer, Mr Christopher Kgaodi said Khoemacau mine which is privately owned by Cupri Canyon Company based in America have managed mines in different countries before.

Mr Kgaodi noted that the mine affected wildlife areas in the two districts as well as some ranches, however, he said the farm owners have been consulted.

He said they have challenges such as electricity which government would not be able to provide until 2017, but he said the company would generate its own electricity until then.

Mr Kgaodi said a license that covered the Maun area in the North East fold will operate an open pit mine while in the area that affected zone five in Ghanzi will be an underground mine to reach the ore faster. 

He said since 2013 up to September 2014 the Khoemacau mine was engaged in drilling explorations for ore to determine the lifespan of the mine. ENDS