04 Dec 2014

About six cattle posts near Palapye will be relocated to pave way for the establishment of Shumba Coal Mine.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Palapye recently, Shumba Coal Mine project consultant, Mr Comfort Molosiwa said the power station project would be established at Lechana near Palapye.

Mr Molosiwa said more developments were expected in the village due to the construction of the mine which included construction of the railway line from the power station to Morupule power station to transport coal. The 1 500km railway line, he said was estimated to cost US$15 billion (about P138bn). 

The mine is expected to create employment for the public as well as improve roads facilities. “Shumba power station will generate electrical power of 300 megawatts,” he said. He also pointed out that Shumba Coal Mine was on the list of shares in the Botswana Stock Exchange and anyone interested in buying the shares could do so. 

Mr Molosiwa said the mine would produce two types of coal to be used to support Morupule coal mine and sold to other countries respectively. The mine would produce 1.14 billion tonnes of coal.

“The reason for starting this is because there is shortage of electricity in Botswana and Shumba mine will help solve this problem in the country,” he said. Mr Molosiwa explained that about 500 people will be hired for construction only, and the number would reduce to 200 employees when the mine begins to operate.

Responding to questions, Mr Molosiwa said Ministry of Lands and Housing and the land board authorities were the ones to determine compensation looking at their regulation of compensation.

Mr Lebogang Makwapa, one of those who attended the meeting pleaded with the Shumba Coal Mine to give first priority to the youth of Palapye when hiring employees, while Mr Obusitse Masalela welcomed the developments adding that they tend to affect people living in the areas where they are being done.

Ms Iponeng Motsumi thanked Shumba Coal Mine for the communication and updates they had gave them.  Ms Motsumi also said developments could bring about many damages and as such, she urged the mine to do thorough assessment before the commencement of the project.

The project is expected to resume next year, while operations are expected to start in 2018/2019. ENDS