09 Jul 2015

Managing director of BCL Mine, Mr Dan Mahupela says BCL Corporate Strategy, Polaris II, is beginning to realise its aims.

He said the strategy was adopted to transform BCL from being just a mine threatened with closure over the years into a competent and diversified mining and related products enterprise.

Mr Mahupela said this when addressing media and stakeholders during a press briefing at Stonehouse Lodge in Selebi Phikwe recently.

He said the Polaris II strategy has six themes which include amongst others; to expand and sustain nickel production circuit, develop copper production circuit and nickel production circuit as well as iron production circuit. 

Further, he said the strategy’s objective aimed to develop coal production and beneficiation circuit as well as a chemicals and by-products production circuit. 

In addition, he said the idea would develop precious metals and other mineral circuits.

Further explaining Polaris II strategy, the divisional manager- Corporate Strategy and Business Improvement, Mr Mack William said that with regards to expand and sustain the Nickel Circuit, the focus had mainly entailed redesigning and refurbishing the smelter as a strategic asset around which the nickel business was anchored. 

He said in order to achieve that it was important to source and secure long term supply of concentrates to fully utilise the capacity of the smelter.

Mr William added that the acquisition of Nkomati Nickel Mine in South Africa and negotiations for long term offtake for Nkomati concentrate aimed at achieving the goal of full smelter utilisation going forward.

Also, he noted that BCL had completed the acquisition of the Tati Nickel Mine and was in the final stages of completing the 50 per cent acquisition on Nkomati Mine.

“Further, a life of mine optimisation study is being carried out to extend the life of mine at both BCL underground and Tati Nickel mines,” he said.

“The exploration for nickel resources continues to show satisfactory progress with the Maibele exploration project near Tshokwe in the Bobirwa area now moving towards a successful bankable feasibility study before the end of 2015,” he said. 

In relation to development of the iron production circuit, Mr William noted that BCL has made significant progress through the establishment of Pula Steel Casting and Manufacturing Plant. 

He said work continues near Shoshong and in Molopo to explore for iron–ore which in short to medium term would augment feed material for Pula Steel Plant. 

“BCL Mine is still looking at the development of a stand- alone blast furnace to produce billet from the readily available iron, coal and limestone ingredients from Botswana. 

Also, BCL Board approved the acquisition of 50 per cent of Pula Steel,” he said.

He also pointed out that in regards to developing chemicals and by-products circuit; they have made significant effort to convert, sulphur dioxide from the smelter gas emissions to valuable products.

Mr William stated that in collaboration with Dubai based company, Konsultanz, they have completed a successful prefeasibility study to prove the viability of a range of chemical products including fertilizer, stock feed and detergent soap. 

The feasibility study is now being advanced to bankable stage with sourcing of raw materials being a key priority and it is anticipated that the study will be completed by December this year.

“With regards to precious metal and minerals, in line with diversifying from nickel to other minerals, we are satisfied with exploration in this area. BCL has signed contracts with partners to explore for gold in two projects in Zimbabwe, “he said.

He said the exploration for diamonds in Western Botswana is ongoing, with drilling results proving positive for diamondiferous kimberlites. Laboratory tests would be complete by December 2015, he said.

Mr William explained that BCL continues to explore options in copper and would make announcements as the copper strategy unfolds. 

He also added that BCL had acquired a coal exploration license and would commence work in the second half of 2015. ENDS