09 Oct 2015

Botswana has extensive and unexploited coal resources which could help the government to diversify the economy, says the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Dikagiso Mokotedi.

Giving welcome remarks at the 8^th Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) seminar titled: Coal to specialty chemicals on Tuesday, Mr Mokotedi said the topic was relevant as it would address the issue of adding value to coal resources in Botswana.

The demand for coal-for-energy, Mr Mokotedi said, has increased significantly nationally, regionally and internationally. He added that there was the potential to produce coal based products from coal.

Due to the abundant coal resources, he said the government has developed a national coal strategy for the orderly, timely and beneficial exploitation of the resource.

“I am told that the quality of Botswana’s  coal resources compares favourably with other coals available in the market and is suitable for the export market, for domestic and export power and for use in the coal to liquids sector,” he said.

“I believe that there are already significant advances in the area of clean coal technology that our country could benefit from to reduce harmful emissions to the atmosphere,” he added.

The permanent secretary said adding value to Botswana’s coal resources would be a major achievement for the country’s economic diversification efforts. 

“We must embrace these technological developments and support organisations like BITRI that are making advances in these areas,” he said.

Mr Mokotedi said the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation was collaborating with a local energy company. He said the firm has provided BITRI with coal to liquid technology which would be used in research on speciality chemicals and household fuels.

He said known coal resources in Botswana were over 202 billion tonnes, adding that the current coal mine (Morule Colliery) was expanded to produce three million tonnes per annum, adding that it was insignificant in comparison to known reserves.

Sharing his expertise on coal to liquid technology, Professor Burt Davis from the United States, who was the guest speaker at the seminar, said Botswana’s abundant coal resources constitute a strength that the government could leverage on for maximum benefit to the nation.

Prof. Davis’ collaboration and discussions with BITRI in the area of clean coal technology is expected to help establish a chemicals industry in Botswana in the future.

In his closing remarks, Botswana Oil Limited (BOL) chief executive officer, Mr Willie Mokgatlhe commended BITRI for undertaking research in the area of coal to specialty chemicals.

“It is through such research that we can achieve the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) and increase the prosperity of our nation,” he said.

Mr Mokgatlhe noted that the country was a net importer of petroleum products, and that it has traditionally relied heavily on South Africa to source them despite its significant coal deposits that could be exploited to produce fuels and chemicals. 

He said through research conducted by companies such as BITRI, the country could explore how best to utilise its coal resources for the benefit of all citizens. He added that this could create value for the country in numerous ways, including contributing to import substitution, economic diversification and research.

Mr Mokgatlhe said BITRI’s seminars were critical platforms of engagement which could serve as a networking opportunity as well as an information gathering and sharing experience for all stakeholders involved in the area of conversion of coal to speciality chemicals and the energy sector in general.

He said the content of the seminar was timely and relevant to many locally and internationally based organisations that were active in the petroleum industry.

He added that the discussions would also allow for further discussions across various areas, enabling collaboration and informing strategy decision making for organisations active in the production of speciality chemicals and the energy sphere.

The seminar was part of the institute’s series of public seminars held every two months as one of the ways of promoting science and technology for society. The seminar was also aimed at sharing knowledge and exchanging research on topics relevant to the BITRI mandate. The next seminar will be held in December. Ends