01 Nov 2015

The government is committed to ensuring that base metals benefit the economy of the country, says the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila. 

Speaking at the second Base Metals Beneficiation Forum in Francistown recently, minister Mokaila said the aim of the forum was to transform Botswana into a regional metallurgical hub. 

He recalled that during the previous forum in July last year in Maun, the conveners had deliberated on the Terms of Reference (ToRs) to carry out a pre-feasibility Study on how to move forward with the development and implementation of the base metals beneficiation strategy.

“A task force was formed with the objective of establishing the potential sufficiency and longevity of resources to warrant and support local beneficiation of base metals,” he said, adding that the task force came up with the ToRs for the pre-feasibility after gathering all the required information. 

In preparation of the engagement of consultancy services, Mr Mokaila said the task force examined the available base metal resources information and refining technology.  He said part of the preliminary outcomes indicated that the minimum required tonnage of 100 000 tonnes of copper in concentrate was achievable in Botswana, considering the current operations and envisaged projects.

The minister cited Discovery Metal’s 36 000 tonnes, African Copper at 14 000 and Khoemacau with 50 000 tonnes as examples. 

He noted that exciting times lay ahead in Botswana’s mining industry with the formation by government of the Minerals Development Company Botswana (MDCB) in 2013 to effectively manage government investments in mining. 

He noted that the government was now in the process of transferring its assets in mining companies to MDCB.

“If the results of the pre-feasibility study can prove the base-metals refinery project to be viable in Botswana, the government may consider acquiring a stake in it through MDCB,” he pointed out.

Mr Mokaila said it would therefore be prudent for the mining companies and financiers to start thinking about the possible opportunities that could be presented by the refinery project and how they can position themselves. 

On minerals policy and regulatory framework, the minister said government continued to research and benchmark against the best mining jurisdictions citing their recent trip to Chile where they learnt a lot on how best Botswana can manage her mineral resources to benefit her people. 

“The government continues with its commitment to support the mining industry and paving way for a sustainable base metals beneficiation industry through provision of the necessary infrastructure like grid power, roads, and water, to name a few,” he said.

Earlier on, when giving welcome remarks, the chief executive officer of Botswana Chamber of Mines, Mr Charles Siwawa said the Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources had engaged a South African company, Worley Parson Consultant, to do the national base metal pre-feasibility study. 

The study was to look at mines currently on production in Botswana, mines development and known ore bodies, available markets, values of base metals in Botswana according to their geographical locations and available infrastructures to help achieve greater successes in the mining industry of Botswana. 

The managing director of Tati Nickel, Mr Ditiro Lentswe had also earlier on presented on ‘safety moment,’ saying for Botswana to be successful in her mining industry, safety on mines had to take first priority.  He cited a recent accident at Tati Nickel Mine in which one of their employees was seriously injured on duty. 

Mr Lentswe said there should be zero tolerance for mine accidents and therefore advised mining leaders to ensure safety compliance at all times to achieve greater mining productivity. Ends