11 Oct 2016

The Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang has informed Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC) employees that they were affected by the  closure of the BCL mine in Selebi Phikwe.

Addressing the employees on Monday (October 10), Advocate Kebonang said the BCL’s provisional liquidation did not only affect the mine but its subsidiary TNMC as well.

He explained that over the years, BCL incurred high operational costs as opposed to its income, forcing the government to bail it out hence the decision to put it under provisional liquidation.

Advocate Kebonang assured the employees that the liquidator, mine’s management and the union would be in constant consultation to update them on the way forward.

He further said the decision to put the mine under provisional liquidation was not politically motivated but was entirely an economic decision.

The chairperson of the newly formed Mineral Development Company of Botswana, Ms Regina Sikalesele-Vaka said the liquidator would assess the situation and advice on the next course of action regarding assets, creditors and employees.

She said while she was not in any position to say how long the employees would get their salaries, she could however assure them that the liquidator would in every decision give them first priority.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development who is also Selibe Phikwe East MP, Mr Nonofo Molefhi assured the employees that although they would be home, their current salary arrangement would prevail until further notice.

For his part, Tati East MP, Mr Samson Guma said the decision to provisionally liquidate the mine was long overdue adding that as a legislator, he would not find it prudent for government to keep on pumping funds into the mine when it continued to operate at a loss.

He said while he was aware that the closure of the mine would negatively impact on the economy of the area, government initiatives such as SPEDU would assist.

Also in the delegation was Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy, Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse and senior government officials. ENDS