12 Oct 2016

The Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has informed Mmadinare residents that though BCL Mine has been placed under provisional liquidation, all is not lost.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Mmadinare on Monday (Wednesday 12),  Mr Masisi called on all to be cooperative until the provisional liquidation process was completed.

He commended some Mmadinare residents who accepted the fate of BCL Mine, noting that the closure of the mine was eminent. Some of the residents noted that it was time to work together with government until the liquidation process was completed.

Mr Masisi said people should not despair since there were other alternative ways to continue living without BCL Mine. He gave an example of mines that closed due to unprofitable results of mining copper and nickel such as Bosetu and Mowana mines amongst others, indicating that life continued despite the closure of the mines.

He said businesses in the region should strive to be competitive to contribute towards the economy of the region.

He called on parents and relatives to welcome former employees when they return home and help them to pursue projects that would benefit them.

He indicated that there might be breaking-up of families because some spouses would now be jobless. He urged families to stay united and be supportive of each other.

He stated that government was committed to Selebi Phikwe and the region to mitigate the effects of the closure of BCL Mine and to help bring back the economy of the region up on its feet.

He said SPEDU had been assigned to resuscitate the economy of the region and plans were in place to deal with tourism and manufacturing among other business opportunities.

Regarding concerns raised that the smoke from the BCL Mine had impacted negatively on the environment, Mr Masisi said plans would be put in place to try and mitigate the problem.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Mmadinare and also Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila said closure of BCL Mine had affected Mmadinare.

He stated that Mmadinare would be a source of hope for Selebi Phikwe in form of creating employment as business projects being pioneered by SPEDU in the region such as dam tourism projects, acqua-culture projects and horticulture projects along the Dikgatlhong and Letsibogo dams would have a positive factor on the economy of the region. ENDS