13 Jul 2017

The Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang says the liquidation process follows a legal process and once finalised, the liquidator lays proceeds before the master of the High Court. 

Advocate Kebonang said former employees of the now defunct Messina Copper Botswana,i ncluding other creditors, have not yet been paid their benefits. 

He also stated that the Mowana mine plant was commissioned in April 2017, adding that the potential substantive financers of the new management requested that the plant run for at least three months in order for them to ascertain the plant viability, and efficiency of the mine operations prior to their final investment commitment. 

Advocate Kebonang further pointed out that it was his commitment and that of his ministry to routinely visit all mining operations in the country, including Mowana mine. 

He added that government was  committed to facilitating mining operations in the country to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently, adding that it was essential that they were up-to-date with their various operations. 

The Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister if he was aware that former African Copper Mine employees had not been given their terminal benefits. 

MP Majaga also wanted to know when the new management would finish their exercise of commissioning the plant because they required three months. ENDs