08 Jul 2013

Debswana is committed to environmental sustainability and conservation by partnering with other key stakeholders, says Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines (OLDM) Senior Manager – support services, Mr Thatayaone Sithole.

Mr Sithole said at the inauguration Corporate Social Investment (CSI) litter picking exercise at the intersection of Orapa/Francistown and Letlhakane/Mmatshumu roads on July 6 that the importance of the campaign is to curb any possible health hazards for the people living in the environment.

He said the cleanup campaign is aimed at making the area appeal to road users and the local community.

He said the project is part and parcel of what Debswana want to create, build and maintain so that communities do not only benefit from the legacy of diamonds, but also gain something from a close working relationship.

“It attests to our commitment of ensuring that mining and the environment operate harmoniously together”, he said.Mr Sithole said it is every citizen’s responsibility to ensure that they do not litter, emit harmful gasses into the atmosphere and even fail to do any sustainable practices that can conserve the environment.

He said caring for the environment must be a habitual practice.

He said for the second phase of the project, OLDM pledges to build brick wall compounds at the junction to house disposal bins and protect litter from being scattered by animals. 

He also said Skip hire waste management company has accepted a request to partner with OLDM in the environmental care exercise. They will collect litter from this point on a monthly basis for disposal, he said.

However, Mr Sithole who is also Chairman of OLDM CSI board has appealed to the community of Boteti to make use of funding disbursed through CSI for community projects.

He said funds for the current year are still available appealing to the community to submit project requests for funding.