21 Nov 2017

Parliament has been told that at least 7 589 jobs have been lost since 2010 from mines that were closed.

Answering a question in Parliament from the MP for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang said Mowana Copper Mine closed on December 2015 and reopened in April 2017. 

According to the minister, at least 500 jobs were lost. He said the mine was transferred to Leboam company and resumed operation on April 2017.

Further, Parliament heard that 413 jobs were lost when Bosetu Mine closed on 2014 and subsequently liquidated on March 9, 2015. The mine was sold to Khoemacau in July 2015.

Bosetu facilities are anticipated to be used for treatment of ore produced from Khoemacau’s Zone 5 Mine, which is expected to be developed starting 2019.

On the other hand, BCL Group’s Tati Nickle Mine closed on October 2016 with 764 jobs lost while  liquidation process is still ongoing.

Lerala Diamond Minewas closed in July 2012 and reopened in April 2016, but subsequently closed again in July 2017.

At least 199 jobs were lost and liquidation process is ongoing.   

BCL Mine closed on October 2016 with 5 134 jobs lost and liquidation process is ongoing.  BK11 Diamond was closed February 2012 with 165 jobs lost.

The mine is under care and maintenance, while owners are still looking for investors who may be interested in acquisition of the property.

Meanwhile, Ghaghoo Diamond Mine closed its doors in March 2017 and is under care and maintenance and is awaiting improvements in the market.

The mine shed 263 jobs. Damtshaa closed on December 2015 and reopened on October 2017 and is under care and maintenance.

None of the employees lost their jobs as they were transferred to Orapa-Letlhakane operations. The mine recommenced operation in October 2017.

MP Majaga had asked the minister to state the names of closed mines in Botswana and jobs lost due to closures as well as to state future plans for those mines. ENDS