15 Apr 2018

The mining sector has over the past 30 years been the biggest contributor to Botswana’s economy with agriculture and tourism following closely.

In the recent years, due to dropping share prices in minerals, with the diamond mostly affected, the mining sector has dropped its GDP contribution to Botswana’s economy. 

This has left government with the need to instill longevity beneficiation from mining for Batswana.

Speaking at a two-day Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition in Gaborone recently, Morupule Coal Mine director, Dr Ignatius Matshediso explained the importance of exploration in mining projects to grow the industry in Botswana.

Dr Matshediso stressed the importance of exploration projects involving technology to advance practices in mining projects. 

He listed areas of improvement for mining exploration in Botswana such as; growing the information technology to allow for easy access of mining and geological information online, boosting local capability through skills development and small scale mining, the ease of doing business for both local and foreign investors with flexible legislature frameworks.

He further explained that through technology, accessibility of mine locations would be easy as drones could give location information at the comfort of one’s office. 

The director also stated that exploration in mining was valuable to enable entrepreneurs, both local and foreign, to invest in Botswana. 

Botswana, which has heavily relied on diamond mining, has seen the need to diversify its economy after the value of the diamond plummeted in 2016.

Dr Matshediso stated that mining conferences were vital to promote more talks for growth in the mining sector.

The Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition was hosting its second event since 2017. ENDS