28 Aug 2018

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane has lauded Lucara Botswana for being actively engaged in financing projects aimed at empowering the Boteti community.

Mr Tsogwane was giving the keynote address during the official renaming of the Canadian mining company’s local subsidiary from Boteti Mining to Lucara Botswana in Gaborone on August 27.

The vice president, who is also the MP for Boteti West, acknowledged the role of  the company in uplifting the community.

“I can confirm that the relationship that exists between Boteti residents and Lucara Botswana is indeed a solid one.

It is characterized by amicable consultation, regional development and oneness.  

The unity between Boteti residents and Lucara Botswana is made even more evident as the region has allowed Boteti Mining to carry the name of the beloved diamond area for the past six years since its inception,” Mr Tsogwane said.

The vice president said he had recently officiated at the launch of the company’s community projects in Mokubilo where Lucara Botswana had partnered with residents to undertake various projects including the Mokubilo Integrated Farm, Mmadikola Hardware Store and Khwee Integrated Farm. “Government welcomes such initiatives and will continue to support organisations like Lucara Botswana for ploughing back into communities, especially in the drive to improve people’s livelihoods,” Mr Tsogwane said.

Lucara Botswana managing director, Ms Naseem Lahri said they had chosen to rebrand because of their ambition of being a nationwide player, extending future operations beyond Boteti, where they have been operating the Karowe Mine.

She said the mine had over the past two years yielded the 1109 carat Lesedi La Rona, the second largest gem quality diamond ever, which was sold for US $53 813 and the US $63.1 million Constellation diamond which set a record for the rough gem.

“As we rebrand, we intend to expand our footprint to the rest of the country, employing Batswana and imparting skills for the attainment of the National Vision 2036 and beyond,” Ms Lahri said.

Lucara Botswana chief executive officer (CEO) Ms Eira Thomas thanked the government for the fiscal and regulatory environment which she said encouraged investment in mining.ENDS