15 Jan 2019

A multi-billion pula project that is expected to kick off in 2021 is going to create over 900 jobs of various categories.

Briefing the residents of Makoro and surrounding lands in a kgotla meeting addressed by Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Moiseraela Goya, Shumba Energy Coal Mines country manager, Mr Comfort Molosiwa informed them that the expected mines would be divided into two sections, being Segakwana and Shalakwe lands.

He said Shalakwe lands is expected to cost about P12 billion as it includes the 300 megawatts power station with an underground mine, and it is expected to create 500 jobs. He said Segakwana is estimated to cost about P2 billion and create 400 jobs, and that it will be an open pit shaft mine as they had realised that coal is just 20 metres from the surface.

He said 2.5 billion tonnes of coal would be exported annually and the mine was expected to last for more than 1 000 years. 

He said for Segwakwana/Masuakoloi, consultations with all stakeholders were at an advanced stage and they had already engaged with Environmental Impact Assessment offices, while private assessment companies were employed to come up with a compensation programmes for those who would be affected.

Mr Molosiwa said engagement of private companies did not mean that they should not continue with consultation with owners of the farmers, adding that they would be meeting them one on one. 

He noted that they were aware that the development is going to affect farming as land would be taken.

He said the mines would outsource some of the work such as truck hiring, accommodation, transporting of employees to and from work.

Mr Molosiwa said the project was expected to help diversify the economy of the country. 

Meanwhile, when wrapping his tour, MP Goya appreciated a donation from Makoro Bricks general operations manager, Ms Dorcus Mosesha, who promised 24 pallets of bricks towards the construction of a storeroom.  

She said the donation was in response to an appeal by residents to help their field technicians with a storeroom as they were sharing their residential houses with poisonous seeds.

Ms Mosesha requested the Independent Electoral Commission to consider establishing polling stations where there were large numbers of people, especially at big industries such as Makoro and Morupule, noting that Makoro had 414 employees.

Thabane land residents appealed to their MP to consider giving them Ipelegeng projects such as clearing of roads, cutting of trees and dam excavating. 

Mr Goya urged his electorate to utilise the recent rains and plough. Ends