19 Mar 2019

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Eric Molale, says negotiations between Botswana and De Beers are a confidential dialogue between the participating parties. Answering a question in parliament on March 18, 2019, Minister Molale said negotiations by their nature were a confidential dialogue between the participating parties.

“The negotiations between government of Botswana and De Beers are no different,” he said.

He said the two parties could agree to make public statements before, during and after the negotiations, without compromising the sanctity of the subject of negotiations. Minister Molale said there should be no fear of compromising sovereignty as the Heads of Agreements on Negotiations were agreed upon by Cabinet prior to commencement of the negotiations.

He said government of Botswana’s mandate was to negotiate to achieve an outcome that was in the interest of Batswana, noting therefore that the issue of lack of transparency does not arise, nor does that of compromise of sovereignty. Minister Molale said the renewal of mining licences was done according to the relevant legislation, in this case, the Mines and Minerals Act of 1999.

He said he was currently in the process of amending the Act, but the subject in question was not part of the envisaged amendments.

The Member of Parliament for Jwaneng-Mabutsane Mr Shawn Ntlhaile had asked the minister to up-date parliament on the ongoing negotiations between Debswana and De beers for renewal of licence to mine diamonds and also to state if lack of transparency in the negotiations will not compromise the sovereignty of the country.Mr Ntlhaile also wanted the minister to say if the renewal of the mining licence process is in line with international best practice and what assessment is being undertaken to amend Section 51 of the Mines and Mineral Act. ENDS