05 Sep 2019

For at least a year, Kalahari, Namibia and Botswana conservation link, will not worry about the running costs of its offspring, CL Wolcott vulture restaurant near Ghanzi, thanks to Tshukudu Metals Botswana.

Following a partnership launched recently, Tshukudu Metals Botswana is set to take care of CL Wolcott vulture restaurant’s running expenses such as salaries, fuel, and maintenance of vehicles and acquiring educational material, for a year.

Speaking at the launch, Tshukudu Metals Botswana Executive Director and Country Manager, Mr Gaba Chinyepi said it was befitting to plough back into the community that had been hosting them since 2011.

Mr Chinyepi, who hinted they would start mining at Kuke and D’kar, stated that there was a time when they could not afford a bottle of water as metal prizes went down. He detailed how the company rose from financial depression and added that abundance of copper deposits along the Ghanzi-Chobe belt gave confidence that the company would reach greater heights.

 In an interview with BOPA, he stated that the mother company, MOD Resources, was going through a merging process with an Australian company Sandfire resources and that the process had passed through the Competitive Authority stage. He said projections suggested that they would start mining in 2020-2021.

Ms Hanri Ethlers of KANABO conservation link said it was motivating to see companies like Tshukudu Metals Botswana showing interest in conservation, adding that it was crucial to protect vultures as they provide free cleanup services.

She said the CL Wolcott vulture restaurant was not only a safe feeding place for vultures, but it was also used for educational purposes. Tshukudu Metals Botswana general manager-exploration, Mr Kebalemogile Tau appealed to KANABO conservation link to manage the relationship with care, saying it should not end on a bad note.

 Mr Tau said poor management of funds and lack of financial reports could spoil the relationship, adding for the company to continue helping other organisations, KANABO conservation link should be the standard. ENDS