15 Dec 2019

Morupule B Power Station is undergoing a four-year remediation project to correct design and construction defects, says Ramotswa MP, Mr Lefoko Moagi.

Responding to the State-of-the-Nation Address, Mr Moagi who is also Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security said remediation involved rebuilding of boilers and one generation unit.

He said his ministry was actively exploring the substitution of imported material and equipment that was being used to create jobs and mitigate the balance of payment.

This, he said was being pursued through the local manufacture of transformers, concrete poles, and electricity metres as well as prospecting for limestone in Botswana. He said if sourced locally, the limestone used for removal of sulphur dioxide emissions at Morupule B power station would substitute for imports.

He also talked about the Rural Electrification programme, saying it had electrified 399 villages of the 495 gazetted, thus bringing the level of rural electrification to 80 per cent. 

He said Botswana Power Cooperation was also implementing the North West Transmission Grind project that would strengthen and extend the electricity transmission backbone from Morupule to Orapa, Maun, Ghanzi, Shakawe and Gumare.

He said the project would reduce dependency on electricity imports for areas in the north-western districts and was due for completion in March 2020.  

“The project will unlock the economic potential of the North West and Ghanzi districts, in particular unlocking the copper deposits and the tourism industry and enhance the ability to export excess power to Namibia,” he said.

Further, Mr Moagi stated that Debswana was planning to reopen the Apprentice and Artisan Training Centre for training Batswana to position themselves to be employed in Botswana’s mining industry.

He also highlighted that the Orapa cut 3 project was currently at an extended pre-feasibility stage with the objective to deliver the most optimal business case for implementation and extend the life of the mine from 2031 to 2046.

He said Lucara-Karowe mine was also undertaking a feasibility study with a view to go underground in 2023 to increase the life of the mine to 2041, adding that the mine continued to recover exceptionally large stones due to their state of the art recovery plant installed for large stone recovery.

He said the government was committed to diversifying the economy away from diamonds through the improvement of geological information and facilitation of the development of other minerals.

The development of the diamond beneficiation strategy, he said aimed at enhancing Botswana as a diamond capital even beyond mining years which mainly targeted developing skills in the downstream diamond processes including valuation, sales and marketing.

With regard to BCL, Minister Moagi said the government was aware of the significant impact the liquidation of BCL group has had on the surrounding communities hence a task team had been appointed to work with the liquidator to delineate the assets in order to expedite the decision.

“My Ministry through Mineral Development Company Botswana in collaboration with the liquidator will conduct the necessary studies next financial year to rehabilitate those areas of the mine with the potential to reopen and make safe, areas which have been degraded by the mining operations,” he said.

He highlighted that it was government’s intention to avail resources and capacity to find a speedy conclusion to the liquidation process inclusive of litigations against the BCL estate as well as to identify and act on new opportunities.

Meanwhile, Mr Moagi pleaded with the government to service plots in Seuwane to assist his constituents with residential plots. He applauded the recent construction of the Boatle/Gaborone dual carriage.

He, however, called for the resurfacing of the Boatle/Ramotswa border post road as well as the 24 hours operation of the Ramotswa border post facilities. Ends