16 May 2021

Khoemacau Mine executive officer, Mr Johan Ferreira has expressed optimism that the mine will grow to become a major player in the mining sector in a few years to come.  

He told the parliamentary portfolio committee for tourism, natural resources and climate change that the mine’s first copper concentration would be produced in a month. He noted that they had not yet started generating any revenue. 

He informed the committee that they prided themselves in using state of the art technology, and that their wish was to grow and contribute to the development of communities in the eight villages around the mine.

Mr Ferreira also said they intended to develop and grow citizen companies in order to ensure their participation in the supply value chain. He added that even when the mine was no longer operational, they would have the capacity to participate in other areas of the economy.

He said the mine upheld high standards in taking care of the environment, adding that their funders and shareholders held them accountable to high levels of international standards when it came to environmental, social and governance standards. 

The committee also learnt that the mine was operating in a COVID-19 compliant manner as safety measures were in place to comply with health protocols. 

Members of the committee acknowledged the mine’s potential to create employment opportunities once in production.The chairperson of the committee, Mr Polson Majaga noted that interest was more on operations and what was being done to sustain the environment for the future.

The committee’ mandate, he said, was mainly to exercise parliamentary oversight and scrutiny over government ministries, departments and agencies with portfolio responsibilities in respect of tourism, natural resources, minerals, energy, water, environment and climate change.

Mr Mabuse Pule appreciated the facility, saying it held the future of the country. 

He stated that the committee’s biggest interest was how they managed climate change, saying they should have a clear strategy on renewable energy and how they protected the environment.

Mr Wynter Mmolotsi asked if the mine had pensions and insurance policies for employees. 

He noted that some closed mines failed to cater for their employees and that they turned into beggars.

The management, however, confirmed that the employees were catered for in terms of pensions and insurance. ends