01 Jun 2021

Minister of Minerals Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi, says government will help facilitate and expedite execution of Tshukudu metals’ Motheo project.

He pledged this during his recent visit to Tshukudu Metals Botswana, which was yet to start its first mining operation dubbed Motheo project along Kalahari Copper Belt in Ghanzi region.

The minister said government was in the process of establishing a sub-power station that would ease the mining operations of Tshukudu Metals. 

Mr Moagi cautioned that though mining had economic value, aspirations of the community should never be neglected.

He stated that mining operations would disturb livelihoods of pastoral and arable farmers and some would be compelled to make way for mining operations. 

Therefore, environment and social assessment must be done in good faith. 

Ghanzi District Council chairperson, Mr Thato Tshweneyagae, said the Ghanzi community had embraced ythe project since it would stimulate and diversify the region’s beef based economy as well as creating employment. 

He said there would be skill transfer hence boosting prospect of knowledge-based economy.

For his part, Ghanzi North legislator, Mr Johane Thiite pleaded with Tshukudu Metal officials to establish a forum in which the company and constituency office could chat issues relating to the constituency.

Minister Moagi, who was accompanied by director of mines, Ms Sellinah Mogojwa, also had closed-door meetings with farmers affected by mining developments. ENDS