25 Jul 2021

Having spent eight years on exploration, Khoemacau Copper Mine has now moved to the actual production of the copper concentrate this year June.

Chief Executive Officer Johan Fereira told a press conference Thursday that the mine was funded through foreign investment and about P10 billion was spent in the initial stage of the mining project.

He said the company sold concentrate to an off-taker who transported it to various destinations outside the country for smelting to extract copper and silver.

He said the Mine project had a capacity of between 155 000 and 165 000 tonnes of copper and silver concentrate.

Mr Fereira noted that Khoemacau Copper Mine was the first mine in the Kalahari Copper Belt and had potential for other mining investments in the country.

He said COVID-19 had negatively affected the prices and export of diamonds, but copper might do well even in the current circumstances, a scenario that would help the country’s economy.

The mine’s Managing Director, Mr Boikobo Paya said that the mine exported the first copper concentrate in July 19 this year. Mr Paya said that global demand for copper was high due to its use in electric appliances as well as infrastructural developments.

He said that the mining company had various programmes in place to assist the eight villages surrounding the Khoemacau Copper mine.

The mine processing plant manager, Mr Mompati Babusi had earlier explained to the media during a tour that the Khoemacau mine produced the highest grade of copper in Botswana.

Mr Babusi said the copper concentrate produced had about 40 per cent copper.

“The mine produces about 3. 65 million tonnes of ore per annum and about 10 000 tonnes of ore per day,” Mr Babusi said.

Meanwhile, President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to officially open the mine this Friday. ENDS