28 Nov 2021

The church plays a significant role in fighting inequality and upholding morality.

Speaking during the official opening of Botswana Council of Churches (BCC) National Alternative Mining forum in Maun on November 26, Karowe Mine general manager, Mr Johane Mchive said the church had proven its commitment to socio-economic development in Botswana from pre-independence.

As such he said the church’s commitment to socio-economic development enhanced commitment from sectors such as mining.

Mr Mchive said as such the church had laid foundations in operations of the health sector and partnered with government in management of some health facilities across the country.

The mining industry, he said was committed to ensuring that its resources benefited communities.

Giving an example of his mining company of Lucara Botswana, he said it had aligned its Corporate Social Responsibility policis to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MR Mchive said if the church played its role, other development institutions would open up for collaboration with communities.

In his remarks, BCC General Secretary, Reverend Gabriel Tsuaneng said the Alternative Mining Forum had been held annually for nine years.

Rev Tsuaneng said the church believed that people should benefit from natural resources such as mining industry.

He said the church perceived mining as an issue of justice therefore held the forum to engage all parties involved in policy and strategy development with a view to promoting good governance with issues around negative impacts of mining on the environment and agriculture.

Rev Tsuaneng said going forward, the forum would seek participation of the government. Ends