30 Mar 2022

The Cut 3 project scheduled 2023 has been rescheduled 2027. This come the realisation that Cut 2 had proved to have potential to produce more diamonds.

The General Manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM), Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa told a stakeholders’ meeting in Orapa on Monday that Cut 3 was going to create more employment opportunities as it was going to mine 70 to 80 million tonnes of ore per year, citing that they had been producing 20 million tonnes per year.

Mr Maoketsa stated that the project was going to increase business opportunities as associated long term service providers were expected to increase to support additional mining infrastructure and fleet.

He also indicated that the project would require a significant number of accommodation units depending on final mining solution.

The project he said called for partnerships with local authorities as well Public Private Partnerships to upgrade the existing infrastructure and services.

Furthermore, Mr Maoketsa said Debswana had developed a community benefit framework, as it was crucial to develop communities for them to supply the mine.

Debswana, he said had spent P23 billion a year on citizen economic empowerment, adding “Orapa today, Boteti tomorrow is alive, it started with expansion of the game park and museum”.

He noted that they had started collecting entrance fees at the park and the museum.

For his part, Senior Assistant Council Secretary, Mr Christopher Maramba said Debswana funded a number projects under Boteti Sub-district such as the Xhumo Horticultural Farm, Khwee Beef Ranch, Mmatshumo Gaing’O Trust Ablution Block, Buuhe, Setoto and Makolwane settlements.

Mr Maramba said Xhumo Horticultural Farm project started in February 2016 and was funded to the tune of P1 million, whilst another funding came from Constituency Community Project amounting to P662 289.

He also indicated that Khwee Beef Ranch was funded at a total of P2.825 million with Debswana funding it at P650 000, with P575 000 coming from Community Developments and P1.6 million from Constituency Community Project.

Kgosi Ewetsemang Retlhatloleng of Letlhakane expressed concern about unresolved cases of some members of community who were relocated during the expansion of Orapa Game Park Whilst Letlhakane Village Development Committee Chairperson, Mr Shadrack Teseletso requested to be updated on the proposed training centre at Boteti Brigade.

Mr Teseletso also complained about poor roads in Letlhakane, requesting Debswana to assist with machinery. Ms Joyce Mukani, a member ‘Ntlo ya Botsetse’ a group women dedicated to helping expectant from cattleposts and settlements around Letlhakane with shelter to reduce maternal mortality, requested financial assistance to establish a pre-confinement shelter for expectant mothers.

In response, Mr Maoketsa said Debswana had committed to use part of Boteti Brigade and make it a training centre, noting however that since Cut 3, had been rescheduled, the training centre project would be thus similarly affected.

He admitted that Orapa Game Park expansion relocation issues were still pending, but would all be resolved by the end of the year, adding that some of the issues would be addressed under the company’s Corporate Social Investment programme. ENDS