03 Apr 2022

 Botswana Minerals Policy 2022 should contain clear beneficiation strategies for the mineral sector.
That is a suggestion by Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse in his contribution to the debate on the policy recently
Mr Keorapetse argued that beneficiation in the mineral sector would lead to diversification of the economy and creation of many jobs.

Therefore, he said the policy should indicate clear strategies on how beneficiation would be carried out in the diamonds, soda ash, gold as well as copper and nickel industries.
“Since the discovery of minerals in recoverable quantities the beneficiation was never a priority for this government.
It was never considered until recently in somewhat a half-hearted manner,” he said.

Mr Keorapetse said the mining industry should focus on value addition and creation of more jobs, instead of concentrating only on extraction and exportation of raw materials.
He further said the policy should compel government to facilitate and provide guarantees for the acquisition of loans by citizen owned companies in the mining industry.
For his part, Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said though the policy had some objectives on beneficiation, its lack of clear targets and timeliness on the issue was a concern.
He said lack of beneficiation from the industry led to many jobs being exported abroad.

“If those job opportunities can be brought back to this country, there will be no unemployed young person in Botswana,” he said.
Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana emphasised the need for transparency in contractual negotiations and agreements between government and foreign-owned mining companies.
Responding to issues raised by MPs, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi assured them that beneficiation from the mineral industry was among the key objectives of the Botswana Minerals Policy.

“This policy is going to be followed by the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill, which will be presented to Parliament soon.
Afterwards, the frameworks, regulations, programmes, projects, targets and timeliness will also be specified,” he said.

Mr Moagi added that processes were ongoing to ensure beneficiation from the soda ash mined in Botswana. He further informed legislators that some citizens were participants in the mining sector as well as diamond cutting and polishing processes.
Parliament nevertheless adopted the policy. ENDS