09 May 2022

Botswana’s participation in this week’s  Investment In African Mining Indaba held in Cape Town, South Africa,  affords the country an opportunity to improve capacity in the minerals sector. 

This was said by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi in an interview on the sidelines of the indaba’s ministerial session on Sunday.

Mr Moagi said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, would, as head of delegation, use the occasion to champion Botswana’s prospects in the mining industry.

“The President is the country’s chief diplomat. He is here to talk to the various important global mining stakeholders and market the big opportunities that exist for the mining industry in Botswana,” he said.

Mr Moagi said since the event brought together different sector players, it also gave them  opportunities for networking, luring investors and learning new methods being used in different  fields of mining and its downstream activities.

Botswana, he said, had the potential for expanding its mineral commodities sector.

“With the abundance of mineral resources at our disposal, we should be able to find investment into improving how we conduct our mining and downstream activities in order to generate income and jobs for the country and its citizens,” he said.

The event, held under the theme: “Evolution of African Mining: Investing In The Energy Transition, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and the Economies” has attracted captains of industry and government leaders including the presidents of Botswana, South Africa and Zambia as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo prime minister.

“We would be interested in collaborating with these sister states; for example, Botswana and Zambia both produce copper and if we develop refineries, we should collaborate in that regard,” said Mr Moagi.

He said Botswana would also use the occasion to canvass support for  its  Kimberley Process Secretariat hosting bid. 

Additionally, it would pursue partnerships for investing in safer means of utilising coal as well as investing in environmentally safe renewable energy sources, the minister said. BOPA