29 May 2022

Botswana is looking into tapping from neighbouring South Africa on mine productions.

This emanated from the meeting between Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi and South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe recently.

Minister Mantashe was in the country and visited the Debswana Jwaneng mine following a recent meeting with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, where the latter had lobbied South Africa to support Botswana in her bid to host the Kimberly Process

Mr Mantashe described his visit to the mine as successful, something he said would afford them valuable experience especially that they operated a few open cast mines.

He said it was also important to appreciate the difference in operations between Botswana and South Africa.

On the other hand, Minister Moagi thanked Mr Mantashe for his visit, saying it was important for the two countries to learn from each another as mining neighbours owing to the relatable bilateral issues.

“Because South Africa also has big open cast mines like Mogalakwena, Botswana could therefore learn from them, including on issues of mine economics,” Mr Moagi said. Ends