07 Jun 2022

 Since implementation of Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP), Debswana mining company’s spending on citizen businesses has increased by 74 per cent in three years, Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines general mananger, Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa has said when briefing Boteti councillors in Orapa recently.

He said from 2019 to 2021 citizen spend increased on citizen-owned drilling, manufacturing, engineering, construction and technology companies, among others.

 He said through CEEP, Debswana aimed to localise repairs and maintenance services as well as ownership transformation of Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Citizen-owned companies that benefited through CEEP include Rivoliyer, Diamond Spectrum, Cleaning Wizards, Oddio Logix, Tlou drilling and K&M Mining.

Debswana, he said, aimed to localise fuel and logistics long term contracts, citing that fuel supply and logistics contract transition and community truck stop legacy project in Letlhakane were underway.

In addition, Mr Maoketsa indicated that the supply of lubricants tender was also underway.

Moreover, he noted that there would be manufacturing opportunities at various stages of procurement, indicating that HDPE pipes tender for locally manufactured products was out in May.

He indicated that tyre pyrolysis-waste and rubber beneficiation would produce fuel for both Orapa and Jwaneng, with a target of 1 700 jobs at each site.

The initiative was currently going through governance process.

He said Rollers and Idlers equipment business case was also underway.

On other issues, Debswana, he said was on a digital transformation journey to improve efficiency and productivity.

He stated that various technology choices were being explored, noting that the impact of each on people and jobs would be assessed with time.

Mr Maoketsa indicated that the objective was to upskill the workforce for any gaps brought about by technology acquisition or any change in operational requirements.

Changes or retrenchments, he said, would be the last resort and would be done within the current national legislation and agreements with the union in order to minimise job losses.

Councillor Ntebogang Kgosi expressed concern that Debswana was taking long to resolve issues of farmers who were affected by Orapa Game Park expansion.

He further requested Debswana to partner with government in developing roads in Letlhakane. ENDS