27 Sep 2022

Botswana is expected to commence exporting Sodium Metabisulphite (SMBS) and phosphorus used in cobalt extraction in the next nine to 12 months.

 That is when the P200m chemical manufacturing project undertaken by Kemcore and Vinmart in Selebi Phikwe is expected to be completed.

Facilitated by SPEDU, the project entails construction of a 50 000 tonnes per annum SMBS plant and 12 000 tonnes per annum phosphoric acid plant in the first phase.

The products would serve directly as chemical inputs into  cobalt producing mines for global transformation towards energy efficiency, particularly electric vehicles that promote a cleaner environment hence mitigating against the effects of climate change.

The P200 million project will see the country exporting Sodium Metabisulphite (SMBS) and phosphorus in the next nine to 12 months. A green product, SMBS is a recovery agent for the extraction of cobalt, which is used in the manufacturing of batteries.

Production of the chemical was therefore in alignment with trends the globe was moving to,  said Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Beauty Manake during a ground breaking ceremony for the project on Monday.

She explained that the products had a ready market around the globe with major mines in the DRC and South Africa.

The company already had commital orders and exportation would commence immediately the project was completed.

“This is highly commendable as these efforts contribute significantly to Botswana export industry just as well as the economy of the country and Selebi Phikwe mainly through sustainable job creation,” said Ms Manake.

She said Kemcore and Vinmart had pledged to source services from Selebi Phikwe.

The project, which is also expected to create about 70 permanent jobs in its first phase, will also see a revamp of the railway line as raw materials would be transported from Botash to Selebi Phikwe.

Ms Manake stated that Botash would contribute 57 per cent of the raw materials in the form of soda ash while the other component, sulphur, would be imported from the Middle East.

 She added that there were high prospects of using locally mined sulphur.

“This is a great milestone as this railway line was previously used by BCL mine and now underutilized. The benefits of this project will not only affect Selebi Phikwe but also the whole country,” she said.

Kemcore’s Group chief operating officer, Mr Godfrey Johnson thanked SPEDU and government for making it possible for the company to set up in Selebi Phikwe.

“We recognise that Botswana has significant potential and we are excited by the opportunities available. We see the company being part of an important downstream activity with the company procuring the majority of its raw materials from Botash and export all products produced,” he said.

He said China currently produced 90 per cent of SMBS which presented Botswana with an opportunity to penetrate the international market.

Mr Johnson said since SMBS was a green product, ‘Botswana is now part of the green revolution’.

MP for Selebi Phikwe Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse commended Kemcore and Vinmart for choosing Selebi Phikwe to embark on the project adding that it would help diversify the country’s economy.

“Selebi Phikwe is becoming a beacon of hope in the quest to diversify the economy and also to beneficiate our minerals,” he said.

The project is expected  to create 150 permanent jobs after completion of all phases.

In addition to the plants,  the project includes development of support structures such as an administration office block, raw materials and finished products warehouses, weighbridge, workers change rooms and dining facilities. ENDS