24 Oct 2022

The establishment of Orapa south gate at a cost of P58 million is demonstration of Debswana’s commitment to upholding the highest safety standards. 

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said this when officiating at the gate’s opening on Saturday. 

By opening the gate,  the mine met the safety needs and wellbeing of stakeholders, he said.

Vice President Tsogwane said diamond consumers demanded the highest safety and environment standards from producers. 

They were also concerned about issues of sustainability and considered companies with  the highest ethical standards that ensured workers and stakeholder safety and wellbeing as best to buy from, he said.

Mr Tsogwane said taking public traffic away from the east gate road, which went between two decommissioned fine residue slurry dams, was also to allow for unhindered rehabilitation of the dams. 

The vice president expressed pleasure that the project was awarded to and successfully executed by four citizen companies.

 Debswana managing director, Mr Andrew Motsomi said through the project, Debswana had demonstrated its commitment to address safety risks associated with the east gate. 

He said the company had taken into consideration  the facility’s sustainability and had ensured it was fully solar powered with a net zero carbon footprint. 

The new gate, he said, was fully powered by a 93 kW solar system  comprising  234 solar panels.

It also had a backup battery that gave up to four days power supply, Mr Motsomi said.

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines general manager, Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa said the gate project comprised construction of the facility as well as a 5km access road. 

He said it boasted four kiosks which had been allocated to Boteti District local businesses through open competitive bidding.

Two additional kiosks were earmarked for disadvantaged communities within the area, explained Mr Maoketsa. 

He said a well-lit overnight parking facility for delivery trucks together with ablution amenities for drivers had been provided. 

For his part, MP for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said closing the east gate was a step in the right direction because it was too close to the mine. 

He proposed the  use of identity cards instead of permits to gain entrance to the township. 

The MP also implored the mine to invest six per cent of its annual budget in the Boteti region. ENDS