06 Nov 2023

 The presence of internationally accredited laboratories at the Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) enhances the capacity of the institution to produce accurate analysis and evaluation of geological samples.

The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi, said during the hand-over ceremony of the ISO IEC 17025 accreditation certificate to the BGI laboratory by the Southern Africa Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) in Lobatse last week.

Mr Moagi said accreditation of the laboratory demonstrated the BGI’s intention to achieve excellence in geoscience.

“By ensuring that our laboratories meet international standards, we are enhancing our capability to accurately analyse and evaluate geological samples, leading to more informed decision-making in our exploration and mining sector,” he  said.

The accreditation would lead to more exploration companies and individuals taking their samples to BGI laboratories and a reduction in the money spent sending geological samples abroad for analysis, which costs the BGI P1.2 billion annually. 

He said achievement of the accreditation aligned perfectly with the aim of the national development agenda, Vision 2036, of transforming Botswana into a high income status through innovation and technological advancement.

“This accomplishment is in line with the Botswana Minerals Policy which recognises the importance of geoscience research and exploration in unlocking the potential our mineral resources,” he said.

The accreditation was a reflection of government’s commitment to uphold the National Quality Policy which emphasised the importance of quality assurance throughout the economy.

By obtaining the SADCAS accreditation, BGI had demonstrated its adherence to rigorous quality standards and ensured reliable and accurate results that could be trusted by both domestic and international stakeholders.Mr Moagi said sample export statistics indicated that companies and individuals engaged in exploration, mining, research and consultancy in Botswana had been exporting the service and urged them to start taking samples to BGI laboratories.

He said government was also supporting efforts by BGI to extend the laboratory analysis services to Selebi Phikwe and Francistown.

He commended the BGI leadership and staff for ensuring that the laboratory was successfully accredited.

SADCAS’ Chief Executive Officer, Ms Eve Gadzikwa, explained that accreditation confirmed BGI laboratory’s competency to consistently provide accurate results.

Ms Gadzikwa said BGI was the 23rd testing laboratory in Botswana and the 110th in SADC to be accredited by SADCAS, a multi-economy accreditation body established in terms of the SADC Protocol on Trade and offered accreditation services as well as training in accreditation related courses in 14 SADC member states.

“The BGI has been accredited to the international standard ISO IEC 17025 of 2017 for its scope in chemical analysis and has been granted the unique accreditation number test 50081 indicating that BGI is now an internationally recognised testing laboratory,” she said.

She said the certificate which was issued in June this year was valid until June 2028.

BGI board member, Mr Thabo Balopi, said accreditation was assurance that BGI performed quality, reliable and sustainable sampling and testing.“This is an important step in our journey towards commercialisation,” he said. “Our 2023-2028 strategy talks to finding ways that BGI can be sustainably funded, using funds from government but also finding ways that we can raise funds.”

ENDS