16 Jun 2025

Ministry of Minerals and Energy is prioritising copper as a key economic driver in the global energy transition. 

Speaking during the Future of Mining Summit 2025 in Gaborone yesterday, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo said government was advancing a new strategy, which focused on development along the value chains of non-diamond minerals.  

Focusing on copper-led diversification, she said was backed by increased exploration in the Kalahari copper belt and digital access to geological data.

“We therefore need to promote exploration in the Kalahari Copper Belt to discover new deposits. To achieve this, we must mobilise resources and invite exploration companies. As mentioned, this should be relatively easy, as the information is readily available,” she said.

She  said it was fitting for government to consider reopening Tati Nickel Mine which had potential to create over 500 employment opportunities and bring in billions in revenue to government coffers.

Ms Kenewendo described the expansions of Motheo Mine and the acquisition of Khoemacau by Australian-based mineral exploring giant, Belararox as a move set to offer the potential for large-scale copper mining in Botswana. She said that the country’s mineral policy would target cooper-led diversification for local empowerment and initiative which also sought to boost citizen participation and attract sustainable investment.

With regards to ongoing difficulties in the diamond industry, Minister Kenewendo said Botswana remained optimistic about the future of its mining sector, putting emphasis  on diversifying mineral resources to capitalise on emerging global markets. She said, while the diamond market faced challenges, the mining sector still presented opportunities beyond diamonds, particularly in base copper, nickel and iron ore.  “Although the downturn in diamonds has created a perception of a sector in decline, the broader mining industry is still thriving in other areas,” Ms Kenewendo said, adding  that mining remained the backbone of Botswana’s economy 

Cognizant of the fact that diamonds had for decades been the jewel on Botswana’s crown, Ms Kenewendo said it was important to use this credibility to build and lead the global conversation in the mining sector’s next chapter.

This, she said could nonetheless not happen in isolation as it required a collective effort of government, the private sector, business association and other key stakeholders working together.

To that extend, she said there was need to deal with some of the bureaucracies faced in governance pleading for some stewardship from the private sector to speed implementation. 

Minister said she was confident  that the rebound of the diamond sector was on the horizon owing to the efforts government put in resuscitation of the diamond sector. Ms Kenewando said that Botswana championed and put her hand up to provide strong leadership in the diamond industry and in leading back the demand  that was  needed  in the diamond  industry  so as  to  continue financing the country’s  economy. She said Botswana in partnership with De Beers was working towards the differentiation between the natural diamonds and their synthetic competitors.

“We are working to ensure that we defend the natural diamond industry and champion that sector with the hope that the diamond industry will bounce back towards the end of year, despite the well documented setbacks like geopolitical instability and the proposed tariffs,” she said. ENDS