31 Aug 2026

Government is shifting how it measures the success of mining operations, with new rules set to focus on the value retained locally and the citizen capabilities built, rather than only production tonnage and royalties.

Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Kenewendo, announced the policy direction during a follow-up visit to Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) last week to assess the impact of the mine’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP). 

During an earlier visit in April last year, the minister had challenged MCM leadership to show tangible progress in jobs, skills development and enterprise growth through CEEP.

“The days of measuring a mining operation’s contribution purely by tonnage or royalties are ending,” Ms Kenewendo said. 

She revealed that government iwas finalising new Mines and Minerals Regulations that would mandate greater local beneficiation and stronger local content requirements across all mineral value chains, including coal.

The minister stressed that citizen participation was not a corporate social responsibility add-on, but a core government policy anchored in the National Development Plan and the Economic Transformation Programme.

Highlighting MCM’s strategic importance, Ms Kenewendo said the mine sat at the centre of national energy security. 

Botswana currently consumes nearly 4 800 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, with peak demand approaching 700 megawatts.

To close historical supply gaps and position Botswana as a net exporter of electricity, she said, the ministry was pursuing several projects. 

These, she said included remedial works at Morupule B power station, development of a new base-load coal station, advancement of the Mmamabula coal project, and utility-scale solar projects in Mmadinare, Jwaneng and other areas.

“Coal is not a relic in our energy strategy. It is, for the foreseeable future, a foundation of it, and Morupule is that foundation,” the minister said.

Ms Kenewendo outlined a broader sector transformation aimed at ending the raw export of minerals. 

She said government was advancing copper-led diversification through the Kalahari Copper Belt, supporting expansions at Khoemacau, and studying the feasibility of a domestic copper refinery. 

She added that critical minerals exploration was also underway across the roughly 70 per cent of the country that remained geologically unexplored. In diamonds, the focus is shifting toward deepening trading, beneficiation and branding.

The minister commended MCM for its safety record, noting 25 years without a fatality and a strong Lost Time Injury rate. She described the milestone as the result of deliberate efforts and said it reflected the ‘zero harm’ standard expected of all licensed operators.

During a tour of business stalls and review of outcomes from MCM’s Lion’s Den pitching initiative, Ms Kenewendo praised the growth of citizen-owned companies. These include soil and dust binder firms, engineering companies, and chemical solution suppliers that emerged directly from the mine’s supply chain.

She urged all mining operators to create space for local capabilities to grow and compete internationally.

MCM Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edwin Elias, said CEEP is building a more resilient mine while turning national policy into lasting opportunities for Batswana.

He noted the programme goes beyond procurement. Participating businesses receive support in capacity building, mentorship, export readiness, intellectual property, industry standards and market access. 

“The goal is to help local companies grow beyond traditional mine contracts and compete in wider regional and international markets,” Mr Elias said. ENDS