19 Oct 2026

Government is committed to supporting Khoemacau Copper Mine to reach full production capacity as the mine’s owners, China Minmetals Corporation (CMC), invest nearly US$1 billion (about P13. 7 billion) in expansion.

Speaking during a meeting with CMC management in Beijing on October 16, President Advocate Duma Boko said government was ready to facilitate work permits and visas for technical experts to ensure the project progressed as planned.

“The project is clearly going to anchor that area and the region to the development of a mining city,” he said and commended CMC for contributing to job creation and skills transfer.

 “I also welcome the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly mining in compliance with Botswana laws,” he said.

President Boko further stated that Botswana had enormous mineral potential that could drive economic growth. CMC spokesperson, Mr Chen Dixen said the company would leverage its strength across the metals and minerals value chain, to contribute further to Botswana’s economic growth and people’s well-being.

“In 2025 alone, the mine paid US$33 million (about P453 million) in local taxes and fees, with local procurement totalling US$347 million (about P4.8 billion). This helped to create jobs and support economic growth,” he said.

Launched in February this year, Phase two expansion, he said was expected to increase annual copper output from about 50 000 tonnes to 130 000 tonnes by 2028 and create more than 4 000 jobs.

“CMC will also support skills development through a Centre of Mining Excellence at Maun Technical College, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, and advance green development through solar and energy storage projects, he said.

CMC acquired Khoemacau in November 2023 for US$1.875 billion (about P26 billion), with the transaction completed in March 2024, marking the largest single investment by a Chinese company in Botswana.

The investment features in the strengthening of Botswana-China relations under the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership established by President Boko and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping. ENDS