Botswana govt says it can’t run the mining sector
By Staff Reporter
Botswana’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security says the government is not good at business and should give way where opportunity exists for the private sector.
But this is contrary to counsel that President Mokgweetsi Masisi gave to his Malawian counterpart, Peter Mutharika, during a recent visit that the government of that country should ensure that it controls a bigger stake in the mining sector.
Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security permanent Cornelius Dekop, clarified in a press release on Tuesday that media reports suggesting the government of Botswana will open and operate closed Bamangwato Concessions Limited (BCL) mine again were false.
“The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security wishes to clarify the latest pronouncements in the media following a Press Conference by the Honourable Minister Eric Molale,” Dekop stated. “The statements project a false message that Government will open and operate the BCL mine again. The Minister made it clear at the press conference that Government is not good at business and should give way where an opportunity exists for the private sector. Therefore, the Ministry and Government will not assume a similar role in BCL as in the past. The private sector will in their own determination, but facilitated by Government, assume any future investment in BCL.”
He disclosed that the Masisi-led administration was going the private sector investment way.
“As pointed out at the Press Conference, the Minister has held discussions with the Liquidator on grouping the assets and liabilities of the mine expeditiously, so that any interested investor can purchase or assume part or all of such assets and liabilities,” stated Dekop. “This will enable those aspects of the mine that could be put back to life to resume business through private sector investment.”CL LIMITED BEGAN ITS OPERATIONS IN AUGUST 1956 WITH A MEETING ARRANGED BY JOHN BUCHUNAN, CHAIRMAN OF MINERALS SEPARATION LIMITED BETWEEN TSHEKEDI KHAMA, REGENT OF THE BANGWATO TRIBE IN THE BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE AND SIR RONALD PRAIN, CHAIRMIN 1966 HIGHER GRADE ORE WAS DISCOVERED AT PHIKWE. THE SELEBI PHIKWE ORE DEPOSITS ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY BCL LIMITED IN WHICH THE BOTSWANA GOVERNMENT HAS 7.5%; LION ORE MINING INTERNATIONAL GROUP HAS 6%, BOTSWANA RST LTD 85% AND 1.5% BY OTHERS.
