FCC, NEDC clash over Tati mine
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday May 12, 2025 14:19
According to Furniture, Tati Nickel mine is situated in Matsiloje which falls under the North East District Council (NEDC).
When addressing recent FCC full council session, Francistown city mayor Gaone Majere announced that the mine will soon commence operations under new ownership.
The mine, which has been placed on care and maintenance for years after shutting down, is set to run for the next 10 years.
The closure of Tati Nickel Mine Company (TNMC) resulted in the loss of over 700 direct jobs when it liquidated in 2016. It was reported last year that NIU Investment, an Austrian firm whose director is Cevdet Caner, has put forward a solid proposal to purchase TNMC through indirect wholly owned subsidiary Tataki mining company.
In an interview, Furniture said the first consultation with the new mine owners was done between January and February.
The MP also said that during the dialogue they discovered that the new owner’s plan was to start the operations by the end of this year.
He stated that he was taken aback when it was revealed during the FCC full council session recently that the mine would rather open in April this year.
According to the Tati East MP such decision by the local city authorities to make the announcement was uncalled for because the mine is under the NEDC.
Furniture told Mmegi that although the mine is outside their purview, FCC officials decided to be greedy with it.
He stated that just because Francistown is the closest city and companies obtain resources or supplies including new mine owners doesn’t mean that the FCC have to patronise the process.
Furniture emphasised that it was essential for the NEDC to be allowed to lead the negotiations and the FCC to be brought on board as an extra stakeholder.
He stated that currently the investors are on the ground and they have been granted the license and land evaluation has already commenced.
Additionally, he indicated that even though the mine is situated in Matsiloje it is going to benefit all including those in and outside the region.
He stated that the job opportunities created by the mine will benefit everyone.
The Tati East legislator also believed that the reopening of the mine will once again play a crucial role in boosting economic activities in both regions and the country as a whole.
On his part Majere denied claims made by Furniture.
Instead, he clarified that the FCC leadership is just facilitating and giving update about the mine because it was once one of the key players in the economy of the second city.
Majere also said last consultation meeting included tribal leaders and councillors from different villages such at Matsiloje and Matshelagabedi.
He added that last week Tuesday the Ambassador of Botswana to the United States, Kitso Mokaila, was to facilitate a meeting in order to update MPs about the mine.
The meeting was rescheduled because the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi who is also Francistown South MP, was abroad on other government engagements.
When addressing the full council session in March, Majere said that the mine is expected to open with a projected employment of 400 people.
Majere also stated that the mine is expected to boost the city’s economy and support other sectors such as retail, property and transport.
“We shall from time to time engage with the mine on how we can work together to develop Francistown and create value chains around mining operations,” he said then.