Zim firm eyes Zutshwa salt mine
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday October 26, 2026 06:00
The proposed partnership could unlock the potential of the community-owned brine and salt harvesting project, which is managed by the Qhaa Qhing Conservation Trust, as it seeks investment and machinery to scale up operations and diversify production.
Zutshwa Salt Mine Finance and Administration Officer Tlamelo Shadikong recently told this publication that the mine was seeking investors to support its expansion, noting that limited equipment had constrained its ability to increase output and venture into soda ash production.
“We are looking for investors to increase our production, as the mine has potential. We also need machinery to scale up our production,” she said.
Shadikong said the mine also wanted to venture into soda ash production, which she described as having greater revenue potential than salt. However, the project currently lacks the machinery required to produce the mineral commercially.
She said assessments had reportedly indicated that Zutshwa had the potential to produce high-quality salt, strengthening the case for investment in the operation.
The mine currently employs 20 community members, who rotate every six months to ensure that more residents benefit from the project.
“This is to ensure every member of the society benefits from the mine, as it is the only main source of income. “I believe if we scale up, the whole community would be able to benefit at once,” Shadikong said.
The expansion drive comes as the mine seeks to strengthen its market position and restore its relationship with the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), which had been its major customer.
Shadikong said the mine had supplied high-purity salt to BAMB from 2024, but the relationship had deteriorated before the end of their contract. The parties have since revisited the agreement, although supplies have been suspended.
“We have since stopped supplying BAMB, which was our major client, and have revisited the contract, but we are hopeful we will come to an agreement,” she said.
Meanwhile, the mine continues to supply local farmers with salt at P60 per 50kg bag at the factory, with additional charges applying to deliveries.
Zutshwa Salt Mine has previously received support from the United Nations Development Programme, BirdLife Botswana, and the Local Enterprise Authority. The assistance helped expand its crystallisation ponds and introduce solar power capabilities to support operations.
The mine was reportedly first discovered by German explorers in 1984 who were working with the Rural Industry Innovation Centre (RIIC) but failed to pick up. The project was revived around 2014 through community and government support.