Global crisis takes centre stage at Resource Conference

Brian Benza
Staff Writer | Thursday June 11, 2009 00:00

 

The conference focused on, among other issues, the impact on the operations of various mining companies in Botswana by the global financial crisis and how they have responded to the squeeze on credit lines. Beneficiation was another topical issue after a presentation by the coordinator of the Diamond Hub, Dr Akolang Tombale while the diversification of Botswana's mining industry to include coal, uranium and copper mining also grabbed attention.

The conference is organised by Capital Resources. It is an annual event that serves as a networking forum to showcase investment opportunities in Botswana's resources sector.

The conference is endorsed by the government of Botswana and has been running for five years. This year's edition attracted over 300 delegates from the resources and financial sectors. Participants included fund managers, brokers, analysts, resource companies and delegates from the Botswana government.

Investment in the Botswana resource sector has decreased as a result of the global economic crisis though significant projects are available for investors to take-up.

Most companies involved in uranium, coal, copper, nickel and diamonds made presentations yesterday when delegates listened to representatives from companies like A-Cap, Discovery Metals, African Diamonds and economist Dr Keith Jefferis who looked at the impact and response to the global financial and economic crisis on the Botswana economy.

Today companies that will make presentations include Mmamabula Energy project promoters CIC Energy, Rockwell Diamonds, Aviva, African Energy, Mount Burgess, Debswana, Plant Gas, MSA Geoservices and the soon-to-be introduced commodity exchange, Bourse Africa. In addition to the high calibre presentations, there will be pre- and post- conference road shows for some of the resource projects highlighted at the conference.