Closure of mines worry Francistown councilors
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday March 8, 2016 14:31
Recently there have been closures of mines around the city which civic leaders say negatively affects the economy of the city.
Many businesses, especially the rentals industry, depended on the mines for their survival.
Francistown is surrounded by the Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC), Mupane mine, Botswana Ash and the now closed Mowana and Thakadu mines.
Recently Moolman Avens Mining Company that does excavations for TNMC retrenched more than 500 people.
During a full council meeting yesterday, Satellite South councillor, Godisamang Radisigo, presented a motion calling on mining houses (TNMC and Mupane) to brief the councillors about their operations.
Radisigo said for many years, the mines in the outskirts of the city of Francistown have been retrenching workers, which he added, is a worrying phenomena because they employed many people who live in Francistown.
“We have to know how these mines are operating, either positive or negative and not only know about what is happening in the news,” said Radisigo, citing an example of the recent retrenchment of Mupane mine that was well chronicled in the newspapers.
“The retrenched mine workers have families to take care of. Being left jobless will affect a lot of lives and not only the city’s economy,” said Radisigo, pleading for the matter to be given the urgency it deserves. Specially elected councilor, James Kgalajwe, supported the motion.
He said the economy of Francistown is intertwined with the mining houses around it and will negatively be affected if the mines keep on retrenching workers.
“These mines have employed thousands of people who contribute immensely to the city’s economy on a daily basis and when mines continue to retrench workers, Francistown’s economy will be badly affected,” said Kgalajwe.
He said even some of the mines that are still operating are not certain about their lifespan hence the need for them to brief the council about their operations.
He said knowing how the mines are operating will make the public appreciate their problems and help the council to intervene if possible.
Other councillors supported the motion stating that the mines have been contributing immensely to the city’s economy and their closure is a great concern.
Late last year, African Copper Mine (ACM) closed down its Mowana operations citing low metal prices.
Around May last year, ACM also closed down its Thakadu operations due to the declining metal prices, leaving hundreds of workers in the lurch.