BCL MD dismisses allegations of mine closure
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday July 22, 2016 18:00
In a business update targeting over 4,000 direct staff members of the BCL mine, the mine’s managing director, Dan Mahupela has vehemently refuted allegations of the impending mine closure.
“We inform you that at this session Botswana Cabinet resolved to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee to assess the state of affairs of BCL business and advise Cabinet appropriately,” reads the BCL business update in part, adding that the sub-committee is expected to be on-site within three weeks from July 15.
Mahupela emphasised in his brief that to the best of his knowledge no decision has been made by Cabinet to close BCL operations. “As you may be aware, there are some reports making rounds about the eminent closure of BCL and alleging that Cabinet has already taken a decision and timelines of closure confirmed. That is not true,” he said. With such developments and the serious pressure the business is undergoing, he said “we wish to encourage you to remain focused and to work diligently and safely.”
In his business update, Mahupela also encouraged BCL miners to remain positive so that they can be able to save the mine and do all they can individually and as a collective.
“We have to pursue all possibilities and options such as improving production, cost saving and reducing waste as far as possible,” appealed Mahupela in the update.
“It’s reassuring to share with you that, lately there has been a steady recovery in the commodity prices and our hard work will be rewarded. The business needs persistence and determination from all of us to survive the current challenges,” he added.
Quizzed on the BCL mine business update and the mine’s impending closure, BCL Mine public relations and marketing manager, James Molosankwe was diametrically dismissive of the whole affair.
He was reluctant to respond because the Minister of Minerals , Energy and Water Resources, Kitso Mokaila had already responded to recent media reports on the alleged BCL mine impending closure, dismissing such as misleading and unfounded.