Phikwe suitable for base metals refinery � study
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday October 21, 2016 16:58
According to a report that was conducted by the then ministry of minerals, energy and water resources, more could be achieved in terms of sustainability if the refinery was to be built in Selebi-Phikwe.
In 2014, the ministry together with the industry embarked on a pre-feasibility study to assess the possibilities of refining base metals in the country.
Speaking at a Mining and Energy expo hosted by Shell this week, Botswana Chamber of Mines CEO, Charles Siwawa said the study has indicated that Selebi-Phikwe could be the right place to house the refinery, which will economically benefit the town thus, create jobs.
“It is still our hope that this study will reach its logical conclusion and present to the industry an opportunity to forego transport costs for their concentrate to countries outside of Botswana,” he said.
However, Siwawa said the oldest base metals mine is reeling under pressure of provisional liquidation noting that the hope is that a buyer is found soon to save the mine from going under.
“We have recently experienced the liquidation of two mines against the backdrop of lower commodity prices but fortunately both mines have found buyers and anticipate to start production soon,” he said.
Further he said this did not mean that the mines are sub-economical but that the prices currently being paid for their products are too low to be sustained over a protracted period of time.
In addition, he said the government has just licensed the first uranium mine in the country located in the Serule area noting that it will also boost the mining economy in the country once it starts to operate.
He suggested that the diamond industry has to look at smaller deposits as a form of adding value to the economy noting that the strategy has paid dividends in that Karowe Mine has produced the largest diamond in the past 100 years at 1,111 carats.
Siwawa also noted that there are also deposits of iron ore, manganese, lead/zinc that will in future be turned into viable mines.
“The future of mining in the country is good and I encourage investors to look at this country as a good destination for their capital expenditure.
The fact that Botswana is placed amongst the top in terms of mining investment destination is by no means a coincidence,” he said.