BCL closure slows economic growth

Ripple effects: Electricty and coal production are some of the sectors affected by the BCL closure
Ripple effects: Electricty and coal production are some of the sectors affected by the BCL closure

The economy grew at a slower rate of 0.8% in the first three months of the year compared to 2.3% in the same period last year as the full effects of the closure of BCL in the fourth quarter of 2016 come into play.

Although the economy’s new driver, the services sector continued to perform well, it was the 28.9% decrease in the real mining value added that largely slowed economic growth.

BCL’s closure also affected coal production with Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) reducing output while the water and electricity sector also reduced output due to the closure of the copper and nickel mines.

Editor's Comment
Batswana need to do better to stop FMD

It is a clear signal that the government’s purse is empty and that our own behaviour has left veterinary officials fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. We have been here before. During COVID-19, many of us thought we knew better. We ignored simple rules, we carried on as if the danger was someone else’s problem, and the virus took lives and left our economy on its knees. We are still broke from that experience. Yet now, with FMD...

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