Botswana to speed up mining licence applications

Permanent secretary Gabaake Gabaake said in Perth that proposed changes to mining legislation would be effected by the end of 2011."The new minerals policy objectives will ensure economic benefits for Botswana are maximised from the resource recovery while enabling private investors to earn competitive returns," he said. "We take seriously return to investors from projects and we have ensured such investors can repatriate profits so that a competitive environment to stimulate mineral exploration and exploitation ensues."

Gabaake said Botswana would aim to issue prospecting licences within 60 days of application, mining licences within 30 days and diamond export permits within two days.He explained that the strategy included emphasis mineral beneficiation and downstream activities in Botswana where feasible, and encouraging diversification.