Canadian firm sweetens BCL deal with P4.3bn
Friday, February 19, 2021
BCL mine
In a public notice seen by Mmegi, BCL Ltd liquidators said the Canadian minerals investor had also pledged to make a financial contribution to the care and maintenance activities taking place at BCL Ltd. The BCL Ltd group, which includes BCL and Tati Nickel mines, closed in October 2016 with the loss of more than 5,000 jobs. Government is currently paying the bill for care and maintenance activities.
The Canadian firm has six months to conduct a due diligence exercise on the mines before making an offer for the outright purchase of the BCL Ltd assets it wants.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...