The diamond company has in this regard issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting bids for partnerships in the development of a national Repair and Rebuild Centre. It has also engaged other mining companies to support the project by committing portions of their repair and maintenance needs to the facility. The envisaged collaboration is expected to strengthen local capacity and ensure sustainability in the mining sector. Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, revealed that Debswana’s commitment to enhancing local value chains is centred on two key initiatives. These are local manufacturing depot and the Repair and Rebuild Centre.
When addressing Parliament recently, she said the mining giant has partnered with the Botswana Chamber of Mines (BCM) to drive local manufacturing in the mining industry at a national level. The initiative involves close collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), SPEDU and financial institutions. "As part of this effort, Debswana has actively created market opportunities for locally manufactured products," Kenewendo said. The minister added that some of the key achievements include engaging 34 Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from across the country to supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to Debswana mines. By the end of 2024, the engaged SMMEs had secured orders worth P34 million and in the process supporting 700 jobs. Another supplier was of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes that are manufactured in Taung, near Ramotswa, valued at P42 million and creating 50 jobs.
