Debswana pushes Cut 3 start date back

Getting bigger: Orapa Mine is due to expand from 2028 PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Getting bigger: Orapa Mine is due to expand from 2028 PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

FRANCISTOWN: Debswana’s Orapa, Letlhakane, and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) general manager, Mogakolodi Maoketsa, has announced that the highly anticipated Cut 3 Project, aimed at expanding open-pit operations, will now be commissioned in 2028, a year later than initially forecast.

Initially, Debswana had indicated that mining from Cut 3 would commence in 2027. The project is currently in the feasibility study phase and preparations for commissioning are set to start in 2025. Maoketsa explained at a stakeholder briefing last week that the reason for the delay is the ample stock from Cut 2 operations due to economic trends and market volatility.

He stated, "The stockpiles and available resources at Cut 2 will last us for several years." The Cut 3 Project involves expanding the 52-year-old Orapa Mine pit to access previously unreachable resources.

Editor's Comment
BDP primaries leave a lot to be desired

The BDP as a party known to have ample resources has always held its primaries well in time, but this time around that was not the case. The first leg of the primaries was held last weekend, with the final leg being billed for the coming weekend. This time around, the BDP failed to shine in its primary elections. The elections were chaotic; most if not all polling stations didn't open at the specified time of 6am. Loyal BDP members braved the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up