Diversification drive gains momentum

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Baledzi Gaolathe said at the Selebi-Phikwe full council meeting on Monday that the government has made a commitment that the copper-nickel mining town will not die. Gaolathe said there is an exploration project to find more ore reserves and extend the life of the BCL mine that sustains the town. The BCL exploration and drilling programme, which is funded by the European Union (EU) is currently under tender and is estimated at P90 million.

Gaolathe said the contract is expected to start at the end of the year and to conclude in December 2009. "This drilling programme will be a constituent in the final estimate of BCL life," he said. He added that BCL has undertaken an independent social impact assessment study of the mine closure. The study will advise BCL on its social responsibility at the time of mine closure.