Jwaneng braces for Cut 8's impact

Jwaneng Town, with a population of about 18, 000 people, is bracing itself for the influx of more than 2, 000 workers assembling in the mining town to accelerate the P3.4 billion expansion of the Debswana mine pit.

The mammoth project involves the stripping away of 713 million tonnes of waste between 2010 and 2016 to expose an additional 75 million tonnes of kimberlite, extending Jwaneng Mine's lifespan by seven years. In recent weeks, scores of contract workers, mainly expatriate, have descended on Jwaneng, shifting focus to the project's impact on the mining town's social and economic spheres.

Last week, a meeting of Cut 8 project team leaders and civic leaders highlighted the various positive and negative aspects the pit expansion has brought to Jwaneng. While Cut 8's benefits to Jwaneng's economy are not in doubt, concerns have been raised over the town's capacity to handle the swelling population and impact of this on the community.

Editor's Comment
The people have spoken

In fact, early election results in some areas across the country, speak to large voter turnout which suggests that voters crowded at polling stations to decide appropriately. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) revealed that 80% of the 1,037,684 people who had registered to vote turned up to exercise their right.It’s unfortunate that at the time of cobbling this editorial comment, results had just started trickling in. We recognise that...

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