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
Mabogo dinku a thebana

According to both the acting director of Veterinary Services, Kobedi Segale and acting Lands and Agriculture minister, Edwin Dikoloti, the virus currently raging through the North-East mostly likely first entered the country during the festive season.From the “unprecedented” number of cases picked in testing last week, it is likely that cattle and other livestock could have been infected last year, without being reported.Animal health...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up