A dimming copper dream suddenly burns bright

Friday, March 24, 2023 | 1970 Views |

Better days: BCL Mine’s smelter will likely be sold off piecemeal

As local copper production bounces back from the meltdown in 2016, the new players have been reluctant to venture into the smelting activities made famous by BCL Mine’s chimney fumes. However, a study due by December could produce a refinery, a value-added step beyond smelting, reports Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Since the base metal meltdown of 2016, when a commodity price rout crashed operations at BCL Ltd, Discovery Metals and African Copper, the local copper sector has slowly and painfully pulled itself back up from the collapse.

As prices have picked up since, players such as Khoemacau Copper Mining and Premium Nickel Resources Botswana, located on the Kalahari Copperbelt and at the former BCL respectively, have led the base metal sector’s revival and are presently the most advanced projects.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

BOTEPCO hosted the first-ever Africa Teaching and Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) conference. PIC.KINGSLEY KUDA

Gaborone hosts landmark continental education summit

Kingsley Kuda | 6 h ago

Mmegi sports journalist gets global recognition

staff writer | 8 h ago

Cowpeas worth P15m rot in silo

Mbongeni Mguni | 9 h ago

Every child is precious

TUDUETSO KELAPILE | 11 h ago

Union leaders fire salvos at Boko

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | 1d ago

We aren't backtracking on ConCourt – Boko

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | 1d ago

Alcohol not an excuse for murder, rules Kebonang

Pini Bothoko | 1d ago

High Court throws out bidder for 'skipping' Tribunal

Innocent Selatlhwa | 1d ago

Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

The Monitor Editor | 05 May 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.