Dark skies return to BCL Mine

Trouble times: Workers at BCL are bearing the brunt of the blues
Trouble times: Workers at BCL are bearing the brunt of the blues

News that BCL Mine workers will get their October salaries later than usual – the second such time this year – is only the latest sign that the glory days at the copper and nickel operation are on hold, at least for now. Staff Writers, MBONGENI MGUNI and ONALENNA MODIKWA KELEBEILE uncover the latest troubles at Botswana’s oldest mine.

Seven years ago, BCL Mine executives gathered in Gaborone and handed government a cheque for approximately P30 million, being the first dividend paid after years of financial stress caused mainly by poor global base metal prices.

Montwedi Mphathi, the then general manager, could afford a smile on that occasion, having steered the mine through a trying period of operational losses, during which he became every unionist’s number one enemy.

Editor's Comment
Get back what was stolen, and lock the door

That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...

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