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
A promising step for public schools, but...

For too long, the state of many public schools has been a source of shame. We have all seen the pictures and heard the stories of broken windows, unreliable water and electricity, topped by classrooms that are not fit for proper learning. The establishment of the Education Infrastructure and Management Company Ltd (EIMC) signals that authorities are finally ready to take this problem seriously. We must commend the government for this initiative....

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