Mmegi

Glimmers of hope in mining’s doom and gloom

Anchoring hope: Kenewendo at the Future of Mining Summit PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Anchoring hope: Kenewendo at the Future of Mining Summit PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Between multi-billion Pula expansions in copper and a P3 billion U.S government loan for the Kanye manganese project, mining is alive with hope. Even the troubled diamond sector received a timely boost this week from a landmark marketing deal. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

It’s quite easy to conflate the downturn in diamonds with a slump in the general mining industry. In fact, it’s almost inevitable.

After all, diamonds dominate receipts earned from the mining sector in terms of tax revenues, royalties and dividends to government. The country’s diamond mines have the highest direct and indirect employment figures in the mining sector and are also the main breadwinners in terms of foreign currency receipts.

Editor's Comment
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...

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