Africa-Press – Botswana. The Xaudum iron ore exploration project is poised to transform the economies of Botswana and Namibia, strengthening their ties and solidifying their place in the international market.
This was a sentiment shared by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae and his Namibian counterpart, Minister of Works and Transport, Mr Veikko Nekundi, following a recent tour of the project’s warehouse at the Maun International Airport.
Both ministers praised the project, located near Shakawe, for its commercial potential, emphasising the need for robust support to bring it to fruition.
Minister Salakae said he was excited about the project, noting ‘it looks like God’s eyes are now facing Africa, especially Botswana.’
He noted that the project underscored the urgency for both nations to build a railway line from Botswana directly to Namibia’s Walvis Bay.
The minister also highlighted the project as demonstration to Africa’s rapid progress in regional integration, as the new trade corridor could facilitate the transport of commodities to Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Katima Mulilo.
“Africa is waking up and seeing the reality that we need to do something to better the lives of our people,” Mr Salakae said, emphasising that such projects were key to community development, skills transfer and economic growth.
He added that while government was clear on the path forward, financing remained a challenge, and hence exploring a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to leverage the private sector.
For his part, Minister Nekundi echoed the sentiments, calling the project strategically important for both nations.
He stated that it would enable extensive collaboration on logistics, with the iron ore being transported to the international market via the Walvis Bay Port.
“With our collaborative efforts and with our sisterly strategic relations, the iron ore shall be transported to the international market through the Walvis Bay port,” he said.
He also noted that Namibia was already at an advanced stage of developing the Trans-Zambezi railway line, which would link Grootfontein to Katima Mulilo via Divundu, just 35 kilometres from Shakawe. He said the railway would be crucial for connecting Botswana to the port.
Meanwhile, Mr Moagi Ntukununu, an administrator for Gcwhihaba Resources Company, which is registered on the Canadian Stock Exchange, provided an update on the project.
He confirmed the discovery of 441 million tonnes of iron ore at Shakawe.
He said the company was currently in the exploration phase, with some of the ore stored at the Maun warehouse.
He added that they had been exploring since 2006 and were now conducting studies that would lead to the mining phase.
He also expressed hope for the railway line that would connect Shakawe to Namibia and eventually the DRC.
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