Africa-Press – Botswana. Government remains resolute in its efforts to diversify the country›s mineral resources beyond diamonds, aiming to bolster economic growth through a conducive legislative, fiscal, and institutional framework.
This was said by Geoscience Institute›s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Olefile Mashabila during a meeting with Malawi’s Leader of Opposition Parties, Mr George Chiponda, in Parliament on July 10.
He said government sought to attract private sector investment in exploration for a variety of minerals, with clear criteria to facilitate the mining ventures.
“While Botswana is renowned for its world-class diamond deposits, efforts are underway to explore other mineral resources such as coal, uranium, and base metals,” Mr Mashabila stated.
He emphasised that despite the country›s diamond reserves, there remained undeveloped deposits of copper and other metals, which could contribute to economic growth across various sectors.
Further, Mr Mashabila explained that Botswana’s mineral resource potential was vast and still untapped, reinforcing the importance of the Mineral Policy introduced to maximise economic benefits while enabling private sector participation.
He said mining activities in western Botswana, particularly in the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB), were centred on exploration and development. Mr Mashabila mentioned significant exploration efforts by companies lsuch as Khoemacau Copper Mining, focusing on copper and silver deposits.
Meanwhile, Mr Solomon Moremong, Director of Business Development at Botswana Diamond Hub, emphasised the importance of downstream opportunities in the diamond industry.
“The mining sector is a driver for private sector expansion and employment. Activities like diamond cutting, polishing, and jewelery manufacturing aim to add value domestically before export,” he said.
For his part, Mr Chaponda commended Botswana for investing revenue gained from mineral mining to
national developments.
He indicated that Botswana’s diamond story was one of remarkable transformation, turning a low income nation at independence into a global economic powerhouse.
In essence, he noted that Botswana diamond story was a motivation to other nation on strategic resource management and commitment to using mineral wealth for sustainable development.
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