Africa-Press – Botswana. Minerals are vital to the economy of the country, therefore all should be done, including through legislature, to ensure that they benefit citizens as much as possible.
Contributing to the Mines and Minerals Act amendment Bill debate in Parliament on Wednesday, the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the proposals in the Bill were therefore a good step for a minerals-led economy like Botswana.
“It is an important and progressive piece of legislature, especially in areas that increase the lifespan of licences, but monitoring mechanisms should be put in place to ensure compliance,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane also advised that retention licences should not be automated, but should be justified.
He also appreciated President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for his efforts in ensuring that locals benefited more from minerals, citing the Botswana-De Beers deal, which he said put more bread on the Botswana table.
“Value chain development is one of his priorities, so this Bill will go a long way in supporting that,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane also suggested that semi-precious stones be included in the Bill to recognise their value.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao, who is also the MP for Shashe West, also supported the Bill saying that thorough punishment should be meted out on those that violate terms and conditions of their mining licences.
“If punishments are not stiff enough, violators would easily use the money gained illegally to pay off penalties, which is not a deterrent,” he said.
Mr Molao also suggested that 15 per cent shares should be given to Botswana in kind by companies that find minerals after being given prospecting licences.
“There should also be a clause that gives the country a right to increase that shareholding if it sees it economically viable,” he said.Selebi Phikwe East legislator, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana said although the Bill was commendable, there was still a long way to go, especially on the issue of land rehabilitation on the closure of a mine.
Moshupa/Manyana legislator, who is also the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare for his part said that illegal sand mining was still a concern in the southern part of the country despite it having been suspended for sometime.
“This is mostly done late at night, so we welcome penalties in the Bill that seek to deter this,” he said. Francistown South legislator, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi complained that giving Batswana mining licences was not enough empowerment, and suggested that they should be capacitated to ensure meaningful participation in the sector.
Mr Mmolotsi also called for the establishment of a Minerals Fund where a certain percentage of proceeds would be saved for future generations.
He also complained about what he said was secrecy of mining deals with De Beers, saying that even legislators were not privy to its details.
In his response, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi said Batswana, including Members of Parliament would know of the details of the agreement once everything was in place.
He also said some pleas by MPs such as one calling for establishment of diamonds museums have been noted.
He also admitted that more would be done to ensure that companies that take diamond samples from Botswana for business purposes return them.
Mr Moagi also advised citizens to form trusts or use Village Development Committees for small scale mining of non-precious minerals.
“This will also help in accountability or when there is a need to engage them,” he said.
The Bill sought among others, to give new definitions to words such as good mining industry practices and rehabilitation mine closure plans.
It also seeks to compel holders of a mineral concession to beneficiate minerals produced in Botswana as far as its economically feasible.
It further aims to compel holders to give Batswana and companies registered in Botswana priority in all activities provided for under Section 12 of the Mines and Minerals Act.
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