Africa-Press – Botswana. The Manganese project at Kgwakgwe Hill poses no radiological hazard.
Answering a question in Parliament recently, the Minister of Minerals and Energy Ms Bogolo Kenewendo noted that the findings were supported by the Feasibility Study, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and detailed geological investigations. She said all of these confirmed that the ore body consisted specifically cryptomelane and pyrolusite, which were hosted in chert and shale.
“These studies found no levels of radioactive materials such as uranium or thorium, therefore as a result, radiation-specific mitigation measures are not required,” she said.
She however said standard mining health, safety and environmental protocols were considered sufficient. Furthermore, Minister Kenewendo explained that Giyani Metals obtained an environmental authorisation/clearance in December 2023 and was granted a mining licence in September 2024, following full compliance with Botswana’s environmental and mining legislation.
She said Giyani had implemented a baseline water-sampling programme to protect local water resources since last year and was still ongoing. In addition, she said the objective of sampling was to understand the water chemistry and monitor groundwater levels from boreholes around Kgwakgwe Hill and the Water Utilities Corporation well fields. She also stated that Giyani was currently conducting monthly baseline water monitoring, with samples sent to certified laboratories for analysis.
This programme, she said, would continue throughout the construction and operational phases to ensure continued environmental protection. Minister Kenewendo told Parliament that the Kgwakgwe Hill processing facility was designed as a zero-discharge closed-loop system, which would ensure that no process water released into the environment. She also assured Parliament that the tailings storage facility would be fully lined to prevent seepage into groundwater.
The Minister was responding to a question from Kanye East legislator, Mr Prince Mosanana who wanted to know if a radiation baseline study had been carried out to protect workers, general public and the environment on the exposure of manganese oxide in the commencement of manganese mining in Kgwakgwe Hill. He also wanted to know mitigation measures in place to ensure zero contamination of water, which may affect the public as well as domestic animals.
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