Africa-Press – Lesotho. A diamond mine right in the centre of Sekamaneng, just 10km away from Maseru. In the next few months, hundreds of youths who had struggled to eke a living because of joblessness will now be able to engage in lucrative diamond mining projects in Sekamaneng.
Last Thursday, Mining Commissioner Pheello Tjatja told the media that the ministry intends to issue 110 licences to allow the resumption of small-scale diamond mining in the area.
The project is expected to create 500 new jobs in the sector. Village chiefs in Sekamaneng will conduct the licence registration process. Tjatja said kimberlite was discovered in Sekamaneng, which signifies that there could be a lot of diamonds in the area.
“The government has been working tirelessly to attract investors in that area,” Tjatja said.
“There are more places in the country where kimberlite has been discovered,” he said.
“However, the government failed to attract investors in such places.
” This is not the first time that mining operations will take place in Sekamaneng. In 2005, the government shut down small-scale mining operations following environmental damage to the area.
Tjatja said in 2020 the government reviewed its policies that have now paved way for a resumption of the mining operations. He said the project could help Lesotho roll back poverty in the country.
He said the resumption of small-scale mining can boost the mining sector and the economy. Tjatja said the government realised that the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted the sector massively with Basotho mine workers in South Africa being retrenched.
“We reviewed the policy and allowed Basotho to operate small-scale mining,” he said.
He said the ministry is in the process of selecting more such places and setting platforms for Basotho. Tjatja said the empowerment programme will be launched in Sekamaneng first.
He said not less than 110 licenses of 100 square metres will be issued. He said people will be allowed to work with others within a licensed area and they are expecting more than 500 people to work in that place.
“The government is planning to assist Basotho with the diamond fining machines,” he said.
“The government will also provide training for people who acquired the licences.
” He said they will further send their representatives to record diamonds discovered. Tjatja said according to the constitution, all diamonds belong to every Mosotho in the country.
The Small-Scale Mining Committee representative, ’Mamakamane Makamane, said this has been a long journey for Basotho to embark into small-scale mining.
“This marks a great milestone where Sekamaneng has been assigned as the first place for diamond mining operations,” Makamane said.
“For a very long time, Lesotho has been listed among under-developed countries despite that it is rich in natural resources,” she said.
“Basotho should first prepare their mindset to fully participate in that kind of mining.
” She said Basotho should set targets to grow from small-scale to big mining operations. She urged Basotho to venture into this sector not only to grow their families but to also develop their areas.
Local chief, Chieftainess ’Makhomo Makoanyane, said the initiative will help in the development of their area. Chieftainess Makoanyane said the community needs basic services such as clinics which will allow villagers to access services nearer.
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