Bheki Fayayo

Africa Advances Downstream Mining to Drive Industrial Growth and Retain Mineral Wealth

As the global race for critical minerals intensifies, countries across Africa are fast-tracking investments in beneficiation infrastructure to bolster local economies, create jobs and secure more equitable participation in global mineral value chains. The continent’s mineral-rich economies are increasingly focusing on developing domestic refining and processing capacity to shift from …

Read More »

Masama Coal Mine – A Strategic Asset in Southern Botswana

Located on the southwestern edge of the Mmamabula Coalfield, approximately 60km northeast of Gaborone, the Masama Coal Mine offers a competitive cost structure driven by its shallow, high-quality coal resource and cost-effective opencast mining methods. Its proximity to key infrastructure, including rail, road, and water, gives it a logistical edge …

Read More »

BME Drives Sustainable Blasting Solutions to Help Mines Meet ESG Targets.

As mining companies face increasing pressure to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, BME, a leading explosives manufacturer and member of Omnia Holdings, is pioneering innovative blasting solutions that balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility. With over 40 years of expertise, BME’s advanced technologies including dual-salt emulsions, hydrogen peroxide …

Read More »

Recognising water risk in mining due diligence

Water-related risks can easily be underestimated in a due diligence study of a mining operation, with pollution and flooding being among the many aspects that prospective investors or lenders need to consider. “In most mining transactions, the issue of water generally presents a significant risk to investors,” said Peter Shepherd, …

Read More »

MiningForum 2026 spotlight challenges, opportunities in mining

Offering opportunities for knowledge exchange over the past 30 years, the MiningForum remains an important European networking platform for the continent’s mining industry. Slated for the 18th to the 19th of June, the MiningForum 2026, under the theme of ‘Raw Materials Momentum’ will discuss current developments along the entire raw …

Read More »

Botswana Braces for Power Tariff Jolt: A Balancing Act for Economic Stability

Botswana’s electricity landscape is set for a significant overhaul this July, as new, differentiated power tariffs come into effect, promising to reshape household budgets and business operating costs across the nation. Far from a uniform increase, the approved adjustments by the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) signal a nuanced strategy …

Read More »

Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month in June 2025, a powerful initiative is underway to empower young minds across the continent. The third annual ESG Africa Student Innovation Competition has officially launched, calling on students to submit bold ideas that tackle Africa’s most urgent sustainability challenges. This pan-African competition is …

Read More »

Coal crisis: 1,000 mining jobs hang in the balance

Botswana’s coal mining sector is facing an unprecedented crisis as 1,000 jobs hang in the balance due to unpaid contracts between state-owned mining firms and their subcontractors. The Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) has sounded the alarm, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to the financial collapse of  …

Read More »

Botswana Flexes Its Diamond Muscle at JCK Las Vegas: A Fight for Authenticity

Las Vegas, USA— In a dazzling display of national resolve, Botswana recently took center stage at the JCK Las Vegas Show, the global epicentre of the diamond industry. Led by the impassioned Duma Boko and supported by a formidable delegation, including Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, the southern African nation …

Read More »

Diamond Giant Debswana Digs Deep for Cash as Market Glitters Dimly

Botswana’s diamond powerhouse, Debswana, is set to venture into international capital markets for the first time, a bold move aimed at financing its ambitious $6 billion Jwaneng underground project. The strategic shift comes as dwindling revenues, battered by a global diamond market downturn, severely crimp the company’s traditional ability to …

Read More »