Top Stories

Botswana plans to build 200 MW of CSP power, aiming to finish by 2026

Botswana is preparing to construct 200 MW of CSP capacity by 2026 under a new integrated resource plan released by the government in December 2020. According to the government, the procurement process will start this year. The plan, which received the backing of Botswana and Namibia government officials and the …

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Debswana terminates Thiess contract, set to carry out project in-house

Debswana Mining Company has revealed that it has terminated a $1.3 billion contract with a unit of Australia’s Thiess to extend the lifespan of its Jwaneng diamond mine and will carry out the project in-house. Debswana, which owned by De Beers and the Botswana government, declined to provide a reason …

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Sandfire to proceed with the $259-million development of Botswana copper/silver project

Following the completion of a positive definitive feasibility study (DFS) on a base case 3.2-million-tonne-a-year operation, with “clear visibility” to expand rapidly to a 5.2-million-tonne-a-year operation, ASX-listed Sandfire Resources has decided to proceed with the $259-million development of the T3 Motheo copper/silver project, in Botswana. It has appointed Lycopodium to …

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Aviation monitoring programme is flying high

Did you know that a dedicated aircraft testing programme is conducted by condition monitoring specialists, WearCheck, to reduce the risk of catastrophic engine failure, boost safety and reduce maintenance costs? WearCheck’s thriving aviation division analyses used aircraft oil and filters for wear particles, oil degradation and cleanliness of hydraulic fluids. …

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Sekaka acquisition by Botswana Diamonds is now complete

Botswana Diamonds has revealed that the acquisition of Sekaka, the exploration vehicle belonging to the embattled rival Petra Diamonds (LON: PDL) and holding three prospecting licenses in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve of the world, had been completed. Sekaka had identified the KX36 kimberlite pipe in one of its licenses, …

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Botswana Diamonds share progress on Thorny River and Marsfontein

AIM and BSE-listed diamond explorer Botswana Diamonds say a number of geophysical techniques and technologies were applied including gravity, electromagnetics, magnetics and ground-penetrating radar at Marsfontein project in South Africa. D Drilling has commenced on the Thorny River and Marsfontein project areas in South Africa, out of the ten areas …

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SADC mining sector set for a rebound in 2021

Southern Africa’s mining, like other economic sectors, was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic as nations enforced lockdowns to curb the spread of the disease. However, with mixed fortunes experienced in 2020, a year afflicted by the latest coronavirus pandemic, the region’s mining sector is expected to perform better in …

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New Botswana copper mine lay down its programme

The Khoemacau Mine is set to be the only copper operational mine in diamond-rich Botswana after two other copper mines were placed under liquidation. The country’s newest and only operational copper mine is expected to start production in 2021 with annual output building to 60,000 tonnes of concentrate, its executive …

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Debswana’s Damtshaa mine fails to recover from covid-19 disturbances, set to close shop in 2012

The reasons for Debswana’s plans to close its Damtshaa mine in 2021 for three years have been cited as disturbances from the COVID-19 pandemic. Debswana (a subsidiary of De Beer Groups), the diamond mining giant, has announced the closure of one of its Botswana mines for 3 years. According to …

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Regional Gas Master Plan to help region step up efforts to exploit natural gas

The Southern African Development Community has some of the largest natural gas deposits in the world, and taking advantage of this would improve the region’s energy situation and contribute to the coal-dominated regional energy mix. Thus, following the development of the Regional Gas Master Plan to unlock the potential of …

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