Botswana Mining Review Comprehensive Coverage of the Progress and Achievements in the Mining Sector
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The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, has commended Botswana Ash (Botash) for its operational stability and commitment to sustainable growth following an official visit to the mine on 12 June 2026.
During the visit, Kenewendo received a comprehensive briefing on the company’s performance and operational outlook from Assistant Managing Director, Othusitse Seokamo. Seokamo highlighted that Botash produced over 91,000 tonnes of Fine Salt in 2025, one of the company’s premium products, attributing the milestone to sustained reinvestment in operations and infrastructure aimed at boosting capacity and efficiency.
He further noted that the company remains well-positioned for long-term sustainability, underpinned by ongoing operational improvements and energy resilience initiatives. This includes the mine’s power-generating turbine, currently under maintenance and expected to return to service by the end of August 2026. Kenewendo also praised Botash’s development-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, particularly its role in expanding electricity access within surrounding communities. She noted that mining companies have a critical role to play in driving infrastructure development beyond their core operations.
“These are more impactful, intentional, development-focused CSR projects that the Ministry is very supportive of. We can demonstrate that where we invest in electricity and access to infrastructure, we create opportunities for sustainable development,” said Kenewendo. She pointed to broader sector-wide initiatives aligned with government priorities including the funding of 8 km and 16 km electricity grid extensions, investment in high-voltage 66kV transmission lines to strengthen energy corridors, and the deployment of mini-grid and off-grid solutions in remote areas where national grid connectivity is not feasible.
According to the Minister, these efforts support the Government of Botswana’s agenda of inclusive economic transformation and community upliftment, as championed at the highest levels of leadership. As a key shareholder in Botash, the Government remains committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability, growth and competitiveness of the operation. The visit concluded with a tour of the processing plant and mining operations at the Sowa Spit, where Kenewendo and her delegation gained first-hand insight into the scale of production, technological efficiencies and the unique environmental conditions underpinning one of Botswana’s flagship mining operations.
