Tumelo Setshogo
12 March 2008
The Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR) Ponatshego Kedikilwe says the government is confident that Discovery Metals will expand the mining sector in the country and create employment.
The company is anticipating the employment of some 400 personnel on its construction project and another 250 to run its operations. Kedikilwe said this will have a positive impact on Botswana's economy and the lives of the people. He was speaking at the opening of Discovery Metal offices at Gaborone International Commerce Park on Monday.
He said the employment capacity of the company is remarkable considering that currently it employs 18 people, all of them Batswana. "It is evident that the company embraces both enlightened self-interest and government's policy thrust with respect to good employment practices and labour relations based on mutual respect and meaningful consultations," said Kedikilwe.
He added that Discovery Metals provides its employees with transport and meals, sufficient protective equipment and "there is access to amenities such as running water, closets, telephone, Internet and email". He commended Discovery Metal for the benefits and encouraged other companies to do the same. "I naturally commend all companies that may be traveling this path already," he said.
The company secured a prospecting licence in 2005 covering an area of 6,333 km2 in North West Botswana. The license covers over 300 km of Kalahari Copper Belt mineralised stratigraphy, which is closely related to the Zambian Copper Belt geology.
Today Discovery Metal is exploring 600 km2 of mineralised tenements extending from Maun to Ghanzi. Kedikilwe said this will cement the mutual beneficial relationship between the Botswana government and the company. He emphasised the country's commitment to mineral beneficiation, value addition and ultimately the creation of a Botswana Diamond Centre is consonant with Vision 2016 and beyond. He said the fact that 22% shareholding of Discovery Metals is in the hands of Batswana is in line with the expectations and willingness of government to make citizen economic empowerment and skills transfer.
Discovery Metal Limited is listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), Australian Securities Exchange (ASE) and the London Stock Exchange AIM market. It won the Maun tenements in 2005 on a competitive application and now looks set to realise the birth of a massive copper project in Botswana. It has a joint venture with Falconbridge at Dikoloti Nickel Project next to BCL copper-nickel mine.
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