28 Jul 2024

Plans to transition Jwaneng Mine from open pit to underground mining are progressing well, says Jwaneng Mine acting general manager, Mr Goitseone Gadifele.

He said the underground production, expected to commence in 2034 when the open pit period lapses, was expected to extend the lifespan of the mine beyond 2050.

Speaking during a mine tour by First Lady Ms Neo Masisi on Friday, who was accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho, Assistant Minister for State President, Ms Boitumelo Gofhamodimo and Bangwaketse Mohumagadi, Masetsibi Gaseitsewe, he said an Australian company, Redpath, was already on the ground doing preliminary works for the project.

 “Our underground project started at the beginning of this year, and because we currently do not have enough skills locally, we have engaged a contractor from Australia. They have started preliminary works and they are progressing very well,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Gadifele said they had embarked on sustainable initiatives intended to diversify the economy and drive economic activities beyond diamond mining. He noted that through the Diamond to Mutton project, they were already mobilising farmers in the region in an endeavour to enhance small stock production.

He also noted that plans were underway to build a state-of-the-art agricultural park in Jwaneng towards fulfilling both the local and international markets. “We are currently partnering with farmers to increase the numbers so that when the facility starts working we would have enough livestock to even export internationally. “That project is ongoing and we intend to have completed it in the next five or six years,” he explained.

Further, he said they intended to develop Jwaneng as a sporting hub to help sustain the livelihoods of the communities. He said they had made strides in supporting the local teams, especially in football and netball. 

“As you are aware that Jwaneng Galaxy is the current champion of the Botswana Premier League and they recently won the netball tournament. We have done well in regards to football for ladies as well, and we are doing well across all the sporting codes,” he said.

Notwithstanding, Mr Gadifele acknowledged that their business operations were threatened by synthetic diamonds in the international market. Subsequently, he said part of their strategy to maintain the natural diamond market was to intensify telling the Botswana diamond story and its impact.

For her part, Her Majesty Masenate Mohato Seeiso applauded Jwaneng Mine leadership for their robust operations, she said could be used as a reference point for other mines. Ends