Debswana’s Letlhakane Mine Tailings Treatment Project is nearing completion.
The revelation was made by Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mine (OLDM) General Manager, Bakani Motlhabani, last week during a ground breaking of an over P3.2-million classroom project sponsored by the mine at Seaseole Primary School in Letlhakane.
In 2014, Debswana announced its intention to embark on a project aimed at extracting more diamonds from the tailings mineral resources at Letlhakane mine as a way of expanding the facility’s life.
This followed numerous studies done by the giant mining company which indicated a strong business case for the organisation to move into retreatment of tailings. Construction of the project commenced in 2015.
“This will see it become the main production facility driver at Letlhakane mine, during the third quarter of 2017,” said Motlhabani.
The Letlhakane mine tailings were formed over the years dating back as far as 1975.
The GM further said that the Letlhakane Tailings Project (LTP) had continued to contribute significantly to the national socio-economic development in and around Letlhakane village.
He said to date, the project employed over 800 people and over 25 contractors the majority of which are locally based.
“Furthermore, upon handover the project will secure jobs for the majority of the employees currently based at Letlhakane mine,” said Motlhabani.
He further said that Debswana had since inception remained committed to leaving a legacy of prosperity amongst the communities in which it operates.
Touching on the multi-million Pula sponsorship of Seasole Primary, he said the Letlhakane Tailings Project team saw the need to sponsor the construction of the additional classrooms and furniture at the school as an initiative in line with Debswana’s value of “Show We Care”.
“This particular initiative is classified as a flagship project given the level of sponsorship associated with it,” Motlhabani added.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education Simon Coles lauded Debswana for its commitment in uplifting the communities that it does business in.
He said the diamond company had generated billions of Pula in revenue which have benefited his ministry and the people of Botswana through dividends, royalties and taxes remitted to government.
“The contribution of Debswana to Botswana’s economy is not only limited to government revenues. The company also has a robust socio-economic development programme which is funded through its Corporate Social Investment Programme and Legacy initiatives. These programmes lend support to community development, environment conservation, arts and culture development,” he said.
Coles said the project would go a long way in providing a conducive learning environment for the learners at Seasole Primary School and creating a bright future for them.
Construction of the project has been awarded to Gut and Mas, a 100 percent citizen owned construction company.
