Reports of racial tensions between Batswana and Australian employees have emerged at Khoemacau Copper Mine (KCM).
Information reaching The Telegraph suggests that Batswana employees at the mine are living in misery as they are subjected to victimization and racism from their Australian counterparts. Located in Ngamiland District, KCM is owned by Cupric Canyon Capital LP an Australian company.
On the 7th of June 2022, a middle-aged Motswana employee was reportedly assaulted and injured by an Australian employee who is believed to have skipped the country.
Both employees are working for Barminco, another Australian company sub-contracted by KCM to conduct its underground mining activities
A source who preferred anonymity told The Telegraph last week that this is not the first time that local employees are subjected to physical abuse from their fellow Australian employees which is mostly motivated by racism. It is alleged that some of the Australian employees hate locals on the basis of race.
“Currently there are two employee camps at the mine. Australian employees have their own camp and Batswana have their own. There is clear segregation at the mine. Even the food prepared for the two camps is not the same. Australian workers are given preferential treatment in everything. These Australian companies favour their own Australian employees than locals,” said the source.
It is alleged that the altercation between the two mine workers began at the mining site (Production Department) and escalated into a fight after the Australian national refused the Motswana employee to be given his daily meal. The victim sustained a fractured wrist. It is alleged that he was taken to Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital where he received medical attention. A case was opened at Maun Police Station.
“The police came into the mine to investigate the issue and the perpetrator was nowhere to be seen. He has since vanished into thin air. This is not the first case. Similar cases have always been swept under the carpet by the mine management and more often the perpetrators are aided by the mine management to evade justice and return to their country. They are often replaced with other employees from the same country,” revealed the source.
The Telegraph is in possession of a letter from Barminco Management dated 8 June 2022 suspending the perpetrator (name withheld) from conducting any mine duties on allegations of misconduct. The letter reads “You are suspended with effect from the 8th of June 2022 pending investigation of incident. You are suspended with full pay. You should avail yourself when your presence is required as part of the investigations into the incident. You shall not enter Barminco Zone 5 during this period until or unless you are instructed by your supervisor”
The perpetrator has also been required to be within reach on the days that he is supposed to be at work.
Reached for comment the Deputy General Secretary of Botswana Miners Workers Union (BMWU) Kabelo Special Maano confirmed the incident. He however said they are currently conducting more investigations regarding the matter.
“We have since escalated these kinds of issues to KCM as the main contractor but it seems nothing much is being done to address them,” he said.
The Executive Director at KCM Boikobo Paya could not comment on the issue. He said Barminco management was better placed to give answers to these allegations.
However, the human resources manager Daniel Malumbela at Barminco confirmed the incident. He however could not be drawn much into the issue saying that they are still waiting for the conclusion of police investigations.
“Reports of segregation or racism at the mine are completely not true. Employees are mixed at the camp regardless of race. The camps are divided on the basis of seniority not race,” he said.
