Kutlo Motseta
20th October 2025
The mining industry has met and held the “Botswana Mining Show”, themed, “A new Era in Mining”. The show, which concludes on Thursday 23rd October, is meant to increase collaboration within the industry and educate the public about mining.
The event is sponsored by ABSA, organised by Progresive Institute and its technical partners, the Chamber of Mines and is endorsed by the Ministry of Minerals and Energy.
Registered members of the public are permitted to attend free of charge. Its delegates include students, graduates job seekers, mining companies and investors, business community, policy makers, technology specialists, and academics. The second edition will be held next year.
Presidential Affairs Minister Moeti Mohwasawho acted as State President since Sunday and recently relinquished his title upon the recent return the Vice President, delivered the keynote address.
“For over half a century mining has been the bedrock upon which the economy has built its structures from discovering diamonds, mining copper, discovering coal … Every ounce of minerals extracted must be of value to batswana,” said Mohwasa.
He said, “[We want to] ensure that the mines benefit both the current and future generations … mining must not only be profitable but be sustainable.”
“That government has developed ESG’s standards and is working closely with the industry to ensure safety and environmental standards, environmental social standards through national digitalisation strategy,” he added.
Chief Operating Officer of Debswana Diamonds, Koolatotse Koolatotse spoke about the challenges of rising costs that face Debswana and the employment opportunities they have provided through its employees.
“Three years ago, we thought the life our diamonds [would last] until 2069, that’s what we thought,” said Koolatotse.
He extrapolated on the challenges of costs, “[Running Debswana costs] 120 million litters of diesel”.
“If you increase the costs of petrol by P1, I need P100 million to buy diesel … Debswana has to run at P6 billion and not P10 billion for Debswana to continue to 2069,” said Koolatotse.
He cleared the misconception about the departure of employees.
“Botswana took the route of voluntary separation … 80% of people that have left Debswana have moved out to employ 40 other people … we have created employers.”
Medical practitioner, Dr Max Mhlato, an occupational health specialist, educated the public about the need for preventative occupational health practises.
“The pandemic reminded us that work health is the first and fastest line of defence … My job is work for you so that you don’t have to worry about occupational health measures at the workplace.”
“[occupational health practises] … it’s a strategic investment for the country… so we can have a productive workforce …. When health and productivity work together everyone wins”.
He said that an organisation may be held responsible for a sick employee, even if the latter fell sick at their former workplace.
“[It is] cheaper to prevent a problem solve one … it’s important to know that the employee you are having is fit and proper for the job,” he added.
The event was attended by over 50 leading CEO’s from the private sector, parastatal organisations and Government.
