Local mining & construction giant Bothakga Burrow has resuscitated its fortunes inthe mining space after hitting a sag at Debswana Jwaneng Mine.
At Jwaneng , the world’s most valuable diamond mine Bothakaga Burrow was sitting on a multi billion pula contract to unearth precious stones for 9 years under the auspices of Majwe Mining-its joint venture with Aussie mining outfit Thesis.
Bothakga accounted for 30 % stake inthe company that has been mining at Jwaneng for a decade.
The contract was at the shock of many terminated with Debswana citing “internal reasons” and intentions to deliver the project itself through an inhouse hybrid model.
However Morupule Coal Mine(MCM) a Debswana previously owned operation has awarded its open pit mining services contract to a Bothakaga Burrows joint venture.
Under this 5 year contract Bothakga has joined hands with its former Majwe partner: South African multi disciplined engineering group Basil Read.
Until early 2019 Basil Read owned 28% of Majwe Mining , with 60 % owned by Thesis while Bothakga Burrow owned only 12 %.
Following its financial crises ,the JSE listed Basil Read sold its Majwe stake for over P100 million in a business rescue strategy that disposed some of its assets to unlock capital .
Thesis grabbed an extra 10 % , raising its share to 70 % while citizen owned Bothakga popped out some millions and jumped its stake to 30%.
The Majwe Mining contract was terminated hardly a year after it was awarded.
The Morupule contract will see Bothakga-Basil Read Joint Venture hit the ground to expose the coal resource for the open cast mine at MCM’s Motheo project.
The ultimate aim of the project is to facilitate MCM’s contribution to Botswana’s economic growth and transformation of coal into unlimited sources of energy.
The project is envisaged to increase coal production capacity from the current 2.8 million tons to 3.8 million tons per annum
This will be aligned to the construction and commissioning of the coal wash plant which is expected to recieve first coal in December 2021.
In April the Joint veture commenced mass recruitment for the project, floating adverts for hundreds of various semi skilled and highly expertise.
Morupule Coal Mine in 2015 transioned from Debswana ownership after Government bought out De Beers stake.
The coal mining giant is now fully owned by Government through Mineral Development Company Botswana.
