Cevdet Caner Executive Chairman, Global Critical Resources Group.
As the world transitions to a technology-driven, greener economy, the supply of critical minerals that power daily life hasn’t kept pace. When we recognized this opportunity, we built a company that could scour the globe, locating and bringing to market untapped deposits of nickel, copper, cobalt, and other metals. At the same time, we sought jurisdictions with strong governance and democracy, respect for the rule of law, and a skilled workforce.
Botswana’s mining sector has it all.
GCR Group believes investment must be grounded in a committed, values-driven approach that combines technical excellence; sustainable, environmentally friendly development; and long-term vision. With this strategy as a guide, we recently acquired Tataki, a polymetallic mine near Matsiloje in Botswana’s North-East district.
We formally reopened Tataki in a ceremony on 16 September, sparking a new chapter for the mine as a reliable and focused Botswana-based producer of critical metals. We were honored to be joined by President Duma Boko, Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi, Kgosi Sekgoma Eric Moipolai, as well as members of parliament, local leaders, and foreign ambassadors.
Tataki will be an engine for Botswana’s economic growth in the coming years, generating roughly USD 4.2 billion in revenue over the decade after operations begin and contributing a 1.5 percent increase in annual GDP. Moreover, we expect our company ultimately to employ up to 400 direct personnel and to generate roughly 3,000 additional indirect jobs in the North-East district and eastern Botswana.
We seek to build a partnership with the people of Botswana. GCR is committed to working closely with national and local authorities, as well as the communities surrounding Tataki to generate positive social impact that aligns with local needs in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and environment.
We support Botswana’s efforts to diversify its economy. Rather than simply exporting raw materials abroad for refining, Tataki will produce a variety of intermediate and finished products in Botswana that are widely traded internationally, including nickel and cobalt hydroxide precipitates, copper cathodes, metal bars for platinoids, and precious metals such as gold. Investment in new technologies will improve Tataki’s ability to supply critical minerals for the global economy and deliver these products in an environmentally sustainable fashion.
Today, during my conversations on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I am proud to proclaim that we believe Botswana can power a cleaner, more advanced world, but only if it is developed with intention and integrity. This is the model we’re building at Tataki as we move toward operations, and we are looking forward to working with our Batswana partners towards our manifest shared goals.
