Mining Sector Crisis Deepens … As hundreds face job losses

The scale of the problem was revealed at the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) General Council meeting, where union president Joseph Tsimako raised the alarm. “We have noted, in recent weeks and months, the issuance of notices of impending job losses from Masama Coal Mine, Debswana Diamond Company, Mupane Gold Mine, and Barminco Mining Services,” Tsimako said. He added that the union had taken the “bold step” of petitioning the courts to liquidate some of these companies, hoping to secure their assets and ensure employees receive something from the estate. Tsimako described the closure of De Beers' operations—including Damtshaa Mine—as more than just a business decision. “It is a national crisis that reveals the fragility of worker security,” he said. He warned that thousands of workers stand to lose their livelihoods without meaningful alternatives. “We need to ask the government of the day what mechanisms are in place for retraining, redeployment, or compensation,” he said. Tsimako also raised concerns about what he called “corporate exit without responsibility.” He said companies exiting the mining sector must be required to invest in worker transition plans—including reskilling, pension security, and community support. He noted that the economic fallout will extend beyond the mines themselves. “Mining towns are at risk of becoming ghost towns,” he said. “Local economies are likely to collapse when anchor employers pull out suddenly. Post-mine economic revitalisation is needed, including expanding sectors like agriculture and tourism.” The BMWU called for a new social compact. “Any closure must involve mandatory consultations with unions and local government authorities,” said Tsimako. “We stand at a turning point—not just for miners, but for the soul of the labour movement in Botswana.” Looking ahead, Tsimako warned that new trends—including automation, artificial intelligence, and green mining—pose further threats to traditional mining jobs. “Are unions ready for this transition?” he asked. He also criticised the lack of genuine engagement in social dialogue. “Social dialogue cannot be reduced to last-minute meetings. It must be embedded in law and practice,” he said, pointing out that under Botswana’s Minerals Policy, the Minerals Policy Committee (MPC) directs the country’s mineral development process—but unions are excluded. “It is important that the union is permitted to sit and engage at these platforms, to inform and influence policy affecting the mining sector,” said Tsimako. He concluded with a call for stronger legal protections. “Employers often engage unions only when decisions have already been made. This is not dialogue—it’s damage control,” he said. “Consultation must begin before decisions on restructuring, automation, or outsourcing are made. Botswana needs a clear legal framework enforcing mandatory social dialogue at both industry and national levels.”

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Mining Sector Crisis Deepens … As hundreds face job losses

Botswana’s mining sector is facing a deepening employment crisis, with multiple operations notifying workers of looming job cuts. The Business Weekly & Review Staff Writers report

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Mining Sector Crisis Deepens … As hundreds face job losses

Botswana’s mining sector is facing a deepening employment crisis, with multiple operations notifying workers of looming job cuts. The Business Weekly & Review Staff Writers report

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