- Minerals Minister Moagi confirmed the budget for the project
- Project to allow Debswana to mine at Jwaneng Mine until 2023
- Orapa Cut 3 project costs yet to be known, under feasibility stage
Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, recently announced that a total of P521 million has been invested in the Debswana Jwaneng Mine Cut-9 expansion project. This initiative aims to extend the lifespan of the Jwaneng Mine, also known as the Prince of Mines, to 2035. Moagi provided this update in response to a question from the outgoing Gaborone Central Member of Parliament (MP) Tumisang Healy during a parliamentary session.
Healy had inquired about the Debswana Cut 3 and Cut 9 projects, requesting details on the scope of work, project costs, citizen economic empowerment programs, and other value chains for Botswana.
Moagi explained that the Jwaneng Cut 9 project is designed to prolong the mine’s life beyond the Cut 8 phase. Its objectives include preparing for the ninth mining pushback on the western side of the Jwaneng pit and ensuring the capacity to support mining activities until the Cut 9 project exposes sufficient ore. The P521 million allocated to the Cut 9 project covers various components, including stormwater management infrastructure, pit ring main electrical works, pit dewatering boreholes and piezometers, a new machine assembly pad, the refurbishment of Shovel 212, and the installation of survey and geotechnical reference networks, as well as security and surveillance equipment.
“The Cut 9 project entered the implementation phase in 2022 and aims to extend diamond mining at Jwaneng Mine until 2035,” Moagi stated. He also highlighted that Debswana, through the Cut 9 project, has delivered two legacy projects: the Maboane Clinic, costing P12.4 million, and the Mahotshwane solar-powered boreholes, costing P6.8 million.
Regarding the Orapa Cut 3 project, Moagi noted that it is a mine life extension initiative aimed at prolonging Orapa Mine’s life beyond Cut 2. The project aims to prepare for the third mining pushback around the Orapa pit and ensure capacity to support mining activities until sufficient ore is exposed by Cut 3. Currently, in the feasibility study phase, the project’s costs are still being calculated. If approved, the project will include road networks, stormwater management infrastructure, pit ring main electrical works, pit dewatering boreholes, piezometers, a new machine assembly pad, and the procurement of new mining equipment.
Moagi also reported that Debswana’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP) is on track to meet its target of P20 billion in citizen spending by 2024. He emphasised Debswana’s commitment to ensuring citizens benefit from its supply chain processes and to growing and supporting citizen-owned companies to achieve global competitiveness.
Reflecting on lessons learned from the Cut 8 project, Moagi praised the adequacy of safety programs and adherence to budgetary constraints, which contributed to the project’s successful completion without major safety incidents. He noted that best practices from Cut 8 have been beneficial and continue to be applied to subsequent projects, including Cut 9 and the upcoming Cut 3. He also highlighted the success of skills development programs and legacy initiatives.
Former MP Healy commended Debswana for its significant contributions to the economy and suggested that the CEEP model should extend beyond the mining sector, as it has proven effective in building the economy and enhancing the competitiveness of local suppliers. He emphasised that the Cut 9 and Cut 3 projects could further boost local businesses by increasing production capacity and facilitating skills transfer from international contractors to local subcontractors. Healy also urged the government to strengthen capacity building in mineral beneficiation to help Botswana companies fully exploit diamond value opportunities at both upstream and downstream levels.
