The Botswana government has invited bids for precious stones prospecting licences in the Orapa Kimberlite Field in the central part of the country. The area is home to operating Debswana mines and independent operations, Karowe mine owned by Lucara Diamond. According to a notice from Department of Mines in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, the areas to be applied for have been divided into six (6) blocks: A, B, C, D, E and F covering some known kimberlites in the Orapa – Letlhakane area. “Interested parties must provide information indicating that they are qualified to undertake prospecting…
Author: Editor
Botswana Diamonds (BOD) says its latest results from exploration work on its fieldwork programme in Orapa, Botswana on PLs206-210/2014 have shown a geological anomaly that they would start drilling on in September. The exploration work is being done by Sunland Minerals, which is a joint venture between BOD and Russian diamond major, Alrosa. According to the latest company update, the results of the follow-up analysis conducted by the joint venture team on both the geophysics and geochemistry highlight a ‘strong geological anomaly’ on PL210. This is considered prospective for the discovery of kimberlite and will be drilled in September 2015.…
Tsodilo Resources Limited has revealed that its Botswana subsidiary, Bosoto (Pty) Ltd, has taken possession of diamonds that were previously recovered from kimberlite BK16. The company said it took possession of 2 diamond parcels totaling 108 diamonds collectively weighing 21.91carats on May 20, 2015. Parcel 1 consisted of 25 diamonds weighing 4.93 carats with 4 stones weighing more than 0.5 carats each, accounting for 2.96 carats or 59% of this parcel’s weight. Parcel 2 consisted of 83 stones weighing 16.98 carats including 3 stones weighing 1.69, 1.12 and 0.98 carats each. Both parcels were recovered by then license holder Auridiam…
De Beers Group Chief Executive, Philippe Mellier has told the Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) Presidents meeting that sustainable returns across the diamond pipeline are the key to investment to underpin further growth. He added that diamantaires need to make sustainable returns so they can invest in things such as new technology, marketing activities and business efficiency. “Meanwhile, at De Beers we need to make sustainable returns so we can invest in things such as production capacity, with our current projects requiring expenditure of more than $3 billion,” Mellier said. Turning to the midstream,…
Tanzania has immense solar and wind power potential that could provide much-needed energy for the developing nation, according to preliminary findings from a World Bank renewable energy resource mapping project. The country’s resources suitable for solar power generation are estimated to be equivalent to those of Spain, and areas of high wind power potential cover more than 10 percent of the country, an area the size of Malawi, and a greater potential than the US State of California, according to the findings. “Tanzania has big plans for generating electricity from renewable energy resources, so there is a need for clear…
Debswana Jwaneng Mine on Wednesday 10 June, donated a digital multifunctional smart colour copier to Lefhoko Primary School valued at P100, 000. The photocopier machine was procured through the mine’s corporate social investment programme (CSI). Jwaneng Mine Corporate Affairs Manager, Montlenyane Baaitse stated that Jwaneng Mine is intent on making a positive, real and lasting impact on the lives of the people of Lefhoko and surrounding communities. She highlighted that the mine was keen on shaping the future of the country by playing an active part in the education sector. She said the Jwaneng Mine has identified education as one…
Lansmore Masa Square is expected to be a host to a uniquely exciting evening of living with Chivalry on Thursday 25th June 2015. In partnership with Benju, Lansmore will host a Chivas Whisky tasting and food pairing experience tasting like no other. The food pairing will be presented by none other than Zuki Ndugane of Chivas and Lansmore Masa Square Executive Chef, Rico Carlinksy. Those in attendance will be guided through a journey of the Chivas Regal range, enjoying the taste profiles of Chivas Regal 12, Chivas Extra, Chivas 18 year old and 25 year old. The whisky tasting will…
Visitors to the Civic Centre in Francistown are in for a pleasant surprise in the form of the Centre’s new resident: a life-sized rhinoceros sculpture as part of the nationwide #RhinosInTheCity campaign. The product of a collaboration between Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) Trust and local artists, the fibreglass sculpture comes as part of the Trust’s nationwide project aimed at increasing awareness around rhino conservation efforts. BIHL Trust Chairperson, Major General Bakwena Oitsile and Reginald Bakwena from Thapong Visual Arts delivered the White Rhino sculpture to the Francistown Civic Centre. The sculpture was soon unveiled by a delegation from the…
Competitors familiar with the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race will not be surprised to hear the route for this year’s race, from June 26 to 28, will pose a “demanding challenge” with crews being made to work for good results on the only marathon event on the Donaldson Cross Country Championship. The race is round three of the national series, and is highly important in the context of current standings in the Production and Special Vehicle championships. Production Vehicle title contenders need to reign in Castrol Team Toyota Hilux pair Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie who has built up…
fastjet operations in Tanzania carried a total of 65,118 passengers in May 2015, with a load factor of 70%. Compared with the same month of 2014, the number of passengers carried increased by 52%. Punctuality for May remained excellent, with 94% of flights arriving on time. fastjet has also just released its summer flying programme (end July to mid-September). Additional flights on the busy Dar es Salaam to Mwanza route have been added, as well as an extra weekly flight linking Dar es Salaam with both Lusaka and Harare. This further increases utilisation of the current fleet. Ed Winter, Chief…