Orange is launching the call for applications for the 5th edition of the Orange African Social Venture Prize. This initiative aims to encourage innovative start-up projects which help to accelerate development on the African continent. The prize will recognise three projects with grants of 10,000, 15,000 and 25,000 euros, along with six months of support from Orange experts. The first prize will also be offered a patent registration in the country of the project’s deployment. Internet users are also invited to vote online for their favourite project on Orange’s entertainment portal in Africa, StarAfrica.com. The winner of the “Favourite Project”…
Author: Editor
The Botswana economy has continued to rely on mining sector—especially the diamond trade, new data has shown. The International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) Monthly Digest for March has revealed that diamonds still dominates goods coming and leaving the country. The report released by Statistics Botswana noted that the March 2015 total exports were valued at P8, 352.1 million, with 88.4 percent (P7, 383.1 million) attributed to exports of diamonds. However, the statistics body advised: “It should be noted that these values include diamonds from Diamond polishing companies as well as diamonds from the aggregation process.” Copper Nickel contributed 4.6 percent…
The Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) said it has shut down the North South Carrier Scheme I (NSC I) pipeline after it experienced a pipe burst upstream of Palapye. WUC added that the shutdown will result in periods of no water supply in the Greater Gaborone area, even outside the water rationing schedule. “The effects of the unavailability of the pipeline will set in at different times in the different areas of the Greater Gaborone as and when these areas deplete their stored supply. The shutdown will last at least three days from the 25th of May 2015,” it said. The…
Barrick Gold Corporation says it has reached an agreement to sell 100 percent of the Cowal mine in New South Wales, Australia to Evolution Mining for US$550 million in cash on closing. Co-President of the group, Kelvin Dushnisky said the sale of Cowal is consistent with the strategy we have outlined to create long-term value for our owners, making a significant contribution to our debt reduction target while further focusing the geographic footprint of our portfolio. “We are pleased to have achieved a successful outcome following a competitive auction process in the first of several asset sales now underway. We…
De Beers has announced its intention to explore the extension of the operating life of mine of its Kimberley Mines Tailings Operation beyond 2018 by placing the mine on the market. The diamond major said it has been investigating ways to extend the economic life of its tailings-based mining operation in Kimberley. In the past decade the mine has taken steps to sustain the operation and succeeded in maintaining production in economically challenging times. Phillip Barton, CEO, De Beers Consolidated Mines said it is encouraging that our work, to date, in considering all options, has shown that Kimberley Mines may…
fastjet Zimbabwe, the planned new low-cost airline, welcomed hundreds of Zimbabwean job-seekers at its first official recruitment drive on Sunday, 17 May 2015 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. Applicants interested in joining fastjet could apply for pilot, cabin crew, ground operation staff, operations and dispatch supervisor positions. “We were highly impressed with the calibre of applicants interested in coming to work for our new airline,” said Richard Bodin, fastjet’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We are looking forward to working with the people of Zimbabwe to build a reputation for fastjet Zimbabwe as a friendly, customer-focused airline that offers an…
Botswana government says it will in the near future float a tender for a renewable energy project in the northern part of the country that will serve mining operations in a bid to mitigate their energy costs. Many mining companies in the north of the country are off the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) grid, which means they are forced to self generate power using diesel powered generators and in the long run increasing operating costs. “The tender will be out shortly,” the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR), Kitso Mokaila said at a press conference. The project will…
Gem Diamonds Limited has released its operational performance for the period 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2015, which showed a strong performance from the Lesotho operations. The company said an average of US$ 2 1461 per carat was achieved at Letšeng mine for the first three tenders of 2015, which was better than US$2 1401 per carat in Q4 2014. It added that at its Botswana operation, 67 330 tonnes of ore was treated during the period, with 16 174 carats recovered at a grade of 24 cpht. It added that the Ghaghoo development is progressing well with the first…
Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) Trust says it will aid the development of Khawa Village—with the pledge made recently at the annual Khawa Dune Challenge and Cultural Festival held this past weekend. BIHL Trustees; Ngwatshi Enyatseng and Dr. Rosaleen Nhlekisana, together with BIHL Group staff members, Batho Mongale and Tebogo Sefhemo, shared the news before attendees of the now infamous sporting and cultural festival, noting this comes as part of the Trust’s longstanding reputation to help uplift communities. BIHL Trust Administrator, Tebogo Keepetsoe said the BIHL Trust, since its inception in 2007, has committed towards helping uplift and support communities…
DHL, the world’s leading express provider and Official Logistics Partner for Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC2015) to be held in England, has announced the launch of the DHL Match Ball Delivery competition across Sub Saharan Africa. This platform offers a once in a lifetime experience to 5 children and their guardians to become a part of rugby history by delivering the official Match Ball onto the field at Rugby World Cup 2015 in London. This forms part of DHL’s global competition where 48 lucky children aged 8-15 years from all over the world will win the opportunity to deliver the…