Rio Tinto has unveiled its annual showcase of the world’s rarest pink and red diamonds in an exclusive preview at the Argyle mine site in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia. The 64-diamond collection, including three Fancy Red diamonds and weighing 56.28 carats in total, make up the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender. Rio Tinto Copper & Diamonds chief executive Arnaud Soirat said “I am delighted to be at the Argyle mine for this exclusive world preview. These diamonds, each a natural treasure, are a testament to the enormous range and depth of offering from the Argyle ore body,…
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Qatar Airways has announced the launch of its new service to Gaborone, Botswana, starting 27 October 2019. The capital and largest city of Botswana will be the airline’s first destination in the African country. The three-times weekly flights will be operated by an Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring 36 seats in Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are excited to be launching three-weekly flights to Gaborone, another highly sought after destination in Africa. Qatar Airways is committed to growing our presence in Africa and adding to…
De Beers Group has announced the second translocation of elephants from its Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve (VLNR) in South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique has taken place. The first herds of elephants were corralled at the VLNR on 25 June, before making their journey by road some 1,700km where they were released at Zinave on 27 June. The final herds arrived at Zinave today, bringing the total number of elephants moved in 2019 to 53. The translocation is part of a major conservation effort – known as ‘Moving Giants’ – that aims to move some 200 elephants over…
Tlou Energy Limited says the Lesedi 4 production pod has successfully reached Critical Desorption Pressure (“CDP”). According to the company, short term gas flow test conducted at the Lesedi 3 pod yielding positive results while dewatering of the Lesedi 3 & 4 pods is continuing according to plan. Tlou’s Managing Director, Tony Gilby commented, “We are very pleased to have now reached CDP at both the Lesedi 3 and Lesedi 4 production pods. The short-term gas flow test at Lesedi 3 has also been positive, and with the primary objective of demonstrating a commercial gas flow rate, we look forward to further testing at…
Gem Diamonds has announced the appointment of Mazvi Maharasoa as a Non-Executive Director. Maharasoa’s appointment will take effect from 1 July 2019. Maharasoa has over 20 years’ of senior management experience of which 10 years were spent in the mining sector with her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd (2009 to 2017) following serving for two years as its Resident Director (2007 to 2009). Maharasoa was also the Founder and President of the Lesotho Chamber of Mines (2016). Prior to Maharasoa’s involvement in the mining sector, she worked in the Ministry of Natural Resources and…
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks says it recently identified a poisoning site in a Wildlife Management Area CT 1 in the Central District. The poisoning was believed to have been caused by lacing of three poached elephant carcasses with a poisonous chemical which lead to significant mortality in vultures and eagles. “A total of 537 vultures and two tawny eagles were found dead at the site. The breakdown included 10 cape vultures, 14 lappet faced vultures, 468 white backed vultures, 17 white headed vultures and 28 hooded vulture,” said Tourism ministry in a statement. “The law enforcement team…
Botswana is reaping the rewards from decades of successful management of its diamond sector to become one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Speaking at the Plenary Meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris, MD of Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), Marcus ter Haar commented that, “Transparency and good governance must continue to be a guiding value of corporate behaviour in order to earn the trust and respect of our current and future consumers.” The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation with…
Diversified mining services company Ausdrill Limited (ASX: ASL) says its subsidiary, leading hard-rock underground miner Barminco, has been awarded a 5-year underground mining services contract at the Zone 5 Mine in Botswana from Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Limited (Khoemacau) worth approximately A$800 million. Ausdrill Managing Director Mark Norwell said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded this significant contract in Botswana, a highly desirable country to do business in Africa. This contract award is further endorsement of our acquisition of Barminco and its strong contribution to our international growth strategy.” Khoemacau’s Zone 5 operation is a new, large and…
There was jubilation in the Atlas Copco SA camp on the third and final day of the Toyota Desert Race 1000, the third round of the South African National Cross Country Series (SACCS) that took place on 21, 22 and 23 June at Selebi-Phikwe in Botswana, when Chris Visser and Philip Herselman claimed the overall victory after three tough days and almost a thousand kilometres of racing. An extremely tight route, all new racing terrain, treacherous dust, trees and rocks combined with pressure for that elusive win of the popular TDR 1000 all added up to make this year’s event…
Back in April 2017 Minergy Limited listed on the main board of the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) with the objective of utilising its 100% owned 390-million tonne Masama Coal Project in the Mmambula Coalfield to become a preeminent coal mining and trading company in southern Africa. As the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andre Bojé successfully steered the Company through its listing and mine development after having conceived a company strategy that has positioned the Company to achieve its objective of becoming a significant player in southern African coal mining and trading. On 14 May 2019, Minergy announced that Bojé…