Rio Tinto has appointed Simon Thompson as chairman. Thompson, who joined the Rio Tinto board as a non-executive director in 2014, will become chairman on 5 March 2018. He succeeds Jan du Plessis who will step down as chairman and from the Rio Tinto board on the same date after serving almost nine years as chairman. Thompson has over 20 years’ experience working across five continents in the mining and metals industry. From 1995 to 2007, he worked for the Anglo American group, holding a number of senior positions, including executive director of Anglo American plc, chief executive of the…
Author: Editor
Shumba Energy Ltd, the Botswana-based coal mining and energy development company, has concluded definitive agreements with Kibo Mining Plc at its Mabesekwa Coal Project. According to the deal, 35% of the Mabesekwa coal resource shall be transferred to a special purpose vehicle (NewCo), which shall be utilised in the partnership. Equally, 85% interest in NewCo to be acquired from Sechaba Natural Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Shumba for 153,710,030 new ordinary shares in Kibo that shall rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares in Kibo. The agreement also states that the Consideration Shares will be issued and credited as…
The Rapaport Group has launched the Rapaport Academy, which is an e-learning platform increases knowledge and productivity for professionals in the diamond and jewellery industry. Written and delivered by Rapaport and independent industry experts the Rapaport Academy’s online courses are a springboard to career success in the diamond industry. Rapaport Academy’s first course ‘Fundamentals of Diamond Trading’ focuses on the commercial and practical aspects of the diamond trade with the goal of improving participants’ skills and confidence to trade diamonds. The course helps students understand how diamonds are traded in the global marketplace including trading rules, customs, traditions, and terminology.…
De Beers has announced the winners of the 2016/17 Shining Light Awards: The De Beers Young Jewellery Designers Skills Development Initiative, which were revealed at a red carpet event in Windhoek, Namibia, last night. The awards, which recognise and celebrate emerging jewellery designers in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, provide entrants with a valuable platform to build their careers in the jewellery design industry. Entrants were required to design commercially-viable jewellery collections that demonstrated an artistic interpretation of this year’s theme, ‘Protecting Nature’s Beauty’. The theme was chosen by Forevermark, the diamond brand from De Beers Group, in recognition of…
Botswana Stock Exchange listed African Energy Resources Ltd says it has has been granted approval by shareholders to undertake an on‐market share buy‐back of up to 4% of the company’s total share capital over the next twelve months. This initiative is undertaken as part of its ongoing capital management strategy, taking note of the low market capitalisation (share price) when compared to the net tangible asset backing of the company and, in particular, the current cash backing of $4.3 million. Shareholders have approved the voluntary delisting of African Energy shares from Botswana Stock Exchange and approximately two million shares currently held on the Botswana register will be transferred to the ASX register. The Buyback may be utilised to support the market during this period. “Pursuant to ASX Listing Rules, the prices paid for any shares purchased under the share buy‐back will be no more than 5% above …
It is not often that upcoming comedians get to share a stage with well-established acts in their territory, let alone at a top-notch venue. This past weekend marked an interesting time in the future of the local comedy industry as more and more of Botswana’s comedians are getting a break to display their talents on South African stages. In their quest to create a sustainable market and continual artist development, Major Moves Comedy secured a booking for Augustus Phillimon and Thapelo Malani at the Shampoonaiza Comedy Night at Pretoria State Theatre. The duo recently performed at the Fresh Comedy Night…
Tlou Energy Limited, AIM and ASX listed says it has entered into conditional subscription agreements with investment funds managed by African Alliance Botswana Limited, a leading asset manager based in Botswana. The company said the proceeds of the subscription, along with existing cash, will be applied to complete the current seismic and core hole appraisal programme, commence first phase development dual lateral production pod drilling at the Lesedi project, fund the costs of the Botswana listing and Subscription and for working capital purposes. Under the terms of the Subscription Agreements, Tlou will issue approximately 21.2 million new ordinary shares (representing 6.5% of the…
De Beers Group has announced the nine regional finalists in this year’s Shining Light Awards, which recognise emerging jewellery designers in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and provide them with a valuable platform to build their careers in the jewellery design industry. The finalists, three from each country, were selected for their captivating jewellery designs from more than 130 entries. Entrants were required to create a jewellery collection that represented this year’s design brief theme of ‘Protecting Nature’s Beauty’, which was set by Forevermark, and which recognises De Beers Group’s and Forevermark’s commitment to conservation and sustainability. The focus of…
Wilderness Holdings’ annual Integrated Report has won three of the accolades at this year’s PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)/Business Botswana Best Published Corporate Report and Accounts Awards: Best Overall Report, Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and Best Report in the Commerce and Industry category. Said Derek de la Harpe, Commercial Director and Chief Sustainability Officer, Wilderness Holdings, “This is a tremendous milestone for us as a business. Much time and investment goes into our integrated reporting and the underlying sustainability management and monitoring systems. These are integral to our business but the reports are one of the most obvious manifestations and are…
The 709 carat Peace Diamond left Belgium and is on the way to New York where it will be shown to the world’s most important diamond buyers. The New York viewing of the Peace Diamond will take place from Nov. 20 through Dec. 4 when it will be sold at auction. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines the Hon. Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray presented the diamond today to hundreds of rough diamond dealers at the Antwerp Rough Diamond Bourse (Kring) and issued an official Sierra Leone government proclamation naming the diamond the “Sierra Leone Peace Diamond®.” “This diamond will improve the lives…