Following the provisional liquidation of BCL Mine by its only shareholder, government of Botswana, the local federation of employers said it will conduct its own investigation to find out what led to the decision. Government as 100% owner recently appointed liquidator Nigel Dixon-Warren of KPMG to look into the affairs of the copper/ nickel miner as it is argued BCL Limited has become uneconomic to operate for some time mainly due to the decline of copper/nickel prices in the market and the high costs of operations.

Business Botswana said although it appreciates efforts by government it has appointed its own task team which will run parallel to the liquidator adding that, “…..time is of essence and this matter is highly prioritised”.

“We note that government in its role as a shareholder has appointed a provisional liquidator to advise on appropriate measures to be undertaken to stem the losses that have been incurred in recent times,” said a statement by Dr Racious Moatshe and President Lekwalo Mosienyane.

“We further note that the decision to close these mines will have implications on the wider business community in both Selibe Phikwe and across Botswana,” they added.

According to Business Botswana, the decision to close these mines will have implications on the wider business community in both Selibe Phikwe and across Botswana.

“As a consequence, Business Botswana has appointed a task team to look into the BCL and Tati Nickle Mines and suggest a way forward. Business Botswana stands ready to support and cooperate with the Government, liquidator and other interested parties in the search for a viable long term solution.”

Dixon-Warren will determine a number of aspects including finding out whether the company’s four shafts and the smelter can be scaled down and over 4, 500 workers’ exit packages and also inform government on what assets the mine had as well as what could be done with assets and other operations.