Orapa mine, the world largest diamond mining town has over the years been seen as a closed society of diamond monied chaps who work hard, get heavy pay cheques and spend the cash by themselves.

However, in a bid to dispel that notion, the mine is mulling a number of projects that will make the area inclusive to surrounding communities and make it possible for motorists passing through the lease area to stop for a minute and feel being part of the mining story.

Orapa is currently a closed town with 12 000 people; mainly OLDMs (Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines) employees and their families.

Under the muted ‘Boteti Today and Boteti Tomorrow’ initiative, OLDMs area as it is called, will in future have a Business Park, a museum, Game Park and a destination that pride itself as address for the world class education system.

Mine leadership however have revealed that the developments do not mean mining is coming to an end anytime soon as Orapa is a large kimberlite province and can support mining activities for over 25 years.

Dr Adrian Gale, General Manager of OLDMs said ‘Today’ is about making Orapa a great place to live and work; the best hospital; the best schools, zero harm and zero crime; a truly harmonious community, Sports and coaching; quiet place to walk and play with children, safe and secure. Orapa is also the winner of cleanest small town in Botswana 2012 & 2013.

“Tomorrow is to position Orapa as the Hub/Capital of Boteti- the gateway to the Makgadikgadi,” revealed Gale. He said a museum will capture the anecdotes, artifacts of this critical period in the history of the nation and open the town to fulfill its destiny in the region. The museum will tell the Boteti Diamond story; i.e. history of the town, diamonds and prospecting amongst others.

Gale said the opportunities accruing from this vision will be to have an open town with many more years of mining and creating Orapa into the tourist capital and gateway to Makgadikgadi. The plan is also to turn the mining town into the commercial hub of Boteti District.

“There is a great opportunity to create a magnet for people to be attracted here,” revealed Gale. “Orapa is the largest mining town in the world (and) we want to create something unique with the mine as an extra appeal”.

On the education front, Gale said they will expand curriculum in line with RDP – Mining/Processing/ Engineering and adopt the only Senior Secondary School in Boteti. The plan will also raise the standards for both employee and community children and in line with Cut 3 – move OTC outside of the mine lease area to become more accessible and visible.

 

A Business Park is envisaged to be located in the South East of the main town on the road from Francistown to Maun which will provide a wide range of services including catering for tourist travelling to OGP and Maun.

 

The move will also encourage contractors to set-up and service, OM, LM, DM & Karowe etc and cater for tourist travelling to OGP and Maun.

 

Gale also revealed Damtshaa, the youngest mine in Debswana portfolio, will be promoted as a model mine with tourist tours and linking mining and conservation as way of unlocking value.

 

The mine also wants to promote Orapa Game Park as a sanctuary for endangered species and target tourism with communities and business providing accommodation – camp sites etc.

 

The ambitious concepts have received support from government and cross ministries working group have been established up to date.