Puma Energy Botswana has revealed that mining sector will remain an important client and will continue to find solutions to support the industry.

Speaking at the Botswana Resource Sector Conference, General Manager Mahube Mpungwa said they have long history of supplying mining companies around the world.

“We believe mining is important to our economy. As fuel suppliers, we underscore our readiness to supply the industry in Botswana”.

Puma’s key customers in Botswana include Debswana mines, BCL, Karowe mine and Messina copper amongst others. The petroleum company is also an exclusive supplier of Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) with diesel at its power peaking plants.

The company has also invested in storage facilities in Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. It will additionally have access to storage following the acquisition of assets in Zimbabwe.

“In mining (in Botswana) what we have done is that we have invested at our customer site,” he revealed. For example, they have built a 1 million litres storage in Orapa. “Investment in facilities and fuel management technology allows customers to focus on core business,” Mpungwa told the conference.

Puma Energy acquired BP assets in Botswana in 2010 and targets B2B, mining and retail clients amongst others. The company has also teamed up with Castrol, which makes it attractive and beating competitors.

The company has been engaged by BPC to supply diesel at power peaking plant at a time where there is power shortage in Botswana and the region.

Speaking at the same conference, Shumba Coal CEO, Mashale Phumaphi warned that there is urgent need of power in Southern African countries including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Shumba is looking to tap into power shortages in the region through the development of the 300MW Sechaba Energy Project. “Even if we were to put 10x 300MW power stations, we will just be scratching the surface,” Phumaphi said of power needs in the region.