Chamber of Mines CEO speaks on licensing at Kenya, Botswana Business Forum

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Mr. Charles Siwawa (Pic By Botswana Chamber of Mines)

Mr. Charles Siwawa (Pic By Botswana Chamber of Mines)

The Botswana Chamber of Mines has assured a Kenyan trade delegation in the country that the diamond rich country has the best licensing regime in terms of obtaining a prospecting or a mining licence.

The Kenyan trade mission is attending a business forum in Gaborone where they will learn how Botswana does things, with the mission comprising representatives from a wide range of sectors including tourism from East Africa’s giant economy.

“The process of acquiring a license is simple,” Charles Siwawa, CEO of the Chamber of Mines told the forum, advising that Geological Survey in Lobatse is a custodian of prospecting licences. “If (for example), you want to explore for coal, you tell them on the area to look for coal and if there is no one there, they will grant the license free of charge,” he said.

Then the company will do prospecting and if it finds a mineral, it has to apply for a mining license, again in a simple manner. He advised that Geological Survey stores information on its database which becomes easy for companies wanting prospecting licenses.

“If (during exploration), you find a mineral, a mining licence is for you to lose. You will have to present a poor paper to lose the license,” Siwawa added.

Kenya recently discovered oil and it will be looking to learn from Botswana mining experience. British Gas Group found the oil and natural gas in the tourist town of Lamu. Botswana Investment and Trace Centre CEO, Letsebe Sejoe told the forum Botswana is in need of energy to power the growing economy.  He said the country is in need of self sufficiency by engaging Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

Botswana has also been described as Africa’s Best destination for mining by Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies.

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