By Rorisang David Mahlo
In
his second week in the portfolio of the Minister of Mining, Honourable Keketso
Sello joined the Ministry hitting the ground running by taking a
familiarisation tour, visiting the two closely neibouring Mining Companies;
Liqhobong Mining Development Company (LMDC)-(Fire Stone) and Storm Mountain
Diamonds (SMD) (Ugrane & Namaqwa Diamonds) from the 4th -5th
July 2017 consecutively.
The
purpose of this tour was basically to familiarize himself with the existing
realities of the economics of the mining sector, so as to mark the key areas of
interest that may need some developments in the near future as a key policy
instrument.
Amongst
many things that were organized as a package of his tour, were the brief
presentations narrating the history of each mining company, their mode of
operations to this far, the challenges each company is facing and their
surviving strategies in the sector.
Most
interestingly, each mining company rejoiced for meeting and hosting the
Honourable Minister as their VIP guest.
Each mining company demonstrated how they go about mining diamonds and
the equipment they use. They also took him to the various operational sections
that together form their designated leased area of mining.
In
their individual remarks while addressing the Honourable Minister, both LMDC
and SMD Chairpersons strongly expressed their gratitude and both highlighted
with appreciation of the key fact of difference between the newly in coming
Ministers with the former Ministers, who showed a keen interest to visit them
in his few early days in the office. They both reckoned that as signal of a
positive spirit of interest in his work duristriction.
“The
Mining sector must be proud that today we have a Minister who is not an office
type, but a Minister who is ready to dress up his protective clothing to
timeously address the mining challenges on site.” Says Poul Bosma the general
Manager LMDC.
One
of those thing Bosma would never leave out in his address was: “let me quickly
highlight, that Liqhobong is only youngest and newly established Mining Company
that is highly promising in terms production.” To this far, this company has
exported only four times, and performed very well in the market though the
company has not yet recovered any history making stones.” Says Bosma.
Liqhobong
has started its commercial mining operations in October 2016 and they are
anticipating to produce even more for the period fifteen years plus, as per the
focasting the mining plan.
Similarly,
their neibouring Mining Company- Storm Mountain Diamonds (SMD) Chairperson-
Mitford Mundell also warmly welcomed the New Mining Minister alluding to his
quick gesture of his presence in the sector through the organized visit. He
also commended him for doing things differently.
In
his welcome remarks the SMD Chairperson –Mundell showed that, “…though SMD is a
low grade mine, but it is highly blessed with unique colorful diamond
production that attracts the market and consequently yielding high
revenue.” Also, the SMD Chairperson
could not hesitate to mention to the Hon Minister that:” Kao Mine is regionally
profiled as the largest Kimberlite pipe in Lesotho and the fourth largest in
Southern Africa.”
At
the end of this tour Honourable Sello indicated that this visit was just an eye
opening tour to see what actually is happening in the mining sector as opposed
to the unbalanced and sourceless rumour about the sector. He also indicated
that, he is yet to organise another round of tour with a different objective
next time.
Finally,
Honourable Sello thanked the two neibouring Mining companies for their hearty
welcome and for their spontaneous response to his sudden request to meeting
them on site. The Honourable Minister
expressed with no uncertain terms that his office operates with the policy of
open doors to everyone, so should there be any need to meet him, they are all
more than welcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment