Debswana did not commit to absorb Majwe employees -Armstrong
Jwaneng Mine to go underground – Balopi
PHILLIMON MMESO
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
Debswana Diamond Company a joint venture between Botswana government and Anglo American’s De Beers is going into full swing to ensure that their new business strategy adopted last year is yielding desired results.
The Debswana Executive Management recently took the media through their strategy and how they have started to implement it. The strategy is anchored in restructuring of mines and improving efficiencies throughout the group’s operations.
First to take the cue was the General Manager for Jwaneng Diamond Mine Koolatotse Koolatotse who briefed the media about the transition of the Cut 9 expansion project from Majwe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) to Debswana Diamond Company. Koolatotse revealed that the transition was successfully completed at the beginning of April and that the Cut 9 contract was a P12 billion waste stripping p
A successful transition of the Cut 9 expansion project from Majwe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) to Debswana Diamond Company was reached on 4
th April 2021. The Cut 9 contract was a P12 billion waste stripping project that started in 2019 and was expected to end in 2027. The Cut 9 operation will continue with its intent to extend the life of mine of diamond mining in Jwaneng Mine to 2035.
To date the transition has been smooth. No safety incidents have been recorded and this gives Debswana confidence that critical controls have been implemented and are delivering the expected results. Production has been stable throughout the transition from Contract Mining to the interim ‘Project’ arrangement, which entails Jwaneng mine directly operating and managing the Cut 9 mining operation and only outsourcing some key services and resources. Re-tendering process for Cut 9 Labour Sourcing services is planned to be concluded in December 2021.
In a bid to keep stakeholders informed and updated on Debswana Diamond Company Jwaneng Mine’s Cut 9 transition from a fully-outsourced operation to a Hybrid model; the company would like to provide an update to stakeholders.
The Hybrid model will entail Jwaneng mine directly operating and managing the Cut 9 mining operation and only outsourcing some key services and resources. The mine has progressed the process of acquiring required outsourced services, such as drilling, tyre management, maintenance and labour services. These are in various stages in the process.
Unfortunately, the Labour Service Provider tender did not achieve the desired results because the submissions did not adequately address the requirements for the Cut 9 mining operation. The company recognizes a need to workshop the scope and process more broadly with potential bidders to ensure requirements are fully understood. As such the Debswana Board of Directors has approved the recommendation to re-tender. A new