Brand new Motheo already eyeing expansion
Mbongeni Mguni - Lewanika Timothy | Monday August 14, 2023 06:00
Motheo Mine, constructed at P4.9 billion, becomes the Kalahari Copperbelt's second copper operation after Khoemacau. Sandfire Resources, an Australian company, is confident in achieving 20,000 tonnes of copper concentrate at Motheo this year, before reaching the nameplate capacity of 40,000 tonnes next year.
Motheo created 1,900 jobs during its construction and will support between 650 and 800 direct jobs at full operation over its 10-year lifespan. Speaking at the launch, Sandfire CEO Brendan Harris stated that they aim to further expand processing capacity at Motheo, with a target of 50,000 tonnes by 2025.
“By redirecting exploration investment away from Australia to Botswana and sharpening our focus on numerous near-mine targets, we will significantly extend the life of Motheo, delivering value to surrounding communities and Botswana more broadly, for decades to come,” he said.
Harris added, “Nameplate capacity has already been achieved across several shifts, with a copper recovery rate of over 90% recorded. This strong start supports our confidence in Motheo's potential.'
The company has received Environmental and Social Impact Assessment approval for Motheo's expansion. In a May interview with BusinessWeek, Sandfire’s local officials mentioned the expansion cost as $60 million.
Harris noted that the expansion would raise Motheo's capacity by just over 60% to 5.2 million tonnes per annum. “Motheo’s expansion will provide Botswana with hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties in its initial 10 years and offer long-term employment opportunities for about 800 people, with over 90% of our permanent workforce being citizens,' Harris added.
Motheo’s concentrate will be shipped through Walvis Bay in Namibia for the international spot market, benefiting from the current copper price boom due to global economic recovery from the pandemic and rising demand for the commodity in the energy transition. Officially launching the mine, Masisi remarked that Motheo positively impacts the local economy around Gantsi and the broader economy.
“The construction and commissioning of the Motheo Copper Mine have provided a positive impact on the local communities of Gantsi, Kuke, D’Kar, and their surroundings,' he said.
“The positive spin-offs include direct and indirect employment, local procurement of goods and services, engagement of local contractors, and an ever-expanding community relations programme built around improving the lives of local people.'