BCM to start plant for disposables

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday August 2, 2013 00:00

 

The organisation's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Siwawa told Business Week recently in an interview here where mining giant Botswana Ash (Botash) was celebrating five million fatality free shifts. The plant will be used exclusively by the BCM members according to him.'Most of the chemicals and fuels such as oils and greases used in the local mining industry are disposed of in South Africa because there is no facility that treats and disposes of such chemicals in the country so that they do not become dangerous.'We intend to establish a facility in the country meant to assist our members to treat and dispose of such chemicals. The idea is still at embryonic stage and we are yet to decide when the project will start,' Siwawa said.

'We are even yet to decide where we will source funds for the project or where the plant will be situated,' he further explained. During the interview the BCM CEO also stated that his organisation is in the process of launching an initiative meant to support local businesses. Siwawa said the ambitious initiative will be launched sometimes in September.'Under the initiative we will be encouraging Batswana to start to establish businesses in various sectors of the economy with a view of supporting them through our members,' he said before indicating that more details about the initiative will follow at the launch. Siwawa explained that the initiative will be part of the BCM's efforts to support the government's Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) policy.

The EDD was established a few years ago to promote the growth of a vibrant and globally competitive private sector and to encourage economic diversification. 'Under the initiative the government introduced preference margins to give local manufacturers and service providers a competitive advantage when bidding for Government tenders,' he said.  BCM was established more than 20 years ago by a group of mines that wanted to have a concerted voice when discussing issues that affect the mining industry with stakeholders such as government and other interested parties. The chamber is a non-governmental organisation, which depends on funding from its over 25 members.