BCL closure slows economic growth

Ripple effects: Electricty and coal production are some of the sectors affected by the BCL closure
Ripple effects: Electricty and coal production are some of the sectors affected by the BCL closure

The economy grew at a slower rate of 0.8% in the first three months of the year compared to 2.3% in the same period last year as the full effects of the closure of BCL in the fourth quarter of 2016 come into play.

Although the economy’s new driver, the services sector continued to perform well, it was the 28.9% decrease in the real mining value added that largely slowed economic growth.

BCL’s closure also affected coal production with Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) reducing output while the water and electricity sector also reduced output due to the closure of the copper and nickel mines.

Editor's Comment
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It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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