Diamonds push mining production up

Rebound: Recovery in diamond production drove the mining index up
Rebound: Recovery in diamond production drove the mining index up

Mining production in Botswana rose 23% year-on-year in September, primarily influenced by positive contributions from diamonds and gold, Statistics Botswana (SB) said this week.

The index of mining production (IMP) stood at 90.7 in the third quarter of 2017 showing a year-on-year increase from of 23% from 73.7 during the third quarter of 2016.

According to the data office, the quarter-on-quarter analysis reflects an increase of 3.9% from 87.3 during the second quarter of 2017.

Editor's Comment
Botswana at a critical juncture

While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

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