Economic growth slows on sluggish mining

Diamond output still has not recovered from last year's dip
Diamond output still has not recovered from last year's dip

A slowdown in the mining activity contributed to a slower economic growth in the second quarter of the year as production of diamonds, copper and nickel took a knock. Figures from Statistics Botswana (SB) show that the domestic economy grew by 1.6% in the second quarter of 2016, down from 2.7% in the first quarter of the year.

On a year-on-year basis, growth was, however, stagnant as the economy grew at the same rate as the one recorded in the same quarter of 2015. “The slow growth in real GDP was attributed to real mining value added, which decreased by 13.8% in the second quarter of 2016 compared to a decline of 8.2% registered in the same quarter of the previous year.

In the quarter under review, copper and nickel and diamond production decreased by 26.6% and 12.1% respectively.  It should also be noted that Mowana and Thakadu copper mines have been on provisional liquidation starting from the fourth quarter of 2015 to date,” SB stated.

Editor's Comment
The corrupt must be punished

The findings reveal a disturbing pattern of misconduct and lack of transparency that cannot be ignored.The Tribunal, led by Judge President Justice Kabelo Lebotse, has rightly condemned the Ministry for its eyebrow raising conduct in awarding a P1.8 billion water tender to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Zhong Gan Engineering & Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd.The award was made despite alleged clear evidence that...

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