Modern Mining June 2015

EVENTS

Miners meet in Gaborone

Reflecting the depressed conditions in mining throughout Southern Africa, the recent Botswana Resource Sector Conference – held in Gaborone on 9-10 June – was slightly subdued in character compared to previous events but nevertheless attracted a healthy turnout of approximately 320 delegates. We will be reporting in detail on the conference and on Botswana’s mining sector in our next issue. In the meantime, these photos – taken by Modern Mining’s Bennie Venter and Arthur Tassell – will give readers a flavour of the event.

Botswana’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, at the podium.

Maureen Mokgaotsane, Project Manager, Petra Diamonds Botswana, presented on Petra’s exploration programme in Botswana, which has already delivered the very promising Kx36 kimberlite.

Balisi Bonyongo, MD of Debswana Diamond Company, updated delegates on the group’s current activities and future plans.

Paul Day, COO of Lucara Diamond Corp, gave a presentation on the company’s very successful Karowe diamond mine in central Botswana.

The scene in the conference hall at the Gaborone International Convention Centre.

32  MODERN MINING  June 2015