Gaborone — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Mr Mmetla Masire says the mining sector is showing some positivity and begining to get back to the new normal.
In a press briefing on May 17, Mr Masire said that alone was a positive sign that the mining sector was starting to get back into the new normal, noting that facilitating organisations such as, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Diamond Hub and De Beers were back in operation.
Mr Masire said the mines were also bringing back their staff into operation with a lot of mines revamping, saying the sector had been operating as an essential service, but only Debswana had closed because they wanted to prepare themselves well.
"So the total workforce has gone up from 9 000 to 13 200, so all in all the mining sector will be operating reasonably well," he said
Mr Masire however said the big challenge with the mining sector was consumption of electricity, given that when they ramp up, it had impact on other services.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Bareng Malatsi said government was desirous to open up the economy, so that people could get on with their lives.
