Monday, 5 December 2011
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
G4S plans share split to ease tradability
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Impact sheds 40% to focus on Botswana exploration
Hunt begins for new DTCB boss
Paragon Diamonds wins licence in Botswana
Discovery Metals on track for copper mine
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Monday, 4 July 2011
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
The world's premier mining and mining investment website Impact Minerals Limited [IPT] - Drilling Under Way on Botswana Uranium Project
National brand nears global recognition
Monday, 13 June 2011
Firestone Diamonds Listing on Botswana Stock Exchange
Botswana Holds Off Unions, Keeps Top Africa Credit Rating, Moody’s Says
BOTSWANA DIAMONDS IDENTIFIES POTENTIALLY DIAMONDIFEROUS ROCK LAYERS IN CAMEROON LICENSE
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Strike to undermine GDP forecast - economist
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Botswana’s Economy Is Back on Strong Growth Path on Gem Exports, IMF Says
Botswana’s economy is “back onto a strong growth trajectory” due to a rebound in diamond exports and good government policies, the International Monetary Fund said. While inflation has accelerated there isn’t firm evidence of generalized price pressures in the southern African nation’s economy and the IMF supports the central bank’s neutral stance on interest rates, the Washington-based institution said in a statement on its website. The government must continue efforts to reduce its large state wage bill, it said.
The world's premier mining and mining investment website Exploration program finalized for Botswana coal projects & update on Kenya coals basin tender
Key Points:
- Initial exploration drilling program for Botswana finalised following receipt of report from the Company's independent South African consulting geologists
- 60 borehole drilling program to be completed in 2011 through two phase exploration drilling program to commence upon appointment of Botswana drilling contractors
- Exploration drilling to focus initially on the Serowe Thermal Coal Project with subsequent drilling to commence on the Kweneng Thermal Coal Project
- Tender documents received from the Kenyan Ministry of Energy for 4 coal concession blocks in the Mui Coal Basis with submissions due in July 2011
Emerging mid-tier South African focussed coal producer Continental Coal Limited (ASX: CCC) ("Continental" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its planned exploration activities on its Serowe and Kweneng thermal coal projects in Botswana (together the "Projects") following receipt of the planned initial exploration and drilling programs for each of its projects from its independent geological consultants. The Company is also pleased to confirm that it has received a "Request for Proposals for Concession of Mui Coal Blocks" and the accompanying data and will be submitting its detailed proposal as required to the Kenyan Ministry of Energy in July 2011. "We are extremely pleased to have finalised our planned initial exploration program for our Botswana prospecting licenses and to be in a position of being able to commence work in-country very shortly. In addition, having now received the tender documents from the Kenyan Ministry of Energy we are busy preparing our submission to position ourselves to secure one of the 4 exciting coal concession blocks available." commented Continental's Executive Director, Jason Brewer. "It is very pleasing to be able to offer our shareholders such exploration upside in these highly prospective and strategically located coal regions, particularly coupled with export and domestic thermal coal sales from our two producing open cast mines in South Africa and ahead of planned announcements of the Penumbra Coal Project development and funding plans due to be released to the market in the coming days" Mr Brewer added.
S&P affirms Botswana's ratings
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has affirmed its 'A-' long-term and 'A-2' short-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings on the Republic of Botswana and on the Bank of Botswana, the country's central bank.
"We also affirmed the 'A' long-term and 'A-1' short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Botswana and its central bank. The republic's 'A+' transfer and convertibility assessment is unchanged. The outlooks on Botswana and the Bank of Botswana are stable," the rating agency said. It said the affirmation reflects Botswana's strong public sector balance sheet, even though this recently deteriorated. It also reflects its well-managed minerals-based economy, and long record of political stability. These factors are somewhat offset by the country's narrow economic base, which is vulnerable to shocks; heavy reliance on diamond sector performance, despite efforts to diversify; fiscal challenges; and still-significant development needs. "Botswana's stable politics, track-record of prudent macroeconomic policies, and high level of transparency are strong by emerging market standards. However, key structural credit constraints are the country's narrow economy, together with income levels that are amongst the lowest in the 'A' category, high unemployment, and the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. "Botswana is the world's top producer of diamonds and the diamond industry remains the country's economic locomotive. Abundant diamond resources, well-managed and exploited, and a social-democratic-style welfare state, have helped Botswana to develop from one of the world's poorest countries to a middle-income country with GDP per capita of about $7,500 in 2010. "The global downturn hit Botswana hard, as the country's key commodity markets, in particular the diamond market, contracted sharply and external demand slumped. But since mid-2010, the market has rebounded sharply. Real GDP contracted by 4.8% in 2009, but expanded again by an estimated 7.2% in 2010. Our projections indicate that it should remain fairly strong in fiscal years 2011-2013, provided that the recovery in the global demand for diamonds continues. "The stable outlook balances the fiscal difficulties the government faces with a strong public sector external balance sheet. The rating could come under pressure if the government suffered further fiscal slippage and did not meet its consolidation plans, due to weaker than anticipated revenues or to higher than forecast expenditures, which could lead to greater and more rapid dissipation of asset buffers. "Botswana's creditworthiness could improve if reforms are implemented more quickly, dependence on mining continues to decline, and private sector development broadens. However, we do not expect this to be achieved within the current forecast period," S&P said.
Sono Resources Appoints Dr. Luc Antoine as Director
Sono Resources Inc. (OTCQB: SRCI) reports that Dr. Luc Antoine has joined Sono as a Director of the Company. Dr. Luc Antoine is a professional geologist and geophysicist who has worked on the African continent in such countries asAlgeria, Libya, Tanzania, Sudan, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Congo, Gabon, Mauritania, Senegal, Morocco andBotswana for over 20 years. His expertise is focused on exploration, data security and quality control, data acquisition, and on data interpretation. Dr. Antoine is co-founder and technical director of GeX Surveys, a company specializing in airborne geophysical data acquisition contracting services since 2006. He is also co-founder and technical director of Geoscientific Exploration Services, a company offering geological, geotechnical, remote sensing and geophysical consulting and contracting services since 1999. During his career, Dr. Antoine has been extensively involved in developing exploration programmes for leading mining and mineral companies including Anglo American Gold Corporation (1986 to 1987) and Anglo American Gold's base metals operations (1980 to 1986), as well as Falconbridge Exploration (1973 and 1978 to 1979). He also taught exploration methodology at the University of the Witwatersrand from 1987 to 2002. A resident of South Africa, Dr. Antoine is an Associate Member of South African Geophysical Association (President 1993), a member of the Geological Society of South Africa, the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
CIC ENERGY TO OPEN DATA ROOM TO OTHER POTENTIAL ACQUIRERS
CIC Energy Corp. ("CIC Energy" or the "Company") (TSX:ELC, BSE:CIC Energy) today announces that its board of directors has approved the termination by the Company of the Acquisition and Supplementary Agreements with JSW Energy Limited ("JSW") in accordance with their terms as the proposed acquisition of the Company by JSW will not be completed by the required deadline of May 31, 2011. A notice of termination will be sent to JSW on June 1, 2011. CIC Energy believes shareholder interests will be better served by pursuing an alternative transaction. While CIC Energy is willing to continue discussions with JSW Energy, any such discussions would have to be on a non-exclusive basis. CIC Energy intends to open its data room to potential acquirers as soon as practicable following termination of the agreements with JSW. CIC Energy has already received several expressions of interest as was reported in the Company's news release of April 28, 2011. It is expected that CIC Energy advisors, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Pvt Ltd., will begin speaking with the advisors of prospective acquirers shortly thereafter. "It is disappointing that after almost eight months the transaction with JSW has not been completed despite several extensions to the original deadline," said Greg Kinross, President of CIC Energy, "we thank shareholders for their patience and understanding and remain committed to unlocking value for shareholders". "We look forward to beginning discussions regarding the acquisition of the Company with other major corporations that have expressed interest in CIC Energy in recent months, as well as other parties," said Warren Newfield, CEO of CIC Energy. "We believe this is the best course of action for shareholders. We are prepared to continue the process with JSW, but only on a non-exclusive basis."
Arbitration by GCL Botswana: In respect of the arbitration process recently initiated by GCL Botswana Limited ("GCL Botswana"), CIC Energy continues to regard it as being entirely without merit. Although discussions have taken place between the Company and GCLBotswana with a view to settling the dispute and terminating the underlying shareholders' agreement, the situation remains unresolved. The Company is open to further discussions with GCL Botswana, but is considering all of its options to resolve its position.
Conference Call: CIC Energy will host a conference call with Warren Newfield, CEO and Chairman, and Greg Kinross, President to discuss this news release on Tuesday May 31, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 p.m. SAST). To participate in the conference call, investors and media from the US and Canada should dial 1-888-231-8191 prior to the scheduled start time. International callers should dial +1 (647) 427-7450.
CIC confident of finding new buyer after JSW deal breaks up
CIC Energy is optimistic that it will receive offers from companies interested in its power-generation and coal-export projects in Botswana, after the firm terminated a takeover agreement with India's JSW Energy, chairperson Warren Newfield said on Tuesday. The company has been approached by “more than two” parties and is not concerned that it will not be able to secure a new offer, CIC executives told analysts on a conference call. They declined to provide more details, but, when pressed, conceded that the potential suitors included interest from India, as well as elsewhere in the world. CIC said earlier on Tuesday that it was also still open to nonexclusive negotiations with JSW, but that it “believes shareholder interests will be better served by pursuing an alternative transaction.” Shares in the company rose 5,3% on Tuesday, to C$3,16 apiece by 15:59 in Toronto. JSW, an Indian power utility, agreed in November last year to buy CIC Energy for C$7,75 a share, or about C$422-million. The parties have been trying to close the deal since then, and had set a deadline of May 31 for certain conditions to have been waived or met. JSW had wanted assurances from the government of Botswana related to a future power purchase agreement but was not able to reach an agreement before the cut-off date. CIC now intends to send a letter of termination to JSW, and will then open its data room to other potential buyers as soon as possible. “It is disappointing that after almost eight months the transaction with JSW has not been completed despite several extensions to the original deadline,” CIC president Greg Kinross said in a statement.
Continental Coal finalises Botswana exploration program, receives Kenya Mui Coal Basin tender documents
Bouquet joins Botswana Diamonds as non-exec director
SABMiller’s Sechaba Breweries Says Full-Year 2010 Profit Increases 10%
Botswana says to raise bank reserve requirements
Monday, 30 May 2011
Hana Mining Ltd.: Infill Drilling Continues to Encounter Thick Intersections of Copper-Silver Mineralization Along the North Limb of the Banana Zone
Highlights of Recent Drilling Results:
- Drilling is progressing as scheduled. Total drilling to date is approximately 12,297 metres (core and reverse circulation).
- These latest results confirm the continuity of copper-silver mineralization along the North Limb of the Banana Zone.
- Intercepts of 0.56% Cu and 11.0 g/t Ag over 27.9 metres (including 3.49% Cu and 69.0 g/t Ag over 1.5 metres) in hole HA-265-D, 0.47% Cu and 3.0 g/t Ag over 27.6 metres (including 1.24% Cu and 7.0 g/t Ag over 7.9 metres) in hole HA-273-D, 0.61% Cu and 11.0 g/t Ag over 16.8 metres (including 1.02% Cu and 21.0 g/t Ag over 8.6 metres) in hole HA-267-D and 0.54% Cu and 9.0 g/t Ag over 21.4 metres (including 0.89% Cu and 13.0 g/t Ag over 8.5 metres) in hole HA-260-D.
Discussion of Results:
The infill drilling program at North Limb North has confirmed that copper-silver mineralization is continuous and has consistent widths and in some sections it bifurcates into two high-grade zones within a very wide, lower grade, mineralized envelope (Figure 3). This drilling will allow for the conversion more mineral resources from the Inferred category into the Indicated category.
To view the three images associated with this release, please click the following link:http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/530hmgmaps.pdf.
Reinstate dismissed workers, abolish ‘no work, no pay’, utilise pyramid scheme, or strike continues
Botswana on the brink of collapse?
"This shows that this man is undermining this country," Boko said, adding that Khama should step down because he had failed to deliver on the principles he enunciated when he was inaugurated as president in 2008.
17th June Dividend
Peermont may mull listing after restructuring
History of the common monetary area
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Recovery punctuated by rising inflation
“For Botswana, the current state of the economy and the assumptions on both the domestic and external economic outlook, as well as the inflation forecast, exerts pressure to maintain the Bank Rate at 9.5 percent,” read a statement from the Bank of Botswana (BoB).
African Copper copper producer and exploration company, announces a production update for its Mowana and Thakadu Mines.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - May 19, 2011) - African Copper Plc ("ACU" or the"Company") (AIM:ACU)(BOTSWANA:AFRICAN COPPER), the AIM and Botswana listed copper producer and exploration company, announces a production update for its Mowana and Thakadu Mines.
Japanese tsunami hit Botswana where it hurts most
According to a De Beers 2010 Report Japan last year consumed 11 percent of the 33.5 million carats sold worldwide. This year, De Beers had projected to up production to 38 million carats, a situation that would have seen 4.2 million carats consumed in Japan alone.
De Beers bullish on new diamond deposits
"We have invested a substantial amount of money in trying to extend the lifespan of mines in Botswana, particularly with the Cut 8 project at Jwaneng where we will extract 100 million carats until about 2025," he said.
"But thereafter, we are confident that we will find more deposits in the country, but the key will be sustainable mining as well as beneficiation as one carat mined means one less carat to mine." However, Oppenheimer would not be drawn into discussing progress on the on-going negotiations between government and De Beers.
Not a scrap of info on copper cable market
P572,000 minimum price for BHC Flats
A home loans officer at Barclays Bank who did not want to be named told Mmegi in a telephone interview that to qualify for a loan of P577,000, the high end price for the one bedroom unit, one would need a net income of at least P11,911, after tax and other deductions. This would be for a loan with an 11 percent interest paid over 20 years at a monthly instalment of P5,955.73. The officer said that in her experience, first time homeowners such as recent graduates usually prefer to buy flats. "Older people tend to buy townhouses," she said.
Hodges Resources to acquire up to 99% of the Morupule South Coal project, Botswana
BOCCIM mediates between govt, unions
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Comair Suspends Start of Flights to Gaborone, Maputo, Business Day Reports
Comair Ltd. (COM) suspended starting flights to Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, and Maputo in Mozambique. The flights, which were due to start on May 30, have been delayed to September as the company awaits a commitment from Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, to build a new runway and expand other infrastructure, the Johannesburg- based newspaper reported. Lanseria plans to spend 150 million rand on a new runway and is investing more than 50 million rand in three new terminal gates and 1,000 new parking bays.
Minister of Diamond Rich Botswana Attending Antwerp Diamond Conference
In pursuit to the objective of establishing a Botswana Diamond Centre and downstream diamond manufacturing facilities, the Minister undertook a trip to Belgium and Switzerland at the end of August 2010 and explored areas of collaboration between Botswana and the Antwerp World Centre. Minister Kedikilwe is expected back home on 25th May, 2011
Adding Value to De Beers
The adage “If you don’t move forward, you begin to move backward” may have weighed heavily on the conscience of Oppenheimer’s board.
Botswana's Minerals Minister Attending Antwerp Diamond Conference
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Nedbank BettaBeta ETF lists on Botswana Stock Exchange
Botswana market significant
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
De Beers Hires Alstom's Mellier in Echo of Anglo's Carroll
"We're looking for Philippe really to shape De Beers to be relevant for the next generation," Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer, 65, said in a phone interview from London today. "There's no doubt that De Beers, when Philippe comes to the end of this tenure, will be a different company to what it is today. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/05/15/bloomberg1376-LLA3QM6K50XU01-2V4SFE3598AJU7AKIUA7D198IV.DTL#ixzz1MbGGEEIb
The Development Conundrum Anagram of Africa
De Beers names new Group CEO
RBZ urges gold-backed Zim dollar
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Botswana trade deficit at record high in February
Monday, 9 May 2011
Friday, 29 April 2011
CIC Energy-JSW deal in trouble over Botswana project
CIC Energy Corp's buyout by JSW Energy Ltd might be terminated or delayed if it fails to get a "comfort letter" from the Botswana government for its 300 MW power project in Botswana. Last November, CIC had agreed to a C$422 million, or C$7.42 a share, buyout offer from JSW Energy, subject to CIC having obtained such a comfort letter from the Government of Botswana. CIC said it has begun talks with JSW and the government of Botswana. The discussions are expected to conclude by May 31. CIC said the deal may also be delayed pending talks and fulfilment of several conditions. It had expected to close the deal by end of May. If the proposed acquisition of CIC is not completed by May 31, either CIC Energy or JSW will be entitled to terminate the supplementary agreement, CIC said in a statement. Last month, the Botswana government had declined to renew one of CIC's two mining licenses.
Public service strike exposes chinks in Botswana's armour
Almost 100 000 public servants have been on strike in Botswana since Monday last week, in an unprecedented display of popular militancy in the country. The nationwide strike, over demands for a 16% salary increase, has potential political implications for a state ruled by the Botswana Democratic Party since independence. Thousands of striking workers have gathered daily at the Gaborone Secondary School (GSS) grounds, chanting anti-government slogans. Some union members say the strike is clearly influenced by events in North Africa, adding that the GSS grounds have been nicknamed "the Tahrir Square of Botswana", recalling the scene of protests in central Cairo. Workers in major towns and villages have also been demonstrating. The strike is said to have paralysed government operations such as health and education. Trade unions claim that about 80% of the civil service has joined in. The state is Botswana's largest employer. Unionists said the government has redeployed members of the Botswana Defence Force, the Botswana Police and volunteers to keep services running. The Botswana Red Cross Society has also been roped in to assist in clinics and hospitals. This week the government of President Ian Khama dismissed reports of a "crisis". The government spokesperson and deputy permanent secretary in Khama's office, Jeff Ramsay, told the Mail & Guardian that the situation is under control. "While the strike has certainly not paralysed the government service as a whole, it has had a negative impact in some areas. No hospitals or schools have been closed, but some have been affected," Ramsay said.
Botswana Beef Exports Slump 89% After Exports to Europe Halted
Botswana Couriers set to unlock abundant value
BCPYL want De Beers, BDP relations probed
“When the BCP’s central committee convenes sometime next month they will look among other things at our request to file a case against the corrupt relations between the ruling party and De Beers, which dates back to the era of Sir Ketumile Masire’s presidency,”
Botswana central bank keeps rates at 9.5 pct
"The current state of the economy and the assumptions on both the domestic and external economic outlook ... suggest that maintaining the prevailing level of interest rates is consistent with the achievement of the bank's 3- 6 percent inflation objective in the medium term"
Sarin Ships Galaxy 1000 Diamond Scanning System to Shrenuj Botswana
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Optimising economic value creation
The shift in demand for African products especially by the European Union and the United States, accounting for almost 60% of Africa’s exports, did not help Botswana either. Many businesses went bust while those that trudged on were saddled by unsettled obligations and desperately needed recapitalization. With owed financial institutions demanding their dues it made little sense to ask them for more.
“In such circumstances three traditional options for raising capital are borrowing from the bank, listing on the stock exchange to raise capital or approaching a rich uncle for help,” VPB, founder and managing director, Anthony Siwawa told The Business Diary in an exclusive interview."
The world's premier mining and mining investment website Nimrodel Resources Commences Drilling at Takatokwane Project, Botswana - COMPANY RELEASES | Mineweb
Diamond drill rig mobilized and drilling commenced ahead of schedule
First hole has intersected 3 coal seams
Estimated gross mineralisation intervals of the 1st and 2nd coal seams: 3.7m and 16.5m respectively
Nimrodel Resources Limited (ASX: NMR) is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at the Takatokwane Project in Botswana. The Company was able to secure a diamond drilling rig earlier than planned and the rig was mobilized to site on Thursday last week. Drilling commenced on Friday and continued over the weekend."
Leighton in JV awarded US$586m mining service contract in Botswana
“Strategically it makes sense for Leighton – the world’s largest contract miner - to take our mining capability to resources markets like Southern Africa. We see this region, which includes Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania and Mozambique, as offering a significant range of mining opportunities.
Stocks to watch
IAMGOLD's Essakane Mine Continues to Operate Without Interruption in Burkina Faso
Analysts recommend G4S Share split
African Mobile Broadband, Data and Mobile Media Market - Market Research Reports - Research and Markets
- Mobile data services – SMS, MMS, WAP, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 3.5G, 4G;
- 3G and 4G mobile broadband technologies – WCDMA, HSPA, EV-DO, LTE;
- Statistics, trends and analysis;
- Major market players;
- Mobile content, applications and media;
- Mobile TV;
- Location-based services;
- M-commerce, m-payments, m-banking.
The countries covered in this report include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe."
ThePoor waste management led to tannery Closure'
Basil Read wins JV Mining Services Contract for Debswana Diamond Mine
Botswana seeks regional beef markets
Exports to EU markets are expected to resume after six months when the commission should have sorted out concerns raised by the European bloc.
Reports indicate that the suspension of exports is taking a heavy toll on BMC's finances, threatening the livelihoods of the plus-1 000 workers, and the prices paid to ranchers.
Official statistics show that the BMC exported products worth P868.8 million primarily to the EU last year, supporting export parity payments to more than 6 000 farmers and propping up tens of thousands of dependents, support industries."
Group eyes neighbouring markets
Botswana’s Government Says It Will Not Pay Striking Workers
The workers are demanding a pay rise of 16 percent while the government has offered 5 percent. Botswana’s annual inflation was unchanged at 8.5 percent in March.
ANT Steel plans rebar mill in Botswana
Friday, 8 April 2011
Sono Resources Announces Management and Board Appointments
Monday, 4 April 2011
CIC’s buyout by JSW in doubt
Friday, 25 March 2011
Botswana Diamonds gets licence in Cameroon
The concession is held 85% by Botswana Diamonds and 15% by local Cameroon partners.
The reconnaissance licence is for an initial period of 12 months with an automatic right to a one-year extension on performance of the agreed work programme - including sampling, geochemical work and geological mapping.
Following completion of the agreed work, Botswana Diamonds can apply for one or more multi-year exploration licences of up to 1,000 square kilometres each.
Botswana's Economy to Grow 10-12% This Year, Mohohlo Says
Botswana's economy may expand by 10 percent to 12 percent this year on a recovery in world diamond demand, said Linah Mohohlo, the governor of the country's central bank.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/03/23/bloomberg1376-LII5T36TTDSA01-0R5L81BDJ999H4BNL11IVELFHI.DTL#ixzz1HbwFQ9FYGIA Offers Diamond Grading Classes in Gaborone
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Australian Junior unearths large zinc anomaly in Botswana
Mt. Burgess has identified a large zinc soil geochemical anomaly on its Kihabe-Nzuu base metals prospect in Botswana.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
What's ahead for the stock market
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Thursday, 10 March 2011
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Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
Tacy LTD - BOTSWANA'S JANUARY DIAMOND EXPORTS UP 40%
Botswana saw a 40 percent increase in the value of its January diamond exports, which totaled US$354.3 million, compared to the same month last year. According to statistics published by the Bank of Botswana, the country's January 2011 exports also rose 136.8 percent over the previous month.
In 2010, the country exported US$3.2 billion worth of diamonds, a 45 percent increase over 2009 exports.
The bank's figures are sourced from the Central Statistics Office, the Diamond Trading Company Botswana, and two of 16 diamond manufacturers operating in Gaborone.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Botswana Expects Fuel Shortage Until March, Energy Ministry Says
The situation is being managed and won’t affect economic output, the Gaborone-based ministry said in e-mailed statement today. The government is trying to import fuel from Namibia and Mozambique because of disruptions in supplies from South Africa and has released a total 17.4 million liters (4.6 million gallons) from its stocks, it said.
“The supply shortage is likely to continue up to March 2011, and the government will continue to work diligently with the oil industry to manage the situation in order to avoid any interruptions to the economy,” the ministry said."