The newly appointed Managing Director (MD) of Debswana Albert Milton is confident that Debswana mines will continue creating wealth for the country through expansion projects that will unlock investment opportunities.
Milton said this on Wednesday during his official unveiling as MD at the GICC. The occasion also stood as a farewell ceremony for the retiring MD Balisi Bonyogo.
Milton said expansion projects – Cut 9 in the Jwaneng mine and Cut 3 in Orapa mine – have the potential to unlock opportunities for growth of the business in terms of boosting sales and production level.
Milton said the projects will not only unlock new opportunities for the shareholders – Government of Botswana and De Beers – but also offer long-term transformation of the country’s economic prospects.
“I am very committed to ensure that the business performs well going forward. I remain optimistic of business and economic growth which will go long way in ensuring that the diamonds contribute significantly to the economic transformation into a Knowledge-Based oriented economic set up,” he added.
He reiterated that there is a need to diversify the economy to reduce massive dependence on minerals, particularly diamonds.
He said they are focused on facilitating growth and unlocking opportunities for local businesses that will supply goods and services to the company, adding that the expansion projects have ripe opportunities for partnerships with local companies.
Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Minister Eric Molale has backed Milton to take with full force the new Debswana mines life line projects – the Cut 9 and Cut 3 as they offer glimpse of hope of increasing production of diamonds.
Bonyongo praised De Beers and Botswana Government for a well-functioning partnership, which he said has the ability to take Debswana to greater heights in investment turnover.