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Intensive exploration has deepened understanding of Botswana coal resources

2nd April 2015

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

  

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There had been intensive coal exploration in Botswana, which had resulted in a better understanding of the country’s coal resources in terms of quality, quantity and distribution, independent geologist Alan Golding stated at a Fossil Fuel Foundation conference on solid fossil fuels in Southern Africa and Madagascar that was held in Johannesburg last month.

He added that the current energy price slump would affect the potential for large-scale coal production.

“Botswana has an estimated 212-billion tons of coal resources and current production is essentially for local consumption, with limited exports,” Golding said.

He noted that exploration in Botswana over the past seven years had not only confirmed that significant tonnages were available in the known areas but had also located other resources in areas previously considered speculative.

“Published figures by exploration companies indicate the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results and Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves-compliant resources of about 60-billion tons, while the large-scale conversion of these resources to reserves has yet to be determined,” Golding said.

In 2011, the Botswana government placed a temporary moratorium on new applications for coal prospecting licences and commissioned a study to determine the most suitable long-term plan, called the Coal Road Map, for the development of the resources.

The key outcomes of the Coal Road Map were discussed at a meeting in February 2012, where it was decided that applications for coal prospecting licences within a core area of known resources would be restricted to completive tender, while those effectively in the deeper areas outside the core area would be accepted.

“Management of prospecting licence applications has been moved from the Department of Geological Survey to the Department of Mines. There was a further delay of about six months, when the coordinates of the core area were defined and published,” he said, adding that a high-level unit “think-tank” was proposed to further review the management of the licence applications to increase the use of coal for the benefit of Botswana.

Golding noted that a consultant had been appointed to undertake a feasibility study for the construction of the proposed railway line to Walvis Bay, in Namibia, and since the implementation of the Coal Road Map, only two completive tenders for prospecting licences had been issued.
“The current prospecting licences are to expire soon and are between five and seven years old.

He added that the Morupule colliery had an aggressive export marketing drive, with tonnage having increased by 70%. Even exports to South Africa had increased.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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