Minergy advancing Botswana’s Masama thermal coal project

MINERGY, a coal development firm listed in Botswana, said it had made advances in its Masama coal project having invested in infrastructure whilst contracts for site clearing, civil works, power reticulation and waste management were in various stages of appointment.

“While Minergy is still in the development and exploration phase, we’ve made considerable progress towards full operational status, and have also invested in infrastructure, including offices in Medie and Lentsweletau,” said Andre Bojé, CEO of Minergy.

In addition to breaking ground and having contractors start work after the mining license was granted on 28 August 208, Minergy is actively engaging the local communities about job creation and upliftment programmes, including improving the school and the clinic in the village closest to the mine, Medie, as well as bringing in electricity, he said.

Bojé said that both Botswana and Minergy have a significant role to play in fulfilling the increased demand for coal, with four million tonnes of coal exported from South Africa to the African continent in 2016, which is forecast to rise to 38 million tonnes by 2030.

“The thermal coal price has also increased 33% over the past 18 months, making it one of the world’s top five highest-performing commodities. “The price of coal is rising, there is a deficit in supply and a strong demand, especially in the developing world, which is driving up the prices and keeping them high,” he said.