Tlou Energy Ltd has lodged a mining licence application for the Lesedi coalbed methane (CBM) project with Botswana’s Department of Mines in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (the Ministry).
Tlou has received confirmation from the Ministry that they intend issuing an addendum to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of up to 100 MW of CBM Power and a new closing date will be advised in due course.
Tlou's Managing Director Tony Gilby said: "The mining licence for the Lesedi CBM project is the first application of its kind to be lodged in Botswana. The award of the mining licence will be another milestone for the company, which further enhances the first mover advantage we have to develop a gas-to-power project in the country. The issue of a mining licence will pioneer the development of a new and exciting natural CBM gas industry in Botswana, an industry that will lead to a new indigenous source of energy and employment for the country. Over time it will potentially allow new manufacturing industries to develop using Botswana CBM gas and facilitate the creation of a new renewable energy industry. This is due to gas being a relatively clean and cost-effective way to provide peaking power to complement the often-intermittent nature of renewable energy. I would like to thank the team at Tlou and our consultants for putting together such a comprehensive application and look forward to the Ministry’s assessment of the application in due course.”