Government of Botswana grants Minergy coal mining license
Published by Claire Cuddihy,
Assistant Editor
World Coal,
Yesterday, Botswana-based coal mining and trading company Minergy Limited (Minergy), announced that it had been granted a mining license by the nation's Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security’s.
This reportedly marks a significant milestone for the company, which listed on the BSE in April 2017, and is seeking a listing on the UK’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) during 2019.
CEO of Minergy Limited, Andre Bojé, commented: “The license is critical for Minergy to continue as a business. This will be the first open-cast coal mining license granted by the Government of Botswana, so the process was not without its challenges for both parties. However, Government was so confident in our economic model that we were never in doubt that these could be overcome.”
Bojé added: “Well, first and foremost, it immediately reduces the risk for any potential investors who view investments such as this, which often rely on regulatory discretion, as a key risk when investing; second, we can now go on site to break ground and invite contractors to start work; third, we can actively engage the local communities about job creation and a number of upliftment programmes, including improving the school and the clinic in the village closest to the mine, Medie, as well as bringing in electricity; and lastly, for management, the directors and all those directly involved in the project, it is just so exciting to finally get onto site and see the mining activity taking place.”
He added: “Whilst the delay has brought the 2018 festive season into the equation moving first production and AIM listing timelines out, the license will truly enable us to reach our full potential with the Masama Coal Project, alongside our commitment to the development of the coal mining, marketing and distribution industry in Botswana. I reiterate what I said at our listing in Botswana last year – this marks the beginnings of a resurgence in the Botswana coal industry.”
According to Minergy, with the company looking to list on AIM, the sustained buoyancy in the coal market bodes well for the mine, and according to Bojé is set to continue well into the future, given global demand. He explained: “During the past 18 months, thermal coal prices increased by 33%, making it one of the world’s top five highest-performing commodities.
“In 2016, 4 million t of coal were exported from South Africa to the African continent, this is forecast to rise to 38 million t by 2030. Botswana and Minergy both have a significant role to play in fulfilling that increase in demand. Investors looking to invest in coal have lots of opportunity at the moment; 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. In my experience, there’s never been a better time to invest in coal.”
Bojé concluded: “I have always been an advocate for coal power; it remains inexpensive compared to other energy sources and world-wide demand for the commodity remains high, given population demographics in fast-growing countries and regions such as India and China, as well as in Asia and Africa, the latter being where our geographic focus will initially lie.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/29082018/minergy-secures-coal-mining-license/
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