TIBONE SAYS BOTSWANA COAL HAS A POTENTIAL TO GROW

GABORONE: Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Charles Tibone says Botswana’s coal and gas reserves have the potential to grow into an industry as big as the diamond sector. He was speaking at the signing ceremony between Botswana and South Africa on the development of the multi-million pula Mmamabule Coal Fired Power Station.

Diamonds generate half of Botswna’s revenue and a third of its gross domestic product, but Tibone said coal reserves of about 200 billion tons were set to rival that.

Minister Tibone said coal is in abundance and the country is not even tapping the tip ofr the iceberg, because the country is producing about 1 million tons a year at the moment.

Botswana is also looking at exploiting coal-based methane gas and is counting on luring companies to invest in its energy potential.

Mr Tibone said there is whole spectrum of activity that would have a much bigger base that could be comparable in terms of economic value to what diamonds  are delivering now.

Botswana wants not only to export coal, but also build coal-fired power stations and export electricity to the region, especially power hungry South Africa.

The government plans to expand its Morupule coal-fired power station nearly tenfold to 1-thousand 200 megawatts. (Radio Botswana news desk)