Morupule Coal Mine hosts Honourable Minister Bogolo Joy Kenewendo and Delegation for Strategic Management
Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) was honoured to host the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, for a high-level strategic engagement visit aimed at strengthening collaboration in Botswana’s minerals and energy sectors. The visit marked a significant opportunity for strategic dialogue, operational insight, and the reinforcement of partnerships aligned with national development goals.
Accompanying the Honourable Minister was a distinguished delegation comprising Deputy Permanent Secretary – Mines and Minerals, Dr. Obolokile Obakeng; Deputy Permanent Secretary – Energy, Mr. Nchena Mothebe; and Acting Director of the Department of Mines, Mr. Kenalemang Charles. The engagement commenced with a detailed business update presented by the MCM leadership team, highlighting key aspects of the mine’s current operations, strategic growth initiatives, and its role in advancing sustainable energy and mining practices. Emphasis was placed on MCM’s ongoing investment in innovation, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship as part of its long-term vision to power a sustainable Botswana.
Also in attendance were notable leaders from the Palapye region, including the District Commissioner, Mr. Tsholofelo Molobe, and the Palapye Police Station Superintendent, Mr. Koziba Phulweni. Their presence reinforced the importance of local stakeholder engagement and community collaboration in driving inclusive development.
In her remarks, Honourable Minister Kenewendo stressed the importance of infrastructure development and Botswana’s role in the global energy transition. She called on MCM to take the lead in researching and investing in clean coal technologies, noting that although Botswana is not among the top coal consumers globally, early adoption of appropriate technologies is vital for maintaining competitiveness and environmental responsibility.
The Minister further underscored the critical need for economic development and integration, calling it a path essential to Botswana’s progress. “As we move to economic development and economic integration, this is a path that is very critical to us—economic development and ecosystem. What we want to see is cluster development, we want to see delivery and supplier chain development,” she said. She expressed concern that despite being a mining country for over 50 years, Botswana has little to show in terms of local manufacturing and production. “There is no manufacturing, production that happens here to show that these mines are actually using these high consumables and importing from the same people. We should be using our economic power and buying power to draw in and work on cluster development, and that will be an imperative going forward—not just as part of citizen economic empowerment, but also local economic empowerment.”
The Minister thanked MCM for the comprehensive presentations and the open, strategic dialogue, noting that key issues raised, particularly those surrounding economic alignment would be escalated to management for further discussion. She emphasized the importance of collaborative effort with all stakeholders to achieve long-term sustainability and national prosperity.
MCM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Botswana’s development goals by driving innovation, fostering partnerships, and working collaboratively to build a sustainable and inclusive future.
