China banks on Botswana
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JERRY BUNGU
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Published:
2009/07/01 06:41:21 AM
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CHINESE mining companies have acquired 10% of Botswana’s 1101 exploration licences after holding only a handful four years ago, Johannes Tsikamo, chief geologist at the Department of Geological Surveys, said this week.
“Chinese companies are being drawn to Botswana by the need to source raw materials for their expanding industries,” Tsimako said.
Australian companies held the most licences, Tsimako said, without providing a figure, while Japanese firms had 50. The Chinese mining companies were exploring for copper, nickel, uranium, coal, zinc and lead, he said. Bloomberg