Botswana Diamonds Share Discussion Threads

[georgeo1] 16/11/2020 07:58

JC going bananas on Twitter. So excited from the authorities.

[georgeo1] 16/11/2020 07:55

We have significant work done on this and are ready to go when exploration restrictions are liftedWe have significant work done on this and are ready to go when exploration restrictions are lifted.

[georgeo1] 16/11/2020 07:48

Now all other deals and should be a breeze.

[elmfield] 16/11/2020 07:45

Today’s news,
Deal of the year for a diamond explorer?

[georgeo1] 13/11/2020 14:53

NEWSBCL not reopening anytime soon – Masire?Published 4 days ago on 9th November 2020By Rearabilwe Ramaphane??The highly anticipated reopening of BCL mine will not happen anytime soon. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology & Energy Security, Mr Mmetla Masire says it is still way too early to imagine or even think about return of operation at the once regional copper and nickel mining giant.In September of this year, Lefoko Moagi – Minister of Mineral Resources told Parliament that government had identified three (3) potential investors who are interested in bringing the BCL mine back to life. The process of choosing new owners, Moagi said, was expected to be completed by December 2020.Speaking to Weekendpost on Monday, Permanent Secretary Masire said the BCL Liquidator has reported to the Ministry that they are still evaluating bids/proposals from a number of interested potential investors. "At this stage they have not yet concluded the evaluation therefore we do not know how well they are progressing," he said.Masire explained that the process will take some time as it is the nature with companies under liquidation. "The Liquidator reports to the Master of the High Court and they will update us on their finds and decisions when they are ready," said Masire.Quizzed on whether or not Government would be interested in buying a stake, or partnering with any of the investors Mmetla Masire said that conversation was not applicable at the moment. "It is premature to talk about Government partnering with any of the bidders when we are not even sure if any of the bidders will be successful," he said.The Permanent Secretary reiterated that it would therefore be unrealistic to expect BCL mine to be back in operation any time soon. "It is premature to be talking about reopening all or parts of BCL, the process of arriving at that stage is a very complex one and it takes time," Masire said.BCL Group which comprises of Phikwe BCL Mine and Tati Nickel mine in Francistown was put under provisional liquidation in October 2016, a decision which according to Government, stemmed from decline of copper prices on global markets thus rendering BCL an uneconomic business case.Prior to BCL liquidation Government had already pumped over P1 billion in cash through a loan that was later transformed into equity giving government full ownership following a series of transactions aimed at buying out Russian Norilsk. The closure of BCL mine in Phikwe resulted in over 5000 job losses, majority of which were semi and non-skilled personnel from Selibe Phikwe and surrounding areas.THE RACE TO TAKE OVER BCLInformation gathered by Weekendpost revealed that while government had announced that three (3) potential investors are bidding for the takeover of BCL mine, the quest has narrowed to a two (2) horse race. Two Former BCL Executives are said to be leading two (2) set of investors in a pursuit to assume the reins of resurrecting BCL.Montwedi Mphathi, former General Manager of BCL has partnered with a team of Canadian Investors to bid for the Mine. Mphathi, a shrewd miner, is credited for leading BCL to profitability during his time before leaving under a cloud to head Botash, Botswana's sole soda ash producer. Sources close to the matter told this publication that Mphati and his partners are likely to emerge as the preferred bidders.He is said to be banking on his credentials as the first Motswana to head BCL, leading it to profitability, and a combination of his Canadian partners' financial capacity and knowledge of the market.  "Mphathi actually knows BCL better , he has worked there for over 30 as a junior until General Manager , if his Canadian partners have the money and guaranteed market access , they stand a better chance," said one industry expert who preferred anonymity.The seasoned mining industry giant who also worked in the highest level of Government told this publication that BCL's business case remains viable. "The Phikwe mine would obviously not be back to pre liquidation capacity; at most it's likely to hire about 1500 people," he said.The other set of investors are led by Mark Williams. The former Divisional Manager – Corporate Strategy at BCL Mine is said to have convinced well resourced Qataris investors' to also enter the race.  Mark William is often referred to as the master mind behind BCL Polaris II, an ambitious strategy that was coiled to diversify BCL's portfolio and secure the company's future beyond its own mineral resource.Polaris II which entailed multibillion pula purchase of Nkomati Mine in South Africa was later criticized as one of the ill advised moves that sunk BCL into financial dark hole. Efforts to get hold of BCL liquidator who is based in Cape Town, South Africa were not fruitful as had not responded to Weekendpost questionnaire at press time. His Phikwe based staff declined commenting on the matter.

[georgeo1] 13/11/2020 14:48

https://yourbotswana.com/2020/09/05/bcl-mine-could-have-new-owners-by-december/

[georgeo1] 13/11/2020 14:38

https://www.xchange.co.bw/wins/print/the-telegraph/2-september-2020Try again.

[georgeo1] 13/11/2020 14:28

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://images.assettype.com/xchange/2020-09/2f75012e-fa04-4eda-b35c-faf6a1176345/The_Telegraph_2_September_2020.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjhudHf3P_sAhVrShUIHbwoDm04ChAWMAV6BAgDEAE&usg=AOvVaw2CmWmVyZw9glaSsbxguMHV

[georgeo1] 13/11/2020 11:43

https://www2.slideshare.net/mobile/JamesAHCampbell1/botswana-diamonds-plc-presentation-to-the-gssa-africa-exploration-showcase

[elmfield] 12/11/2020 17:16

Just waiting for the pictures to start streaming in.

[perroverde] 12/11/2020 16:57

Elmfield - lol especially if it was a 998 carat like Lucara's yesterday or a 400 ct like the one they 'broke' at M1... we can dream!
Irrespective of that, yes an interesting couple of weeks ahead.

[elmfield] 12/11/2020 16:18

Not be long until the drill bit starts turning.
Imagine if a diamond comes up in the core,
That is extremely rare but it would be fun.

[georgeo1] 12/11/2020 10:57

Looks like the team on the ground at marsfontein having fun , getting ready for drilling at marsfontein & Thorny . Should be very interesting to see results.

[georgeo1] 12/11/2020 10:30

I think by now Lucara has its eyes on KX36. Just like AK6.

[georgeo1] 11/11/2020 20:50

According to the company, the very high grade of the Marsfontein mine (172 cpht) distracted the original miners from the gravels. Subsequent sampling has confirmed they are diamond-bearing and BOD expects processing to being within six weeks.BOD recently announced it had identified what it believes to be five kimberlite pipes buried at shallow depth at Thorny River. This was back in September 2020.

[thecynical1] 11/11/2020 17:20

Will be interesting to see where this is in 3 weeks.....😎😎😁

[georgeo1] 10/11/2020 12:02

A mulithole drilling programme is expected to begin within two weeks.Probably to see grade any quantity from drill holes if they are to be said of high exceptional grade from blows and swells. Excellent news to follow. Big drilling to be carried out next year and hopefully BCL maiwbe we should here some news.

[georgeo1] 10/11/2020 08:05

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/07/09/2059897/0/en/ThreeD-Capital-Inc-Provides-Update-To-Its-Investment-in-Premium-Nickel-Resources-And-Announces-Normal-Course-Issuer-Bid.htmlIn this section from the link, does the offer include the maiwbe exploration.

[georgeo1] 10/11/2020 08:01

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sundaystandard.info/high-court-confirms-bcl-liquidation-mess/%3famp

[georgeo1] 09/11/2020 11:56

What next, Drill targets then resources finally get to mining.

[ein4] 09/11/2020 11:28

Exciting few weeks coming up, should be results before Christmas?

[oldtimer169] 09/11/2020 10:03

Seems everything is moving in the right direction with several irons in the fire!DYOR

[gottopickapocketortwo] 09/11/2020 07:58

Sorry meant thumbs up

[georgeo1] 09/11/2020 07:55

Some of the kimberlite pipes in this area contain very high diamond grades. "