THE IMPACT OF MINING AFTER

INDEPENDENCE

9/10/2025

Thabang Botshelo
HISTORY PROJECT
TITLE: ASSES THE IMPACT OF MINING ON BATSWANA AFTER
INDEPENDENCE.

Contents
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................I
OVERVEIW OF BOTSWANA’S MINING INDUSTRY..........................................II
The Social and Environmental Impact of Mining in Botswana After
Independence.............................................................................................III
Environmental Impact................................................................................IV
Challenges and Criticisms..........................................................................IV
Government Response and Policies............................................................V
Conclusion...................................................................................................V

INTRODUCTION

1.1 “Background of Botswana’s independence

Botswana, a landlocked country in south Africa, gained

independence from British colonial rule on 30 th September 1966. At

the time of independence, Botswana was one of the poorest

countries in the world, with limited infrstructure, low literacy rotles,

and on economy largely dependent on subsistence farming and

cattle rearing. However, the discovery of rich diamond deposits

shortly after independence marked a turning point in the nation’s

economic trajectory. Mining quickly emerged as the backbone of

Botswana’s economy, transforming the country from poverty to one

of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

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 1.2 Discovery and Growth of the Mining Sector

‘’ The mining sector, particularly diamond mining, has played a

central role in Botswana’s development. Diamonds were first

discovered in Botswana in 1967, just one year after independence.

The first discovery at Orapa in 1967, which later led to the opening

of the Orapa Mine in 1971. This discovery was a turning point in

Botswana’s history, as it transformed the country from one of the

poorest in Africa to one of its most stable and prosperous

economies. Major Mining operations such as those run by Debswana

(a partnership between the Botswana’s government and De Boers)

have brought in significant revenue, enabling the government to

invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The growth of

mining has also created jobs and attracted foreign investment,

helping to stabilise the country’s economy. However, alongside

these benefits, mining has also presented challenges including

environmental degradation, economic dependence on a single

sector, and social inequalities in mining communities

1.3 Purpose and Scope of the report

The purpose of this research is to asses the impact of mining on

Botswana after independence. It aims to provide a balanced

analysis by examining the economic, social, and environmental

effects of mining. Additionally, the research will discuss the

challenges faced by the country due to its reliance on the mining

sector and the government’s efforts to diversify the economy. By

exploring these objectives, this research seeks to offer a

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 comprehensive understanding of how mining has shaped

Botswana’s development journey since gaining independence.

OVERVEIW OF BOTSWANA’S MINING

INDUSTRY

At independence in 1966, Botswana was one of the poorest

countries in the world, but today it is among the better off

developing countries. This is largely because of its minerals, mainly

diamonds. Botswana has large deposits of diamonds, copper nickel,

coal and soda ash, as well as small quantities of asbestos, gold and

manganese. More minerals may be discovered in the future, as

more mineral exploration is carried out. Before independence,

minerals belonged to the various merafe. Soon after independence

the new government successfully persuaded the merafe to give all

mineral rights to the state, through the tibal Territory Act. This was

important because it enabled the government to formulate a

standardised policy for mining throughout Botswana. It also enabled

the government to use mining revenues for the development of the

whole country, instead of just those areas with minerals.

2.1 KEY MINERALS AND RESOURCES

1. Diamonds

Of much greater importance than copper nickel or coal has

been the discovery of diamonds, beginning at Orapa in 1967.

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 The De Beers Botswana Mining Company was formed in 1969

to mine diamonds at Orapa. Production started in 1971, and in

1977 mining also started at nearby Letlhakane. In 1976, De

Beers discovered a new, very large, diamond pipe at Jwaneng.

Full production began in1982, and a town has developed

around the mine. In 1992, Botswana formed its own diamond

mining company, called Debswana Diamond Company.

Botswana has also begun to process diamonds. Since 1982,

the company Diamond Manufacturing Botswana, has cut and

polished diamonds. In 1991, Debswana opened a diamond

cutting company in Serowe, known as the Teemane

Manufacturing Company. A company called Lazare Kaplan

international has opened another cutting and polishing factory

in Molepolole. These factories, together with the mines, have

created a certain amount of employment.

2. Copper and Nickel

By the mid-1960’s, mineral exploration had revealed minerals that could

be profitability mined. Large quantities of copper were discovered at the

Selebi in 1963 and at Phikwe in 1965. In 1967 Bamangwato Concessions

Limited (BCL) announced the existence in the area of 30 million tons of

copper nickel. In 1968, the government decided to develop a mine in

Selebe-Phikwe. The mine would create employment and bring more

revenue to the country. Mining, would also ensure that the country did not

have to rely sofely on cattle for its revenue. The revenue from mining

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would enable the government to develop other economic activities and

provide social services.

3. Coal

Until mining began at Selebe-Phikwe, Morupule coal had no market but in

1973 mining began. The coal is sold to the BCL power station and smelter.

The large coal deposits at Kgaswe near Morupule are not being mined ,

because there are still not enough local markets for coal. The Morupule

Power Station is using coal to produce electricity for the whole country.

Other uses of coal are being encouraged , For example, to replace

firewood for cooking.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MINING

The money that was earned from the mining of this minerals was used to

develop the country infrastructures such as roads, buildings, school.

 Roads

Botswana before independence had poor roads, as such this made it

difficult or people to move from one place to another. For example:

When missionaries were in Botswana converting Batswana into

Christianity, due to the poor roads in the country, they could not reach

places were they are important. Therefore the money earned from

mining is used to build well fixed roads making it easy for transport of

people from one to another.

 Buildings

The money earned from this mining sectors is used to build new

infrastructures to the country, as such making the country attractive.

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 Additionally, now if the country has more advanced infrastructures,

investors from outside the country can come into the country, create

job opportunities for people in the country

 Education

Before independence, Botswana relied on the missionaries education,

which was poor and had no effective. Mining has helped the

government of Botswana to now use this money earned from the

mining sectors to try and use the money to improve the education

sector which is essential for each and every Motswana children.

The Social and Environmental Impact of

Mining in Botswana After Independence

When Botswana gained independence in 1966, it was one of the poorest countries in Africa.

The discovery of diamonds quickly changed its destiny, turning mining into the backbone of

the economy and shaping both the social and environmental landscape of the country. While

mining has brought many benefits, it has also come with challenges that continue to affect

Botswana today.

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Social Impact

Mining contributed as a significant strategy towards the social impact of Botswana. New

mines such as Orapa, Jwaneng, and Letlhakane created a lot of employment opportunities for

people in the country, reducing unemployment and also poverty rate giving many families a

reliable and supporting income. Towns like Jwaneng, Orapa, and Selebi-Phikwe were

created around mining operations, drawing people from unique places and ethnic groups,

which strengthened cultural exchange and national unity. With the income earned from

diamonds, the government invested a lot towards education, as many Batswana children

could get access to better. building schools, funding scholarships, and even establishing the

University of Botswana. This investment raised the skill of Batswana reading and writing and

created opportunities for future generations.

Healthcare also was better. Money that was received from mining allowed Botswana to

provide free healthcare, build hospitals and clinics, and later support programs such as free

antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS, which aimed at helping the marginalised, that is

people who are affected by diseases. Welfare programs, pensions for the elderly, and other

social services were financed through diamond wealth, lifting many people out of poverty.

Women, too, began to benefit, finding employment not only in mining towns but also in

government projects funded by mining income.

Mining companies such as Debswana played their part through corporate social responsibility

initiatives—building schools, clinics, recreational facilities, and supporting sports teams. At

the same time, improved the property of the country such as roads, electricity, and water

supply, which bought Batswana people clean and healthy water, changed settlement patterns

and living standards, raising the quality of life for many citizens.

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But mining also created problems. Rapid urbanization led to overcrowded mining towns,

shortages of housing, and strain on local services. The sudden availability of cash in these

communities brought with it social ills like crime, alcohol abuse, and prostitution. Migrant

labor often separated families, while HIV/AIDS spread rapidly in mining areas. Traditional

farming and cattle rearing declined as people abandoned agriculture for mining jobs,

increasing dependency on government welfare.

When mines eventually closed, like the BCL copper-nickel mine in Selebi-Phikwe in 2016,

entire communities suffered unemployment, poverty, and social instability. Mining towns

became ghost towns overnight. Inequality between those benefiting directly from mining and

those still relying on farming also grew.

Environmental Impact
On the environmental side, mining brought both opportunities and damage. The wealth from

diamonds allowed Botswana to set up environmental regulations, fund conservation

programs, and strengthen institutions such as the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Debswana and other companies launched land rehabilitation programs, replanting trees and

filling old pits, while mining revenue helped finance national parks, anti-poaching units, and

even renewable energy projects.

However, the negative impacts were severe. Open-pit mining scarred the land, destroyed

habitats, and disrupted ecosystems. Forests were cleared, water was polluted by chemicals

and waste, and dust and smoke from blasting worsened air quality, causing respiratory

illnesses. Mines consumed vast amounts of water in a semi-arid country already struggling

with scarcity, reducing supplies for communities and agriculture. Noise, soil erosion, and

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biodiversity loss added to the damage, while abandoned mines left behind toxic waste and

unsightly landscapes.

Challenges and Criticisms

made the country vulnerable to global price fluctuations. Efforts to diversify the economy

have been slower than expected, and when mines closed, unemployment surged. Critics also

point out that despite Botswana’s reputation for good governance, not all citizens have

equally benefited from mining wealth. Many rural communities remain poor, and agriculture

was neglected in favor of mining. International companies, especially De Beers, have often

been accused of taking a larger share of the profits.

Government Response and Policies

ensuring that diamond wealth flowed directly into national coffers. Mining revenues were

reinvested in healthcare, education, roads, and water supply. Long-term plans such as Vision

2016, Vision 2036, and successive National Development Plans aimed to diversify the

economy into sectors like tourism and manufacturing.

Environmental policies were also put in place, requiring environmental impact assessments

before mining projects could begin. To empower citizens, policies encouraged more local

participation and ownership in the mining sector, while efforts were made to expand diamond

cutting and polishing industries within the country. In areas affected by mine closures,

programs such as the Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) were

introduced to revive local economies.

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Conclusion
Mining has defined Botswana’s journey since independence, lifting it from poverty to

middle-income status and funding schools, hospitals, and infrastructure that transformed

lives. Yet, it has also created social problems, environmental damage, and economic

dependency. The country’s leaders have been praised for managing diamond wealth wisely,

but the challenges of overdependence and sustainability remain.

In many ways, mining has been both a blessing and a reminder: a blessing because it gave

Botswana the resources to build strong institutions and improve people’s lives, and a

reminder that true prosperity depends on using that wealth to create a more diverse,

sustainable economy for the future.

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