First steps for Maatla

摘要

Over the past decade, coverage of potential Botswanan coal exports has focused on possible rail lines, but an actual coal mine now looks like being developed. The government has approved Maatla Resources' environmental impact assessment for its coal mine on the Mmamabula reserve, so the company is now just waiting for its licence to be approved. The volumes are relatively modest, but it is a first step, and the mine is to be connected to South Africa's new rail export route via the Waterberg. Botswana already has a functioning coal industry, but it is based on supplying domestic power plants. Development of the country's much more substantial coal reserves will depend on securing export routes.