The Ministry of Minerals and Energy plays a major role in Botswana’s economy. It oversees and enables the development of the mining sector thereby contributing significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Ministry also drives policy development and provides regulatory oversight for the energy sector (including green technology) which is key contributor and enabler to the success of the economy.
The Ministry’s mandate is stipulated by the Government of Botswana to:
Coordinate and oversee the development of mineral and energy sectors;
Promote the use of green technology which relates to, amongst others, the use of renewable energy and cleaner technologies for sustainable development;
Promote use of mix of alternative energy sources that will ensure energy security.
Vision:
To be the international benchmark in the development of mineral and energy resources for national prosperity.
Mission Statement:
We create opportunities and enabling environment for the mineral and energy sectors to ensure the sustainable socio-economic development and opportunities for Batswana.
We do this through:
Developing appropriate policies and regulatory instruments;
Ensuring optimal and accountable mineral development and beneficiation to grow revenues;
Ensuring security of energy supply through conventional and renewable sources; and
Enabling the development and use of green technology to meet current and future needs of the country.
Core Values:
Safety: We are committed to the safety and security of all our publics and the protection of the environment we operate in.
Timely delivery: We will be prompt and responsive to the needs of the customer at all times.
Team work: we are committed to working together to achieve common goals.
Diligence: We are committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations through being compassionate, courteous, self-less and professional.
Ministry Departments:
Department of Corporate Services (DCS)
Mineral Affairs Division (MAD)
Department of Energy (DOE)
Department of Mines (DOM)
Diamond Hub (DH)
Ministry Parastatals/ State-owned Companies:
Botswana Power Corporation (BPC)
Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA)
Botswana Oil Limited (BOL)
Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI)
Okavango Diamond Company (ODC)
Mineral Development Company Botswana (MDCB)
DEPARTMENTS/SECTIONS AND KEY FUNCTIONS
Department of Corporate Services (DCS) – Supports the delivery of the Ministry’s core mandate and instills an organisational culture of excellence. It also provides quality support services by efficiently and effectively managing its resources and adhering to best management practices.
Mineral Affairs Division (MAD)- is a lead policy-making authority of Government on all matters of mining and mineral sector development. It is responsible for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies for the mining and minerals sector, and sub-sectors. The Mineral Affairs Division gathers market intelligence and promotes investment on minerals.
Department of Mines (DOM)- ensures that the mineral resources of Botswana are prospected, developed and exploited in a sustainable manner. It enhances socio-economic, financial and other benefits to Botswana arising from exploitation of mineral resources and monitors compliance with all the relevant legislation pertaining to prospecting and mining activities. DOM has two offices in Gaborone and Francistown.
Diamond Hub (DH)-Coordinates the development of diamond beneficiation industries. The department administers the implementation of Kimberly Process requirements as well as providing business development services and regulating diamond beneficiation operations. It also facilitates the downstream diamond business establishment and monitoring of import and export of diamonds into and out of the country.
Department of Energy (DOE)- is responsible for the formulation, direction, coordination and implementation of the National Energy policy. The department is also responsible for long-term energy planning for the energy sector. It facilitates the availability of effective, reliable and affordable energy services to customers in an environmentally sustainable manner.
PARASTATALS
Botswana Power Corporation (BPC)-The Corporation is responsible for power generation, transmission and distribution. It provides a safe, competitive and reliable electricity services and is a leading power distributor in the region.
Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI)- was established to undertake research in the field of geosciences and provide specialized geo-scientific services, be a custodian of geoscience information, promote the search for and exploration of any mineral in Botswana and to act as an advisory body in respect of geosciences and geo-hazards.
STATE-OWNED COMPANIES
Botswana Oil Limited (BOL)-established in order to achieve the Botswana Government’s broader economic objectives of ensuring security of fuel supply and facilitating active citizen involvement in the petroleum industry. As the National Oil Company of Botswana, BOL serves as the Government’s transformation agent charged with this important responsibility.
It is mandated to:
Ensure the security and efficiency of supply and distribution of petroleum products in Botswana.
Manage and maintain Government owned fuel strategic storage facilities and strategic stocks.
Ensure meaningful participation of Citizen owned oil companies in the petroleum industry.
Mineral Development Company Botswana (MDCB)- is an investment company that holds and manages mining and minerals assets for the Government of Botswana. Established as a commercial entity, the company is mandated and well positioned to grow, optimize and diversify its mining and minerals portfolio as well as facilitate the development of the local mining and minerals sector. MDCB also provides the Government of Botswana with commercial and technical advisory services.
Okavango Diamond Company (ODC)- is a world class rough diamond marketing company that is wholly owned by the Botswana Government. It offers its global customer base open access to scale supply of the full range of rough diamonds sourced from Botswana. With access to 15% of Debswana’s run-of-mine production, ODC is an important supplier to the market with sales in the region of $500 million per annum. ODC believes in building customer confidence from the delivery of consistent sales assortments through to operating a very open and transparent sales model, with prices set by the market through a dynamic online bidding process. Its mandate is to provide the Botswana Government with a direct to route to market for its rough diamonds and to support the ongoing transformation of Botswana into a leading rough sourcing destination.
Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA)- responsible for providing an efficient energy regulatory framework for Electricity, Gas, Coal, Petroleum products, solar and all forms of renewable energy with the primary mandate of providing the economic regulation of the sectors. BERA exists to regulate the energy sector by ensuring a competitive environment in accordance with International Best Practice. It also exists to enhance Botswana’s economy by regulating the energy sector with integrity.
