BOTWANA

Proved recoverable reserves (total coal, million tonnes) 4 300
Production (total coal, million tonnes, 1999) 0.9

Vast deposits of bituminous coal have been located in Botswana, principally in the eastern part of the country. Coalfields in Greater Morupule and Mmamabula have been studied in detail, their proven in-situ resources being established as some 2.9 billion tonnes and 4.3 billion tonnes, respectively. These assessments were based upon deposits to a maximum depth of 200-250 metres and a minimum seam thickness of 0.25 metres.

The only mine to have been developed so far is at Morupule, near the town of Palapye, where Morupule Colliery Limited (controlled by Anglo American Corporation) commenced coal extraction in 1973.

With cumulative output to the end of 1999 amounting to nearly 15 million tonnes, Botswana’s remaining proved amount of coal in place is nearly 7 200 million tonnes; on an assumed average recovery factor of 60%, the theoretical proved recoverable reserves are some 4 300 million tonnes. The Morupule deposit accounts for about 40% of Botswana’s measured coal resource, the balance being attributable to Mmamabula.

Over and above the proved amount in place, there is an estimated additional in-situ amount of some 205 billion tonnes, comprising 29 billion tonnes of "indicated" resources and 176 billion tonnes of "inferred" resources, covering all the major coalfields that have been explored in Botswana. It is not at present possible to provide an estimate of the recoverable portion of these indicated and inferred amounts.

The Morupule mine’s chief customers are the Botswana Power Corporation, the copper/nickel mine at Selibe-Phikwe and the soda ash plant at Sua Pan. The BPC power station at Morupule (net capacity 118 MW) generates about half of Botswana’s electricity supplies, the balance being provided by imports from South Africa.

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