Women in mining drive gains momentum

Women’s participation in the mining industry across the country continues to gain momentum, as more initiatives and participation of women in the sector increase.

The Minister of Minerals and Energy has announced plans to host a Women Pitso end of January in Palapye, to facilitate, empower and encourage the active participation of women in the mining industry. The initiative comes after the Minister of Mines and Energy, Lefo Maxwell Moagi made a plea at the 4th installment of Women in Mining annual conference held under the theme: ‘The Changing Face of Mining in Africa’, last year for the sector to prepare requisite resources to ensure women are not marginalized in the new wave of mining, supported by the 4th industrial revolution.

Soapbox Communications, a female owned company has also risen to the occasion to actively participate in the women in mining space. With more than a decade experience in Botswana’s mining sector this year, Soapbox Communications has plans to revive its annual mining industry jamboree, dubbed trade Up North, in Jwaneng. Established in 2018, Trade up North is one of the country’s mining exhibition platform held annually to showcase latest technologies and equipment, services, machinery for Mines, Manufacturing and Construction Industries in exploration, excavation, processing, production and export that had been halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It brings companies closer to customers. It’s an opportunity for companies to share what they can offer. It’s an opportunity for contractors and buyers to meet with stakeholders in a pleasant setting,” said Vuyiswa Mojela, founder of Soapbox Communications.

This year, the show returns and will be held in Jwaneng for the first time on the 21st of February 2023 at Jwaneng Rugby Club under the theme: ‘Manufacturing and Production: the only way out of our Economic Predicament’. “We firmly believe that participating companies will gain valuable exposure to the current needs. Further, participants could derive local and international economic value and contribute to national and regional growth aspirations. Broadly, stakeholders stand to benefit some takeaways to develop downstream industries to maximize value chains on operations within their localities,” said Mojela.