LESOTHO’s first coal mine is expected to start operations in Qhalasi, Mohale’s Hoek before the end of the year, the Minister of Mining Serialong Qoo has announced.
business
Nov. 9, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
3 min read
Coal mining operations set to start in Qhalasi
The minister of Mining
The minister said he has already visited the mining site together with the Parliament Natural Resource Portfolio Committee to inspect the area.
“The committee should know about the project now so that as soon as we need some financial backing, funds would be made available,” Mr Qoo said.
Coal mining experts from South Africa are currently working with their Lesotho counterparts to determine the quality and quantity of the mine’s coal deposits.
The project, the minister said is part of government’s initiatives to fight hunger and address the high unemployment rate in the country, especially amongst the youth.
The COVID-19 pandemic, he showed has added salt to the wound, by compounding the spiralling unemployment crisis.
“People are losing jobs in large numbers across several sectors, especially in the textile industry,” he said, adding that the plan is to ensure that local residents get the first preference in terms of employment.
“The project is in their home village and they should enjoy the benefits before everybody else.”
The government, he said is working hard towards resuscitating the fragile economy through available natural resources.
“We have already met the relevant authorities in the district to inform them that soon, we will be starting coal mining operations in the area,” Mr Qoo also said.
For his part, Member of Parliament for the Qhalasi constituency Palo Leteetee said the prospecting process was done way back in 2017 although it was not completed.
“I will have much to discuss when the actual operations kick off,” Mr Leteetee said.
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“It is clear that we want the community of Qhalasi to benefit as much as possible through employment opportunities before everyone else,” he said, adding that this will open up several investment opportunities in the area.
The community will also benefit through infrastructure development which will be empowered by ancillary developments like provision of electricity, water and sanitation services.
Lesotho’s current mineral resource profile is limited to diamonds, sand stone and clay.