By Kefiloe Kajane
The ministry of mining this week dismissed allegations that Mothae Diamond Mine is involved in the irregular awarding of service provider and plant rental agreement to Shared Water Systems (PTY) Ltd.
According to a statement by the ministry, the concept of incubating new local entrants to the mining arena is an initiative that was borne by the ministry in 2019 with the aim to empower and grow local companies.
The statement also said Mothae’s board of directors and then minister of mining Keketso Sello had reached an agreement on the principle of incubating during a board meeting in 2019.
“It was further accepted that the nomination of incubation partners would be the prerogative of the ministry of mining, provided that the nominated parties have demonstrated abilities in the field of expertise where the opportunity may be, as well as that any transaction obviously must be commercially sensible. All the foregoing being done in conformity with the laws of Lesotho.
“The work in the mines is normally done through expression of interest by interested Basotho companies who are invited as required by law ( section 11 of the Mines and Minerals act 2005),” the statement read.
