Damtshaa shutdown irks BMWU
De Beers’ decision to permanently close Damtshaa Mine as part of a wider restructuring and cost-saving strategy has irked Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU).
The Union wants the new government to decisively act on the announcement and involve workers on solutions to either resuscitate or fairly pay benefits, to workers affected. “When De Beers shuts down places like Damtshaa Mine, it's not just a business move—it’s a serious national problem.
“It shows how unsafe and unstable mine workers’ jobs really are. People lose their incomes, families suffer, and communities are left struggling,” said BMWU President, Joseph Tsimako. Tsimako said De Beers should clearly explain why they are closing the Damtshaa operations or pay workers fairly. He said workers who are losing their jobs must be paid fair severance money, and it must be done quickly, urging government to step in.
“The government needs to make sure De Beers follows the law and doesn’t just walk away from its responsibilities,” said Tsimako, citing that workers and their unions must be part of any future decisions that affect their jobs. Damtshaa Mine began operations in 2003 and was operated by Debswana, before it was put on care and maintenance in 2015 due to declining diamond prices and cost pressures.
Though in 2021 to 2023, discussions on the mine's long-term future continued, no clear announcement of reopening was made. “The union believes this situation needs urgent attention. We think certain actions must be taken right away,” said Tsimako. BMWU said with De Beers scaling down its operations in Botswana, thousands of workers are going to lose their livelihoods without meaningful alternatives.
“We need to ask the government of the day what mechanisms are currently in place for retraining, redeployment, or compensation of these workers?” Tsimako wants the government to ensure that companies exiting the sector, invest in worker transition plans—reskilling, pension security, and community support. He emphasized that the mining towns are at risk of becoming ghost towns. “Local economies are likely to collapse when anchor employers pull out suddenly.
Post mine economic activity revitalization is needed including the expansion of other economic sectors such as agriculture and tourism.” He said the Union calls for a new social compact—any closure must involve mandatory consultations with unions and local government authorities. Meanwhile, Tsimako has indicated that social dialogue cannot be reduced to last-minute meetings, citing that it must be embedded in law and practice.
He bemoaned that policies and state contracts are discussed and concluded by the Minerals Policy Committee to the exclusion of the Union. “It is important the Union is permitted to sit and engage at these platforms, so as to inform and influence policy affecting the mining sector.” He said Botswana needs a clear legal framework enforcing mandatory social dialogue at industry and national levels, adding that the current social dialogue platforms are at the High-Level Consultative Committee, which is ad hoc and mainly caters for the employer. “The mining sector needs to have its own social dialogue forum, legislated and binding upon the government.”