Motheo is Sandfire’s open-pit copper mining operation in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt.
Located in the Ghanzi District, Motheo includes the T3 and A4 open-pit mines and the A1 development project. Ore is processed through a central 5.6Mtpa processing facility to produce high-quality copper concentrate containing a silver by-product. The concentrate is transported by truck to Walvis Bay, Namibia, for shipping to smelters around the world.
The operation is supported by a community office in the nearby town of Ghanzi, which is the focal point for managing human resources and community relations in the Ghanzi District. 96%of direct employees and more than 78% of managers are Batswana.
Motheo at a glance
Location: Ghanzi District, Kalahari Copper Belt, Botswana
Sandfire share: 100%
Product: Copper concentrate (containing a silver by-product).
Mining method: Open pit mining using conventional truck and shovel.
Processing method: Central processing facility with demonstrated capacity of 5.6Mtpa comprising conventional crushing, grinding and flotation processes.
Solar facility
One of the major initiatives underway at Motheo is the construction of our new 21MW solar facility, which is expected to provide about 30% of Motheo’s annual energy needs and generate about 40GWh of clean electricity each year. This is on track to be operational in FY27.
For the latest news and announcements on Motheo, including operational and financial performance updates, visit our ASX announcement page.
Supporting communities
We are committed to making a positive and lasting contribution to the communities in which we operate. Our commitment to sustainability is integral to the achievement of our purpose and the successful implementation of our strategy.
Our approach to sustainability at Motheo is built on long-term environmental stewardship, responsible resource development and deep partnerships with local communities.
We have committed 0.5% of Operations EBITDA to fund strategic community investment initiatives aligned with focus areas. We will work with our stakeholders to identify and help deliver projects that provide measurable, lasting benefits to the communities where we operate and the people of Botswana.
The four pillars of our Motheo Community Framework are:
Community Health
Initiatives which support improved outcomes for the physical and mental wellbeing of the broader community.
Education
Initiatives which encourage attendance in schools, improve learning outcomes among young children, and provide capacity building, training, and educational opportunities for youth and adults in the community.
Women Empowerment
Initiatives which support equality, inclusiveness, and empowering women.
Youth Development
Initiatives which promote training and employment opportunities to the youths within our local communities, as we look to assist in developing skills which will be beneficial throughout their lives.
News from Motheo
Modern, technologically advanced mine
- Infrastructure built to the highest standards
- $113M invested in exploration since our entry in late 2019
- Significant potential remains within our tenement package
- Our targeted exploration approach will ensure Sandfire remains best placed to make the next major copper discovery
Sponsorships and Donations
There are four ways in which Sandfire can assist community groups within the Ghanzi region.
- Donations: defined as needs-based requests for cash donations
- In-kind support: defined as non-monetary gifts of value such as door prizes, decommissioned assets, labour, and any assistance contributed to the proponent’s project
- Sponsorships: defined as advertising and /or profile generating opportunities for Sandfire
- Partnerships: defined as multi-stakeholder, strategic initiatives that deliver mutually beneficial business needs.
Priorities
Funding priority will be given to applications that demonstrate their alignment with our Motheo Community Framework.
- Community health: Initiatives which support improved outcomes for the physical and mental wellbeing of the broader community.
- Education: initiatives which encourage attendance in schools, improve learning outcomes among young children, and provide capacity building, training, and educational opportunities for youth and adults in the community.
- Women Empowerment: Initiatives which support equality, inclusiveness, and empowering women.
- Youth Development: initiatives which promote training and employment opportunities to the youths within our local communities, as we look to assist in developing skills which will be beneficial throughout their lives.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered eligible for support, the proposed community event, activity or project should:
- Show alignment with Sandfire’s Motheo Community Framework pillars
- Provide broad benefits to the local community and its members
- Promote sustainable social development
- Be local to Sandfire areas of business interests
- Be for groups with shared values and principles of Sandfire
- Reflect the diversity of the community and involvement from within the community
- Comply and be in alignment with Sandfire’s Code of Conduct
Exclusions to Eligibility
Sandfire will not consider requests for community support for any of the following:
- Applications that solely benefit individuals
- Applications owned by private and public companies or individuals with the intention of making profit
- Individual requests to cover travel, academic studies, raising funds on behalf of charities or other organisations
- Religious (for religious purposes) and political organisations or campaigns
- Events or projects that involve any type of unlawful activity
- Wages and payments to individuals
- Professional associations or business conferences
Application Process
The Sponsorship and Donation form is available to be downloaded below. It is recommended that you prepare the application in conjunction with the Sandfire Community Liaison Officer in Ghanzi.
The application form is used to obtain sufficient information to assess the proposal. Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year and will be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Community Relations Committee.
The Community Relations Committee will advertise application rounds via appropriate channels which may include; local newspaper advertisements, flyers and posters, focus groups and stakeholder meetings, email, website, radio or community noticeboards.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application after review by the Community Relations Committee.
Please return completed Community Support Application Forms to:
By Post:
Tshukudu Metals Botswana (Pty) Ltd
PO Box 1867 Abg, Gaborone, Botswana
By Email:
communityrelations@tshukudumetals.co.bw
In Person:
Community Relations Office,
Unit 6B Tau Mall, Plot 8624,
Ghanzi, Botswana
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Community Relations Office.
Ms Cecilia Goitseone Suping
Tel: +267 659 7938