OTR Tyre Shortage Hits Botswana Mining Industry

Officials at a mine in Botswana claim the inability to source sufficient earthmoving tyres has led to almost a third of their 240 tonne load trucks being put out of action. This tyre supply crisis is occurring at the Jwaneng mine, owned by Debswana, the world’s largest producer of gem diamonds and one of the two largest mining operators in Botswana. Jwaneng mine section manager Kabelo Letlhoma said that, with each truck hauling 7,000 tonnes of soil per day, having seven of the mines 22 trucks laid up has created a negative impact on the mine’s production, and he believes that the re-opening of several dormant mines in China have contributed to the tyre shortfall.

Mining is responsible for approximately 34 per cent of Botswana’s GDP and half of the country’s taxes, so the OTR tyre shortage has the potential to have a marked impact on national well being. Mr Letlhoma said the shortage of tyres at the Jwaneng mine began in late February, and mine authorities do not expect the situation to normalise until 2011.

As an interim measure Debswana is repairing its existing tyres by re-threading them, and roads within the mine are being paved to minimise the risk of punctures.