- TSAONE SEGAETSHO
Botswana Ash (Botash) Managing Director, Kangangwani Phatshwane, revealed during a recent media tour that the company is introducing three vital products, with one specifically addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.
One of the products, multipurpose Sodium Bicarbonate, known as bicarbonate of soda in households, is widely used as a pollutant cleaner. Phatshwane highlighted its beneficial environmental effects, including the treatment of acid gas pollutants from smokestacks and sewage treatment. Sodium Bicarbonate is also non-toxic to plants, unlike other minerals.
“This is how Botash gears up to start a campaign in joining the globe, also in the 5-year strategy, in putting in place strategic performance in ESG. We are going to produce more of this product, mostly for its vital use in air cleaning and its multipurpose capabilities,” he stated.
Sodium Bicarbonate’s applications range from household cooking and cleaning to industrial and agricultural use, including animal feed production.
Botash will also introduce Sulphate of Potash, intended as a fertiliser and a source of two highly sought-after nutrients ideal for high-value crops like grapes and tobacco. Phatshwane noted that this product is not produced anywhere in Africa, presenting a significant market opportunity.
The third new product, Sodium Sulphate, is essential in detergent manufacturing.
The media tour at Botash’s main plant at Sua Pan, held from Thursday to Friday, included various activities such as plant tours and management engagements.
As the largest producer of natural sodium and related products in Southern Africa, Botash’s introduction of new products aligns with its strategy to maintain market leadership in the region’s industrial chemicals sector over the coming decades.
Phatshwane discussed Botash’s “Double-in-Five” Strategy, which aims to consolidate its position as Africa’s top producer of Soda Ash and industrial products by diversifying its portfolio.
Phatshwane also highlighted Botash’s profitability, noting steady growth since 2017 due to its strong presence in key consumer markets. The vision is to double profitability within five years.
During the Sua Pan plant tour, senior process engineer Modisagaarekwe Kgaodi mentioned that the mine’s lifespan extends until 2050, according to their 2014 resource evaluation report. Currently, on a mining lease expiring in 2039, Botash will conduct its next resource evaluation this November, with evaluations occurring every 10 years.
Kgaodi informed journalists that the resources allow for the extraction of 21 million cubic metres of brine annually, yielding an output capacity of 300,000 tonnes of grade salt and 280,000 tonnes of soda ash.
