Sandfire’s Motheo Copper Mine Exceeds Expectations, Driving Jobs and $2.8 Billion into Botswana Economy
Australia-based Sandfire Resources Managing Director and CEO Brendan Harris has hailed the company’s Motheo copper mine in Botswana as a “remarkable achievement,” citing both the supportive investment environment and Sandfire’s operational excellence as key factors in the project’s success.
Speaking at the Africa Down Under conference in Perth on Wednesday, Harris detailed how the $400-million project, delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic, had quickly surpassed expectations.
“From construction to first concentrate, the development of Motheo has been a remarkable achievement. The project was delivered on time and on budget, and quickly exceeded expectations as we fast-tracked the expansion of processing capacity from the initial 3.2 million to 5.2 million tonnes a year and developed a second open pit in parallel,” Harris said.
The operation is now running at 5.6 million tonnes per year, enabling Motheo to deliver more copper, faster than originally planned, while generating additional local employment and economic value for Botswana.
This rapid ramp-up, achieved in less than two years, has already contributed substantially to the local economy.
Harris reported that Sandfire’s total economic contribution to Botswana in the 2025 financial year reached $314 million.
Given Motheo’s strong performance, the company expects to utilize all tax losses, including upfront capital, in less than three years.
“Motheo’s tax payments alone are forecast to rise exponentially, reaching $100 million, or P13 billion, in FY27,” he noted.
Over its projected ten-year lifespan, the mine is expected to inject a cumulative $2.8 billion into the Botswana economy. Since 2021, Sandfire has invested more than $600 million in the country.
Sandfire employs over 2,000 people at Motheo, with 95% of direct employees being Batswana. Harris emphasized the company’s commitment to diversity, noting that women comprise more than 40% of both the board and executive team and over a quarter of the global workforce.
“We fully understand that our social licence will only be as strong as the difference we make in local communities,” Harris said.
He highlighted initiatives such as a P3-million donation to Botswana’s disaster management relief fund following severe flooding earlier this year.
The company is also collaborating with the Botswana Power Corporation on solar power projects in the Ghanzi region, which will benefit both the Motheo operation and surrounding communities.
Looking ahead, Sandfire plans to expand Motheo through the development of its A1 resource and associated infrastructure, including a 25 km haul road.
Exploration remains a priority, with the regional budget set to rise by 26% to $16 million in the 2025 financial year.
“Our unrivalled geological, geophysical, and geotechnical database of the Kalahari Copper Belt is a real competitive advantage,” Harris said. “The long-term future of Motheo will be secured through the drill bit.”