EMTyre Develops Homegrown Tyre Experts to Strengthen Botswana’s Mining Sector

EMTyre Develops Homegrown Tyre Experts to Strengthen Botswana’s Mining Sector. EMTyre, a leading tyre management company servicing Debswana operations, has celebrated the graduation of ten young trainees from its specialised tyre management programme in Jwaneng — marking a key milestone in Botswana’s drive toward local skills empowerment in the mining supply chain.

The initiative, developed by EMTyre to build national expertise in tyre maintenance and management, directly addresses one of the most complex and costly operational areas in open-pit mining. Speaking during the ceremony, Jwaneng Mine General Manager Goitseone Gadifele praised the company’s efforts to localise technical knowledge that has traditionally been outsourced.

“This programme helps bridge the gap in tyre-related skills, a major cost driver in mining,” Gadifele said. “Today, we stand proud to see young Batswana mastering highly technical skills once dominated by external contractors.”

Tyre management plays a vital role in the efficiency and safety of mining operations. Ultra-class tyres can cost up to P600,000 each, with a single haul truck requiring six — bringing total tyre costs per truck to around P3.6 million. Proper tyre maintenance significantly extends lifespan, improves fuel efficiency, and reduces downtime.

“This is not just about fixing tyres,” Gadifele added. “It’s about creating opportunities, building sustainable careers, and ensuring that local talent can drive the future of mining support services.”

All ten graduates have now joined EMTyre’s workforce as full-time employees, strengthening the company’s local technical capacity and reinforcing Botswana’s long-term vision for industrial diversification.