Lucara Botswana’s CFO Calls for United Action to Advance Sustainable Mining

Lucara Botswana’s CFO Calls for United Action to Advance Sustainable Mining. Lucara Botswana Chief Financial Officer, Nametsegang Poloko-Nthake, has underscored the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable mining practices, noting that the future of Botswana’s mining industry depends on joint commitment between government, industry players, and local communities

Speaking during the Sustainable Mining & Resource Management panel at Botswana Sustainability Week, Poloko-Nthake emphasized that the mining sector’s continued success relies on shared accountability and collective innovation. “We must combine our efforts to achieve multiplied outcomes,” she said. “The balance between people, profit, and the planet is no longer a trade-off—it is the new definition of progress.”

She highlighted Lucara’s approach to stewardship, describing it as both a privilege and a duty. “Being custodians of Botswana’s diamonds demands innovation, efficiency, and empathy in equal measure,” Poloko-Nthake stated.

Lucara Botswana’s operational shift from open-pit to underground mining was presented as a prime example of this mindset in action. Originally designed for a 12-year lifespan, the mine’s transformation extends its productive years while minimizing surface disturbance and improving energy efficiency. The move aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9, which promotes industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

Poloko-Nthake noted that this transition reflects not only Lucara’s long-term sustainability vision but also its contribution to Botswana’s broader development objectives. “Our strategy is to ensure that the nation’s natural wealth continues to drive inclusive growth and a legacy of resilience,” she said.