Historically Lesotho’s mining and resource based industries focused mainly on diamond mining and sandstone quarrying. The mountains of Lesotho are pregnant with some of the world best value diamonds as discovered through the mining activities of the last two decades. The current direction focuses on exploring the mining value chain to cease opportunities for more investment, productivity of the sector and wealth creation for Basotho through both public and private investment.

Opportunities in the sector include exploration and mining of diamonds, diamond polishing, sandstone and quarrying, harnessing water resources, and development of a mining supplier park to service the emerging mining industry.

Water bottling

Lesotho’s major natural resource is water, often referred to as ‘White Gold’ by the Basotho people. The water is considered one of the most pure in the world with very little microbiological and chemical contamination which does not require intensive treatment.

Many natural springs of Lesotho flow year round. They are fed by renewable groundwater reserves recharged by rainfall and cleaned by the natural environmental system with little or no anthropogenic influence. The water from most of these springs is physically, chemically and biologically clean/acceptable as well as sparkling, cool and refreshing.

The country has about 137 documented springs and 6 springs are within close proximity of Maseru the capital city. Full research on these springs is available. The maximum yield of Lesotho’s springs is 8.5 litres of water per second which is low in concentration of micro-organisms and chemical pollutants. There are also a total of 90 documented boreholes countrywide.

Bottled water is also considered a food product internationally, thus investment in water bottling would have the benefit of creating a positive impact on public health in the region by providing safe drinking water for areas with poor water supply. An opportunity exists for establishing a procurement plant and equipment to bottle water for local, regional and international markets