Hopes for revival of the economy of Selibe Phikwe were quashed on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday when Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Advocate Sadique Kebonang revealed that the BCL mine smelter will be stripped and sold. Many have been pinning their hopes on the recently refurbished multi-billion pula smelter, which was targeted to turn Botswana into a regional hub for smelting and refining of copper/nickel, even without the defunct BCL mine. Kebonang bluntly told Selibe Phikwe West MP Dithapelo Keorapetse that the story of BCL is finished, together with all its asserts. “All the asserts will be sold and the smelter is going to be stripped and sold in pieces,” revealed Kebonang who even quoted a bible verse from the Book of Job which read thus, The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” According to Kebonang the decision to dismantle and sell the BCL smelter is part of a strategy developed by the liquidator to enhance value and reduce obligations to make the resources remaining at BCL attractive to potential investors. In 2015 BCL spent P728 million on the refurbishment of the smelter, which is…