Lesotho has been significant development in the areas of Dams such as Katse, Metolong, Mohale and 'Muela dam and mines such as Kao, Liqhobong and Letśeng-La-Terai diamong mine in recently years.These Dams not only provide crucial water resources water supply but also contribute to regional water supply through international partnerships. The mines have been a significant source of revenue for the country and have helped boost economic development.

1. WE L CO ME

2. BIG DEVELOPMENTS OF LESOTHO
TABLE
OF
CONTENT
Dams Mines

3. Introduction
Lesotho Dams
Location

4. INTRODUCTION
Dams are massive barriers built across rivers and
streams to combine and utilize the flow
of water for human purpose. These purposes may be;
Irrigation
Hydropower
Water-Supply
Flood Control
Navigation
Fishing
Recreation
This confinement of water creates
lakes or reserviors.

5. KATSE DAM
The Katse dam, a concrete arch dam on the
Malibamats’o river in Lesotho.The dam is
located on the border of Leribe and Thaba-Tseka
district. The dam is 710 metres long and 185
metres high. It is one of the largest dam projects
in the world and stands as a remarkable feat of
engineering. The construction of the dam began
in 1991 on the Malibamats’o river tributary of
the orange(Senqu) river and it was completed in
1996. On January 22 1998, water began to be
delivered to South Africa. The dam was built by
a Consortium of Bouygues, concor, Group
5,Hochtief,kier group and sterling international.
Lesotho Dams

6. Continuation
 The Katse dam is a Significant part of the Lesotho
Highlands Water Project, which is a multiphase
project designed to provide water to the Republic
of South Africa. It is also designed to generate
hydroelectric power of Lesotho.
Katse dam is an elevation of 1993m above
the sea level making it the highest elevation
dam in Africa. The dam wall is a double-
curved arch. It curves from side as well as
from top-to-bottom. The wall is 185m high,
60m wide at the base and 9m wide at top.
Length of the wall is 710m.

7. Following is an illustration video showing Katse dam.

8. `MUELA DAM
The `Muela dam is situated on the Nqoe river in
Butha-Buthe Lesotho. The dam is a 55m high double
curvature arch structure forming the tail pond of the
`Muela Hydropower station, which will generate 72
MW of power for Lesotho. The construction of the
underground works started in March 1995, the first
draft tubes were installed in November 1996 and
commissioning of the plant is scheduled for 1998. The
site chosen, in a narrow gorge on the Nqoe river
north of `Muela village.
Lesotho Dams

9. Continuation
The purpose of the dam is to serve as a tail
pond for the `Muela underground
hydroelectric power station that generates
electricity to supply the needs of Lesotho.
The plant capacity(at phase1) is 72
MW(three Francis vertical shaft turbines at
24MW each.

10. METOLONG DAM
The Metolong dam is situated in the Maseru district,
adjacent to the villages of Ha Seeiso, Metolong and HA
Makotoko, approximately 30km East of Maseru. It is a
83m high roller compacted concrete(RCC) dam with a
reservoir capacity of 64 million cubic meter and a raw
water pumping station with a 1.2 cubic meter per second.
Lesotho Dams

11. Continuation
The construction of the dam began in August 2013 and
was completed in February 2015. Design and
construction of the dam is founded by a consortium of
Arab Donors, namely BADEA, Saudi, OFID and
Kuwait. The dam was designed for domestic and
industrial water supply for Maseru and nearby
lowland areas.

12. Lesotho Dams
MOHALE DAM
Mohale dam is the embankment ,concrete faced rock-fill
dam located in Maseru district. It is the second dam, under
the phase 1B of the series of dams of the proposed Lesotho
Highlands water Project. The dam is 145m high and 700m
long.

13. Mohale dam was built as part of phase 1B
of the LHWP to augment south Africa’s
water supply and generate electricity in
Lesotho. The construction of Mohale dam
was supervised by Mohale Consultants
Group. The dam was completed in 2003
and formally commissioned in 2004.
Continuation

14. Location
Lesotho
Mines
Introduction

15. INTRODUCTION
The diamond mining industry has been in existence in Lesotho since the last
1950s.
Prospecting rights were granted over Kao and Liqhobong pipes in 1959 but
immediately after Lesotho’s independence from colonial rule, these mines
ceased operations on account of dissatisfactory diamond production
results. In 1961, artisanal diamond mining by licensed Basotho diggers
started at Lets’eng –la-Terai, Kolo, Nqechane and Hololo. However, in
1968 the process of prospecting on Lets’eng diamond pipe commence,
Again, the results proved futile in the 1970s and the mine ceased
operations. Nonetheless, the reopening of the diamond mines in Lesotho
about a decade ago has brought benefits worthy of mention. The diamond
mining industry’s contribution to Lesotho’s economic growth has
increased quite a bit higher lately.

16. LETS’ENG-LA-TERAI DIAMOND MINE
Lets’eng diamond mines is situated high in the maloti
Mountains in the kingdom of Lesotho owned by Gem
Diamonds Limited, which owns 70% and the government of
the kingdom of Lesotho, which owns the remaining 30%.
Lesotho MINES

17. Continuation
The Lets’eng diamond mine is pleased to announce
the recovery of high quality Type II white diamond
from the Lets’eng mine in Lesotho. This mine is found
in Mokhotlong district, is 3100m above sea level and
3100m high and it is the biggest mine in Lesotho.

18. Lesotho Mines
LIQHOBONG MINE
The Liqhobong Diamond is located
within the Liqhobong valley in the
Maluti mountains, approximately
120km east-northeast. The mine has
estimated reserves of 19 million carats
of diamonds and an annual
production capacity of 1 million
carats. Liqhobong mine is operated by
Liqhobong Mining Development
Company(proprietary)
Limited(LMDC), which is 75% owned
by Firestone Diamonds and 25%
owned by the Government of Lesotho
and it is found in Butha-Buthe
district.

19. KAO MINE
Kao mine founded by Tomiro Nagase is found in Butha-Buthe
district. It is 200km away from Maseru, it is 1030m high. This
mine is owned by Gem Diamonds, Ltd and the government of
Lesotho, at an elevation of 3100m(10 200 ft). The Kao mine is
renowned for the production of rare, precious pink diamonds.
Lesotho Mines

20. In conclusion, the dams in Lesotho are a vital component of the country’s
infrastructure, significantly contributing to its economic development and
regional cooperation, particularly through the Lesotho Highlands Water
Project. This project not only improves local water exports access but also
generates substantial revenues from water exports to South Africa.
The Lesotho mines are a major source of income for the country, and they
have played a significant role in its development. However, the mines
have also had a negative impact on the environment and the health of the
local population. The government of Lesotho has taken some steps to
address these issues, but more needs to be done to ensure that the mines
are operated in a sustainable manner.
Thank you.
By:FUTHUMETSA NELISWA
CONCLUSION

21. LIST OF REFERENCES
 www.link.springer.com(2013),Katse,available
at:https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4020-4410-
6_220(accessed 05 May 2024)
 www.hydropower-dams.com(2022),Muela,available at:https://www.hydropower-
dams.com/news/muela-hydro-plant-in-urgent-need-of-unit-1-repair/(accessed
24 April 2024)
 www.water.org.ls.com(2015),available at:https://www.water.org.ls/metolong-
authority/(accessed 28 May 2024
 www.wis.orasecom.org.com(2019),Mohale,available
at:https://wis.orasecom.org/content/study/UNDP-
GEF/InfrastructureCatalogue/Documents/Reservoirs/Mohale%20Dam.pdf(accesse
d 10 May 2024)
 wwhttps://www.mining-technology.com/projects/liqhobong-diamond-mine/
 www.letseng diamonds.co.ls(2022),letsengdiamond mine,available
at:https://www.letsengdiamonds.co.ls/corporate-profile/(accessed 07 May
2024)
 www.kao mine.com(2023),available
at://https://stormmountaindiamonds.com(accessed 23 April 2024)