SELEBI-PHIKWE

also spelled Selebi-pikwe, mining town, eastern Botswana. Selebi-Phikwe is located 62 miles (100 km) southeast of Francistown. Situated in the centre of a large copper-nickel mine and a smelter complex, it was one of the fastest-growing towns in the country in the late 20th century. The copper and nickel operation, in which the government of Botswana had a 15 percent share, began production in 1974. Laid out as a fully integrated township with modern housing, electricity, and water facilities, Selebi-Phikwe was built for the mining community by the Botswana Roan Selection Trust. Funding in part was provided by the World Bank and other international development agencies. Roads, a railway, and an airport were built to link the town with Botswana's main lines of communication. Pop. (1991) 39,772.