63 inactive mining licences face cancellation

DODOMA: A TOTAL of 63 inactive prospecting licences are under legal review as authorities move to revoke undeveloped mining areas and reallocate some of them to small-scale miners.

Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, told the august House yesterday while responding to a basic question from Fagason Nkingwa, (Mbogwe-CCM) who sought to know when the government would allocate mining areas and licences to small-scale miners.

Dr Kiruswa said the exercise is being conducted through the Mining Commission, where geoscientific data is being analysed to identify productive areas suitable for small-scale mining activities.

He explained that where existing geological information is insufficient, the the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) will conduct detailed exploration before the areas are officially allocated.

“The government recognises the contribution and efforts of small-scale miners in Mbogwe. In efforts to empower them, the government has already set aside the Nyakafulu area for smallscale mining activities and issued a total of 108 licences following the cancellation of an undeveloped licence,” Dr Kiruswa said.

Meanwhile, responding to a supplementary question from Mr Nkingwa regarding the rights of landowners and farmers in areas allocated mining licences, the Deputy Minister said the Mining Act, Chapter 123, prohibits any person without a mining licence from conducting mining activities.

He added that Section 96 of the law requires licence holders to follow all legal procedures before starting mining operations, including compensating landowners before any activities begin.

“The licence holder is not allowed to begin mining activities before compensating the landowner,” he said.

Dr Kiruswa further explained that the law allows landowners and licence holders to enter into agreements, including partnerships and profit-sharing arrangements, provided the agreements are officially registered with the ministry.

“Our laws and regulations allow them to agree on partnership terms, including sharing profits, or direct compensation before mining activities proceed,” he explained. He also advised landowners in mineral-rich areas to apply for mining licences in order to secure legal rights over their land.

If you believe your land contains minerals, you have the same right as anyone else to apply for a mining licence. If you delay and another person obtains the licence, legal procedures will have to be followed,” he noted.

Responding to a supplementary question from Ado Shaibu, (Tunduru-ACT Wazalendo) on mining activities in protected areas containing minerals, Dr Kiruswa said miners willing to comply with the conditions set by rights holders would be granted licences, provided their activities do not interfere with existing operations.