Female copper mine owner sets benchmark in small-scale mining

DODOMA: IN a sector traditionally dominated by men, a female copper mine owner in Mpwapwa District is setting a powerful example and breaking new ground for women across Tanzania.

Ms Doreen Kissia, the owner of Ikombo Hill Copper Mine in Matonya Village, has emerged as a trailblazer in the mining industry, operating one of the few womenled mining ventures in the country.

Her mine currently employs over 98 per cent of its workforce from Matonya and the neighboring Kinusi Village, contributing significantly to local economic development.

Demonstrating leadership and innovation, Ms Kissia recently oversaw the construction of a onekilometre access road linking her mine to the main highway—an initiative that has eased mineral transportation and reduced logistical challenges.

The mine produces an average of 30 tonnes of copper ore per month.

In an exclusive interview, Ms Kissia appealed to the government to extend electricity to the site, noting that the reliance on diesel-powered generators significantly increases operational costs.

“I believe the availability of electricity would greatly enhance production efficiency and long-term sustainability,” she said.

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Supporting the call for technological advancement, Engineer Chacha Megewa from the Mining Commission urged Ms Kissia and other small-scale miners to adopt copper ore beneficiation technologies, which can substantially improve both productivity and profits.

“One of the biggest challenges in copper mining is the lack of processing technology, which often results in the wastage of lowgrade ores,” he explained. He said that beneficiation does not require large-scale plants.

“Even small-scale processing units can upgrade copper content and reduce transportation costs. For example, copper ore with just 1 per cent content can be enriched to up to 20 per cent through proper processing— making it possible to sell cathode copper instead of raw ore,” Engineer Megewa noted.

Meanwhile, Mines Inspector from the Mining Commission, Mr Fahad Mkuu reminded miners to refrain from involving children in mining activities, citing serious health and safety risks.

He also encouraged financial responsibility, urging miners to save their earnings and invest in family welfare and community development instead of spending frivolously.

To address key challenges in the sector, the Mining Commission—through the Regional Mining Office and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—is currently implementing training for small-scale miners involved in strategic minerals, including copper.

The training is conducted under the Forgotten Minerals Development Project, which aims to equip miners with technical knowledge, business skills and practical tools to succeed sustainably.